Erith Town 0-1 Dartford - I think that the biggest positive for me is they've made the step up and they're excelling at this level, says Erith Town coach Anthony Gradley

Erith Town 0 – 1 Dartford
Location	Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ
Kickoff	29/10/2024 19:45

ERITH TOWN  0-1  DARTFORD
Velocity Cup Third Round
Tuesday 29 October 2024
Stephen McCartney reports from Bayliss Avenue

ERITH TOWN coach Anthony Gradley says the positive thing from his players’ is that they have made the step-up after going toe-to-toe with Dartford in the Isthmian League Cup.

There were 89 clubs separating both clubs in the football pyramid 10 years ago, as Dartford finished their last of three seasons in the bottom three in the Conference Premier, while Erith Town finished second-from-bottom in the ninth-tier.

The 2014-15 season was a Brilliant season for Bournemouth (Championship), Bristol City (League One), Burton Albion (League Two), Barnet (Conference Premier), Bromley (Conference South) and Barrow (Conference North), as they all won their respective tier two to six divisions. 

However, tonight there were only 14 club’s separating Erith Town and Dartford, who locked horns for the first time in a competitive fixture, in Thamesmead tonight.

Dartford arrived at Bayliss Avenue on a seven-match winless run and went into this Third Round Velocity Cup tie sitting in fourteenth-place in the Isthmian League Premier Division table with 13 points (four wins, one draw and five defeats).

Erith Town were in seventh-place in their maiden Isthmian League South East Division campaign on 21 points (six wins, three draws and four defeats) and knocked out their league rivals Sittingbourne here 4-1 in September.

The Dockers made six changes to the side that beat Broadbridge Heath 1-0 here at the weekend, while Dartford boss Adrian Pennock made seven from the side that lost 3-2 at home to Wingate & Finchley last time out.

Holding midfielder Samir Carruthers, 31, scored his first goal of the season, direct from a 30-yard free-kick to send Dartford through to the last sixteen. Pennock’s two-minute post-match interview is towards the foot of this match report.

“Really frustrating. I think the overall feeling is of disappointment,” said Gradley.

“We’ve given a silly goal away early on in the game, which that happens, but overall, for me, I thought we had more of the ball.  We played with the right intent, played with the right tempo, so I think we should feel really aggrieved and disappointed with the result.”

Reflecting on the progress that Erith Town have made in recent years to give Dartford (relegated from National League South last season) a competitive test - a fixture that appeared unthinkable even this time last season, Gradley said: “I think if you look at the club, Erith Town, overall, the progress has been huge.  Unfortunately, Dartford have come down a little bit.  If you look at the positions we’re in, I would certainly say we’ve held our own today, if not, excelled a little bit.

“I think both teams have made a few changes from their normal Saturday line-ups but overall the boys that have come in have still excelled and stuck to their principles and I’ve been really pleased with them.”

Erith Town manager Adam Woodward (holiday) handed a debut to Egypt-born 21-year-old Ramez Hefzalla, who has previously played for Millwall’s under 18s before moving up to play League football in Scotland for part-timers Peterhead and has recently left Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic.

Hefzalla turned Dartford right-back Dean Nayler inside the Erith half before linking up well with Dockers’ left-back Andrew Dythe before the ball was worked to holding midfielder Luke Leppard, whose right-footed looping shot from 18-yards was comfortably caught in his midriff by Bromley loanee goalkeeper David Aziaya.

Dartford scored the winning goal with their first attempt on goal, timed at seven minutes and 15 seconds on the clock.

Erith Town’s pacey threatening right-winger Kola Salami fouled Dartford winger Sam Odaudu and Carruthers’ whipped in the resulting right-footed free-kick from the left wing, some 30-yards from goal.   No one within a crowd of players got a touch and the ball bounced in front of the diving Nathan Edwards and nestled inside the far corner of the goal.

“My first thoughts on the goal, it’s a cheap goal to give away,” admitted Gradley.

“It’s a silly, needless foul that puts us in danger and allows them to put quality ball into our area.

“It’s frustrating. It was a needless foul to give away. How often do we see that on the TV?  The ball’s come into the box, it gets a bit of a melee, players’ hesitate. Do they put their foot through it? Do they get in the way of it and before you know it, it skips of the surface and it ends up in the far corner.  The keeper can’t quite react to it, so it’s disappointing but these things happen.”

