Saturday 12th July (3pm)
Charlton Athletic (H)
Saturday 19th July (3pm)
Eastbourne Borough (H)
Tuesday 22nd July (7.45pm)
Herne Bay (A)
Saturday 26th July (3pm)
Gillingham (H)
Tuesday 29th July (7.45pm)
Faversham Town (A)
Saturday 2nd August (3pm)
Ebbsfleet United (H)
Dartford target promotion to the National South in a big Kent derby playoff final against rivals Dover Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday.
A return to the National South at the first attempt awaits the winners in what will be Josh Hill’s final game. The Dartford skipper will want to hang up his boots in style by captaining the Darts to victory. Dover Athletic will arrive at Princes Park wanting to spoil the party after claiming the final playoff place on the final day.
Dartford were seconds from bowing out on Wednesday and seeing their season come to an end. Set pieces were the Darts downfall with two identical corners by Cray Valley Paper Mills in each half. Danny Waldren got on the end of both to give the visitors a 2-0 lead and leave Pennock’s side on the brink.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
The hosts were handed a lifeline with 20 minutes to go when Cray Valley’s Crossley Lema was red carded for an off the ball incident in the penalty area. The match official awarded the hosts a penalty, which Samir Carruthers stuck away. In post match interviews, Dartford assistant manager, Roland Edge and Cray Valley boss Steve McKimm both acknowledged the dismissal as the turning point in the game. After hitting the woodwork and throwing everything at the Millers, a free kick was given for one final chance. Sam Odaudu went for goal with the last kick and his shot deflected into the net.
The turnaround was complete in extra time when Hayden Bullas swept home a third. Then it got better with George Whitefield netting his tenth of the season. However, the ten men of Cray Valley threatened another twist when Adam Coombes pulled a goal back.
Pennock made three changes to the starting lineup. Luther Williams replaced the suspended Michael Olarewaju. At full back Sam Okoye returned, whilst Jez Pinder came in for Samir Carruthers, who has been struggling to play a full ninety minutes due to injury. Carruthers was later substituted in extra time.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Dover Athletic also needed an additional half hour in their win over league runners up Billericay Town. Striker, Alfie Matthews was the hero scoring an extra time brace. Manager, Jake Leberl named the same team that clinched the playoff place with a win against Chichester City. After a goalless ninety minutes, the Whites came from behind to reach the final and set up a Kent derby. Billericay Town took the lead early in extra time when former Dart, Femi Akinwande scored. The visitors fought back immediately when Matthews equalised. Then with the match heading to penalties, Matthews netted the winner late in the second period.
Match highlights courtesy of DAFCtv
Home advantage counted in the two league meetings between Dartford and Dover Athletic this season. At the Crabble, the Darts were made to pay for defensive errors by their rival’s potent strike force. George Nikaj, Ruben Soares-Junior and Luke Baptiste have all scored over 20 goals this season totalling 69 between them. Soares-Junior grabbed a brace in the 5-1 win over the Darts by starting and finishing the scoring. George Wilkinson and Baptiste had the hosts three up before half-time and Matthews added another five minutes into the second half. Pinder pulled one back for Dartford, but Matthews wrapped things up.
The Good Friday reverse match over a fortnight ago went Dartford’s way, demonstrating how far the side has progressed this season. Chasing the league title, any derby day nerves for the Darts were settled on quarter of an hour when Carruthers brilliantly curled in a free kick. The lead was doubled when Denzelle Olopade pounced on a flicked header. In the second half a third arrived with Hill heading home at the far post after great work from Olly Box to get in the cross. Dover Athletic managed to get one back through Soares-Junior.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
For both teams this is their seventh playoff campaign, and the two clubs have experienced plenty of heartbreak in the past. Although the Darts won the 2012 National South final in another Kent derby at home against Welling United, they have lost three penalty shootouts including the final versus Weymouth five years ago.
The Darts have looked down and out a couple of times this season. Most notably back in October when they were in 15th spot. A club record equalling 21 matches unbeaten put Dartford in the title race, but they fell short on the final day.
Defensively the Darts have generally been solid. Only champions Horsham kept more clean sheets this term and Dartford conceded the fourth fewest. However, they have conceded nine in their last three outings. Attacking wise the goals have been shared out with five players hitting double figures in all competitions.
Dover Athletic’s solitary playoff winning campaign also resulted in a Kent derby triumph when they beat Ebbsfleet United 4-2 to reach the National League in 2014. Like the Darts they have also had five failed attempts, including one chance to make it to the Football League nine years ago. The Whites have been losing finalists on two occasions. In 2006 they were beaten by Tonbridge Angels in the Isthmian Division One South and in 2013 by Salisbury City in the National South.
The Whites grabbed the final playoff spot with a winner takes all showdown against Chichester City on the last game. Failure to cement a playoff spot would have been disastrous for Dover considering they were the early front runners to win the league. The Whites were top from October to the New Year then they lost form for a couple of months. The Whites had a strong enough finish to the campaign to hold on to fifth place.
| Dartford (WDWWLW) | Dover Athletic (WWLDWW) | ||||
| Cray Valley PM | H | 4-3 | Billericay Town | A | 2-1 |
| Carshalton Athletic | H | 1-4 | Chichester City | A | 2-1 |
| Cray Wanderers | A | 2-2 | Hastings United | H | 1-1 |
| Dover Athletic | H | 3-1 | Dartford | A | 1-2 |
| Whitehawk | A | 1-0 | Hendon | H | 4-2 |
| Folkestone Invicta | H | 2-2 | Cheshunt | H | 2-1 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 19 / Dover Athletic wins: 12 / Draws: 12
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 3 – 1 Dover Athletic (18/04/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dover Athletic 5 – 1 Dartford (07/09/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (17/02/2024 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Dover Athletic (28/08/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/04/2023 – National South)
Dover Athletic 1 – 3 Dartford (13/09/2022 – National South)
Statistics
Dartford have a second chance to win promotion back to the National South when they start their playoff campaign against Cray Valley Paper Mills on Wednesday.
