Dartford 6-1 East Thurrock United

(Bonner 2’, Brown 13’, Murphy 23’, Pugh 37’, Hayes 54’, Bradbrook 90’ (p): Wraight 35’)

From Princes Park

National League South

EAST Thurrock United fell to their heaviest defeat of the season as they were crushed 6-1 by a rampant Dartford.

The Kent side had not scored as many goals as those chasing promotion this season, averaging just over one a game before kick-off while boasting a mean defence.

But they scored six against Rocks, who hadn’t conceded more than two in a league game before this clash.

Dartford made the breakthrough after just two minutes. A corner was swung in and Tom Bonner rose superbly to power beyond Lukas Lidakevicius in the away goal.

Ryan Hayes curled a free-kick off target as the pressure continued to grow on the Rocks backline.

Rocks could have levelled as a shot went narrowly wide on the counter, with Ade Osifuwa and Tom Wraight sending some decent balls in from wide positions.

But the Darts were on top and doubled their advantage inside 15 minutes.

Alex Brown powered through a wall of players from 25 yards to make it 2-0.

Former Dartford man Lee Burns saw a shot blocked as Rocks looked for a way back into the match.

But with just 23 minutes gone in the first half it was 3-0. Tom Murphy struck on his home debut to add to the visitors’ woe.

Rocks got a goal back on 30 minutes, with the ball cut back by Sam Higgins for Tom Wraight to sweep home.

But Andy Pugh restored the three goal advantage before half-time after excellent work from Duane Afori-Acheampong in holding off Michael Clark.

Four became five as East Thurrock continued to struggle against the on-form Darts attackers. Hayes turned his man inside out and finished low beyond Lidakevicius.

Wraight hit the outside of the post as the Essex side looked to salvage some pride.

But it wasn’t getting any better, as veteran Ben Wood was stretchered from the field.

Elliot Bradbrook added a sixth in injury-time as East Thurrock’s miserable day was completed.

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Osifuwa (Marlow), Nesbitt (Gardner), Clark, Ellul, Wood (Craddock), Harris, Burns, Higgins, Walker, Wraight