The former Holmesdale keeper should have done better with the match winner but he denied Dartford a second goal in the 17^th minute.

Carruthers played the ball along the deck into striker Gabe Campbell, who played in his five-goal strike partner Eddie Dsane in behind three Dockers’ inside the box and his right-footed shot forced Edwards to dive to his left to push around the post.

Dartford winger Tyler Christian-Law fouled James Miles and the Erith Town central midfielder went close to levelling the score shortly afterwards (18:32).

Miles stroked his right-footed free-kick from 28-yards over the three-man wall and Aziaya used his outstretched right-hand to palm the ball over his crossbar from the middle of his goal.

Miles proved tonight that he can cut it against a higher calibre of player.

“I think the positive part of James is hat he had a really good year last year from what I hear and he’s growing into each game,” added Gradley.

“He’s got to be patient, he’s a young lad. He’s not played at this level before but he’s got lots and lots of qualities that will allow him to do well.  He’s just learning when and where to do his things and if he carries on progressing the way he is, I’m sure he’ll do really well at this level.”

Uckfield resident Leppard, 35, who started the campaign in his native Sussex for Eastbourne United, protected the home side’s back four with a resilient performance, as Erith Town played with plenty of desire against their higher-league opponents.

Carruthers floated in a corner from the right towards the back post where centre-half Luther Williams went up and rose above Dockers’ centre-half Jerome Jayaguru to loop his header over the crossbar.

Odaudu and Dsane linked up well down the left for Dartford before the ball was worked to midfielder Olly Box, whose left-footed shot from 16-yards took a deflection and trickled across the flat-footed Edwards and just past the foot of the far post inside the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Miles delivered an out-swinging corner in from the right and seven-goal striker Harry Taylor’s free looping header from 16-yards was comfortably plucked out of the air from underneath his crossbar by the 20-year-old visiting goalkeeper.

“I think the interesting part about that is, it’s probably out of the first four corners we had, that was the only one that actually got into the goal area,” admitted Gradley.

“Our dead balls were not the best. It was actually nice to see one floated in there and give our forward an opportunity to go and head it. It was a bit weak at the end wasn’t it, but the positive it was an effort on target, so you’ve got to build on the strengths of that.”

Gradley was asked what threats Dartford posed and what his players’ posed Pennock’s much-changed side.

“I think in all honesty, Dartford’s threat was their strengths and knowledge of the non-league game and I mean that in the nicest possible way.  They knew when to turn the ball round, they knew when to put the ball into areas and play percentages and when they did it, they went at speed.  They had players’ join in very, very quickly, which allowed them, not counter as such, btu at least have that opportunity where they got bodies forward into good areas.

“I would say from our threats, we were good in the defensive third and the midfield three probably didn’t offer as much threat in behind as we could’ve done. Our only individual doing that was Kola Salami, who was going down the wing and being really, really positive and giving their two fellas a really tough evening.”

Gradley added: “What I said to them at the break was I think we needed to use our full-backs more.  They play with two up front, which is becoming a common  trait at the moment, which is quite interesting to see but when you do that and you play five at the back, you’ve got to work out the full-backs are the outlet and there’s lot of space in those areas, so I was hoping we could try to get the ball into wide areas as quickly as we can into our full-backs to allow us to then get into our wide players feet and be a little bit more productive in wide areas.  They countered that quite well by changing their shape.”

Pennock was forced into a change at the interval with Dsane suffering a shin injury on the stroke of half-time and the striker was replaced by holding midfielder Denzelle Olopade.

Carruthers pushed further up field into a number 10 role behind Campbell and Box, as Dartford opted for a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Erith Town goalkeeper Edwards was called into action after only 190 seconds into the second half.

Carruthers put in a first-time cross from the left towards the unmarked Williams and the centre-half’s flicked header was tipped over the bar by Edwards’ outstretched right-hand.

“Nathan’s shot-stopping and his reflexes are superb at times, so I think we’ve got to give him credit because it’s his first season at this level as well and Nathan’s another young player who has grown into this league and he’s made some good saves today,” added Gradley.

Many of the Dockers’ players tonight impressed and are making the grade at a higher level of football and can be classed as dark horses for the play-offs and that is pleasing Gradley.

