April 2, 2022
These diaries last featured Oxford City in mid-January when a surprise 1-2 home defeat to bottom side Billericay saw them slip down to 4th place in the National League One South table. They bounced back to win 5 out of their next 7 games, but during this run, manager David Oldfield left the club to take over at struggling Conference side Weymouth. After a short interim spell, assistant coach Ross Jenkins was appointed manager on a permanent basis.
City have picked up only one point from their last three matches though, all away from home, to drop down to 6th. After having led the table after Boxing Day, with just 8 games now left to play automatic promotion as Champions is out of the question, being 15 points behind leaders Maidstone. However, with 7th place earning a play-off position it would take a remarkable collapse in form for them to avoid one of the play-off places, as they sat 9 points clear of a clutch of chasing sides. A good run-in though could still see them take third place, which would mean one less play-off match to negotiate, and home advantage in their first tie.
City have been active in the transfer market in the past few weeks, with striker Hamzid Kargo joining on loan from QPR and Oxford United’s highly rated 17 year old forward Gatlin O’Donker also joining on loan for the rest of the season. Full-back Cole DaSilva has also been signed, having briefly featured in the Croatian round-ups of these diaries for HNK Sibernik.
The side currently in third place just happen to be Dartford, today’s visitors, so a victory for City today appeared to be essential if they were to remain in contention for a top three finish. Conversely, a win for Dartford would strengthen their hold on third place.
Dartford’s strength this season has been their home form, being unbeaten in 16 matches, but they have lost 6 times on the road, losing at Maidstone ( 0-4 ), Dorking Wanderers ( 0-1 ), Ebbsfleet United ( 0-1 ), Hungerford ( 1-2 ), Chippenham ( 2-4 ) and Concord Rangers ( 0-1 ), although last time out they won 1-0 at Hampton and Richmond Borough. Their record at sides in the top 10 was an underwhelming two wins, 5 losses, to give Oxford City plenty of encouragement for today. The return encounter back in November at Dartford’s Princes Park ended 0-0 in front of a crowd of 1,401.
I have never been to Princes Park, but in December 1989 I did make one visit to Dartford’s old Watling Street stadium, which at the time was also home to Maidstone United’s matches in the Football League, to watch Crawley Town lose 0-2. Dartford’s side that season day included future England caretaker coach Peter Taylor as player-manager, and future Watford and Gillingham stalwart midfielder Andy Hessenthaler. I also attended a 10-0 win for Dartford at Crawley in the Mid-Surrey Professional Floodlight League in 1974/75, which remains Crawley’s highest ever defeat !
Dartford’s manager is Steve King, who is undoubtedly a “marmite” character, but irrespective of his personality, boasts an impressive CV, having won promotion to the Conference for Lewes and twice took Whitehawk to the Conference South play-offs, being the highpoints in the history of both Sussex clubs.
Dartford’s squad includes ex-Brighton striker Jake Robinson, who made over 100 appearances for the Seagulls, as well playing in the Football League for Aldershot, Shrewsbury, Torquay and Northampton. He also played under Steve King at Whitehawk. Other recognisable names are Connor Essam, who played for Crawley in League One but is out injured for the rest of the season, and ex-Aston Villa, Sheffield United, MK Dons, and Oxford United midfielder Samir Carruthers. Keiran Murtagh is an Antiguan international and played in League One for Yeovil, and making his debut today was ex-Coventry and Swindon Grenadan international goal-keeper Reice Charles-Cook.
Bet365 had both sides at 31/20 to win, with the draw at 11/5. Weather at kick-off was dry, with temperatures peaking at 8 degrees after a freezing morning, but with no wind it felt quite warm.
Dartford were wearing shirts which can best be described as shocking pink, with black shorts, and they got off to a dream start when in the second minute City centre-back Rowan’s attempted clearance only succeeded in kicking Jake Robinson and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Marcus Dinanga, on loan from Altrincham, sent the penalty into the top corner despite a good effort from Dudzinski.
City striker Bancroft immediately made a surging run down the right but was denied by a tremendous sliding tackle by Darts left-back Campbell, and the battle between these two was to be one of the features of the first half.
Dartford had the better of the opening 15 minutes, but Robinson’s dramatic fall in the penalty area was rightly waved away by the referee. However, the Hoops gradually got themselves into the game, and they should have equalised in the 18th minute when McEachran’s splendid reverse pass put Iaciofano clear, but Charles-Cook spread himself to make a fine block after the City striker had perhaps taken on touch too many. Rowan then went down in the penalty area, but again the referee wasn’t interested, and another flowing City move ended with Campbell blocking Bancroft’s cross at the expense of a corner.
