Dartford 1 v 0 Kingstonian

Ryman League Division One South

WHEN he was Darts' manager John Still wanted three things from any game - a win, a clean sheet and good football, writes Mike Brett-Smith.

Darts provided two out of three against Kingstonian, enough to satisfy Stillie.

Under the current leadership of Tony Burman, Darts are beginning to see how tough this division will be when Kingstonian visited Ship Lane.

The pre-season tile favourites battled away for 90 minutes in a give-no-quarter contest and matched Darts' wing play with their own pace down the flanks, the lively Dean Lodge proving a good test for the experienced John Farley.

Darts should have taken the lead inside two minutes when, following a dazzling run down the left which left three defenders in his wake, Dave Martin was stopped in the penalty area by a hefty case of shirt-pulling.

Brendon Cass took the spot-kick only for the tall Luke Garrard to dive left and smother the ball.

There was a lengthy stoppage when Steve Hafner was treated in an otherwise end-to-end encounter.

On recovery Hafner took on the K's defence and fired in a fierce shot which Garrard turned over for a corner.

For much of the rest of the half play was punctuated by a series of petty fouls and a distinct pattern failed to emerge.

Certainly Darts' defence, marshalled as ever by Tommy Osborne, was in fine form.

Ryan Briggs was working well along the right and Eddie McClements was quietly taking a grip in midfield.

Shortly before the break Martin worked his magic in the right-hand corner, squirming past three defenders and sent in an inch-perfect cross for Jay May to head into an empty net for Darts' first goal.

As was to be expected Darts came under pressure after the break but the defence held form with everybody chipping in and Kevin Hudson turning in a man-of-the-match performance with his immaculate handling.

From a long throw on the left the visitors caused some anxious moments for the Darts but the danger was finally cleared following a couple of testing corners.

Mid-way through the half John Farley suffered a knock which required lengthy treatment but after carrying on for a while was replaced by Brad Potter and in the last minute Glen Billinness replaced Brendon Cass.

MATCH FACTS: DARTFORD: Hudson, Osborne, Farley (Potter, 69), Henry, Avery, Hafner, Briggs, May, Cass (Billinness), McClements, Martin.

SUBS NOT USED: Hayes, Ansell, Olson.

ATT: 336.