“I think that the biggest positive for me is they’ve made the step-up and they’re excelling at this level,” said the coach.

“They’ve been underestimated a little bit by a few teams but working with them on the training pitch and seeing them regularly and watching the first 13 league games we’ve played, I certainly turn round and say they’ve more than hold their own playing at a level now, which is dominating football matches at this level, which is really a positive for them. It speaks volumes with his good they are.”

Gradley gave Hefzalla and centre-half Calum McGeehan 56 minutes and then changed formation to 4-1-2-3.

When asked about Hefzalla (who played wide left), Gradley replied: “He’s been with us now for a couple of training sessions, so he’s still getting to know the guys. He’s obviously got a bit of pedigree in terms of where he’s played before.

“I think in truth he did ok, he did ok, but didn’t really threaten their back line enough for me, kept coming too short, too early, timing of his movement was too quick in terms of dropping deep, so he had to drop deeper and when he did get the ball, he was so deep inside the field that he couldn’t really be effective.

“However, you did see that he’s got some nice touches and he’s got some real technique ability, dropping his shoulder really well, so lots and lots of quality on the ball individually but it’s working with him to understand where we need him to be effective in the game.”

When asked whether he’s got a future at Erith Town, Gradley replied: “I think we’ve certainly got to have a look, without a doubt. We’ve got to have a look to see can he attribute, offer anything else because his individual quality was super.”

A poor kick from Edwards went straight to Nayler, who charged forward for a bit before unleashing a right-footed angled drive which was comfortably held by Edwards at his near-post, dropping down to his knees.

Miles delivered a free-kick in midfield to the right-hand side of the Dartford penalty area for Taylor to hook a right-footed volley towards the bottom near corner from a tight angle, which was comfortably held by the Dartford keeper low to his right.

Gradley brought on a couple of youth-team products with 75 minutes on the clock, with Brandon Hatega joining Sidney Petters on the pitch.

The Dockers switched formation to three central defenders (Ross Craig, Jayaguru and sub Tom Ash), and pushed extra bodies forward with Hatega (left), sub Ollie Milton (middle) and Salami (right) up front.

“Ross Craig joined us from Margate last week, so we needed to introduce him into the team, so there were a few tactical moves,” explained Gradley.

“Ross is doing really well. We know his standards, I worked with him last year at Phoenix, which was good. I know what he can bring to the table. He’s a tenacious little player but he’s also really good on the ball.”

Petters was to be denied a debut goal when he was given space to hit a first time right-footed drive towards the bottom left-hand corner from 30-yards, only for Aziaya to dive low to his right to hold.

“When you look at young Sidney coming on and Brandon, they both played in our excellent FA Youth Cup run that we’ve had this year so introducing two 17 year-olds into the picture was a positive for us. It shows our production of young players’ coming through and the opportunities we have here,” said Gradley.

“In terms of the shot, I think he’s done well. It’s come at him quite quickly, he’s managed to hit it first time and keep it low and made the keeper have a save.”

Erith Town continued to threw caution to the wind, with Jayaguru hitting a long ball out of defence towards the D at the other end of the pitch and Miles trod on the ball as he cut inside and this allowed Williams and Odaudu to double up on him to slam the door shut.

Erith Town squandered a glorious chance to take the game to penalties (43:36) when Milton’s drive was spilt by the Dartford goalkeeper, who juggled the ball as he tried to grab hold of it and Salami lost composure inside the penalty area and Dartford left-back George Whitefield made a match saving block to prevent the ball nestling inside the bottom left-hand corner.

“When you talk about chances in the game, we’ve had one when Milo kind of gone through and JJ’s picked him out with a pass and Milo’s trod on the ball, which the defender, to be fair to him, was getting round goal-side, which was a positive run,” said Gradley.

“But that Kola chance, you think it should be a nailed-on goal.  Kola just gets some good contact on it, rather than trying to take it round the last defender and slot it home, if he just puts his foot through it, it warrants (a penalty shoot-out) and I don’t think anyone would’ve argued that we didn’t deserve that.”

Dartford almost snatched a flattering second (48:25) when Odaudu threw the ball into the left-channel, the ball was cleared out to Christian-Law, who cracked a right-footed half-volley across the keeper and just past the foot of the far post from 22-yards.

