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Dulwich Hamlet 1 Dartford 1: Andy Pugh's broken hand adds to Dartford's injury crisis

08:54, 08 December 2019

updated: 08:56, 08 December 2019

Andy Pugh faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his hand in training.

The Dartford forward becomes the latest injury blow for manager Steve King, who has also lost Ky Marsh-Brown to a hamstring injury.

Jordan Wynter slides in on his return to the Dartford side. Picture: Keith Gillard
Jordan Wynter slides in on his return to the Dartford side. Picture: Keith Gillard

It means the Darts had eight first-team players missing for the 1-1 draw at Dulwich on Saturday, despite welcoming back Jordan Wynter and Billy Crook.

“Pughy broke his hand in training, he fell on his thumb awkwardly,” said King.

“It’s just Pughy’s luck. He didn’t just break it in one place, he broke it in three places.

“I think he is seeing a specialist on Monday and there are possibilities of operations and plates and stuff to be put in there.

“We’ll know more on Monday but he’s going to be out for a good while, he can’t play with that.

“If it was a single break then you can play with something but you can’t play with a triple break.”

Dartford's Billy Crook is closed down by Dulwich's Dominic Vose. Picture: Keith Gillard
Dartford's Billy Crook is closed down by Dulwich's Dominic Vose. Picture: Keith Gillard

King felt a point was the least his team deserved at Dulwich, but he was delighted the display of his patched-up side.

“I thought we were the better side for the majority of the game,” said King.

“They had two or three chances in the first half but people might not realise that we had eight players out.

“We had a central midfield made up of a full-back who hasn’t played for two or three months, Billy Crook who has been out for a month and Tyrique Hyde, who has just come in from Colchester.

“They never knew each other but the difference was that we had legs in there.

“I was worried about their central midfield area, I thought they would overpower us but the three boys in there did a magnificent job.”

Elliott Romain converts from the penalty spot for Dartford at Dulwich. Picture: Keith Gillard
Elliott Romain converts from the penalty spot for Dartford at Dulwich. Picture: Keith Gillard

Dartford had two earlier shouts for a penalty turned down by referee Rob Whitton before it was a case of third time lucky.

The Darts boss felt that the one that was given was probably the least likely.

“Even their players said the first one on Darren McQueen was a penalty and for me the one that was given wasn’t a penalty,” added King. “But you get some you shouldn’t and you don’t get ones you should.

“I though Elliott Romain had a shout for a penalty, not to get booked. I thought he got in front of the keeper and the keeper’s punched over the top of him. I think he was hard done by, especially to get a yellow card.

“From my point of view, it would have been an injustice if we didn’t get something from the game.”

On loan-signing Tyrique Hyde, who joins from Colchester for an initial month, King said: “Great physique. I’ve known him since he was at Dagenham, I know his dad (Micah) well.

“I’ve watched him develop to be fair. When I worked at Dagenham he was tall, thin and skinny but now he’s grown into that body. He’s got good energy levels, understands the game and uses the ball well.

“He’s a good asset for us and has got legs which is really important for us in the midfield areas.”

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