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Dartford 2 AFC Wimbledon 2

Elliot Bradbrook
Elliot Bradbrook

Dartford came from two goals down to draw with AFC Wimbledon in their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday.

Elliot Bradbrook scored both goals for the Darts inside the final 11 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute. The home side used 20 players in a game which started slowly but gathered pace as the afternoon wore on.

Dartford's starting line-up included five of their six summer signings. Uche Ibemere was the one trialist in their XI, the former Chatham and VCD striker partnering Nathan Collier up front.

Wimbledon midfielder Sammy Moore had the first real effort on goal, unloading with a powerful shot from 25 yards which Alan Julian did well to push behind. Will Antwi headed over from the resulting corner.

At the other end, Lee Noble swung over a deep free-kick from wide on the right and when the ball was turned across goal, Tyrone Sterling had his header clawed over by Dons keeper Ashley Bayes.

The visitors took the lead on 29 minutes when Jim Fenlon curled a shot inside the far post following some neat passing on the edge of the box.

Less than a minute later, it was 2-0. Former Wales international Rhys Weston, on trial with the Dons, met a cross from the right with a header which sailed past Julian's left hand.

Collier set up Noble for a crack at goal towards the end of the half but his shot was beaten out by Bayes.

Darts boss Tony Burman brought on Jason Prior for the second half, having taken the striker on loan from Wimbledon at the end of last season. Prior, having since been released by the Dons, is now looking for a new club.

Another half-time substitute, Ryan Hayes, announced his introduction with a 25-yard strike which fizzed just over.

Charlie Sheringham, one of Wimbledon's 11 half-time changes, went close to scoring against his former club with a far-post header 20 minutes from time.

Prior, with whom Sheringham played at Princes Park in 2012/13, did well to win possession at the other end but the shot which followed sailed high into the home fans.

Sheringham hit the target with his next attempt but Darts substitute goalkeeper Tom Wellham pulled off an excellent save to deny him.

It was the home side who had the final word, though. Mohammed Eisa was tripped after cutting into the box, three minutes from time, and Bradbrook scored from the penalty spot.

Dartford: Julian (Wellham 78mins); Burns, Clark (Vint 82mins), Fry (Porter 69mins), Sterling; Noble (Hayes 46mins), Cornhill (Akinwande 82mins), Rogers (Monger 66mins), Harris (Eisa 63mins); Collier (Bradbrook 46mins), Ibemere (Prior 46mins).

AFC Wimbledon (first half): Bayes; Fuller, Weston, Antwi, Fenlon; Sainte Luce, Pell, S Moore, Bamba, Midson, L Moore.

AFC Wimbledon (second half): Bishop, Fayers, Beere, Bennett, Frampton, Kennedy, Sheringham, Sweeney, Jacquart, Arthur, Strutton. Subs: Francomb, Knight.

Attendance: 881.

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