By Callum Townsend

A goal in either half was enough for Dartford to make it back-to-back wins against Dover in a National League South derby on Monday.

James Golding put Darts ahead at the break with striker Lewis Manor adding a second goal.

Alan Dowson’s Dartford side came off the back of their first win of the season on Saturday, 1-0 win at Aveley, while Dover had picked up five points from as many games after losing to leaders Worthing two days earlier.

Neither team started particularly strongly, with nothing to separate the teams despite Luke Coulson’s early attempt saved by Billy Terrell. Dover swiftly responded with their first chance, but Josh Anifowose saw his attempt sail wide of the post.

With what was far from an eventful opening to the first half, it was a flurry of Dartford corners that increased the tempo of the game. A goalmouth scramble ensued following Coulson’s third delivery, and loanee Golding poked the ball into the roof of the net to give the Darts a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute.

Dartford came close to increasing their lead six minutes later, after Manor won a free-kick as he received the ball from Jordan Wynter’s high turnover. Coulson’s subsequent effort from 25 yards was, however, tipped wide of the post.

Dover had their best chance of the game to equalise when George Nikaj was free on the counter. The number 10 cut inside on his left foot, but his effort curled just over the bar.

A succession of further set-piece chances went begging for Dartford, as Joash Nembhard’s volley thundered against the woodwork from Tommy Block’s throw, and Harvey Bradbury was unable to convert the rebound. Paul Rooney headed over from a Coulson free-kick, signalling the last big chance of the half for either side.

The start of the second half saw the introduction of Maxwell Statham for Block for Dartford. This was succeeded by a fast start for the Darts, attacking the Dover box through Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Rooney, although neither could find a clear chance at goal. Manor was able to hold the ball up and tee up Coulson just a minute later, but his shot saved by Terrell.

Miller-Rodney was involved on the right soon after, beating his man and seeing his cross shouldered behind by James Dunne. Dartford made use of a set-piece again, with the resultant corner being nodded home by Manor, giving them a two-goal lead in the 54th minute.

Coulson and Rooney were able to link up well on the left to try and fashion a chance to kill the game off, however, Rooney saw his effort bobble up and punched away by Terrell.

The introduction of the energetic Luke Allen nearly compounded Dover’s struggles on the day, with the midfielder’s shot being blocked by the hand of Michael Olarewaju, and the referee awarding a penalty. Captain Coulson stepped up to take the shot from 12 yards but failed to convert, as his shot sailed over the bar.

Coulson set Allen on his way on the counter, and he broke into the box and played a pass to the back post. The ball looked set to meet Miller-Rodney, however, it was intercepted at the last moment.

The game’s conclusion was a cagey affair, with Dover’s only attempts coming in the form of long-range shots which were gathered easily by keeper Mitchell Beeney. Man-of-the-match Nembhard’s headed clearance was the last action of the game, with the final whistle signifying a second win of the season for Dartford.

Dartford: Beeney, Golding, Altintop, Block (Statham 46mins), Miller-Rodney, Rooney, Coulson (Box 85mins), Wynter, Bradbury, Nembhard, Manor (Allen 70mins). Subs not used: Wray, Diarra.

Dover: Terrell, Ojemen, Olarewaju, Dunne, Anifowose (Dembele 66mins), Nikaj (Sutherland 57mins), Naylor, Baptiste, Stewart, Sesay (Allen 66mins), Oyenuga. Subs not used: Wilkinson, Hatcher.

Referee: Michael Robertson-Tant.

Attendance: 1,203.