“I think they gave me a solid performance in terms of principle. We were trying to play with the intent and tactical skill sets that we’re trying to instil in them and I think they gave us that.  You look at our effort and work-rate, I don’t think anyone left anything out there, did they,” said Gradley.

“They were certainly – as they always do at Erith Town – they gave us the full 100 percent, every one of them.  We were the team attacking (up until the final minute) so they gave us the intent that we’re asking for from the management team.”

Dartford progress through to the last Sixteen while Woodward returns to lead his side away to East Grinstead Town on Saturday.

Drew Cooney’s side are in 12^th place in the table, having picked up four wins, two draws and five defeats and beat Three Bridges by a single goal last time out.

“One thing, it will be interesting this week because I don’t know much about Grinstead this season,” admitted Gradley.

“But the one thing with this league, any team at home is always going to be a threat. They’re always going to have their own strengths and their own style of play, so I think we need to approach it in the same manner we have in so many other games.

“As long as we do that, I think we’ll give ourselves the best opportunity to try to unsettle them and have a go.”

Beckenham Town (3-0 winners at Ashford United) remain at the summit, having picked up 35 points from 15 games.

The next four are really big-hitters, with Ramsgate (28 points from 10 games), Sittingbourne (26 points from 11 games), Sheppey United (25 points from 11 games) and Margate (25 points from 12 games) in the play-off zone tonight.

Burgess Hill Town (23 points from 11 games), Erith Town (21 points from 13 games), Merstham (19 points from 12 games), Deal Town (18 points from 12 games) and Sevenoaks Town (15 points from 12 games) make up the top 10.

“I’m going to tell him (Woodward), we gave a cheap goal away, which won’t please him.  I’ll tell him the truth. We’ve been unfortunate tonight. We probably dominated possession, we’ve probably dominated between both goal areas but the learning curve at this level is being ruthless in the goal area wins football games,” added Gradley.

“But if you’re talking about teams in the play-off spots and we’re competing with them, but not just competing, but really having a go.

“They’re huge clubs aren’t they, lets me honest.  When you look at the Ramsgate’s and the Margate’s and the performance levels of Sittingbourne, who should’ve won the play-offs last year, there’s some big teams in there, some big names, so it’s wonderful to see a name like Erith Town amongst those teams.”

Dartford manager Pennock said: “Yes, good. It was a good 1-0 win. A difficult place to come but it was a good, it was a good win.  Hopefully it will be a good week, with this is the start of hopefully things to come.

“Some people weren’t available through work and through little niggles and a little bit of illness and I wanted to get some youngsters’ a go as well, so they’ve come through really well.

“A win, which is fantastic. We got the win and that’s the most important thing and I thought the work-rate was very good.

“I don’t care how it goes in. We needed some luck. I thought it was a good free-kick and Samir’s got a lot of quality about him and he put the ball in the right areas. It went through, it went all the way through and I think their keeper collided with one of their players. But it was a good ball in, very pleased and about time we had a bit of luck.

“I think everybody worked very hard to keep that clean-sheet, so that’s the biggest thing for me.  Just a little bit of concentration at the end, David Aziay’s a young man, (it was like) a hot potato at the end there (with Salami’s late chance) but other than that, he looked solid.

“I think Eddie Dsane needs six stitches, so he’s going to hospital now to get the stiches in his shin.”

Erith Town: Nathan Edwards, Jack Holland, Andrew Dythe (Sidney Petters 75), Luke Leppard, Jerome Jayaguru, Calum McGeehan (Tom Ash 56), Ramez Hefzalla (Ollie Milton 56), James Miles, Harry Taylor (Brandon Hatega 75), Ross Craig, Kola Salami.
Sub: Aaron Jeffery

Booked: Kola Salami 61

Dartford: David Aziaya, Dean Nayler, George Whitefield, Samir Carruthers (Jeremiah Pinder 72), Luther Williams, Nelson Ajayi, Sam Odaudu, Olly Box, Eddie Dsane (Denzelle Olopade 46), Gabe Campbell, Tyler Christian-Law.
Subs: Jacob Marsden, Blu Husthwaite, Todd Brand

Goal: Samir Carruthers 8

Booked: Nelson Ajayi 41, Gabe Campbell 71, Tyler Christian-Law 71, Luther Williams 84

Attendance: 187
Referee: Mr Michael Scott
Assistants: Mr Liam Giles & Mr Oliver Townsend