FOLKS turned up to Princes Park on the opening day with high hopes following an encouraging pre-season, the starting line-up being the chief topic of conversation.

Also high on the list for debate was the fine state of the oft-maligned verdant sward.

Approaching its second anniversary, the grass element of the mix has a well-established root structure witch augers well for the months ahead.

Referee Neil West got matters under way promptly and Horsham were the first to show.

In fact, when they concentrated on the game, their approach work was pacy and neat and they had the first on-target shot.

For a spell they held the initiative but foundered on the Darts’ defence.

Dartford, for their part, tended to run everything through Ryan Hayes on the right.

As time progressed it seemed the visitors developed a penchant for querying decisions, resulting in a series of delays.

On the half-hour the tactic bore fruit as a 50-50 incident just outside Darts’ area and smack in front of goal went in their favour.

Russell Eldridge struck the free-kick over the wall and beyond Andrew Young to ensure the visitors went in at the interval 1-0 up.

The half-time talk on the terraces may have been about 4-4-2 and 4-5-1, but in the dressing room it was about minor adjustments.

On he restart Horsham went out to add to their rather fortuitous lead but were no match for Andrew Young.

Meanwhile, Darts moved through the gears and, in an eleven-minute spell, really killed off the game.

A fine 55th minute Lee Burns run and cross was hit firmly past visiting keeper Rob Tolfrey by debutant Elliot Bradbrook.

Eight minutes later the scorer cut along the by-line and into the penalty are only to be brought down.

Two Horsham players were added to a growing list of yellow cards prior to Adam Flanagan’s clinical spot kick.

The Darts added a third three minutes later when a mesmeric passing movement involving Jamie Day, Jamie Coyle and Adam Burchell saw the latter feed Bradbrook sweep home.

Three almost became four when a Flanagan free–kick was palmed over the bar by Tolfrey.

In the dying minute a lax moment allowed Pat Harding in for Horsham’s second.

Dartford: Young, Burgess, Gross, Flanagan (Capt), Coyle, White, Hayes (Burchell 63), Day, Haworth (Tait 83), Burns (Noble 74), Bradbrook. Subs not used: Beales, Kessell. Att: 968.