The Darts came close to winning the Isthmian Premier title falling short in the final two games of the season. Whilst the Kent derby win over Dover Athletic on Good Friday extended their lead at the top, the Easter Monday draw at Cray Wanderers took title hopes out of their hands. Level on points with Billericay Town and Horsham going into the last match, the Darts needed to win against Carshalton Town and for the other two to slip up.
Whilst Horsham pipped Billericay Town to the championship, Adrian Pennock’s side were comfortably beaten on the weekend and now have to settle for their seventh playoff campaign.
Dartford’s 14 game unbeaten home run came to an emphatic end when Carshalton Athletic won 4-1 at Princes Park on Saturday. Pennock made one change bringing in Tyler Christian-Law at full back to replace Sam Okoye. The Darts were shell shocked on 11 minutes when Kola Salami was given time and space to put the Robins ahead. Then just before the interval the vistors went two up through Sharon Ifeanyi. Midfielder, Samir Carruthers was taken off at half-time after looking like he was struggling with injury. Defender, George Whitefield pulled a goal back in the second-half, his ninth of the season. Then Nabeel Ghannam struck twice for the Surrey side.
It’s now down to the management team to put defeat aside and lift the players ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final. Assistant manager, Roland Edge feels the Easter Monday draw had an impact on the players mentally, he explained to Dartford FC TV after the Carshalton Athletic loss: “It’s been a fantastic season. Yes, you want to win every game, but losses happen in football. I think our mind wasn’t quite at it today. We was a little bit down because we worked so hard all year, put in some great performances. Then you come to the final game of the season, your equal points, but the goal difference was never ever going to matched and I think our mind was half on that and a little bit deflated”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
However, Edge is hoping the negative experience will spur the players on for one final promotion push, he added: “The pain of losing today will be with them until Wednesday. Sometimes that’s a good thing to kick you on again…a loss is part of football, it’s how you react after it”.
The build up will focus around getting everyone in the right frame of mind, the assistant boss commented: “Sometimes you can drop out of winning the league on the last day and you can end up going into a league by winning playoffs, me and Ade have been in that situation before, so we’re well aware of it. It’s about how we change our mindset ready for Wednesday, get ourselves prepared for a battle and another tough game”.
It remains to be seen if Pennock selects Carruthers to start as the midfielder has been struggling with injury in recent weeks. Michael Olarewaju will be suspended after his red card on Easter Monday against Cray Wanderers.
As shown in Dartford’s previous two matches against Cray Valley Paper Mills, Steve McKimm’s side are well organised and have had a fantastic season themselves. If successful in the playoffs the Millers will make it consecutive promotions.
On the opening day of the season, Cray Valley Paper Mills made their Isthmian Premier debut, but it was Dartford who took home all three points. Pennock handed out eight debuts of his own, made up of new signings and academy graduates. Preparations weren’t ideal when new goalkeeper Jacob Marsden was injured in the final pre-season friendly, Samir Carruthers and Duane Ofori-Acheampong were injured as well.
However, Olly Box linked up with new striker Callum Jones in the first half and the pair combined for Dartford’s first goal of the season. The away side went in at the break ahead, but it could have been more than 1-0. Early in the second-half Cray Valley Paper Mills had Hassan Ibrahiym sent off, however the Millers still managed to equalise through Tom Chambers. Then a moment of magic by Denzelle Olopade won Dartford the game when he curled home a shot from 30 yards.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
At Princes Park a 0-0 draw with the Millers extended Dartford’s winless run to six matches. Little did they know that the draw was the start of a record equalling 21 game unbeaten league run for the club, which included another joint best ten match winning streak. The stalemate came after a League Cup victory over Erith Town and Edge said at the time that the pair of results will lay a foundation for short term form to improve, it turned out to be for the long term instead.
Under McKimm, Cray Valley Paper Mills won the Isthmian Division One South East in his debut season. The former Tonbridge Angels boss also guided the Millers to the F.A Cup first round for the first time, taking Charlton Athletic to a replay. With the likes of Freddie Parker and Tom Beere scoring goals they also have a blend of experience in Adam Coombes and Danny Waldren. Former Darts, Andre Coker, Fumnaya Shomotun and Marcel Barrington are also part of the Millers squad.
Coker scored the last minute consolation on the weekend when Cray Valley Paper Mills lost on the final day. They were denied a sixth consecutive victory when Folkestone Invicta won 2-1 at the Badgers Sports Ground. McKimm decided to rest key players having already secured a playoff place.
The Millers have won their previous three away fixtures beating Wingate and Finchley with goals from Denzel Gayle and Waldren. Hashtag United were defeated 3-1, which included a Parker brace and one from Tom Beere. In their last match on the road they won 1-0 against Chatham Town, Dan Bowry scoring the only goal of the game.
Dartford will be hoping to channel the spirit of 2012 when they won the National South playoffs. Cray Valley Paper Mills are in the playoffs for just the second time in their history.
| Dartford (WWDWWL) | Cray Valley PM (WWWWWL) | ||||
| Carshalton Athletic | H | 1-4 | Folkestone Invicta | H | 1-2 |
| Cray Wanderers | A | 2-2 | Chatham Town | A | 1-0 |
| Dover Athletic | H | 3-1 | Whitehawk | H | 3-0 |
| Whitehawk | A | 1-0 | Hashtag United | A | 3-1 |
| Folkestone Invicta | H | 2-2 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 3-1 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 3-0 | Wingate & Finchley | A | 2-0 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 1 / Cray Valley Paper Mills wins: 0 / Draws: 1
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 0 – 0 Cray Valley Paper Mills (02/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Cray Valley Paper Mills 1 – 2 Dartford (10/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
On This Day
Dartford finished their away campaign of the 2021/2022 season strongly racking up 13 goals on their travels in the final two league matches on the road. On this day Slough Town were thrashed 6-0 in a dominant Dartford display. Marcus Dinanga opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock. The striker netted a brace either side of Keiran Murtagh’s goal. In the second-half the Darts added more through Kalvin Kalala, Jordan Greenidge and Olumide Durojaiye.
