Dalton – in their first game since November 22 – easily beat Nightingale 8-1 at Reinwood Rec in the quarter-finals of the Get Smart Group Cup.

They play their semi-final first leg against Wellington Westgate at Leeds Road Playing Fields tomorrow.

In the first half, with Nightingale playing down hill, the home side had plenty of possession but no cutting edge and Dalton went 2-0 up in 15 minutes through an own goal and a tap in from Jamie Hartley.

Hartley was Dalton’s man of the match, while Matt Cumiskey was Nightingale’s star player and he ought to have had a couple of goals.

He fluffed his lines in the first half when the ball seemed to come to him invitingly for a simple goal, but he mis-kicked and his shot went harmlessly wide.

His second chance fell after the break when he brought the ball down instantly, turned on a sixpence, but his shot flew narrowly wide.

Nightingale pinned Dalton down for long spells and forced a number of corners, however Dalton held firm, with Bradley Riley clearing a goalbound shot off the line and the follow-up from Harvey Preston sailed high over the bar.

Nightingale v Dalton Get Smart Cup quarter final Nightingale attack

It was 17-year-old Harry Walker who put Dalton 3-0 ahead just before half time with a bullet header, after a good delivery from Nathan Large.

Dalton dominated most of the second half and Hartley quickly made it 5-0 in a seven-minute spell to complete a hat trick.

Nightingale pulled one back through a Liam Madigan free-kick.

At the other end, Nightingale keeper Pete Liversidge produced a brilliant one-handed save to deny Dalton.

However, after 60 minutes, Dalton made it 6-1 from the penalty spot (after Daniel Auckland was upended), courtesy of Hartley.

At times it was a bit like the Alamo in the Nightingale defence, but despite stout defending and more point-blank saves by Liversidge, further pressure yielded another Dalton goal – Chris Milby with a screamer.

With four minutes remaining, Courtney Allert completed the scoring for Dalton, with a solo run and shot.

Kyle McManus had to produce some fine saves at times in Dalton’s goal.

Nightingale v Dalton Get Smart Cup quarter final Matt Cumiskey on the ball