Needham Market v Dartford

Report

Joe Brophy

Dartford moved within one game of the FA Cup first round with a comprehensive six goal rout away at Needham Market.

Goals from Murphy, Pugh and Hayes alongside a hat-trick from Pavey ensured the travelling Darts are in the pot for the last round of qualifying.

Dartford bounced back from their disappointing performance last weekend to regain their momentum with Pavey’s first after twenty minutes alleviating the tension from the Darts.

A free kick was initially blocked by Holland but Needham only cleared the ball to Bradbrook whose effort was charged down by Coakley. The skipper laid the second ball into the path of Pavey who rifled in from a tight angle to open the scoring.

Bradbrook then had the chance himself to double the Darts advantage but he could only head Noble’s corner over.

Needham couldn’t cope with Dartford’s attack and Pavey soon grabbed his second after great play from Murphy.

After collecting the ball out-wide Murphy cut inside and sent in a brilliant lofted ball that was thundered home by the head of Pavey.

Pavey capped off a terrific first forty-five by completing his hat-trick late into stoppage time. Lax defending from Needham allowed Pavey to spin and shoot in the box.

The goals continued after the interval and Dartford made it four within minutes of the restart.

A quick-fire counter attack found its way to Hayes who set Murphy free to slot past Gay.

Bradbrook then had a glorious opportunity for number four from the penalty spot after Whight collided with Pavey, but Gay managed to get a strong hand to tip his effort against the bar and Morphew somehow threw his body in front of the rebound.

Wilkins rang the changes for Needham and sent on debutant Jamie Griffiths whose introduction swayed the balance of play into the home side’s favour who managed to pull a goal back when Sam Nunn was first to Gareth Heath’s corner from the left wing.

The Darts responded instantly in emphatic fashion to kill any Needham hopes of a sensational late comeback. A long diagonal ball from Hayes played in Andy Pugh who finished well at the near post.

The afternoon just got worse for Needham as they were soon reduced to ten. Billy Holland given a straight red card for bringing down Warren Mfula who was looking to get in on goal.

Hayes compounded the home side’s misery when he finally got his goal to round off a resounding win with virtually the last kick of the game, finishing into an empty net after a poor clearance by Gay.

Attendance: 375

NEEDHAM MARKET TEAM: Gay, Dye, Coakley, Whight, Morphew, Nunn, Holland, Heath, Ingram, Harrison, Gibbs

NEEDHAM MARKET SUBS: Griffiths, Booth, Turner, Morphew, Simmons, Munson

DARTFORD FC TEAM: Ibrahim, Wood, Onyemah, Bonner, Sho-Silva, Noble, Hayes, Bradbrook, Pavey, Pugh, Murphy

DARTFORD FC SUBS: Brown, Della-Verde, Vint, Mfula, Ofori-Acheampong, Gold, Gregory