The Isthmian Premier League playoffs start this week with a place in the National South up for grabs. We look at the four teams who booked their place in the end of season showdown.
Billericay Town have been the most consistent team throughout the season. The league runners up entered the top three in matchday seven and stayed there. Missing out on the title by a goal, the Blues are guaranteed home advantage in the playoffs.
Dartford made up the trio of teams with a chance of winning the division on the final day. A club equalling record of 21 games unbeaten which included ten victories in a row propelled the Darts up the table after languishing in 15th back in October. On Good Friday they increased their lead at the top to two points, but then saw the lead wiped out on Easter Monday.
Cray Valley Paper Mills recorded their highest ever league finish in their debut Isthmian Premier campaign. The best of the promoted teams, the Millers have occupied a playoff spot since mid-October and deserve a shot at could be an impressive second consecutive promotion.
Dover Athletic grabbed the final spot with a winner takes all showdown against Chichester City on the last game. Failure to cement a playoff spot would have been disastrous for Dover considering they were the early front runners to win the league. The Whites were top from October to the New Year then they lost form for a couple of months. The Whites had a strong enough finish to the campaign to hold on to the last playoff spot.
Whilst Billericay Town and Dartford have had their eyes on the prize of winning the league, Dover Athletic have been focussing on just booking a place in the playoffs. Cray Valley Paper Mills have had more time to prepare and could afford to rest players on the weekend.
Prior the the Millers losing on the final day, Steve McKimm’s side had won five on the bounce. Over the last six games they have acrrued the same number of points as runners up Billericay Town. Meanwhile, Dover Athletic regained their form towards the end of the campaign and are fourth over the final six games. The Darts lost a bit of momentum and are seventh. However, over the last eight fixtures only two points seperate the four playoff contenders.
| Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | GD |
| Billericay Town | 6 | 0 | 2 | 18 | +12 |
| Cray Valley (PM) | 6 | 0 | 2 | 18 | +7 |
| Dartford | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 | +7 |
| Dover Athletic | 5 | 1 | 2 | 16 | +4 |
Billericay Town are guaranteed home advantage and have picked up seven points on their own patch by beating Dartford and Cray Valley Paper Mills. The only points dropped were against Dover Athletic.
The Darts host Cray Valley Paper Mills in the semi-final and both sides could end up playing home and away over the playoff campaign. Dartford also have seven home points drawing with the Millers, but picked up one win on the road having lost heavily to both Billericay Town and Dover Athletic.
Cray Valley Paper Mills lost their season’s opener at home against Dartford and picked up just one victory versus the playoff contenders. That was a home win over Dover Athletic, but they drew a total of three out of six matches against the playoff contenders.
Dover Athletic will have to travel in the semi-final and potentially the final. On the road, the Whites failed to beat any of the playoff sides picking up a point at Billericay Town.
| Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | GD |
| Billericay Town | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | +2 |
| Dartford | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | -1 |
| Cray Valley (PM) | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -1 |
| Dover Athletic | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
Lee Noble scored the only goal of the final in 2012 when the Darts beat local rivals Welling United in their first ever playoff campaign to gain promotion to the National League. Since then Dartford lost to Weymouth on penalties in 2020 to be denied a National League place too. The Darts went out in the semi final in 2017, 2018 and 2023 and the quarter final in 2022.
Dover Athletic’s solitary playoff winning campaign also resulted in a Kent derby win when they beat Ebbsfleet United 4-2 to reach the National League in 2014. Like the Darts they have also had five failed attempts, including one chance to make it to the Football League nine years ago. On that occasion they lost the semi final, which was also their fate in the 2007 Isthmian Division One South and 2010 National South. They have been twice losing finalists as well, in 2006 they were beaten by Tonbridge Angels in the Isthmian Division One South and in 2013 by Salisbury City in the National South.
Billericay Town have reached one final in their two playoff campaigns losing to Bromley on penalties in the 2007 Isthmian Premier final. Whilst Cray Valley Paper Mills have appeared once losing the Isthmian Division One South East semi final three years ago.
It goes without saying that the better teams will finish higher in the league and therefore should have the better chance. One factor that helps is having good recent form, then there’s the player’s physical and mental states, manager’s decisions and even good fortune to consider. Historically there is less chance of winning if you finish fifth. Six league runners up have won the playoffs and the same number of third place teams have triumphed as well. Fourth is just one win behind, whilst Cheshunt are the only fifth place team to win promotion.
| Position | Winners |
| 2nd | 6 |
| 3rd | 6 |
| 4th | 5 |
| 5th | 1 |
In recent years the away side in the final has won promotion. The last four playoff campaigns has seen Enfield Town, Aveley, Cheshunt and Tonbridge Angels go up with the latter three playing the semi-final away as well. However that has only really become a recent trend. Overall, since the restructuring of non league and when playoffs were introduced, the Isthmian Premier has had 11 finals won by the home side versus seven away. In total half of the 18 winners played both playoff matches at home.
| Season | Position | Team | Semi final venue | Final venue |
| 23/24 | 3rd | Enfield Town | Home | Away |
| 22/23 | 4th | Aveley | Away | Away |
| 21/22 | 5th | Cheshunt | Away | Away |
| 18/19 | 4th | Tonbridge Angels | Away | Away |
| 17/18 | 2nd | Dulwich Hamlet | Home | Home |
| 16/17 | 2nd | Bognor Regis Town | Home | Home |
| 15/16 | 3rd | East Thurrock United | Home | Home |
| 14/15 | 3rd | Margate | Home | Away |
| 13/14 | 4th | Lowestoft Town | Away | Home |
| 12/13 | 4th | Concord Rangers | Away | Away |
| 11/12 | 2nd | AFC Hornchurch | Home | Home |
| 10/11 | 2nd | Tonbridge Angels | Home | Home |
| 09/10 | 4th | Boreham Wood | Away | Home |
| 08/09 | 2nd | Staines Town | Home | Home |
| 07/08 | 3rd | AFC Wimbledon | Home | Away |
| 06/07 | 2nd | Bromley | Home | Home |
| 05/06 | 3rd | Fisher Athletic | Home | Home |
| 04/05 | 3rd | Eastleigh | Home | Home |
A dejected dressing room knows there is plenty of work to be done. Dartford fans queue for half time refreshments and are left wondering if the season can get any worse. It’s October and Adrian Pennock is trying to rally the troops because his side is three down at half-time against Wingate and Finchley. There is still another forty-five minutes to get through.
