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Dartford fell to a fifth defeat in six games, as Wingate & Finchley struck three times in the opening twenty minutes to win a thrilling encounter in front of 825 supporters at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.
Ahmet Rifat’s Blues were quick out of the blocks and were ahead within three minutes, when Andronicos Georgiou sent a curling drive beyond David Aziaya after good work by Billy Cracknell and Rhamar Garrett-Douglas.
The Darts responded well initially and dominated the ball for the next quarter of an hour, which ended with the Blues’ goalkeeper Charlie Grainger saving a Josh Hill header (14).
But, as so often has been the case this season, the Dartford defence was found wanting when the visitors struck twice within three minutes to all but win the contest.
Ogochukwu Obi was the first to breach the Dartford back line, before seeing his strike saved by David Aziaya. But, the rebound fell to Georgiou who struck into an empty net (18).
Benedict Frempah added a third from a corner after 21 minutes, as the visitors put their hosts to the sword in what was a poor first-half for Ady Pennock’s side.
The Dartford boss responded by making a triple substitution at the break, with Jeremiah Pinder, Eddie Dsane, and Duane Ofori-Acheampong being replaced by Olly Box, Luther Williams, and Ade Yussuf respectively. That would be followed by Tyler Christian-Law coming on for Denzelle Olopade late in the game (88).
The changes had a positive effect, as the hosts set about trying to get back into the game. The excellent and tireless Callum Jones forced Charlie Grainger into a save with his 52nd minute header, before Olly Box reduced the deficit with a delightful finish just three minutes later (55).
Another Dartford sub, Ade Yussuf, scored a second for the hosts with a good finish to open his account for his new team (66), before Jones received an elbow to the face while trying to bring his team level (70). The Dartford number seven, who’d be rewarded for his efforts with the Man of The Match award later on, changed his bloodied shirt and continued to cause problems for the Wingate & Finchley defence.
Dartford continued to push forward in search of the equaliser but, unfortunately, the damage had already been done and the visitors managed to see out the game and secure the three points.
TEAMS
DARTFORD: David Aziaya, Sam Odaudu, Josh Hill (c), Michael Olarewaju, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Jeremiah Pinder, Samir Carruthers, Callum Jones, Eddie Dsane, Duane Ofori-Acheampong.
SUBSTITUTES: Jacob Marsden, Olly Box, Luther Williams, Tyler Christian-Law, Ade Yussuf.
WINGATE & FINCHLEY: Charlie Grainger, Billy Cracknell (c), Toby Byron, Matthew Achuba, Benedict Frempah, Ryan Lowe, Rhamar Garrett-Douglas, Ayobani Tanimowu, Ogochukwu Obi, Andronicos Georgiou, Loic Hernandez.
SUBSTITUTES: Isaac Newton, Arthur Iontton, Bobby Webb, Jaiden Drakes Thomas, Tyrese Briscoe.
Chris Palmer