Hemel Hempstead Town v Dartford

Report

Joe Brophy

Dartford continued their winning ways with another convincing display away at Hemel Hempstead Town in the National League South

Two penalties from captain Elliot Bradbrook sandwiched a strike from Pavey to ensure the visitors collected the three points.

The win makes it three wins in a row for the Darts whose impressive form takes them up to fourth in the league.

Chances were few and far between in an uneven first forty-five however as both sides struggled to carve out a moment of qualify in the box.

Mfula had a couple of half chances, won through his sheer determination in the and power but couldn’t find the finishing touch.

One such effort arose from a dangerous Onyemah corner that was knocked into the path of Mfula who at full stretch couldn’t direct home after having surged in at the back post.

The home side were also guilty of being wasteful in and around the box as a troubling low cross from Driver should have been attacked by Liburd from close range but the ball travelled harmlessly along the six-yard box.

Dartford should have taken the lead almost immediately after the restart as a wonderfully weighted cross from Hayes was headed over the bar by an unmarked Pavey at the back.

Pavey then had another chance to score minutes later when a Mfula drive drew the save from Walker and the rebound fell kindly for him but Walker was quickly back on his feet to deny him.

The goal was coming and the travelling Darts support didn’t have to wait long after that for the away side to gain the advantage.

Skipper Elliot Bradbrook made no mistake from 12 yards lashing the ball into the roof of the net after Della-Verde was brought down.

Della-Verde then almost fashioned a spectacular goal off his own as an improvised back heel in the box had to be beaten away by a scrambling Walker.

In the second half Dartford found a second gear to go up and a dominant second half performance begun to be rewarded in the score line as Pavey did grab a deserved goal.

Having been unlucky not to have opened his account for the day earlier, he rose highest from a corner to head down into the ground and into the net.

Whilst there may be some complaints about the penalty decision for the first, there can be no such complaints for the second as a late challenge from Parkes gave the referee no choice but to award a second spot kick.

Having gone for power with his first, Bradbrook chose for accuracy this time around. Whilst Walker did manage to get a hand to the ball he was unable to keep it out to cap off a resounding win and maintain the Darts unbeaten start to the season.

 

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN: Walker, Driver, Howe, Parkes, Hamblin, Yakubu, Hatton, Spring, Liburd, Sheringham, Osborn

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN SUBS: Connolly, Federico, Greenhalgh, Miles, Kaloczi

Attendance: 411

DARTFORD FC TEAM: Ibrahim, Harris, Sho-Silva, Bonner, Onyemah, Hayes, Noble, Bradbrook (C), Della-Verde, Pavey, Mfula

DARTFORD FC SUBS:  Pugh, Wood, Ajala, Cue, Vint