We’re a dozen league games into the season and a sense of perspective is required. Fresh from relegation to the Isthmian Premier the Darts kept just three players from last season’s squad. The rebuild started in the summer, but how long will it take for the squad to gel? Should a club of Dartford’s stature be playing at this level? How will we turn around our fortunes? A little more patience and soon the answers began to reveal.
Despite a bright start in August with four league wins in the first five, plus a comprehensive 6-2 victory against Marlow in the F.A Cup, Dartford struggled through September and half of October. Heavy defeats to rivals Dover Athletic and Billericay Town compounded a run of seven league games without a win and by now the Darts were already out of the two major cup competitions. All the way down in 15th and 14 points from the top in November, maybe expectations needed lowering or maybe not…
Ade Yusuff is just inside the Wingate and Finchley penalty box, gets his feet in a muddle, falls over and instinctively with his back to goal sweeps the ball goalwards to make it 3-2. There is hope and a tiny spark waiting to be ignited.
What follows is incredible. It started burning slowly, then grew and grew as the players, the supporters, the club started to believe. A county cup win over Erith Town was merely a prelude. The Darts stopped the losing league rot with a battling 0-0 draw against an in-form Cray Valley Paper Mills, then followed that up with a 1-1 stalemate at Potters Bar Town. Not the most glamorous of results, but a foundation on which to build.
The ball works its way across the Princes Park pitch to George Whitefield 30 yards from the Cheshunt goal. The defender brings the ball under control and smashes it in the top corner. The roof and the season lifts off.
The Darts go on a record equalling 21-game unbeaten league run.
Footage courtesy of kstdart
Yet that run almost ended before it really got going. Dartford are 3-2 down in Essex with just three minutes remaining, the points are all Hashtag United’s. Then the boy wonder, Olly Box calmly volleys home a rebound in the last minute. He’s not the hero though. The Tags break at lightning speed, the goal is open and somehow Jacob Marsden makes the save of the season. It ends 3-3. Pennock has now got his squad refusing to be beaten, showing the character and tenacity to climb the table.
The Darts have just brushed aside Bognor Regis Town, it is their third clean sheet in four games. The defence has tightened up and the wins keep coming. The midfield is strengthened with the loan signings of Hayden Bullas and Louis Dunne, providing depth to the already creative partnership of the influential Samir Carruthers and Denzelle Olopade. The goals are shared out and striker Callum Jones is showing the work ethic that has earned him Player of the Year, everything is clicking into place.
What happens next was near record breaking, literally. A goal deficit at Horsham turned into a 3-1 win, Carruthers, Box and Olopade turning the game around. Folkestone Invicta were the next victims. Box delivers on Boxing Day with a quality brace and once again the Darts come from behind beating Cray Wanderers. Players are now stepping up when the team is down, and confidence is growing. Away clean sheets at Canvey Island and Chatham Town make it five consecutive wins.
The ball comes out to Josh Hill, the defender unleashes a long-range rocket and the goal of the season. The Darts breeze past Whitehawk, defeat Wingate and Finchley before a key home match against Billericay Town.
Footage courtesy of kstdart
The Essex club thrashed the Darts in October, but three months later Pennock’s side is a different beast and boy did it show. A fantastic performance blows away the league leaders. Box, Whitefield, Jones and now even the substitutes are making an impact. Eddie Dsane adds a fourth to banish the Blues and Dartford are serious title contenders. If there is a set of fixtures to showcase how far the Darts have progressed this season it’s the two matches against Billericay Town, but more was still to come.
Victories over Bowers and Pitsea and Hashtag United put the Darts on the verge of breaking the club record of consecutive league wins during one season. The 2-0 home triumph over the Tags equalled the previous best of ten, only Chichester City stood in the way now. Neither side could break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw bringing the incredible achievement to a close.
Carruthers puts home a penalty at Hendon to complete another comeback. The Darts win 3-2 and equal another club record of 21 league matches unbeaten. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and unusually Dartford come out second best in a 3-0 defeat to Cheshunt. So, what better way to bounce back then to face your title rivals next.
The scoreboard at Princes Park shows 87 minutes, Dartford 0 Horsham 1. Sam Odaudu sends in a low cross and George Whitefield stabs the ball in for an equaliser. In these circumstances rescuing a point will do, but not a Dartford team refusing to give in. Carruthers puts in a delightful free-kick, Whitefield gets something on the ball and falling kindly to Dsane the forward cannot miss at the far post. The most dramatic of victories keeps the title dream alive.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
There was even more reason to believe despite defeat at Lewes a week later. Billericay Town and Horsham also lost that weekend, was this a sign luck is on Dartford’s side? A fortnight later a day out in Bognor ends in a 2-0 away win and the fans chanting ‘we are top of the league’. Six more games to hold on.
Princes Park is silent for the home side have shipped in two goals in the first-half against Folkestone Invicta. We’ve been here before, two down at the break. Whitefield halves the deficit then late on in the game Olopade is fouled in the penalty area. The pressure is on Carruthers, but he rises to the occasion. It finishes 2-2. Two points dropped or one point gained? Somehow the draw was enough to extend Dartford’s lead by the end of the day. Another sign?
The Darts pick up a win at Whitehawk and then the Easter period has another twist waiting in store. Carruthers has already scored a worldy and Olopade added another before Hill put the third past Kent rivals Dover Athletic. The 3-1 win another measure of how far Pennock’s side have come since that heavy defeat at the Crabble in September.
Footage courtesy of kstdart
Then the twist…Easter Monday is not as good as Friday and the Darts draw 2-2 at Cray Wanderers setting up a final day showdown.
