Arlesey Town 0-4 Dartford

DARTFORD stretched their lead at the top of the table last night with a convincing win at Arlesey.

First let's credit an excellent referee for getting the game started in such misty conditions and taking a common sense approach throughout the 90 minutes.

His decision to start the game was justified as, after the interval, the conditions became perfect.

Darts brought in Tommy Osborne, who slotted in to the right-back position with Jamie Coyle in the middle of the back four, and Junior Kadi playing the Jay May role. The conditions dictated the first half play, with neither side wanting to make a fateful error.

There were few chances although Arlesey did hit the bar and Tony Kessell had to clutch a shot to prevent a goal. Apart from that they offered very little.

Darts took the lead midway through the half when, after a bit of head tennis, Adam Flanagan got the final touch to put the visitors in front.

Just before the break Dartford had three chances to increase the advantage, one each from left and right corners and a blistering Ryan Hayes drive.

The second half saw Darts in ruthless mode and they increased the lead when Kadi rifled home a vicious free-kick from halfway out to the left touchline.

Now firing on all cylinders, it was only a matter of time before more goals arrived. On 71 minutes Brendon Cass got his obligatory strike following a Steve Norman run up the left and deceptive cross, which Eddie McClements blasted goalwards.

The ball rebounded off the keeper and the irrepressible number nine fired home. McClements got his reward for an industrious evening eight minutes later when he power-headed home the fourth following a right-foot Hayes cross.

This was vintage Dartford stuff with telepathic one-touch football, interchanges, dummy runs and all the trappings of a team in top form. A delight to behold.

Dartford: Kessell, Coyle, Norman, Flanagan, Osborne, O'Brien, Hayes (Moore), Kadi, Cass (Bradbrook 75), McClements, Williams (Lewis 75). Subs not used: Potter, Green. Att: 246