Whitehawk v Dartford

Report

Joe Brophy

After successive games without a win, the Darts returned to winning ways with a thoroughly convincing 4-0 win on the road to Whitehawk.

Goals from Alfie Pavey, Ryan Hayes, Elliot Bradbrook and Lyle Della-Verde sealed the win for Tony Burman’s side.

First team keeper Ibrahim returned to the side having missed the previous two games due to international commitments for Gibraltar, to claim a fifth clean sheet of the season.

The win keeps the Darts within four points of league leaders Chelmsford City.

The Darts made a positive start from the first whistle, with an early chance falling to Bradbrook who could only head over after being well found off a Hayes cross.

The away fans didn’t have to wait long though for the opening goal as a few minutes later the ball fortunately landed at the feet of Pavey, who poked home after the Whitehawk defence failed to deal with a freekick and a frantic scramble ensued.

From then on it was pretty much plain sailing for the Darts, as within half hour Hayes doubled his side’s advantage. A jinking run followed by a sharp cut inside and Hayes leathered an effort that had Tokarczyk beat at his near post.

Third time lucky in the game for Hayes whose first two efforts in the match were thwarted by home keeper Tokarczyk but this time he had no answer.

On the stroke of halftime Bradbrook put the gloss on the score line by extending his side’s lead going into the break. Pavey found Della-Verde out wide who whipped in a great cross for the skipper to slot home.

The second half was much of the same for Dartford as they continued the high pressure in search of the fourth. Brown was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself as he put the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Whitehawk’s best opportunities came by the way of substitute Rose who first had a searching effort from distance that came close, before forcing Ibrahim into full stretch to keep out his bended free-kick.

Della-Verde then made it four late on. Having minutes before squandered the opportunity to get on the scoresheet when he dragged his shot against the post after being played in on goal, he worked some space in the area and cut inside on his right foot to fire across goal, finding the far corner to cap off a resounding win for the travelling Darts.

Attendance: 223

WHITEHAWK FC TEAM: Tokarczyk, Walsh, Cadman, Elliott, Roddy, Odofin, Davies, Whittingham, Rodrigues, Tighe, Gordon

WHITEHAWK FC SUBS: Agnoly, Rose, Fenwick, Wakley, Hawkins

DARTFORD FC TEAM: Ibrahim, Harris, Sho-Silva, Bonner, Onyemah, Noble, Hayes, Bradbrook, Brown, Della-Verde, Pavey

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