MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 3
Dartford’s 2025-26 pre-season preparations began with the visit of Charlton Athletic to Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park on a beautiful summer’s afternoon.
Boss, Ady Pennock, named a strong starting eleven for the game, with three of his five new signings selected. Only striker Dan Smith and recent addition Ikechi Eze were missing, but would feature in the second-half with the other substitutes, which also included four trialists and four Academy players.
The Darts made a good account of themselves against their newly promoted Championship opponents, as a bumper crowd of 3,584 supporters enjoyed an exciting game of football.
The Addicks took an early lead via Daniel Kanu, who fired home the follow-up after new Dartford goalkeeper Jonny Henly had made the initial save (6).
The hosts almost responded immediately via Callum Jones, but his effort was blocked (7), before the Dartford number seven did indeed level the score three minutes later after Ben Frempah’s initial shot was saved by Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Henry Rylah dragged a shot wide of Henly’s far post in the twelfth minute, before the visitors were awarded a penalty by referee Mr Luke Scott for a handball by George Whitefield… a decision which was quite harsh on the Dartford defender. Captain Greg Docherty was the player to step up to restore the Addicks’ advantage (26).
Nathan Jones’ outfit should have added another to their tally, only to see Rylah’s lovely curling drive fly narrowly over the top of Henly’s crossbar on the half-hour. Henly then pulled off a great save to thwart Kanu (32), before the hosts were offered an opportunity to equalise.
MacAulay Gillespie was adjudged to have fouled Eddie Dsane inside the Charlton box, in what was another soft penalty decision by Mr Scott. Samir Carruthers continued where he left off last season by firing beyond Maynard-Brewer to ensure that the Darts went into the break all square (35).
The start of the second forty-five saw Ady Pennock make ten changes to his side, with only Jonny Henly returning to the pitch.
The opening exchanges of the half saw Nathan Jones’ side seeing a lot more of the ball, as they passed it around the pitch and pressed the hosts back further towards their goal.
However, Dartford showed tremendous discipline and energy, as they kept their shape and frustrated their opponents. The defence, in particular, stood strong and weren’t afraid to put in a challenge in a bid to protect their goalkeeper.
Yet it wasn’t long before Henly was indeed tested, but the 65th-minute effort from the visitors proved to be a routine stop and smother for the shot-stopper.
The longer the half went on, the more the Darts began to venture forward themselves, with new signings Ikechi Eze and Dan Smith looking lively.
The former came close with two free-kicks within five minutes of each other. The first flew just over the top of the crossbar (73), but the second had substitute goalkeeper Tommy Reid scrambling desperately to reach it, before the ball flew narrowly wide of his upright (78).
Three minutes later saw 16-year-old goalkeeper Harvey Olenga come on to replace Jonny Henly to rapturous applause. The Darts’ number one had put in an excellent shift, which earned him a deserved Man of The Match award.
Harvey Olenga’s hopes of keeping the score level ended within four minutes when Micah Mbick scored from close-range after Nathan Asiimwe and Sonny Carey had combined well. The youngster did, however, make a fine save deep into stoppage time to prevent Charlton from netting a fourth.
As is always the case with pre-season, the result is rather meaningless. However, the energy, work-rate, and performance from all the Dartford players was massive this afternoon. Something that Ady and his team can be extremely encouraged by.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Sam Odaudu, Ben Frempah, Michael Olarewaju (c), Luther Williams, George Whitefield, Denzelle Olopade, Sammie McLoed, Samir Carruthers, Callum Jones, Eddie Dsane.
SUBSTITUTES: Dean Nayler, Trialist A, Trialist B, Hugo Taylor, Ikechi Eze, Jeremiah Pinder, Trialist C, Olly Box, Dan Smith, Gabe Campbell, Harvey Olenga, Trialist D, Richie Atkins, Alby O’Mara-Knapp.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Kayne Ramsey, MacAulay Gillespie, Lloyd Jones, Conor Coventry, Tyreece Campbell, Greg Docherty (c), Kaheem Dixon, Josh Edwards, Henry Rylah, Daniel Kanu.
SUBSTITUTES: Tommy Reid, Alex Mitchell, Micah Mbick, Kai Enslin, Sonny Carey, Keenan Gough, Karoy Anderson, Nathan Asiimwe, Zach Mitchell, Tanto Olaofe, Reece Burke, Ibrahim Fullah, Alan Mwamba, Josh Laqeretabua.
Chris Palmer
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