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Dartford 2 Lewes 0 match report: Goals from Olly Box and George Whitefield in Isthmian Premier win

Dartford extended their unbeaten run to five Isthmian Premier games after defeating 10-man Lewes on Saturday.

Goals in either half from homegrown duo Olly Box and George Whitefield ensured maximum points for Ady Pennock’s men at Princes Park.

Dartford manager Ady Pennock. Picture: Keith Gillard
Dartford manager Ady Pennock. Picture: Keith Gillard

Dartford started brightly with Callum Jones heading over at the near post from a Sam Odaudu corner before Box fired wide from 25 yards.

Whitefield’s shot was deflected wide and then Samir Carruthers’ 20-yard free-kick hit the post before keeper Toby Bull was able to make a decent save from the loose ball.

Lewes had plenty of the ball but clear-cut chances were few and far between, Darts keeper Jacob Marsden saved from Danny Bassett and Marcus Sablier shot narrowly wide from long range.

Dartford finished the half strongly. Box was unable to get a decent connection from Jones’ cross after Lewes coughed up possession when they were guilty of over-playing at the back.

Carruthers’ excellent pass went into the feet of Jones, who then shot over from the edge of the area.

Dartford’s press was excellent in the final third prior to half-time and Denzelle Olopade was denied by Bull as the hosts again caught the visitors out.

The goal was coming and it duly arrived on 45 minutes when Carruthers played in Box and he never looked like missing as he tucked away his fifth goal of the season.

Lewes were on top at the start of the second half, Calvin Ekpiteta’s close-range effort was cleared off the line following a dangerous right-wing corner and then Marsden did well to deny Gianluca Botti.

But it was Dartford who scored next, doubling their lead on 56 minutes when Box won a free-kick 25 yards from goal. Lewes were expecting Carruthers to shoot but instead he slid in Odaudu and he stood up a cross which came back off the bar perfectly for Whitefield to score. Last time out at Princes Park he netted from 30 yards - this time around he couldn’t have been any closer.

Lewes made a double change midway through the second half to try and change their fortunes but Dartford were defending well in difficult conditions with rain and wind swirling around Princes Park.

Box nearly claimed his second of the afternoon on 72 minutes after more good work by Odaudu down the left but his shot was blocked by Lewes defender Jerry Puemo.

Then Carruthers’ dangerous free-kick two minutes later was met by the head of Jones but the ball hit the crossbar and went over.

Lewes were reduced to 10 men with 14 minutes left when centre-back Ethan Kaiser collected his second yellow card in the space of seven minutes, pulling back Jones as he turned him 35 yards from goal.

It meant a comfortable closing period for the Darts, who travel to Chichester in the league on Tuesday night.

Dartford: Marsden, Odaudu, Carruthers (Christian-Law 86mins), Hill, Whitefield, Jones, Olopade, Box (Campbell 86mins), Okoye (Nayler 86mins), Williams, Pinder (Husthwaite 96mins). Sub not used: Brand.

Lewes: Bull, Puemo, Enkh (Allsopp 27mins), Warren, Kaiser, Sablier, Bassett, Antonio (Morris 67mins), Botti, Ekpiteta (Hutchinson 67mins), McIntosh. Subs not used: Ghannam, Ladapo.

Referee: Craig Barnett.

Attendance: 806.

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