Dartford player-boss Ben Greenhalgh calls on squad to put another big effort in as tough start to season continues over next month

Player-boss Ben Greenhalgh is calling on Dartford’s squad to put a big effort in as their tough start to the season continues over the next month.

Isthmian Premier Darts have already played almost 20 fixtures in all competitions, with the campaign barely two months old.

But playmaker Greenhalgh can see light at the end of the tunnel as Dartford’s relentless schedule begins to ease from the end of November. They will host familiar foes Three Bridges in Saturday’s FA Trophy first-round fixture.

Dartford beat Three Bridges 3-2 on the opening day of the season while Greenhalgh also regularly faced Jamie Crellin’s men while at the helm of former team Margate.

“We’ve probably had enough of them - and they have probably had enough of us!” joked Greenhalgh.

“But it will be a different feel in the FA Trophy. We know how big the competition is. It will be good to have a different type of game at home, as well.

“We would like to progress in the competition but, at the same time, we have got a lot of matches.

“We’re really mindful of just getting through them as best as we possibly can.

“We have done brilliantly with so many tough fixtures in this first phase but we’ve got another really tough phase now.

“I’m still struggling to understand why the league has decided to play half the league games by the end of November.

“Once we get to the end of November, there should be a slight bit of relief.

“But we need to be in a good enough position where we are able to feel that relief.”

Dartford’s promotion prospects were dealt an early blow through last weekend’s 2-1 loss at AFC Whyteleafe despite a second-half equaliser by Greenhalgh.

He said: “It’s probably the hardest one to get over.

“We had 19 shots at goal, we only conceded a couple