Player-boss Ben Greenhalgh is calling on Dartford’s squad to put a big effort in as their tough start to the season continues over the next month.

Isthmian Premier Darts have already played almost 20 fixtures in all competitions, with the campaign barely two months old.

But playmaker Greenhalgh can see light at the end of the tunnel as Dartford’s relentless schedule begins to ease from the end of November. They will host familiar foes Three Bridges in Saturday’s FA Trophy first-round fixture.

Dartford beat Three Bridges 3-2 on the opening day of the season while Greenhalgh also regularly faced Jamie Crellin’s men while at the helm of former team Margate.

“We’ve probably had enough of them - and they have probably had enough of us!” joked Greenhalgh.

“But it will be a different feel in the FA Trophy. We know how big the competition is. It will be good to have a different type of game at home, as well.

“We would like to progress in the competition but, at the same time, we have got a lot of matches.

“We’re really mindful of just getting through them as best as we possibly can.

“We have done brilliantly with so many tough fixtures in this first phase but we’ve got another really tough phase now.

“I’m still struggling to understand why the league has decided to play half the league games by the end of November.

“Once we get to the end of November, there should be a slight bit of relief.

“But we need to be in a good enough position where we are able to feel that relief.”

Dartford’s promotion prospects were dealt an early blow through last weekend’s 2-1 loss at AFC Whyteleafe despite a second-half equaliser by Greenhalgh.

He said: “It’s probably the hardest one to get over.

“We had 19 shots at goal, we only conceded a couple of chances and they resulted in poor goals to concede.

“We’ve had games where we might not have deserved to win this year but, at the same time, this is still a tough one to take.

“We were gutted to not come away with the three points, let alone nothing.”

With the highly-rated Sam Odaudu pulling out ahead of the game, George Whitefield took the armband - already the club’s third captain of the campaign.

Fellow defender Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera was then replaced by Ike Orji in the early stages after another injury blow.

“We got to the game and we weren’t able to play Sam Odaudu,” said Greenhalgh.

“He has been massive for us. Losing someone like that, it was a big blow in itself.

“But Adrian then moved away with the ball and pulled up with his hamstring. It was similar to something that he had a month ago.

“We don’t think it’s long term again and we still had Ike to come on, but it’s never easy for a player to come on in a situation like that.”

The Darts were able to call on the services of Matty McArthur against Whyteleafe. He has joined from Billericay.

The Australian winger spent last season with Chatham and previously played with Greenhalgh at Margate.

Greenhalgh said: “We have wanted a bit more quality.

“In the games where we have been losing, we felt we needed a little bit more quality to carve teams open. Matty is perfect for that.

“I know what Matty can do because I’ve played with him at Margate. He has even been at Dartford before.

“It’s a big positive to have him and I think he can make a really big difference for us.”

Dartford suffered a midweek 3-0 defeat at Brentwood.

They will host Bromley in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday.