Bradbrook winner sinks Canvey (From News Shopper)

Dartford 2-1 Canvey Island

3:13pm Tuesday 6th April 2010 in Sport By Mike Brett-Smith

THE gloom of yet another overcast sky was lifted when Dartford charmed two second-half moments of pure football joy to overturn a one goal deficit against Canvey and end the afternoon requiring just three points from seven fixtures to land a second promotion in three seasons.

Not that it seemed a likely scenario with half an hour gone.

Canvey Island, determined not to suffer their customary holiday drubbing at the hands (or more accurately, feet) of Dartford, found themselves 1-0 to the good.

The visitors had territorial advantage as they were deemed to have been more sinned against than sinning and they used this to test Darts’ keeper Andrew Young, who made three excellent saves in the opening period.

Canvey’s goal came as the result of Young’s fourth save as the ball rebounded to Gregg Cohen, who turned it over the goal-line to put the visitors in front.

For most of the half, Darts showed but flickeringly as they fell foul of the offside law and a couple of yellow cards.

However, the Beales long-throw weapon caused consternation in the Canvey defence and a Carl Rook effort hit the bar, such is the chap’s luck at the moment.

The second half was entirely different and astute early substitutions paved the way for ultimate victory.

Two flashes of pure football led to the equaliser and then the winner as Dartford played like the champions-elect that they are.

The first came on 68 minutes when an inspired move up the right flank saw Danny Dafter cross to the far post where Danny Harris applied the final touch to level the scores.

Darts had the ball in the net soon afterwards but this was ruled offside despite defenders standing on the goal line.

No matter.

The inimitable Ryan Hayes delivered a typical pinpoint cross and Elliot Bradbrook headed home the winner at the far post.

Good news filtered through from Kingstonian and Sutton and the sun broke through as heroic Darts headed for the showers to a standing ovation.

Dartford: Young, Burgess, Gross, Flanagan, Beales, Dafter, Hayes (Tait 89), Noble (Shinn 50), Harris, Rook (Haworth 60), Bradbrook. Subs not used: Coyle, Reed. Att: 1,319.