Dartford moved to within four points of National South leaders Maidenhead United with a 3-1 win over struggling Whitehawk at Princes Park.

First half goals from Ryan Hayes and Tom Murphy gave the Darts fully deserved lead at the break, but a controversially awarded penalty converted by Glen Southam gave Whitehawk a lifeline.  The two earlier goalscorers combined to set up the third goal for Andy Pugh and seal a convincing win.

Long serving Dartford manager, Tony Burman, spoke first about today’s opposition, saying “they have been difficult opponents for us, they are full of experienced players and it’s strange that they are in the position they are (lying 20th out of the 22 teams, inside the relegation zone).  Having said that, we’ve played really well first half even though they’ve come at us and won quite a few corners.”

“That said I’m pleased with the result, but disappointed that we’ve conceded a goal.  I don’t think it was a penalty at all, but I felt we could have increased our scoreline in the first 15 minutes of the second half anyway.  Because we didn’t, they had their little bit of time in the game; first hitting the bar, then getting the penalty.  It became difficult, but we fought through it to increase the lead.”

Dartford have been struggling for numbers recently, a situation not aided by Alex Brown’s absence through suspension and an injury to Lee Noble.  Also missing for this game was Duane Ofori-Acheampong, who has been a revelation since his move from Dover, who was attending a family funeral.  But Burman admitted “the starting eleven certainly had experience but, apart from Kaka (Becka-Kah Dembele), the bench were all from last year’s Academy.  I’m pleased we’ve been able to give them that opportunity and that they are involved.”

“With Duane not playing at the moment, (Andy Pugh, Tom Murphy and Ryan Hayes) have been exceptional for us.  They’ve all chipped in and especially in the second half, there was some good football played by the team.  Maybe we should have been a little bit more ruthless.”

With this 6th successive league win increasing the pressure on Maidenhead, albeit with the Magpies still having a game in hand on both Dartford and second-placed Ebbsfleet United, Burman thought it was too early to be talking about a title challenge.

He added “I think there’s too many things that could go on.  Yes, Maidenhead have drawn today, but there’s going to be a lot of ups and downs in what is left of the season.  We’ve got to concentrate on ourselves, remember what we are trying to do, and we haven’t reached the targets we set them at the start of the season.  I’ve got a good group here and I think they are going to get better as it goes on.”