Darts net two late goals to send Gills out of Kent Senior Cup
Dartford came from a goal behind to knock Gillingham out of the Kent Senior Cup with a 2-1 win at Princes Park on Monday evening.Brennan Dickenson gave the visitors the lead on 57 minutes with a well-placed shot, but Dartford responded well and equalised through a Tom Wynter header before Jack Simmons clinched the winning goal on 79 minutes.
Darren Hare and Mark Patterson took joint charge of the team with Manager Justin Edinburgh, Steve Lovell and Jimmy Walker watching from the stands.
Captain Doug Loft was included in the side with Deji Oshilaja getting more game time in the heart of defence alongside Max Ehmer.
Jermaine McGlashan and Dickenson provided support on the wings for target man Ben Williamson.
Among the Dartford XI was former Gills striker Andy Pugh and centre-back Wynter.
The visitors commanded possession in the first 10 minutes but failed to trouble Darren Ibrahim, while at the other end Morris comfortably gathered Simmons’ 20-yard chip.
Emptage made a great challenge to intercept a low pass from Cogan to Simmons inside the box before Ibrahim was called upon to save Dickenson’s 25-yard free kick.
On 35 minutes Dartford had the best opportunity of the half when a cross from the left made its way to Pugh, he made a good connection but sent his header over with Morris well placed to make the save.
H/T: 0-0
The second half started as the first had ended with neither side able to dominate proceedings, but on 57 minutes the Gills finally got their noses in front with Dickenson providing a fine finish.
The winger received the ball out on the left; he cut inside and made space for a shot before drilling home an excellent right footed effort which gave Ibrahim no chance.
Dartford had struggled to create anything meaningful in the second half but on 71 minutes they found themselves level. A corner from the left hand side was guided towards Wynter, the defender was running backwards but made solid contact and slotted a header inside the far post.
This new found momentum gave Dartford the impetus to go on and grab a second, and they did exactly that just eight minutes later.
Simmons had time and space on the right wing to use his pace, he cut inside and launched an excellent shot beyond the outstretched Morris.
Gills searched for an equalising goal but it was the Darts who should, and could have wrapped things up, with two minutes to play.
The hosts took advantage of the lack of bodies in defence and worked the ball to the right, Golding was left in the centre unmarked but his first touch was heavy before blazing the resulting shot over.
F/T: 2-1
Gills: G Morris, Davies (Stevenson 85), Emptage (Stannard 45), Ehmer, Oshilaja, Loft, McGlashan, A Morris, Houghton Dickenson, Williamson
Unused subs: Hadler, Dickenson, O’Mara
Dartford: Ibrahim, Gardiner, Vint, Onyemah, Biggs, Wynter, Noble (E Bradbrook 58), Dembele, Adams, Pugh, Cogan (Golding 65), Simmons
Unused subs: McNaughton, Harris, T Bradbrook
Referee: Mr I Fissenden