City were not to be denied though and after another sweeping move released Ashby to the by-line, his pull-back found Iaciofano just outside the 6 yard box, and after one touch to control, he calmly finished into the corner of the net, leaving Charles-Cook no chance.
City continued to press, and the referee ignored their appeals after Owusu crashed to the ground under a challenge, and another fine move saw McEachran play a short pass that Iaciofano couldn’t quite reach. Then, a cross from Ashby struck a Dartford defender on the arm, and whilst it might have been a penalty last season, play continued.
In the 36th minute, Dartford eventually produced their first real chance on goal from open play when Murtagh inch-perfect pass put Campbell in space, but his cross bounced awkwardly for Leonard, who could only steer his athletic volley over the bar. Two minutes later, Carruthers inviting cross was met by Robinson close to the penalty spot, and his header forced an outstanding tip over the bar by Dudzinski, but unfortunately it wouldn’t have counted as the linesman’s flag was raised.
Dark clouds started to gather and it suddenly became much colder, and the last 5 minutes of the first half were played out in a short, heavy shower.
City left-back Harmon sent a fabulous long cross-field pass to release Bancroft but his first touch was heavy and the chance was gone, and then a curious incident happened when two balls were on the pitch at the same time, and much to the annoyance of a couple of Dartford players, the referee allowed play to continue rather than stopping the game.
The final piece of action in the half was another flowing move for City which ended in Ashby getting a toe to the ball to beat his marker, but his 20 yard left footed effort was straight at Charles-Cook, who saved easily
By the time the second half started, the rain had stopped and the clouds had cleared again, and City applied the early pressure. After a great run by McEachran, a short pass put Iaciofano on goal but the Dart’s keeper was quickly off his line to bravely dive at the feet of the Oxford striker and claim the ball.
In an attempt to stem the tide, Dartford made two substitutions and on-loan QPR youngster Ody Alfa immediately caught the eye with a couple of dangerous runs, and on excellent cross that was cleared at the expense of a corner. Another dangerous run was spoilt by a weak finish that was easily saved by Dudzinski.
City were soon back on the attack though and after good feet by McEachran close to the by-line the ball was pulled back to Iaciofano, but he was crowded out by a number of Dartford defenders.
In the 63rd minute Oxford City brought on the giant striker Kargbo who appeared to tower over the Dartford defence, but the Darts responded with another probing run and cross from Alfa at the cost of another corner.
City continued to press, and Charles-Cook had to be alert to clear as Kargbo bore down on him, and another neat passing move saw Owusu play in McEachran to cut-back inside from the left and send a left-footed shot inches wide, although Charles-Cook probably had it covered.
More clever combination play in the 74th minute between Owusu and McEachran gave Kargbo half a chance, and his low left-footed shot was pushed round the post for a corner. Dartford responded by winning a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left wing, but Jebb’s delivery towards the near post was cleared.
Perhaps the most controversial moment of the game occurred in the 78th minute, when Iaciofano went to ground under a challenge, but the referee awarded a free-kick against the City forward and brandished a yellow card. It was certainly in the category of “I’ve seen them given” but had it been awarded against the side I was supporting I wouldn’t have been happy !
Dartford continued to be under the cosh, as City increasingly probed down the left-hand side, and a give and go move between Harmon and Iaciofano ended with Harmon shooting into the side netting. A clever flick by Owusu put substitute Coyle in space, but his ferocious shot was blocked for another corner.
With the clock ticking in to added on time, Harmon delivered a teasing cross for Kargbo but the header was straight at the Dartford keeper, who made a comfortable save.
At the final whistle, Oxford City would probably have been disappointed by their failure to take three points from a game they created the best chances after a slow start. Personally, I thought Dartford were disappointing, but I gather they are suffering from some injuries. However, whilst they created very little after the opening stages, their defence was impressive and keeper Charles-Cook was probably man-of-the-match.
As a result, the sides remain in 3rd and 6th place with 6 points between them and 5 matches play.
Oxford City : Dudzinski – Asare, Rowan, Kyprianou, Harmon – Ashby, Fleet, McEachran ( Coyle ), Owusu – Bancroft ( Kargbo ), Iaciofano ( Benyon )
Dartford : Charles-Cook – Durojaiye, Roberts, Bonner, Campbell – Leonard ( Kalala ), Jebb, Carruthers, Murtagh – Robinson ( Alfa ), Dinanga
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lex6CaHjNBg
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