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Dartford 3 Bromley 1 match report

Dartford midfielder Sam Blackman had to be stretchered off during Tuesday night's friendly against Bromley.

The summer signing suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury late in the first half at Princes Park.

It certainly didn't look good for Blackman and the incident rather overshadowed what was a good display by the Darts against National League opposition.

Sam Blackman was stretchered off playing for Dartford against Bromley Picture: Andy Jones
Sam Blackman was stretchered off playing for Dartford against Bromley Picture: Andy Jones

Dartford, missing Alex Flisher and Charlie Sheringham, lined up 4-1-4-1 with Lee Noble screening the back four and Darren McQueen operating as a lone striker.

The visitors had the first effort on goal when Korrey Henry took aim from outside the box but although Mark Smith couldn't hold onto his initial effort, no-one in blue was following in and that allowed the keeper to grab the ball at the second attempt.

Smith made a more comfortable save when Henry connected with a right-wing cross moments later. Dartford then failed to clear a corner and Frankie Raymond almost punished them, whipping a shot narrowly over from just outside the box.

A shot from George Porter deflected behind as Bromley kept pressing and the deadlock was broken on 20 minutes. It was another corner which proved Dartford's undoing, no-one taking charge in the six-yard box and Jack Holland ramming the ball home from a narrow angle.

The full-timers of Bromley were just that bit quicker in their decision-making, with Dartford taking one touch too many on occasions, although they did start to come into the game with Ben Greenhalgh pulling a shot wide of the near post.

At the other end, a mix-up between Josh Hill and Ronnie Vint saw the ball drop for Henry and he tested Smith again.

But a first-time shot from Blackman forced a save from Mark Cousins after Greenhalgh's cross was cleared only as far as the edge of the box.

Blackman was becoming more influential and he drilled a shot over after McQueen had led a rapid counter-attack and moved the ball from right to left.

Jordan Wynter rose superbly to head home a deep Greenhalgh corner for the equaliser but Dartford's joy was cut short when Blackman was injured in a challenge on the touchline.

The midfielder was clearly in a lot of pain and referee Dan Proctor blew for half-time early so Blackman could receive extended treatment. He lay prone for a good five minutes before being stretchered off with his left leg in a brace and being given oxygen.

Norman Wabo played the second half for Dartford, who took the lead courtesy of a terrific strike from young Cameron Brodie. Dartford worked an inventive free-kick from wide on the left and Brodie was 25 yards out when he picked out the top corner with a fantastic shot which gave the replacement goalkeeper no chance.

Greenhalgh had a fine strike saved moments later before the flow of the game was disrupted by a spate of substitutions by both teams.

Good work by Wabo down the left earned Dartford a free-kick but Greenhalgh's effort was easily caught.

However, a move of real quality brought the home side their third goal in the 74th minute.

Ryan Hayes spotted Wabo in space, he fed the overlapping Jay Bacon and the left-back delivered a low cross which was swept home cleverly by another substitute, Andy Pugh.

Bacon looked nice and bright, getting beyond his winger several times and also stretching into a good saving tackle going the other way.

It was a second half full of positives for managers Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan, with Brodie impressing in midfield and Wabo pushing his case for a deal.

Bromley threatened a few times late on but Smith and his defenders stood firm.

Dartford: Smith, Wynter, Hill (Trialist 46mins), Vint, Warner-Eley (Bacon 59mins), Noble (Oduado 66mins), Greenhalgh, Blackman, Allen (Wabo 46mins), Wanadio (Pugh 63mins), McQueen (Hayes 63mins).

Bromley: Cousins (Trialist B 46mins), Higgs (Dunne 64mins), Okoye, Holland, Raymond (Cripps 88mins), Henry (Trialist C 55mins), Clifton (Cheek 52mins), Porter (Trialist D 55mins), Hackett-Fairchild (Tanner 68mins), Brefo, Trialist A (Bush 46mins). Subs not used: Craske, Ojemen.

Attendance: 432.

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