Created 15-Dec-25
113 photos
13 December 2025. Dartford 1 (Samir Carruthers 88') Folkestone Invicta 2 (J. Pigott 33', A. Yusuff 80').
Dartford fell to only their second league defeat at Princes Park this season, after league leaders Folkestone Invicta scored in each half to stretch their lead at the top of the table.
This was a fiercely contested, yet rather scrappy encounter, as both sides battled hard in front of 1,101 supporters. And with few clear-cut opportunities created across the ninety minutes, it was Jay Saunders’ side that took advantage when it mattered most. Take nothing away from Dartford though because, Ady Pennock’s side put in a spirited performance to equal the league leaders. Yet, it was in the final third where they just lacked that cutting edge. Olly Box and Callum Jones both had good opportunities during the opening nine minutes, but the Folkestone defence was excellently marshalled by skipper Kevin Lokko. The returning Sam Odaudu then came close, before Ben Frempah made an excellent block at the other end (24), as the visitors began to probe. Ted Collins saved Sam Smith’s effort, before the excellent Joe Pigott managed to force his way through the Dartford defence to place the ball beyond Jonny Henly from a tight angle to edge the visitors ahead (33). The hosts responded via the excellent Denzelle Olopade, who saw his strike blocked (37), before Luther Williams’ timely challenge prevented Folkestone from doubling their advantage before the break.
Henly pulled off two excellent saves to prevent the visitors from extending their lead early in the second-half, before Ted Collins saved well to thwart Callum Jones at the other end (56). Six minutes later saw Ady Pennock make a double substitution, as Jacob Bland and Eddie Dsane came on to replace Dan Carter and Sam Smith respectively. That was then followed by Samir Carruthers coming on for Olly Box (73), before Denzelle Olopade made way for Jeremiah Pinder (82). As we return to the action, Jonny Henly saved well to prevent the visitors from extending their lead (68), before Samuel Okoye was booked by referee Mr Nick Reece after a bizarre call from his assistant linesman… and it wasn’t the first questionable call by the latter, nor would it be his last! Substitute Eddie Dsane came agonisingly close to equalising (75), before former Dartford player Ade Yussuf doubled Folkestone’s lead from another tight angle to all but seal the points (79).
Samir Carruthers gave the hosts hope when his superb free-kick flew into the top corner with two minutes remaining, but it proved to be no more than a consolation goal as the visitors saw out the remaining minutes to secure the win. Denzelle Olopade’s performance earned him a deserved Man of The Match award, as the Darts were unfortunate to not get anything from the game in which they fought and equalled arguably the best team in the Isthmian Premier League.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly (c), Sam Odaudu, Luther Williams, Joe Tennent, Ben Frempah, Samuel Okoye, Sam Smith, Denzelle Olopade, Dan Carter, Olly Box, Callum Jones.
SUBSTITUTES: Samir Carruthers, Eddie Dsane, Jacob Bland, Albie O’Mara-Knapp, Jeremiah Pinder.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Ted Collins, Ben Mason, Liam Smith, Kevin Lokko (c), Michael Berry, Dean Rance, Ade Yussuf, Joe Pigott, Adam Lovatt, Ike Orji, Sam German.
SUBSTITUTES: Joel Odeniran, Jacob Hutchinson, Donnell Thomas, Ronnie Dolan, Joshua Stouts.
Referee: Nick Reece
Assists: Alex Cadden, George Lowe
Att: 1,101
MoTM: Denzelle Olopade
Dartford fell to only their second league defeat at Princes Park this season, after league leaders Folkestone Invicta scored in each half to stretch their lead at the top of the table.
This was a fiercely contested, yet rather scrappy encounter, as both sides battled hard in front of 1,101 supporters. And with few clear-cut opportunities created across the ninety minutes, it was Jay Saunders’ side that took advantage when it mattered most. Take nothing away from Dartford though because, Ady Pennock’s side put in a spirited performance to equal the league leaders. Yet, it was in the final third where they just lacked that cutting edge. Olly Box and Callum Jones both had good opportunities during the opening nine minutes, but the Folkestone defence was excellently marshalled by skipper Kevin Lokko. The returning Sam Odaudu then came close, before Ben Frempah made an excellent block at the other end (24), as the visitors began to probe. Ted Collins saved Sam Smith’s effort, before the excellent Joe Pigott managed to force his way through the Dartford defence to place the ball beyond Jonny Henly from a tight angle to edge the visitors ahead (33). The hosts responded via the excellent Denzelle Olopade, who saw his strike blocked (37), before Luther Williams’ timely challenge prevented Folkestone from doubling their advantage before the break.
Henly pulled off two excellent saves to prevent the visitors from extending their lead early in the second-half, before Ted Collins saved well to thwart Callum Jones at the other end (56). Six minutes later saw Ady Pennock make a double substitution, as Jacob Bland and Eddie Dsane came on to replace Dan Carter and Sam Smith respectively. That was then followed by Samir Carruthers coming on for Olly Box (73), before Denzelle Olopade made way for Jeremiah Pinder (82). As we return to the action, Jonny Henly saved well to prevent the visitors from extending their lead (68), before Samuel Okoye was booked by referee Mr Nick Reece after a bizarre call from his assistant linesman… and it wasn’t the first questionable call by the latter, nor would it be his last! Substitute Eddie Dsane came agonisingly close to equalising (75), before former Dartford player Ade Yussuf doubled Folkestone’s lead from another tight angle to all but seal the points (79).
Samir Carruthers gave the hosts hope when his superb free-kick flew into the top corner with two minutes remaining, but it proved to be no more than a consolation goal as the visitors saw out the remaining minutes to secure the win. Denzelle Olopade’s performance earned him a deserved Man of The Match award, as the Darts were unfortunate to not get anything from the game in which they fought and equalled arguably the best team in the Isthmian Premier League.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly (c), Sam Odaudu, Luther Williams, Joe Tennent, Ben Frempah, Samuel Okoye, Sam Smith, Denzelle Olopade, Dan Carter, Olly Box, Callum Jones.
SUBSTITUTES: Samir Carruthers, Eddie Dsane, Jacob Bland, Albie O’Mara-Knapp, Jeremiah Pinder.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Ted Collins, Ben Mason, Liam Smith, Kevin Lokko (c), Michael Berry, Dean Rance, Ade Yussuf, Joe Pigott, Adam Lovatt, Ike Orji, Sam German.
SUBSTITUTES: Joel Odeniran, Jacob Hutchinson, Donnell Thomas, Ronnie Dolan, Joshua Stouts.
Referee: Nick Reece
Assists: Alex Cadden, George Lowe
Att: 1,101
MoTM: Denzelle Olopade
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