It took penalties to separate Isthmian League Premier Division clubs AFC Whyteleafe and Dartford in the Isthmian Velocity Trophy Third Round.

Both teams had chances in an end to end yet goal-less first half. Dartford’s Matthew Macarthur had a shot saved easily by Jack Reeves before the visitors’ goalkeeper Victor Ajorin made an equally straight-forward one from Dean Gunner’s header. Louie Atkins and Lorenzo Duncan were both well off target then Jack Jebb got in behind and was denied by a good save by Ajorin.

Jeremiah Pinder burst through and shot towards the bottom corner and Reeves did well to get down and push it around the post. Then Gunner had a shot blocked before his follow-up was saved. Scott Wagstaff teed it up nicely for Pinder who sliced his shot wide before Jebb played a long pass out to Marcus Sablier. He cut in but fired well over.

Just before half time, Sablier crossed and Devonte West flicked it goalwards but Macarthur got back to clear off the line.

After the break, Gunner volleyed over before Reeves made a good low save from Pinder. He then made a stunning save from Ashdon Day who met Adrian Gyamera’s free kick with a strong header.

In the fifty-first minute, the deadlock was broken, starting a spell of three goals in five minutes. Another header from Day was pushed onto the bar by Reeves and he followed up to touch it home.

Two minutes later, the hosts equalised when Helge Orome converted from Kenzi Sharp’s cross.

Then, following a further three minutes, Dartford went back ahead when Macarthur eased his way in and fired beyond Reeves from twenty-five yards out.

Looking for a second equaliser Daniel Francis struck a low drive just beyond the far post then Orome danced his way through the penalty area and Ajorin did well to block it round the post.

Atkins then had three efforts in quick succession. His first attempt flew back out off the inside of the post, he then hit a low shot beyond the far post before Reeves got down to save his free kick.

Seven minutes remained when Whyteleafe equalised for the second time. Substitute Palace Francis had already had a shot saved by Ajorin before he cut in from the left and fired low into the bottom corner.

One more half chance fell to the hosts when Orome’s overhead kick landed on the roof of the net before the outcome was decided on penalties. Reeves was the hero of the shoot-out saving two after Dartford’s first had been skied over leaving Orome to step up and send the Leafe through. 

AFC Whyteleafe: Reeves; D Francis, Gunner, Ojemen, David: Jebb; Sharp (McKenzie 70), Orome, Sablier (Janneh 70), Al-Hussaini (P. Francis 46); West.

Sub not used: Goode.

Goalscorers: Orome (53), P. Francis (83)

Yellow cards: None

Dartford: Ajorin; Gyamera (Calvert 57), Jeffrey, Oke (Bolton 79), Exall (Falconer 90+3), Duncan; Wagstaff; Macarthur, Pinder; L Atkins, Day (Williams 87).

Sub not used: Smith.

Goal scorers: Day (51), Macarthur (56)

Yellow cards: Oke (59 dissent)

Referee: Harry Yellen

Assistant Referees: Dylan Ward and Oliver Storey

Attendance: 130