Created 17-Mar-24
150 photos, 2 videos
16 March 2024. Maidstone win 0:2 (Liam Sole 45+3, Jephte Tanga 79').
Dartford’s winless run continued, after rivals Maidstone United condemned them to defeat in the Kent Derby at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. The Darts started the brighter of the two sides, and were awarded the first corner of the afternoon when Harry Kyprianou’s brilliant interception thwarted the lively Brandon Barzey in the fourth minute. Meanwhile, The Stones were forced into an early change, when the unfortunate Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong had to leave proceedings having been injured. His replacement was Matt Bentley, who came on after eleven minutes in what would prove to be their only change in personnel throughout the afternoon. The Darts continued to look the more threatening at this stage though, as Luke Coulson tested Lucas Covolan from distance in the 28th minute. The goalkeeper was called into action again sixty seconds later, when he pulled off a top save to prevent Jordan Greenidge from heading Dartford in front. Billy Terrell then thwarted Muhammadu Faal in the 36th minute, before more magic from Barzey at the other end took out two defenders, only for the Dartford winger fire narrowly wide of Covolan’s upright (41). For all their efforts though, the hosts found themselves behind deep into stoppage time, after an excellent effort from Liam Sole edged Maidstone ahead at the break (45+3).
If the task wasn’t difficult enough for Adrian Pennock’s men, it became virtually impossible when Sam Corne released Muhammadu Faal in the 55th minute. Billy Terrell rushed out and floored the Stones’ striker, leaving referee Mr Adrian George with no option but to give the goalkeeper a red card and his marching orders. With his team now down to ten men, Pennock had to sacrifice Fumnaya Shomotun in order to bring on young shot-stopper Tom Wray (56). This substitution would be followed by Maxwell Statham coming on to replace Tommy Block (75), before the excellent Brandon Barzey left the field to be replaced by Alex Wall (77). As we return to the action, we find the visitors in control of proceedings now that they have a man advantage. Only a superb interception by Tom Clifford in the 60th minute prevented Matt Bentley from doubling the Stones’ advantage. Maidstone went on to control the majority of the game from then on. They then secured the points ten minutes from time, when Jepthe Tanga’s effort found the back of the net after good work by Matt Rush. Brandon Barzey’s efforts earned him the Man of The Match award, but the winger would rather have taken the three points instead. In fact, he subsequently shared the following on his social media account after the game…
“There’s no excuses from us players, we’ve been poor. Through it all, you fans continue to show up when performances haven’t warranted that. Don’t give up on us for these last games and we’ll make sure this club doesn’t end up somewhere it shouldn’t be.” I’m sure that Brandon’s words are echoed by all the players in the dressing room. Hopefully, Luke Coulson and Co can begin turning things around when Hemel Hempstead come to Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park next weekend.
DARTFORD: Billy Terrell, Jordan Wynter, Tommy Block, Luke Coulson (c) Paul Rooney, Brandon Barzey, Fumnaya Shomotun, Taylor Maloney, Jordan Greenidge, Tom Clifford, Ronny Nelson.
SUBSTITUTES: Luke Allen, Alex Wall, Maxwell Statham, Tom Wray, Olly Box.
MAIDSTONE UNITED: Lucas Covolan, Reiss Greenidge, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, Sam Corne (c), Muhammadu Faal, Harry Kyprianou, Paul Appiah, Liam Sole, Jepthe Tanga, Bivesh Gurling, Matt Rush.
SUBSTITUTES: Chi Ezennolim, Matt Bentley, Riley Court, Harley Earle, Sam Smith.
Referee: Adrian George
Assists: Murray Grant, Benjamin McDonald
Att: 1,657
MoTM: Brandon Barzey
Chris Palmer
Dartford’s winless run continued, after rivals Maidstone United condemned them to defeat in the Kent Derby at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. The Darts started the brighter of the two sides, and were awarded the first corner of the afternoon when Harry Kyprianou’s brilliant interception thwarted the lively Brandon Barzey in the fourth minute. Meanwhile, The Stones were forced into an early change, when the unfortunate Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong had to leave proceedings having been injured. His replacement was Matt Bentley, who came on after eleven minutes in what would prove to be their only change in personnel throughout the afternoon. The Darts continued to look the more threatening at this stage though, as Luke Coulson tested Lucas Covolan from distance in the 28th minute. The goalkeeper was called into action again sixty seconds later, when he pulled off a top save to prevent Jordan Greenidge from heading Dartford in front. Billy Terrell then thwarted Muhammadu Faal in the 36th minute, before more magic from Barzey at the other end took out two defenders, only for the Dartford winger fire narrowly wide of Covolan’s upright (41). For all their efforts though, the hosts found themselves behind deep into stoppage time, after an excellent effort from Liam Sole edged Maidstone ahead at the break (45+3).
If the task wasn’t difficult enough for Adrian Pennock’s men, it became virtually impossible when Sam Corne released Muhammadu Faal in the 55th minute. Billy Terrell rushed out and floored the Stones’ striker, leaving referee Mr Adrian George with no option but to give the goalkeeper a red card and his marching orders. With his team now down to ten men, Pennock had to sacrifice Fumnaya Shomotun in order to bring on young shot-stopper Tom Wray (56). This substitution would be followed by Maxwell Statham coming on to replace Tommy Block (75), before the excellent Brandon Barzey left the field to be replaced by Alex Wall (77). As we return to the action, we find the visitors in control of proceedings now that they have a man advantage. Only a superb interception by Tom Clifford in the 60th minute prevented Matt Bentley from doubling the Stones’ advantage. Maidstone went on to control the majority of the game from then on. They then secured the points ten minutes from time, when Jepthe Tanga’s effort found the back of the net after good work by Matt Rush. Brandon Barzey’s efforts earned him the Man of The Match award, but the winger would rather have taken the three points instead. In fact, he subsequently shared the following on his social media account after the game…
“There’s no excuses from us players, we’ve been poor. Through it all, you fans continue to show up when performances haven’t warranted that. Don’t give up on us for these last games and we’ll make sure this club doesn’t end up somewhere it shouldn’t be.” I’m sure that Brandon’s words are echoed by all the players in the dressing room. Hopefully, Luke Coulson and Co can begin turning things around when Hemel Hempstead come to Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park next weekend.
DARTFORD: Billy Terrell, Jordan Wynter, Tommy Block, Luke Coulson (c) Paul Rooney, Brandon Barzey, Fumnaya Shomotun, Taylor Maloney, Jordan Greenidge, Tom Clifford, Ronny Nelson.
SUBSTITUTES: Luke Allen, Alex Wall, Maxwell Statham, Tom Wray, Olly Box.
MAIDSTONE UNITED: Lucas Covolan, Reiss Greenidge, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, Sam Corne (c), Muhammadu Faal, Harry Kyprianou, Paul Appiah, Liam Sole, Jepthe Tanga, Bivesh Gurling, Matt Rush.
SUBSTITUTES: Chi Ezennolim, Matt Bentley, Riley Court, Harley Earle, Sam Smith.
Referee: Adrian George
Assists: Murray Grant, Benjamin McDonald
Att: 1,657
MoTM: Brandon Barzey
Chris Palmer