Dartford slip to third on goal difference level on points with Horsham and Billericay Town. Pennock’s side have to better what their title rivals do in the last game, the odds are against them, but whilst there is a chance and all that.
The final whistle has blown bringing an end to the league campaign. The players are devastated in the dressing room. Pennock has been here before, he needs to rally the troops. Got to get ready for the playoffs.
Dartford will be hoping fortune is on their side for the final day title showdown against Carshalton Athletic this weekend.
The Isthmian Premier title race couldn’t be much tighter with the top three level on points. Yet the Darts have a far inferior goal difference meaning they will need league leaders Billericay Town and second place Horsham to slip up to stand a chance of becoming champions.
|
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
Billericay Town |
41 |
84 |
+39 |
|
Horsham |
41 |
84 |
+38 |
|
DARTFORD |
41 |
84 |
+31 |
Realistically the permutations are simple for Adrian Pennock’s side. A Dartford win will see them return to the National South, if Billericay Town and Horsham fail to get maximum points. If the Darts draw they will need the top two to lose.
With Billericay Town eight goals ahead of the Darts and Horsham seven, history isn’t on Dartford’s side when the title comes down to goal difference. On three previous occasions the Darts have narrowly lost out having been level on points. The most recent of times came in the 2017/2018 National South season. The club suffered the same fate in 1996 (Kent League) and 1988 (Southern Premier).
Billericay Town (1st) v Cheshunt (15th)
Dartford (3rd) v Carshalton Athletic (7th)
Horsham (2nd) v Hashtag United (8th)
At the start of Easter Monday, Dartford had the title in their own hands but the two point advantage was erased once they drew 2-2 at Cray Wanderers. In the space of ninety minutes the Darts went from top to third.
Pennock made one change to the side that beat Dover Athletic on Good Friday. Samir Carruthers was named on the bench after struggling with injury recently and in came Louis Dunne.
In an entertaining Kent derby it took until half hour for Dartford to lead in their first ever visit to Flamingo Park. Sam Odaudu’s long throw found its way to Callum Jones, who scored his 15th of the season. For eight minutes the Darts had one hand on the league trophy as the two other title challengers had yet to find a breakthrough. When Frankie Raymond converted a penalty for the hosts then it was back to square one and a final day decider.
Early in the second half, Cray Wanderers went in front through Lateef Adaja, but Dartford bounced back quickly when Denzelle Olopade scored his second goal over the Easter period. Michael Olarewaju was sent off with ten minutes remaining. However that didn’t deter the Darts, in the final moments of the game Eddie Dsane hit the crossbar and Jones had his effort cleared off the line. Dartford have now rescued 19 points from losing positions this season, whether those points are crucial come the final whistle on Saturday remains to be seen.
The Darts now know they will have to at least keep their unbeaten home run going to be in with a chance of winning the division. Dartford’s last league defeat came 15 games ago back in October, since then they have won ten and drawn four in the Isthmian Premier on their own patch.
If Pennock’s side add another victory on Saturday it will complete a double over Carshalton Athletic, who they beat in August. Dsane opened his account in the first half to score his first goal for the club. Good work from Olopade set up the striker to give Dartford a lead inside the first twenty minutes. The Darts held off Carshalton Athletic late on with spirited defending and a good goalkeeping performance by the on loan Matt Kerbey.
Dartford have only ever lost once to the Robins and are currently unbeaten in four against the Surrey side, but the Darts have failed to beat them at home in the three previous meetings. The F.A Trophy first round replay ended 1-1 in 1991 and needed a second replay, which Dartford won. In league matches, Carshalton Athletic were 3-2 winners in 2008, Jamie Day and John Guest scoring for the Darts. The following season the two teams drew 1-1 again. Richard Jolly put the Robins in front and Jamie Coyle equalised. Since the loss to the Surrey side at Princes Park, the Darts have recorded three away victories against Saturday’s opponents scoring a total of seven without reply.
Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino
After an impressive 5-1 win against Dulwich Hamlet on Easter Monday, Carshalton Athletic will finish either seventh or eighth. A point on the weekend will keep them ahead of Hashtag United, but defeat on the final day and a win for the Tags will see the two teams swap places. The Darts will be hoping Hashtag United do them a favour when they visit Horsham.
There have plenty of goals during March and April when the Robins have been involved. On Monday they were three up by half time courtesy of Fabio Camacho-Saraiva and a David Smith brace. Dylan Pepe and Mason Saunders-Henry added two more before Dulwich Hamlet’s last minute consolation. Featuring in the Robins win was former Dart, Kalvin Kalala who made 26 appearances for Dartford and scored five goals during the 2021/2022 campaign. The games over Easter came too soon for the injured former loanee, Kwaku Frimpong. The midfielder was on loan for a month at Dartford in September 2022 and only managed two substitute appearances. His loan spell was cut short after picking up a red card and suspension before being recalled by AFC Wimbledon.
On Good Friday, Peter Adeniyi’s side made it a perfect Easter by beating Lewes 3-1 thanks to two injury time goals. The second half comeback was completed when Nabeel Ghannam equalised, Sharon Ifeany put the visitors ahead and Tommy Bradford made sure of maximum points.
Consecutive victories was just the tonic for the pair of 3-0 defeats, first at Chatham Town then on their own patch versus Horsham. At the end of March, the Robins thrashed Bowers and Pitsea 6-1 and at the beginning of last month they drew 4-4 with Bognor Regis Town. Carshalton Athletic came from three down to lead before conceding a last minute equaliser against the Rocks.
