Home»All Photographs»Dartford FC 2022-23»Dartford v Worthing

27 August 2022. Dartford 1 (Connor Essam 9'), Worthing 2 (Callum Kealy 51', Joel Colban 90+5').

With injuries mounting up, manager Alan Dowson was forced to shuffle his squad and give full debuts to two new loan signings. Midfielder, Adam Lovatt, arrived from Sutton United and slotted straight into the midfield at the expense of Keiran Murtagh. He was joined by fellow debutant, goalkeeper Joe Young, who arrived from Wolves on loan for the injured Dan Wilks.

Dartford started well once again, and only a fine challenge by Worthing’s Captain Aarran Racine prevented Luke Coulson from striking at goal as early as the second minute. After forcing a couple of corners, the hosts were awarded for their early pressure. Samir Carruthers delivered the set-piece, finding the head of Connor Essam, who headed home into the top corner (9). Four minutes later saw Essam at work again only, this time he made a superb challenge to prevent the lively Callum Kealy from scoring at the other end.
The Darts started the second forty-five on the front-foot, as Luke Coulson forced a corner after his strike was deflected wide (48). Unfortunately, the corner came to nothing and Worthing were level three minutes later. Callum Kealy was the scorer, as he managed to control the ball inside the box before twisting round and firing into the bottom corner (51). After 55 minutes, Alex Wall was booked by Mr Farmer after yet another seemingly harmless challenge. That was the striker’s last contribution as he made way for Sam Odaudu. No matter how much they tried, the Dartford attackers just couldn’t break through the Worthing defence, which was being marshalled by Aarran Racine. When progress was being made, though, the visitors resorted to fouls, such as the one on Pierre Fonkeu after 64 minutes. The free-kick was awarded on the edge of the box, but still no yellow card produced for the visitors…! Kristian Campbell stepped up to take the set-piece, which curled over the defensive wall, but crashed back off the crossbar.


No matter how much they tried, the Dartford attackers just couldn’t break through the Worthing defence, which was being marshalled by Aarran Racine. When progress was being made, though, the visitors resorted to fouls, such as the one on Pierre Fonkeu after 64 minutes. The free-kick was awarded on the edge of the box, but still no yellow card produced for the visitors…! Kristian Campbell stepped up to take the set-piece, which curled over the defensive wall, but crashed back off the crossbar.
Report: Chris Palmer

DARTFORD: Joe Young, Kristian Campbell, Samir Carruthers, Connor Essam, Tom Bonner (c), Luke Coulson, Luke Allen, Alex Wall, Maxwell Statham, Adam Lovatt, Pierre Fonkeu.
SUBSTITUTES: Jordan Wynter, Keiran Murtagh, Tom Wray, Dan Roberts, Sam Odaudu.
WORTHING: Harrison Male, Joel Colbran, Cameron Tutt, Danny Barker, Aarran Racine (c), Daniel Bowry, Kane Wills, Ollie Pearce, Callum Kealy, Reece Myles-Meekums, Sammie McLeod.
SUBSTITUTES: Adam Adam, Joe Rye, James Beresford, Conrad Honore, Modou-Lamin Jammeh.

Referee: Aaron Farmer, Assists: Callum Peter, Graham Swanton
Att: 967
MoTM: Kristian Campbell