Dartford 7-2 Witham Town

DARTS demolished a bemused Witham Town outfit which came to Princes Park on the back of a 4-0 win at Brentwood on their last away trip.

If you can judge a team on the players sitting on the bench, then look no further than the Darts.

Last night's substitutes were Tom Bradbrook, Dave Moore, Yohance Lewis, Richard Avery and Mark Green.

Not even in the reckoning at present is the elegant John Guest.

The hosts defended the Brooklands end in the first half and, playing the now familiar two-wing attack with Eddie McClements prompting from left midfield, soon made their intentions clear.

With five minutes gone, a Phil Williams run and left side cross found Jay May by the far post and the latter ended his recent goal drought with a brisk shot, which ended in the back of the net via Witham's right post.

Two minutes later the advantage was doubled when the same provider set up Brendon Cass, who drove home via a defender's legs.

Then a Ryan Hayes left-footer found Williams, whose shot whistled past the right post.

A Hayes free-kick was punched away by Witham goalie Paul Daley, followed by a May header against the bar.

At the other end, David Hawes drew a smart save from Tony Kessell.

Inevitably, Williams' mercurial runs drew a rash tackle and Hayes nervelessly converted the penalty on the stroke of half-time.

A surging May run four minutes into the second half ended with a 30-yarder scorching the post as it flashed wide of Daley.

Then Darts added the fourth when a Hayes curler was headed in by McClements on 50 minutes.

Six minutes later, Witham pulled one back when Jamie Ricks converted a right wing cross and Kaan Hawes added a second from the penalty spot following a scuffle on the edge of the area.

The mini revival lasted 60 seconds as Hayes set up Cass, who shot home on the turn. By now it was exhibition stuff with wings swapping places and the holding midfielders, Alex O'Brien and Tommy Osborne, joining McClements in the supply department.

Typical of this period was a three-man breakout which bore down on Daley's goal, but a final pass was misplaced and the danger averted.

Bradbrook, Moore and Lewis replaced May, Williams and Hayes and the show went on.

The seventh goal duly arrived on 85 minutes, when a cheeky Lewis shuffle set up Jamie Coyle to cap a splendid evening.

Dartford: Kessell, Coyle, Norman, Flanagan, Osborne, O'Brien, Hayes (Lewis 80), J May (Bradbrook 78), Cass, McClements, Williams (Moore 78). Subs not used: Avery, Green. Att: 504