Waltham Abbey 0-5 Dartford

DARTFORD avenged an embarrassing first birthday home defeat at the hands of Waltham Abbey by running in five goals at Capershotts on Saturday.

Tony Burman made a late change by bringing in Tom Bradbrook for Eddie McClements.

An early goal at the start of each half set the tone for the match on an overcast, blustery afternoon.

Playing down the slope, Abbey almost drew first blood with a left wing cross which Tony Kessell tipped over the bar.

Darts responded with two Ryan Hayes raids, the second of which Brendon Cass headed past John Hickman to put the visitors on the scoresheet.

With the prompting of wingers Hayes and Phil Willaims, Dartford set up camp in the home half, although the home side did have their moments.

However, the solid Dartford back four, plus the tenacious Alex O'Brien just in front, carried too much know-how for the home attack and Kessell was rarely troubled.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, two goals in a minute confirmed the destination of the points.

After a Williams header from a Hayes cross was saved and a Coyle header cleared off the line, John Guest headed in a Hayes free-kick and Cass netted a Hayed corner.

Before most spectators had settled into position after the interval, Jamie Coyle made it 4-0 from the penalty spot after Williams had been felled in the area and consequently replaced.

Thereafter it was training ground stuff and the scoring was completed by Junior Kadi, who volleyed home to round off as delightful a passing move as you could see anywhere.

As players from Sudbury, Ware et al trudged off after their afternoon efforts they must have been chastened to learn despite all their efforts, they were no nearer Darts than when play began.

Dartford: Kessell, Coyle, Norman (Green 63), Flanagan, Guest, O'Brien, Hayes (Moore 62), Kadi, Cass, Bradbrook, Williams (Lewis 55). Subs not used: Osborne, Potter. Att: 387