Darts begin Cup glory trail (From News Shopper)

Darts begin Cup glory trail

3:38pm Wednesday 5th September 2007 in Sport

Dartford 3-0 Leatherhead

WITH the two on-loan players not considered and Tommy Osborne ruled out through injury, Darts boss Tony Burman had to make adjustments for the visit of Leatherhead in the FA Cup on Saturday, writes Mike Brett-Smith.

Steve Norman passed a late fitness test, Jamie Coyle replaced the suspended Alex O'Brien and Eddie McClements made his first start of the season.

Defending the Brooklands end, Darts made their intentions clear and had the ball in the Tanners' net after just four minutes.

However, the effort was ruled out for a foul on Paul McCarthy in the visiting goal. Thereafter matters were pretty even, although Darts were not really troubled and easily repelled Leatherhead's attacks.

At the other end, Darts did force a number of corners during which McCarthy appeared to be ill at ease going for the high ball.

Leatherhead have traditionally posed problems for the Darts, but this time they suffered a self-inflicted wound after 30 minutes when striker Joe Sheerin took exception to an Adam Flanagan tackle, threw a punch and got red-carded.

By now Coyle and McClements had struck up a good understanding and constantly varied the point of play.

Soon after Sheerin's departure Richard Avery went on a long run and his cross was headed downwards and saved low down by McCarthy.

Seven minutes after the interval Darts took the lead.

Mark Green, now making some good runs along the left, laid on a cross which McCarthy turned round for a corner which was headed home at the near post in typical stealthy Brendan Cass fashion.

This enabled Darts to relax and, although Leatherhead got back into the game, it was mainly through howitzer throws-in from the left, which were easily dealt with by the tall Dartford rearguard.

With 15 minutes remaining a move from inside the Dartford half, initiated by McClements, ended with Cass being set up for a one-on-one with McCarthy, a contest which had only one outcome as the Darts doubled their lead.

Dartford sealed a home tie with Sittingboune on Saturday week when substitute Tom Bradbrook converted a tap-in with moments to go.

Patrons' Club representatives voted John Guest as their man of the match.

Dartford: Kessell, Avery, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, Coyle, Potter, May (Bradbrook), Cass (Moore), McClements, Green. Subs not used: Youle, Lawrence, Tedder. Att: 879