FC Halifax Town 2 Dartford 0: Shaymen double up to cap fine opening week

Goals by Lee Gregory and Kevin Holsgrove just after half-time were enough to seal the three points for the Shaymen.

Boss Neil Aspin said the win rounded off a pleasing week for Town and was delighted with his players’ efforts.

He said: “It’s been a really good week and if we’re going to stay in this division we have to look to take teams off other part-time teams like Dartford.

“I’m delighted with the performance from back to front. We were strong at the back, competitive in midfield and we had a threat going forward.

“I can’t ask any more from the players and I felt the game was never in doubt.”

Town were dominant from the off and spurned some clear-cut chances as they outplayed their visitors in the opening half.

Defender Marc Roberts saw a header flash just wide while Lois Maynard and Matt Pearson both forced Alan Julian into superb reaction saves. Dartford should have taken the lead against the run of play but Jason Prior headed over from less than six yards moments before a sloppy back pass allowed Gregory to run round Julian and slide the ball home.

Gregory’s shot was then spilled by Julian into the path of Holsgrove, who powered the ball in from 10 yards.

Town could have made the scoreline even more impressive but Julian produced a superb save to tip Adam Smith’s shot onto the bar. Defender Simon Ainge also went close with a shot and a header, which the defiant Julian also did well to save.

FC Halifax Town: Glennon, Toulson, McManus, Roberts, Ainge, Smith, Maynard, Pearson (Williams 72), Holsgrove (Marshall 64), Wilson, Gregory. Unused substitutes: Senior, Lowe, Johnson.

Dartford: Julian, Clark, Burns, Mitchel-King, Cornhill (Woodyard 63), Harris, Noble (Collier 72), Bradbrook, Rogers, Prior, Birchall. Unused substitutes: Monger, Porter, Welham.

Halifax man of the match: Marc Roberts.

Referee: B Toner (Lancashire).