Great Wakering Rovers 0-2 Dartford

A FIRST half brace from Ryan Hayes sent Dartford four points clear at the top of the Ryman Division One North table on Saturday.

With just one change, Richard Avery in for Tom Bradbrook on the bench, Darts took to the field on an overcast afternoon to display their talents on a heavy, lightly-sanded surface.

Aided by a blustery crosswind, Tony Burman's side soon took hold of the game and rained attack after attack on the home rearguard.

This is a mercurial outfit, improvising according to conditions and opposition and play was switched to bewildering effect.

Rovers' plans appeared to be kick up the slope, limit the opposition and attack after the break.

After 10 minutes they were holed below the waterline and might have suffered more damage before the second torpedo effectively sunk them just before half-time.

A quickly taken throw on the right side by Jamie Coyle to Jay May was then fed on to an inspired Hayes on the wing.

He did his customary cut inside, took four paces and unleashed his trademark left-foot curler past the amazed Rovers' keeper Louis Green into the top right-hand corner.

For the rest of the half it was ceaseless pressure from the visitors, in which Rovers' bald headed centre-half Kevin Cole was the busiest man on the field.

Even so, the Hayes-May combination set up Brendan Cass, whose snap shot went inches the wrong side of the goal.

Then a high, dipping May volley was turned over by Green before the keeper dived full length to keep out a May drive.

With six minutes to go until the interval, Phil Williams, in the inside right position, fed Cass whose pass into the penalty area rebounded to him.

His second attempt was met by a diving Hayes to make it 2-0 to Darts.

After the break Rovers applied early pressure, mainly via a series of long throws.

But the height, guile and command of Coyle, Guest, Flanagan and Norman, with skipper Alex O'Brien terrier-like just in front of them, allowed only a handful of half-chances.

Tony Kessell had to be alert to pull off an outstanding save to preserve his third successive clean sheet.

May, more of a provider this time, did break clear and rattle the crossbar from the edge of the box with Eddie McClements heading the rebound over on the hour. Williams, who is developing into more than just a winger, was replaced by Yohance Lewis and Junior Kadi replaced Cass.

Every single Dart chipped in with a vital little bit when required as they ran out the clock on half throttle.

Mind you, they did find time to have a goal disallowed for offside late in the game on a totally satisfying afternoon for the travelling supporters.

Dartford: Kessell, Coyle, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, O'Brien, Hayes (Green 86), May, Cass (Kadi 66), McClements, Williams (Lewis 61) Subs not used: Osborne, Avery. Att: 305