Princes Park Comes Alive in Kent “Friendly” Derby

There were positive signs for Dartford as they continued their pre-season against Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night. The 1-1 draw expressed the excitement around Princes Park for the season ahead as Dartford outplayed the National League side throughout the first half.

It was Josh Hill’s free header on the six yard line from a corner that gave Dartford the lead in the 35^th minute before a mix up between Ronnie Vint and Smith in goal allowing Tahjae Anderson to equalise on 70 minutes.

A crowd of nearly 900 emphasised the quality of both the support and the game for a July friendly, and the fans were not left disappointed by what was, in general, a competitive, exciting and high-quality game.

Dartford started with seven new signings including a midfield partnership of Luke Allen and Sam Blackman as well as Mark Smith in goal, Josh Hill paired with Tom Bonner in defence, with Jordan Wynter at right-back. Luke Wanadio played on the left side, with Ryan Hayes on the other wing. Up front, Darren McQueen was joined by Charlie Sheringham.

Dartford started the game the brighter with Darren McQueen looking lively with his electric pace as he snuck in between the Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Ashmore and the defence, flicking a shot just past the post in the second minute. Dartford continued to put the pressure on throughout the early minutes, with Ryan Hayes cutting in from the right and crossing for Darren McQueen to no avail, as it just skimmed the striker’s head. Wanadio also began well, playing in Sheringham in the 13^th minute, with the striker’s chip being deflected out for a corner.

Ebbsfleet had their moments, including a flowing move out to the left hand side early in the half, but struggled to string passes together into effective moves. As the half went on, Dartford began to take control, with consecutive corners in the 34^th minute leading to Josh Hill heading home unmarked from six yards out after Luke Allen and Ryan Hayes had gone close in the minutes before. Dartford continued to put pressure on the Ebbsfleet defence, with Darren McQueen and Luke Wanadio linking up well on the left hand side throughout the first half.

The second half began with a flood of substitutes as friendlies often do, with the captain Tom Bonner, Sheringham, Hayes and triallist #3 coming off for Ronnie Vint, Ben Greenhalgh, new signing Alex Flisher and triallist #18.

Ebbsfleet started the second half the better, including a well worked and calculated move on the right hand side. In the 54^th minute Flisher headed down to the midfield, before Wanadio picked up the ball on the wing and cut it back to the edge of the 18 for Blackman whose shot was blocked. The 23 year old former Dartford academy player showed some encouraging signs during the match, with a playing style very much like that of Lee Noble, with a terrier like attitude of hunting for and challenging everyone for the ball.

Ebbsfleet began to come back into the game as the half grew on, including a close call for Dartford as Gozie Ugwu passed to Lawrie Wilson on the right hand byline, but Wilson’s loose chipped cross caused no problem for the Dartford defence despite the two men in the middle, with the ball going out for a throw in.

In the 70^th minute, a miscommunication between Ronnie Vint and Mark Smith allowed Tahjae Anderson to poke the ball in for his second goal in only two pre-season games.

In the 75^th minute Wanadio, dangerous as ever, drove into the Ebbsfleet defence before passing to Dartford Academy player Cameron Brodie, whose fierce shot was saved. As the game continued, the pace of the game slackened due to the number of substitutes breaking up the game. In the 75-77^th minutes, academy successes Jed Smith and Elliot Leveson came on for Luke Wanadio and Jordan Wynter, with Smith getting a chance on the right which flew well over.

Ebbsfleet had their own second half opportunities, with a low corner in the 79^th minute being headed back across goal and just wide of Smith’s post.

Overall, there were encouraging signs from Dartford as they appear to be gelling well as a team with good cohesion for this time of year, something the team struggled with last season. Sam Blackman was powerful and played well in the midfield, as well as Darren McQueen up front. However, my man of the match has to be Luke Wanadio. The returning Dart was a constant threat with his quick feet and his electric pace which caused Ebbsfleet problems every time he went forward.

The Dart’s next outing is away at Grays Athletic on July 13^th.

Dartford: Smith, Wynter (Leveson 77mins), Trialist #3 (Trialist #18 45 mins), Bonner (Vint 45 mins), Hill, Hayes (Greenhalgh 45 mins), Allen (Brodie 64 mins), Blackman, Wanadio (Smith 75 mins) Sheringham (Flisher 45 mins), McQueen.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, King (Trialist 57mins), Thomas, Lawless (Dainkeh 68 mins), Obileye, Grimes, Weston (Magri 72 mins), Ugwu (Anderson 65 mins), Wilson, Shields (Trialist 45 mins), Egan (Achuba 79 mins).

MotM: Luke Wanadio