Ebbsfleet United 1 Dartford 4 match report: Dartford's first league win at the Fleet since 1979

Dartford threw the National League South title race wide open with a stunning Boxing Day derby win at Ebbsfleet.

It was Dartford’s first league win at Stonebridge Road since 1979 and the first time they’ve hit four goals at their rivals for more than 50 years.

Alan Dowson’s Dartford now sit top of the table, three points clear of second-placed Fleet, who have three games in hand. The sides meet again at Princes Park on New Year’s Day.

But the Fleet’s wobble has now turned into a major concern, it was their third home reverse in the league in the last four games while they’ve lost six in eight in all competitions. Gone is their early-season swagger, replaced by anxious faces on and off the pitch.

Dartford raced into a three-goal lead inside the first 11 minutes.

They were ahead on 44 seconds. Darts striker Alex Wall tussled with returning Fleet skipper Chris Solly and while the former certainly had a piece of the latter’s shirt, both referee and her assistant let the game flow and Wall was allowed to centre for the unmarked Luke Allen to slot Dartford ahead.

It was 2-0 on five minutes when Haydn Hollis’ terrible passback sold Solly short and while he won his tackle against Wall, the ball fell straight to Samir Carruthers, who doubled the lead from just inside the box.

Fleet keeper Mark Cousins wasn’t exempt from the drama, either. He opted to punch instead of catch a left-wing cross and Luke Coulson’s cross-shot ricocheted into the path of Maxwell Statham to turn in the third goal.

Ebbsfleet had barely got out of their half. Darts, who won 3-1 at Havant last time out, had got a fast start but one that was beyond their wildest dreams against a Fleet side with five defeats from their last seven games in all competitions.

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