The Robins are guaranteed their highest finish since coming runners up in 2019 and next season will be their eighth consecutive year in the Isthmian Premier.
| Dartford (WWWDWW) | Cray Wanderers (LWLLWW) | ||||
| Cray Wanderers | A | 2-2 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 5-1 |
| Dover Athletic | H | 3-1 | Lewes | A | 3-1 |
| Whitehawk | A | 1-0 | Horsham | H | 0-3 |
| Folkestone Invicta | H | 2-2 | Chatham Town | A | 0-3 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 3-0 | Bowers & Pitsea | H | 6-1 |
| Bognor Regis Town | A | 2-0 | Whitehawk | A | 0-2 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 4 / Carshalton Athletic wins: 1 / Draws: 3
Previous Six Meetings
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 1 Dartford (24/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic (23/01/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 4 Dartford (19/09/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 2 Dartford (20/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 2 – 3 Carshalton Athletic (02/09/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 2– 3 Dartford (21/01/1991 – F.A Trophy)
Statistics
On This Day
Trailing from the first leg of the 1988 Southern League Cup final against Bromsgrove Rovers, the Darts had to overturn a 3-1 deficit. The second leg on this day 37 years go didn’t start well when Dartford missed a penalty at Watling Street. Then Garry Britnell, Kurt Davidson and Colin Johnson scored to help Dartford lift the league cup.
Twenty years later it was party time at Princes Park when captain Alex O’Brien lifted the league trophy. Crowned Isthmian Division One North champions a week earlier, the Darts celebrated with a 1-0 win over Wingate and Finchley, Brendon Cass the goalscorer.
In 2016, the Darts added more silverware to the cabinet winning the Kent Senior Cup. Elliot Bradbrook opened the scoring against Charlton Athletic before the visitors equalised. Ronnie Vint and Ben Francis added two more for the Darts in the 3-1 victory.
Dartford can clinch the Isthmian Premier title against Cray Wanderers in their first ever visit to Flamingo Park on Easter Monday.
Adrian Pennock’s side will need to be fully focussed in the Kent derby, but there is no doubt the travelling fans will also be tuned in to events elsewhere. For the Darts to secure promotion back to the National South they will need to beat the Wands and hope their closest rivals fail to win.
On paper Dartford have the toughest fixture against a Cray Wanderers side in tenth, a side who have only lost four at home in the league all season. The remaining two title challengers are on the road. Billericay Town face an already safe Canvey Island, whilst Horsham take on relegated Bognor Regis Town. It’s likely the title is going right down to the wire for a final day showdown next weekend.
Dartford will take plenty of confidence from their Good Friday Kent derby victory over rivals Dover Athletic. The influential Samir Carruthers was able to start after a short but affective cameo at Whitehawk. Olly Box returned to the first eleven and defender Luther Williams was back in the matchday squad after injury.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
The Darts made a tricky looking game feel comfortable and any nerves were settled with a wonderful free-kick from Carruthers after quarter of an hour. The midfielder curled his shot from out wide into the far top corner to give the hosts the lead. A second arrived through the tireless Denzelle Olopade, who pounced on a flick on for his seventh goal of the season. Early in the second half Box showed his skill by beating his man and putting in a perfect cross for captain Josh Hill to nod home. Dover Athletic pulled one back with almost ten minutes remaining when Ruben Soares-Junior scored from just outside the box to make the final score 3-1.
After the important win assistant manager, Roland Edge spoke to Dartford FC TV and said: “It had to be a brilliant performance. I have to be honest I thought Dover were excellent. They had great creativity up front, but I thought we matched them”, he added: “We knew the improtance of the game, the lads came out from the very first kick of the ball to the last ball focussed, winning their battles and I thought we deserved it, even though it was really, really tight”.
Looking forward to the week ahead and the different challenges left to face Edge commeneted: “Cray are a good side as well. They have gone on a great run recently. We know what we’ve got to do, we’ve just got to prepare ourselves correctly…what will be will be”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Dartford have now won five of their last six taking 16 points from the 18 available in that time. It’s been a good response to the consecutive away defeats to Cheshunt at the end of February and Lewes at the beginning of March. In that time the defence have been resolute with four clean sheets in the victories against Hastings United, Bognor Regis Town, Dulwich Hamlet and Whitehawk. The side has shown character by coming from two down to draw 2-2 with Folkestone Invicta and secured an important three points against Dover Athletic.
Standing in Dartford’s way on Monday will be Cray Wanderers and former Darts skipper Tom Bonner. Now captain for the Wands, the defender played over 450 times for the Darts and helped the club earn promotion to the National League and win two Kent Senior Cups. However, the former Dartford man didn’t have a good Friday when his side lost 3-0 to Horsham, a result Pennock and company weren’t hoping for. To compound matters Bonner became the second Wands player to be sent off that afternoon following an earlier red card to Ezechukwu Ebuzoeme. The pair will face suspension which normally occurs a week later, so should be available for the Kent derby.
Earlier this season Dartford won this fixture 2-1 at Princes Park on Boxing Day. After half an hour Josh Williams put the visitors in front. The second-half became Olly Box’s day with two very well taken strikes to secure maximum points. First, he smashed home an equaliser on 58 minutes and four minutes later he cut inside and found the top corner.
Last time Cray Wanderers played hosts in the league to the Darts was 15 years ago when Dartford ran out 2-1 winners. Lee Burns made up for his red card in the reverse fixture, a 1-1 Boxing Day draw in 2009. Burns popped up with the opening goal and James White added another four minutes later to take the Darts into the break with a two-goal advantage. The Wands hit back in the second half with Colin Luckett’s penalty, but the hosts couldn’t find an equaliser.
Since that league meeting Dartford have faced Cray Wanderers on the road a further five times all in cup competitions. The Darts won twice 2-1, in the F.A Cup in 2011 and five years later in the Kent Senior Cup. The Wands got revenge in the county cup with a 4-2 triumph a year later. Dartford have won the previous two cup ties knocking out Cray Wanderers 3-1 in the F.A Trophy four years ago. Last season the Darts won 2-1 in the London Senior Cup.
The Wands are guaranteed Isthmian Premier football next term, but they will have their sights on finishing strongly and improving their tenth place position. Only four sides have beaten Cray in the league at Flamingo Park, three of those defeats came in the first four matches in their new ground. In fact it took until their seventh home match to record a first Isthmian Premier win at thier new home.
