Six goals from five different scorers gave Dover a comfortable win over Kent rivals Dartford in the Conference Premier.

Dover’s first home game since their 4-0 FA Cup defeat against Crustal Palace would need to be impressive if they were to continue their unbeaten league run; they came into the game in 14^th having not lost a match in the competition since mid- October. They had two players available to make their debuts after signing for the Lilywhites during the week but both Soloman Taiwo and Adam Mekki started on the bench.

The Darts had their own new player available for their trip to Crabble, after signing on Friday on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge, striker Christian Doidge started up front for the visitors; Elliot Bradbrook also started for Dartford after missing out his side’s game against FC Halifax due to injury. Tony Burman’s side came into the game in a bad run of form, sat in 21^st place in the table, they began the day seven points from safety.

The visitor’s task was made even harder with just five minutes gone when, after a cross from the right wing by Liam Bellamy, Nick Deverdics was given enough space in the area to score with a header off the post which, after the referee consulted with his assistant to confirm the shot had gone in, was given to give the hosts an early lead.

Dover’s early pressure continued when a cross from the left by Deverdics fell to Tom Murphy who saw Stephan Payne charging towards goal, Murphy found his attacking partner but Payne’s shot across goal was hit wide. Soon after Payne had another chance to hit the target after he was picked out by Bellamy but, yet again, the attacker was unable to challenge Deren Ibrahim in the Dartford goal.

Dover were made to pay for their inability to score when Harry Crawford brought down a header before brilliantly turning around Sean Raggett and calmly sliding a shot past Andrew Rafferty to equalize against his old team.

This would be one of the visitor’s only bright spots of the afternoon, soon after they had a penalty appeal turned down when Danny Harris was deemed not to have been pulled down in the penalty area; from the resulting corner Doidge was only able to nod his effort over the bar.

Dover went on to control the rest of the first half, Tom Murphy found himself one- on- one with Ibrahim but his shot was bravely saved by the goalkeeper.

Deren Ibrahim was vital for the Darts in the first half, soon after he saved Murphy’s shot he tipped wide a powerful shot from the same striker before Deverdics attempted a 30 yard strike which Ibrahim acrobatically pushed away for a corner.

With two minutes on injury time at the end of the first half, the hosts piled on the pressure and a series of corners in quick succession ended with a cross from the left being powerfully headed in by defender Richard Orlu to restore his side’s lead as half time approached.

Much like the first half, it took just five minutes for Dover to score in the second period, a long ball from defence came to Tom Murphy who brought the ball down, turned towards goal and unleased a perfect curling effort into the top corner to extend his side’s lead.

Dover soon took over the game and minutes later they had scored a fourth when Liam Bellamy cut inside from the left wing and attempted a shot towards the near post which slid underneath Ibrahim for the hosts’ fourth goal of the game.

Dartford were given a chance to work their way back into the game after Bellamy’s goal but after working his way down the left wing, Danny Harris’ cross was deflected, forcing the ball to agonizingly loop over the Dover goal.

To add to the Dart’s frustration, Dover were awarded a penalty after the referee believed that Stephan Payne had been pulled down from a corner; Barry Cogan stepped up to take the spot kick and, despite Ibrahim diving the right way, Cogan was able to convert giving Dover their fifth goal of the afternoon.

Their sixth goal came with Dartford looking to try and reduce the deficit but, after a corner was cleared away, Stephan Payne and Tom Murphy were allowed through on goal after beating the offside trap, with the goalkeeper bearing down on Payne he played a pass across to Murphy who was given his easiest task of the afternoon- putting the ball into an open goal for his second, and Dover’s sixth goal of the game.

With a five goal lead the hosts were able to experiment, after Sean Raggett headed over from a corner the defender was given the space to hit a shot from the edge of the area which was easily held by Ibrahim.

Substitute Ricky Modeste had Dover’s final chance for a seventh goal but, after using his agility to get around the goalkeeper, a mix of the troubling pitch condition and a tight angle meant he powered his effort into the side- netting.

With a major boost to their goal difference, Dover will now prepare for the arrival of 16^th placed Wrexham, a team who the Whites are yet to play this season. They rise to 12^th in the league with a goal difference which only seven other teams are able to beat.

Dartford, on the other hand, are in decline; they are now eight points from safety in the Conference Premier with the joint least amount of wins in the league- a record which they share with bottom placed Telford. They return to North Kent with their next game, an FA Trophy third round tie against Halifax, on their minds.

Dover Athletic: Rafferty, Essam, Orlu, Raggett, Francis, Sterling, Bellamy, Cogan (Taiwo), Deverdics (Modeste), Payne (Reid), Murphy

Subs not used: Wynter, Mekki

Dartford FC: Ibrahim: Burns (Driver), Green, Mitchel- King, McAuley, Noble (Cornhill), E Bradbrook, Collier, Harris (Daley), Crawford, Doidge

Subs not used: Sweeney, Hayes

Referee: Mr C Hicks

Assistants: Mr A Serrano, Mr J Hollier, Mr M Eva