A headed goal from Ky Marsh-Brown midway through the first half was enough to give Dartford all three points at Princes Park. 

Dartford came into the game on the back of a disappointing cup defeat to Slough Town at the weekend and Steve King made three changes to the starting eleven. Jordan Wynter, Ricky Modeste and Ky Marsh-Brown all started in place of Abdul Osman, Gavin McCallum and Charlie Sheringham. 

In what was a scrappy opening to the game it wasn’t until the 18th minute there was an effort on goal. Ronnie Vint rose highest from a corner but his header went well over the bar 

In the 22nd minute Dartford had a free kick on the edge of the box and Noor Husin’s effort was blocked by the wall. The ball was worked out to Barnham-Bobb who crossed into the box. A flick on took the ball to an unmarked Ky Marsh Brown at the back post and he powered his header into the back of the net. 

The goal livened Dartford as they took control of possession but could only manage a couple of long range efforts. Braham-Barrett had an effort that was comfortably saved and Berkeley-Agyepong had a free kick that went over the bar. 

Chelmsford got better as the half drew to a close and a long ball into the box was superbly controlled by Phil Roberts, who cut inside but could only fire an effort wide of the near post. 

The second half was even as Dartford looked to extend their lead and Chelmsford tried to find an equaliser. 

Dartford came close when Ronnie Vint headed wide from a cross in to the box after again being left unmarked. 

The visitors came close to equalising after a Cameron James through ball behind the defence found Roberts inside the box but he could only shoot wide of the far post. 

The game again got very scrappy and it wasn’t until the final ten minutes that it livened up again as Chelmsford came forward. A deflected effort from Liddle was comfortably gathered by King. 

A loose pass from Modeste was collected by James who made his way into the Dartford box. Luckily King was alert to the danger and came out to smother James’ effort. 

With only a few minutes remaining Callum Harrison striked a curling effort but the ball went a few inches wide. 

A long throw into the box caused the Darts defence problems and it fell to Church but his effort wasn’t strong enough to trouble King 

The final chance of the game came to Marsh-Brown as he broke through the away defence but his shot was poor and only found the side netting. 

The Darts were able to see the game out and pick up the three points to get their league campaign off to a good start. Next up they travel to Hampton and Richmond at the weekend. 

Dartford: King, Barnum-Bobb, Braham-Barrett, Wynter, Vint, Bonner, Modeste (Osman 86), Berkeley-Agyepong, Romain, Husin, Marsh-Brown 

Subs not used: Sheringham, McCallum, Ijaha, Hill 

Chelmsford City: Worgan, Church, James, Imray, Morgan (Harrison 66), Roberts, Liddle, Oluwo, Isaac (Simpson 90), Crook (Teniola 66), Ward 

Subs not used: Fraser-Robinson, Muldoon 

Picture supplied by Dartford Football Club.