Manager Ady Pennock has urged Dartford to enjoy their fine early-season form.

The Darts have made a bright start to their Isthmian Premier campaign, winning four of their first five league fixtures. They were also 6-2 FA Cup first qualifying round victors at home to Marlow last weekend.

While Dartford will want to maintain that form throughout the season as they aim to bounce back from National League South relegation, Pennock is eager to embrace having the winning feeling again after a tough campaign at Princes Park last term.

“We have won five games out of six,” said Pennock, whose team’s only competitive loss to date came in a 1-0 reverse at home to Potters Bar.

“Obviously, we were all disappointed about the Potters Bar game but, performance-wise, it wasn’t really that disappointing.

“You have got to enjoy your wins because you don’t win every week. There’s some tough games coming up.

“But we have gone to Cray Valley and Carshalton and got wins, as well as winning against Chatham in a local derby.

“They’re all hard games - we know that - but we’re enjoying it.”

There were braces for midfielder Olly Box and substitute Ben Allen as the Darts saw off Marlow, newly-promoted to Southern League Premier Division South, while forwards Eddie Dsane and Callum Jones also struck.

Pennock reflected: “It was a really good win.

“Obviously, they got promoted last year so we knew it was going to be difficult. Arguably, they have not had the best of starts to the season.

“It was all about getting through to the next round but scoring six goals in front of our own supporters was good.

“It wasn’t as straightforward as it might look. We went 3-0 up, then it went to 3-1, then it went to 4-2. If they had scored in between [and brought the gap to one goal], it could have been different.

“But I think the goals we scored were really good goals.”

While playmaker Allen, a summer signing from rivals Chatham, is yet to make his first competitive Dartford start, he did his chances of forcing his way into the team little damage against Marlow.

“He’s had a mixed start to the season,” Pennock noted. “He’s not started yet but he’s had some little cameos. Ben will get better and better.

“Ben has got that ability to score goals. He just needs to work on the other side of the game - which, to be fair to him, he’s doing.

“It takes time settling in, coming to a new club. I’m really pleased for him. He has been chomping at the bit.

“I wish I could start 18 or 19 players at the moment because everyone deserves to start! But I’ve kept pretty much the same starting XI for the last few games. We’re in good form.

“It’s difficult not to start the likes of Ben and George Whitefield and even Jacob Marsden - the goalkeeper. But Matt Kerbey has come in and he’s done well.

“If I could play two goalkeepers, I would! But it’s a long, old season, everyone in the squad will be so valuable to us.

“When they get their chance, they have got to take it.”

Allen’s double came after 19-year-old Box had struck either side of half-time.

“He played really well on Saturday,” admitted his boss. “In my opinion, his performances will get better and better.

"Olly has got bags of natural ability. He’s young but, even if you look at the other players, Callum Jones is 24.

“Jeremiah Pinder was outstanding on Saturday. He’s only 19. I think there were seven players under the age of 23.

“People, sometimes, forget about ages. Those players will all make mistakes but the main thing is that they learn from them.

“I was really pleased for Olly. He’s a cracking lad.

"Everyone at the club, including the fans, love him.”

The Darts have been drawn at home against Leatherhead, who beat Dulwich in a midweek replay, in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday, September 14.

They return to league action at Dover this Saturday.

The teams have already netted 35 times this season between them and Pennock predicted: “It will be really open.

“(Whites manager) Jake Leberl was an excellent footballer himself. He’s got them up and running.

"It should be a cracker. This is why we’re in football.

"Dover’s a good football club, they have got good supporters there.

“They have got some good players. Obviously, they were disappointed to get relegated last year but they have got off to a decent start.

“It will probably be a boring nil-nil now I’ve said that!

“Obviously, we’re going there for the three points but we know it won’t be easy.”