Despite what was mostly a solid performance from the Darts, a wondergoal from Joe Cook proved decisive in a 0-1 loss. The defeat, despite the hard work throughout the game, leaves Dartford in 18th.
Weymouth looked to establish an intense approach from the off, with an early ball into the box from left back Leo Hamblin collected by Billy Terrell, and subsequent balls over the top to test the resilience of the Dartford backline.
Shortly after, the first controversy of the game ensued. A defensive clearance fell to Alex Wall, leaving him isolated with keeper Gerrard Benfield. While waiting for the looping ball to come down, however, Benfield came out and took Wall down. Referee George Warren brandished the first yellow of the game, despite the Terras keeper being the last man and a long way from his box. It was Wall that took the resultant set piece, but saw his fierce strike saved at the near post.
In a tense period of possession, Luke Coulson knocked the ball back to Terrell, who sought Wall with a long ball. The striker was dragged down, and tried to slip George Alexander in behind quickly, but his attempt rolled straight through to Benfield
The game retained its reputation as end-to-end, with a Maxwell Statham ball into the box cut out before it could meet Tyrell Miller-Rodney. Following this, Malachi Linton of Weymouth was played through the middle, who sized up a shot from the edge of the box but was denied by a block from Paul Rooney.
The Darts looked to unlock the Terras’ defence with a clever set-piece routine, as Coulson set Alexander free in the right channel. Alas, the on-loan forward was unable to reach the ball on the stretch, and Benfield gathered.
Brandon Barzey, making his first start since December, found himself involved as he weaved through a herd of players and put a ball into the box. In unfortunate circumstances, however, the winger pulled up shortly after with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Taylor Maloney, who came on to make his debut for the Club.
Dartford arguably crafted their best chance of the half through Alexander finding Wall out wide, with the veteran striker skipping past Hamblin and running down the right. He put a ball into the box, which deflected and bobbled up to be eventually dealt with by Benfield. Coulson took the resulting corner, but Wall could only head wide.
Towards the end of the half, Weymouth looked to put some real pressure on the Darts. Brandon Goodship’s run to the byline allowed him to put a ball in, but saw it cut out by Nembhard. They forced three consecutive blocks from the hosts to prevent the opener, and Goodship’s delivery from a freekick was delivered only to the stand behind the goal, proving to be the final action of the half.
Much like the first interval, Weymouth set the intensity from the off. An early chance fell to Olu Durojaiye in the box, but the former Dartford player could only muster a sliced attempt before Joash Nembhard cleared.
Dartford created their first chance of the half through Rooney, who was able to clip a ball over the top of the Weymouth defence. The ball made its way over the head of Durojaiye, with Wall forcing a corner. The former rose highest to meet Coulson’s delivery, but Statham was just unable to make a meaningful second connection at the back post.
Some clever Weymouth play from right to left saw Goodship in possession of the ball out wide, with a ball finding Tom Bearwish at the back post, who could only strike his effort into the gloves of Terrell. Further good pressing from the visitors won them the ball back, leading to Durojaiye receiving the ball with no pressure on him. He was able to pick Linton out in the box, with the forward turning well but firing his shot wide.
In the 67th minute, Weymouth found the opener with a moment of brilliance. Joe Cook let an amazing strike fly, and it nestled into the top corner past Terrell. With the Darts defending resiliently for the vast majority of the game, it was inevitable that an instance of such class would be the only way the deadlock would be broken.
Weymouth were still determined to double their lead, despite any real threat from the home side. The Terras crafted a promising chance for Parsons, with the forward thundering a shot against Terrell’s near post. Linton remained potent, and was played in behind once again, with the chance of a second goal rearing its head. He looked to be the favourite to make something of the situation, but Nembhard recovered brilliantly to block his shot.
Little dropped for either side in the closing stages of the game, with Weymouth looking to tighten up and prevent an equaliser. The Darts were unable to craft any threat of value, and the full-time whistle signified a twelfth league loss of the season.
Dartford: Terrell, Statham, Nembhard, Rooney, Odaudu, Wynter, Miller-Rodney, Barzey (Maloney 26mins), Alexander (Adebowale 89mins), Coulson (Smith 81mins), Wall
Subs not used: Wray, Block
Yellow: Terrell, Barzey, Wall
Weymouth: Benfield, Howe, Hamblin, Cook, Durojaiye, Bearwish, Goodship, Linton, Rowan, Parsons (Roberts 93mins), Brooks (Thompson 89mins)
Subs not used: Touray, O’Connell, Bolton
Yellow: Benfield, Rowan, Linton
Referee: George Warren
Assistants: Bogdan Khimych and Louis Dawson
Attendance: 1,063