AFC Dartmouth vs Hanwell Town
4 - 1
17 August 2024
Home league match played on 17 August 2024.
Kicked off at 3:00 PM
4-1
vs Hanwell Town
Home league match
Dartmouth recorded a second win to make it 2 out of 2 this season, making the almost 400 mile round trip worth it. Dartmouth’s ultras behind the goal swallowed the home atmosphere up and Dartmouth used that to their advantage in the opening stages, they looked too quick, too strong and too clever for Hanwell who struggled to get to grips. On the 10th minute Harry Foster touched the ball towards Tommy Baldwin who drove it left footed into the bottom corner from 25 yards to send the away fans wild. The domination continued all the way until half time however the score stayed the same leaving Chadwick and the team slightly frustrated but also very pleased with the opening half. Only minutes into the second period Hanwell had made it clear that they were not going to lay down and began throwing men forward causing Dartmouth to take a step back. The game drifted into an end to end encounter as both sides tried to isolate the opponents full backs. 55 minutes in Hanwell swung a free kick into the box which Dartmouth failed to clear, it was turned in for the equaliser, furthering the Dartmouth frustration that they didn’t find a second goal. Chadwick rolled the dice, Tommy Baldwin made way for Warren Carter with Ikenobe playing in the slightly deeper central role, and a little later Jaworzno came on for Lawrence Akwanga. Soon after these changes Dartmouth regained their lead after a lofted ball into the box by Ben Caulker was poorly dealt with by the Hanwell back line, Jaworzno headed it back in and once again the Hanwell defence failed to get it clear, this time Luke Gardner hit it on the half volley and found the net to make it 1-2. Hanwell made changes and went 2 up top leaving space at the back, Warren Carter produced a lovely turn and played the ball through for Harry Foster who got his deserved goal with a beautiful inside of the foot finish into the far corner after beating his full back for what felt like the hundredth time in the game, the Dartmouth support went crazy and gave the feeling that the game was now over at 1-3, and it certainly was. Hanwell surrendered as the darts looked to extend their lead and they did in the 87th minute when Luke Gardner headed in a Ben Caulker cross. A 1-4 away victory for the darts is as good as they could’ve hoped for and 2 wins from 2 just shows the league that they shouldn’t be underestimated.