Dartford 2 Hampton & Richmond 1 match report: Charlie Sheringham and Marvin Herschel score for the Darts

Charlie Sheringham came off the bench to fire Dartford to a first home win since mid-August on Saturday.

The 34-year-old scored one and made one as the Darts made it three National League South wins in four games, as they tried to put last week’s FA Cup exit behind them.

Dartford made a host of changes from the team knocked out by Beckenham with teenage winger Marvin Herschel handed his first start. Samir Carruthers was deployed on the left wing with Jordan Wynter switching to centre-midfield and Kristian Campbell in a more familiar left-back role.

Both keepers made early saves. Hampton had former Gills stopper Joe Walsh between the sticks, now at QPR having the Beavers on loan with regular custodian Alan Julian out with a back injury.

Walsh did well to tip over a Tom Bonner header that was met by his own defender following a Carruthers corner while, at the other end, Darts’ on-loan keeper Joe Young beat away a crisp right-foot volley from Jake Gray.

Both Dartford full-backs were in the book inside the first 11 minutes, Campbell for a mis-timed tackle on halfway before Max Statham’s equally needless pull back on Brandon Barzey on halfway ensured he followed his team-mate into the referee’s notepad.

Only once in the first half did Darts manage to use the pace of Herschel to good effect. Too many times, they were unable to find their speedy winger. But on 16 minutes he was fed by on-loan Stevenage midfielder Jack Smith and Walsh did well to push out Herschel’s cross-shot. The ball fell perfectly for Davide Rodari but he was denied by another excellent piece of goalkeeping.

It was a similar story 10 minutes before half-time, Smith crossing from the right for Rodari who found Walsh in inspired form again.

Carruthers put a