Dartford 1 Tonbridge Angels 0 match report: Paul Rooney scores winner in National League South derby

Dartford ended a run of four straight defeats with a National League derby success over Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

Paul Rooney’s first-half strike proved the difference and was enough to lift the Darts above the visitors in the table.

Dartford made four changes from the FA Cup defeat to Welling last weekend. Charlie Sheringham was not involved while James Golding, Jordan Wynter, and Archie Woods all dropped to the bench with starts for Luke Coulson, Brandon Barzey, Harvey Bradbury and Tyrell Miller-Rodney.

Tonbridge make one change from the team that lost at Haringey with Ben Swift coming into the starting XI for Ruben Soares-Junior..

The Angels were forced into an early switch when Jeremy Santos went down with a knee injury inside the second minute and was replaced by Lewis Gard shortly after.

A cagey opening probably reflected the confidence in each camp after those early cup exits. When Tonbridge keeper Jon Henly failed to deal with a high right-wing cross under pressure from Lewis Manor, his defence was on hand to head away a goalbound follow-up before Manor headed wide from a Baris Altintop cross.

Angels captain Scott Wagstaff was fired up, clashing with Tyrell Miller-Rodney off the ball before Dartford’s Brazey was booked after an incident with Wagstaff when the ball went out for a Darts throw-in.

The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes as Coulson weaved his way in from the right and had his left-foot shot blocked. The ball fell perfectly for the onrushing Rooney, who drilled it low and hard into the bottom corner.

Rooney was involved at the other end six minutes later, getting back to head behind a Wagstaff cross after he’s been played on by Altintop.

Tonbridge finished the half strongly, trying to probe a way