The win in November sparked an unbeaten home run of 12 until defeat at the end of March to Dover Athletic, but they bounced back with a pair of impressive wins. Years ago, Cray Wanderers helped out Dartford by sharing their old ground at Oxford Road. Just over a fortnight ago they did another favour by winning 2-0 at Billericay Town meaning the Darts extended their lead to the two point margin it is today. In their last home game the Wands comfortably won 4-1 against Wingate and Finchley.
|
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
DARTFORD |
40 |
83 |
+31 |
|
Billericay Town |
40 |
81 |
+36 |
|
Horsham |
40 |
81 |
+36 |
| Dartford (WWWDWW) | Cray Wanderers (LWLWWL) | ||||
| Dover Athletic | H | 3-1 | Horsham | A | 0-3 |
| Whitehawk | A | 1-0 | Wingate & Finchley | H | 4-1 |
| Folkestone Invicta | H | 2-2 | Billericay Town | A | 2-0 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 3-0 | Dover Athletic | H | 1-2 |
| Bognor Regis Town | A | 2-0 | Bowers & Pitsea | H | 4-0 |
| Hastings United | H | 2-0 | Carshalton Athlectic | A | 1-2 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 37 / Cray Wanderers wins: 21 / Draws: 11
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 2 – 1 Cray Wanderers (26/12/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (16/04/2024 – London Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 3 Dartford (18/12/2021 – F.A Trophy)
Cray Wanderers 4 – 2 Dartford (20/09/2017 – Kent Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (05/10/2016 – Kent Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (15/10/2011 – F.A Cup)
Statistics
On This Day
Danny Mills and Alfie Pavey made sure the title race went down to the final day of the season on this day in 2018. The pair scored the two goals enough to beat Bath City 2-0 at Princes Park to set up a tense finale. The Darts rounded off their home campaign in 2009 with an entertaining 4-2 win over Ashford Town (Middlesex). Goals from Lee Noble, Jay May, Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle secured victory. Dartford’s last eight games on 21 April have all been at home including a 6-2 thrashing of Gloucester City in the Southern Premier League back in 1990.
Even further back, Dartford collected some silverware when they beat Sheppey United 2-0 in the 1930 Kent Senior Shield final. On the same day, the Darts also lost 5-2 to Grays Thurrock United in the Southern League Eastern Section.
.
Easter weekend could be pivotal in the Isthmian Premier with Dartford facing Kent rivals Dover Athletic as the title race heats up.
The Darts will be determined to stay on top on Good Friday and avenge their humbling dished out by the Whites earlier in the season. If Adrian Pennock’s side claim victory in the local derby at Princes Park, it will mathematically end Dover Athletic’s hopes of the title. Should the visitors win, and results go their way elsewhere, Jake Leberl’s team will be guaranteed a playoff spot.
Dartford hold a two point advantage heading into the final three games and are unbeaten in five, whilst Dover Athletic have won their last four. Last weekend the top six all triumphed and with second place Billericay Town hosting mid-table Folkestone Invicta and third place Horsham at home to Cray Wanderers in tenth, the Darts are likely to need a positive result on Friday.
Dover Athletic beat the Darts comfortably in the reverse fixture back in September. Since then, Pennock has seen his team develop since the 5-1 loss. At the Crabble, costly mistakes helped the hosts race into a half-time lead with goals from Ruben Soares-Junior, George Wilkinson and Luke Baptiste. Early in the second half Alfie Matthews added another, then Dartford’s Jez Pinder scored his first senior goal. There was still time for Soares-Junior to get his second of the afternoon for the Whites.
Match highlights courtesy of DAFCtv
However, the landscape has changed since that meeting. Dover Athletic started the season in excellent form scoring goals for fun. On the opening day they racked up eight and by the time November came around they were already top of the table, 14 points ahead of Dartford in fifteenth and had a superior goal difference of 29 compared to the Darts. Now it’s Dartford at the summit eight points clear of fourth place Dover Athletic.
Aside from the heavy defeat earlier in the campaign, the Darts were on a hot streak against their Kent rivals winning the previous six in all competitions. Dartford completed a league double over the Whites in the last two seasons recording a 2-0 win at Princes Park last term. Luke Coulson set up James Golding and Lewis Manor for their first competitive Dartford goals. The scoreline could have been more, but Coulson blasted his penalty over the crossbar.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
On the weekend the return of Olly Box was crucial in Dartford’s 1-0 win at Whitehawk. Out with injury for the draw against Folkestone Invicta, the forward was named as a substitute, came on in the second half and popped up with the all important goal. Box and Samir Carruthers were deemed not fit enough to play the full ninety minutes, but both made an impact. Although Carruthers was introduced in the second half, he had to be replaced 25 minutes later due to a rib injury. The midfielder still had enough time to drive forward and make a key pass to Sam Odaudu, who set up Box for his 14th goal of the season.
As Dartford’s creative pair were named on the bench that meant Duane Ofori-Acheampong was given his first start since December, this weekend the striker could face one of his former clubs. Whilst defender, Luther Williams was missing from the matchday squad with injury for the third match running.
The Whites looked in control of Isthmian Premier at the turn of the year leading the way with 15 wins from 23 outings. However, from January to mid-March they picked up just three victories all against sides currently in the relegation zone. Leberl’s side have since rallied winning four in a row and are beginning to display their firepower again. The division’s top scorers, the Whites have a golden boot contender in George Nikaj, who has netted 21 league goals and is currently four off the lead. Both Baptiste and Soares-Junior have notched 19 league goals this term.
Dover Athletic’s current run began with a gritty home win against Dulwich Hamlet in which Luca Cocoracchio scored the only goal of the game, the Whites went on to record consecutive 2-1 victories. The Whites came out on top in the Kent derby with Cray Wanderers by coming from behind. Joshua Williams opened the scoring for the Wands at Flamingo Park, but George Nikaj and Soares-Junior handed the away side maximum points. A week later, the scoring took the same pattern as the whites went a goal down at home to Cheshunt. This time Baptiste equalised and Nikaj was the match winner.
