Thanet under-11s 1 v 2 Dartford under-11s

Gills Shield

BRIAN Williams' Dartford under-11s earned themselves a second round tie away to Dover after a narrow victory over Thanet, writes Brian Page.

Dartford took a first half lead when Ryan May of Hextable School crossed for Sutton-at-Hone's Luke Whitehead to fire home his 14th goal in as many matches.

A quick Thanet side put Dartford under pressure with several quick breakaways before John Attrell of Stone School came close to doubling the visitors' lead, seeing his shot saved on the goal-line.

Within minutes, Thanet took advantage of a set piece and pulled level after a loose ball from a corner was cleanly converted.

After the interval Dartford had most of the possession but failed to make much impact, with Whitehead and Knockhall School's Jack Page both firing wide of the target.

But with 10 minutes to go, Sweyne's Sam Small direct free kick from 20 yards was enough to take him to double figures for the season, send his team through to the second round and make it six consecutive matches unbeaten.

Wentwroth School's Alex White was man-of-the-match.

Dartford host Ashford on February 4 in the Daniels Plate competition.

Dartford's squad: Attrell (Stone); Bell (Fleetdown); Bilsland (Sutton-at-Hone); Hammond (Hextable); Holder(Wilmington); Kitchener (Joydens Wood); May (Hextable); McGregor (Sweyne); Olaofe (Horton Kirby); Page (Knockhall); Small (Sweyne); Taylor (Temple Hill); Wellham (Hextable); White (Wentworth); Whitehead (Sutton-at-Hone).