MATCH REPORT | LSC | HENDON 6 DARTFORD 3
Dartford’s adventure in the London Senior Cup came to an end in a nine-goal thriller Semi-Final, as Hendon put six past a predominantly Academy Darts side at Silver Jubilee Park.
The young Dartford players in the squad made a good account of themselves throughout, but take nothing away from Lee Allinson’s Hendon because the Southern League Premier Division South outfit were ruthless on this cold night under the floodlights.
A relatively even start to proceedings was soon interrupted by Kai Brosnan and Niko Muir combining well to create space for Joe White, who opened the scoring with a neat finish in the 11th minute.
Young Dartford goalkeeper, Reece Hobbs, then showed what he was capable of by pulling off a good save to thwart Brosnan (14), before Taylor Maloney forced a routine save from Hafed El Droubi at the other end four minutes later.
Hobbs then made a great save to keep out White, only to see Daniel Matsuzaka stab home Hendon’s second after David Diedhiou’s header from the resulting corner caused havoc inside the Dartford box (25).
The visitors responded via the lively Fumnaya Shomotun, who’s excellent run created space before he found Jack Smith, but the midfielder’s 30th minute effort flew narrowly over Droubi’s crossbar.
Joe White then added a third for the hosts with a delightful left-footed drive (36), before Louie Atkins was alert to pull a goal back for Dartford after Droubi failed to deal with Olly Box’s initial strike (38).
But, the Greens weren’t done as far as the first-half was concerned, and Brosnan’s hard work was rewarded with a goal despite the best efforts of Jayden Boulton in trying to keep it out (45+1).
The second forty-five couldn’t have begun any worse for the Darts, as Joe White completed his hat-trick with a fine finish after just two minutes (47).
With an even bigger mountain to climb, Adrian Pennock reacted by making a double substitution in the 54th minute, as Luke Coulson and Paul Rooney made way for Academy duo Finley Scillence and Jack Peters. That would be followed by another double swap in the 65th minute, as Jeremiah Pinder and Ashdon Day came on to replace Taylor Maloney and Louie Atkins respectively.
As we return to the action, we find Box expressing himself once again with some good work before setting up Scillence to smash home a second goal for Dartford in the 57th minute.
However, Hobbs was a little too quick to race off his line ten minutes later and, subsequently brought down his opponent inside his own box. The young shot-stopper got booked for the challenge, but then stepped up to save Diedhiou’s spot-kick (67)!
Yet, any hope of Dartford salvaging anything from the game was put to bed with the next Hendon attack, whereby Joe Wright netted his fourth of the night (68).
Olly Box then pulled a goal back for the Darts via the spot himself, having been brought down inside the Hendon area (69)… However, the young starlet saw red late on after an altercation with Lucas Perry, leaving the visitors to finish with ten men.
As the curtain closed on a rather difficult and disappointing season, the young Dartford Academy players have been a bright light within the darkness, and have certainly given Adrian Pennock much to think about in preparation for next season.
TEAMS
HENDON: Hafed El Droubi, Simeon Olarerin, Lucas Perry, Blaise Riley-Snow, Daniel Matsuzaka, David Diedhiou, Kurtis Cumberbatch, Billy Leonard, Joe White (c), Niko Muir, Kai Brosnan.
SUBSTITUTES: Samuel Adenola, Luca Allinson, Mert Apat, Shaun Lucien.
DARTFORD: Reece Hobbs, George Whitefield, Fumnaya Shomotun, Jack Smith, Taylor Maloney, Louie Atkins, Jayden Boulton, Olly Box, Louis Earley, Luke Coulson (c), Paul Rooney.
SUBSTITUTES: Jack Peters, Jeremiah Pinder, Ashdon Day, Finley Scillence.
Chris Palmer
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