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Dartford 3 Dorking Wanderers 4 match report

17:01, 07 September 2019

updated: 07:42, 08 September 2019

A crazy six-minute spell saw 10-man Dartford end up empty-handed on Saturday.

Tony Burman took caretaker charge for the first time since the departures of Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan.

Charlie Sheringham celebrates after scoring Dartford's third goal against Dorking Wanderers. Picture: Sean Aidan
Charlie Sheringham celebrates after scoring Dartford's third goal against Dorking Wanderers. Picture: Sean Aidan

A topsy-turvy game saw the Darts lead 2-1 and 3-2 before conceding twice in the last six minutes - and also have Lee Noble sent-off.

Burman made two changes from the midweek reverse at Tonbridge - Charlie Sheringham and Jordan Wynter replacing Norman Wabo and Rob Howard.

Darts started brightly enough, long-range efforts from Lee Noble and Ben Greenhalgh both giving hope to the home fans.

But they had a familiar feeling after just 12 minutes when Dorking led through Niall McManus' stunning right-foot strike from 25 yards.

Darts levelled on 23 minutes when a long throw-in by Wynter was only cleared as far as the edge of the box, where Greenhalgh was on hand to open his account for the season, firing in low with his right foot.

Dartford's Lee Noble holds off Dorking Wanderers' Daniel Gallagher. Picture: Sean Aidan
Dartford's Lee Noble holds off Dorking Wanderers' Daniel Gallagher. Picture: Sean Aidan

The game turned around just four minutes later when Greenhalgh was at it again. The midfielder turning his man inside the box and seeing his shot get beyond the grasp of keeper Ryan Sandford, who should have kept it out.

The home side appeared to be heading into the break in front but they conceded a penalty just 10 seconds before the end of stoppage time.

An overload at the far post saw James McShane fouled by Wynter and Jason Prior put his penalty low into the bottom corner beyond keeper Mark Smith.

Both sides had chances in the second half before Dartford regained the lead with a lovely flowing move just past the hour mark.

Ryan Hayes and Luke Allen exchanged passes down the right and when the ball was set back to Hayes, he produced a trademark cross for Sheringham to head in at the far post.

Dartford's Charlie Sheringham heads in the third goal. Picture: Sean Aidan
Dartford's Charlie Sheringham heads in the third goal. Picture: Sean Aidan

Hayes, the crowd cheering his name, was in full flow again moments later, running at the Dorking defence before shooting wide from distance.

With 10 minutes left, Hayes shot over with his right foot from the edge of the box and while Dorking pushed bodies forward they never really looked like getting back into it until a moment of brilliance sparked a remarkable turnaround.

Alex Flisher gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box and substitute Giuseppe Sole curled a stunning right-foot shot into the top corner with six minutes left.

It got worse for Darts when Noble was sent-off for a foul on McShane and then - with just two minutes left - McShane headed in Matthew Briggs' delightful right-wing cross to put Dorking ahead.

Dartford: Smith, Wynter, Vint, Hayes, Allen, Sheringham, Greenhalgh (Brodie 84mins), Flisher (Wabo 89mins), Hill, Cunnington (McQueen 60mins). Subs not used: Bacon, Howard.

Dorking: Sandford, Philpot, Beard (Harris 46mins), J Gallagher, D Gallagher (Richards 71mins), Ray, McManus, Briggs, McShane, Prior, Buchanan (Sole 60mins). Subs not used: O'Sullivan, Huk.

Attendance: 897.

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