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Eddie Dsane’s attitude has been praised by Dartford manager Ady Pennock.
Striker Dsane came off the substitutes’ bench to score the final goal in a 4-0 Isthmian Premier win over promotion rivals Billericay at Princes Park last weekend.
It was a fairly familiar tale for the former Margate man. Half of his 10 goals this season have come since the beginning of November - despite only starting one league game in that period.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old has certainly played his role in Dartford’s fine form.
“I love Eddie,” said Pennock. “It’s so difficult.
“Whether it’s Eddie, Tyler Christian-Law, Duane Ofori-Acheampong, Jeremiah Pinder or Louis Dunne, I wish I could play 18 or 20 players at times.
“Eddie came on during Saturday’s game and I just knew he was going to score. His attitude is unbelievable, as well.
Report: Dartford 4-0 Billericay
Pennock on the Darts’ fine form after big win
“I speak to them all individually and I’m almost having to apologise to some of them about why they’re not starting.
“Eddie does come off the bench and scores goals, but we just need to keep doing what we’re doing and being sensible.”
Another to shine from the bench against Billericay was Louis Dunne.
Having dropped out of the starting line-up to be replaced by defender Mike Olarewaju, Dunne was called into action midway through the first half as Samir Carruthers came off with a hamstring issue for a second straight game.
“It’s not a problem,” said Pennock, who was also forced to replace top scorer Olly Box and captain Josh Hill due to knocks in the second half.
“Samir isn’t 21 any more - but what he brings on the pitch and what he brings to the changing room is fantastic.
“Obviously, we want him to play for 90 minutes. But we know we need to manage him and that’s what we’re doing. Louis was fantastic when he came on for him.
“We just need to manage everybody because everyone is different.”
Box’s blistering 20-yard strike put Pennock’s team ahead before George Whitefield headed in a Carruthers first-half corner to double Dartford’s lead. Callum Jones made it 3-0 after the break.
Primarily a centre-half, youngster Whitefield still remained an aerial threat at set-pieces, getting his fifth of the season and a second in as many games, despite being moved into a wing-back role against Billericay.
“The boys work really hard on that in training - and George’s just such a brave boy,” revealed Pennock.
“He played right wing-back on Saturday and he can play in numerous positions.
“He was a scholar only last year so he’s a young man, learning his trade but he’s done exceptionally well. It’s not just the goals that he is scoring, his defensive play has been very good, as well.”
In the other wing-back role, Sam Odaudu returned from a hamstring injury to replace the suspended Sam Okoye.
Pennock said: “He’s an absolute beast, isn’t he?
"He has an unbelievably strong left peg, but his defensive play is getting better all the time.”
Dartford will aim to continue their red-hot form of eight straight wins when they travel to Bowers & Pitsea in the league on Saturday.
While Bowers are battling relegation, they have lost only twice since Boxing Day, albeit they haven’t collected a first win under joint-bosses Joe Flowers and Luke Wilson since they took charge in early January.
Former Dartford youth-team midfielder Alfie Evans bagged a brace as Bowers won 2-1 at Princes Park back in September.
When asked if the game presented Dartford’s players with a chance to right some more wrongs, Pennock replied: “I think that’s what we have done over the last 17 games.
“That’s the mission we have set out for ourselves.
“But we know that it’s never going to be easy. There’s always going to be upsets.
“With the position we’re in, we just have got to enjoy it. Then, we’ll see where that takes us.
“We just have another big game this weekend to look forward to now.
“We haven’t done anything yet but I’m very pleased and very proud of them. Long may that continue.”
Okoye will be available again after serving his ban.