Last weekend it was a bit more commanding for Dover Athletic as they defeated Hendon 4-2 at the Crabble. The Whites went ahead when goalkeeper Matteo Salamon scored an own goal and a second followed through Baptiste. The visitors halved the deficit when Kofi Anokye-Boadi was at the back post to score. A seven minute second half spell pulled Dover Athletic further away when Baptiste netted his second and Ryan Hanson go in on the act. Late on, Tope Fadahunsi grabbed a consolation for the Greens.
|
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
DARTFORD |
39 |
80 |
+29 |
|
Billericay Town |
39 |
78 |
+34 |
|
Horsham |
39 |
78 |
+33 |
|
Dover Athletic |
39 |
74 |
+35 |
|
Cray Valley (PM) |
39 |
71 |
+21 |
| Dartford (LWWWDW) | Dover Athletic (LLWWWW) | ||||
| Whitehawk | A | 1-0 | Hendon | H | 4-2 |
| Folkestone Invicta | H | 2-2 | Cheshunt | H | 2-1 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 3-0 | Cray Wanderers | A | 2-1 |
| Bognor Regis Town | A | 2-0 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 1-0 |
| Hastings United | H | 2-0 | Chatham Town | H | 0-1 |
| Lewes | A | 1-3 | Cray Valley (PM) | A | 1-2 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 18 / Dover Athletic wins: 12 / Draws: 12
Previous Six Meetings
Dover Athletic 5 – 1 Dartford (07/09/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (17/02/2024 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Dover Athletic (28/08/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/04/2023 – National South)
Dover Athletic 1 – 3 Dartford (13/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (08/03/2022 – Kent Senior Cup)
Statistics
On This Day
Dartford hit Truro City for five for a second time in a season on this day in 2017. Ofori-Acheampong was awarded Player of the Match, but it was Andy Pugh who scored a brace in an entertaining 5-3 win. Andrew Neal put the Cornish side ahead until Pugh levelled. Elliot Bradbrook unleashed a 25-yard effort to put the Darts in front before Neal got Truro City back on level terms. Luke Wanadio made it 3-2, but Truro City couldn’t be shaken off as Jamie Richards equalised. Finally, the Darts wrapped things up with goals from Pugh and Tom Murphy.
Dartford aim to keep their advantage at the top of the Isthmian Premier when they visit Whitehawk this weekend.
Having already secured a playoff place, victory in Sussex this Saturday will guarantee the Darts a two point lead heading into the final three games. A slip up could see Adrian Pennock’s side relinquish top spot to either Billericay Town or Horsham such is the closeness of the title race. Whitehawk need all three points to be mathematically safe. A draw will see the Hawks stay in the Isthmian Premier should Hendon fail to win against Dover Athletic.
Pennock made one change to the side in the Kent derby at home to Folkestone Invicta last time out. Olly Box was rested after picking up a knock, so Eddie Dsane started. Luther Williams wasn’t in the matchday squad, but Louis Dunne returned making a substitute appearance.
The Darts had to show plenty of character and calmness to fight back from two goals down. Invicta’s Amadou Kassarate scored a first half brace to put the hosts in a spot of bother. First, he hooked the ball beyond Jacob Marsden, then the midfielder headed in former Dartford player Ade Yusuff’s cross.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
In the second half the picture changed. Defender, George Whitefield scored from close range to net his eighth of the season. Meanwhile, either side of Whitefield’s strike, Billericay Town went two down at Cray Wanderers. So, when Denzelle Olopade was brought down in the box inside the final ten minutes of normal time, Samir Carruthers stepped forward, slotted home the penalty and Dartford’s lead at the top increased. The draw extends the Darts unbeaten home record to 13 games stretching back to October, their best undefeated league run at Princes Park since the 2021/2022 season.
Pennock was delighted with getting the draw considering the situation at the half time, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and said: “To come back to 2-2 and maybe nick one at the end, it was just great. I thought it was a fantastic point and one everyone should be proud of and positive. We’ve extended the lead in the table, so I wouldn’t be too downhearted as it was a fantastic point”.
With Folkestone Invicta leading and disrupting the game, the Dartford boss praised his players, he added: “I think we did well second half and didn’t lose our focus, we kept pushing and pushing and pushing”.
Eventually rewarded with two goals in response it sets the Darts up for the rest of the title run-in, he commented: “We’ve got so many hard games in the four we have got, they are so tough. We’re in a good position, obviously it’s up to us. It’s going to be very tough, but we’re having a good go at it”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Dartford dropped points in consecutive away games losing to Cheshunt and Lewes in February and March. Since then, the Darts have got back on track with victories on the road at Bognor Regis Town and Dulwich Hamlet. Even better is that Marsden kept clean sheets in both of those games. At home, the draw with Invicta may have ended a three game winning streak, but it has taken the Darts to four matches unbeaten home and away. Prior to last weekend’s point, Pennock’s side also won at Princes Park against title rivals Horsham and relegation battlers Hastings United.
At the turn of the year, Josh Hill scored a goal of the season contender against Whitehawk in the reverse fixture. The Dartford captain hit a screamer from long range in a 4-1 win. Striker, Callum Jones increased the lead before Josh Nandhra halved the deficit for the Hawks. In the closing stages the Darts sealed the three points during injury time. First Carruthers won a penalty, dusted himself off and put away the spot kick. Then another substitute, Dsane scored a wonderful solo effort.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
The Darts won both games against Whitehawk last time the two sides were competing in the same division. Their last visit to the Enclosed Ground in September 2017 finished with the Darts running out 4-0 winner. Alfie Pavey scored after eight minutes and by half-time the visitors had three when Ryan Hayes and Elliot Bradbrook added another two. It took until the last minute for the lead to be extended further when Lyle Della-Verde grabbed the fourth. The reverse fixture continued Dartford’s good recent run against the Sussex side. The Darts won 3-1 at Princes Park with a goal from Ronnie Vint and a brace from Andy Pugh.
Shaun Saunders returned to the Whitehawk managerial post at the back end of November. It was the Darts that halted his unbeaten start of five games, but Saunders has guided the Hawks out of trouble in his time there. Since taking over at the Enclosed Ground, the Hawks have climbed off the bottom of the table and are now sixteenth. Saunders has managed to win almost half of the league games since his appointment and looks set for another year in the Isthmian Premier.
At home the Hawks have won their last two without conceding beating Bognor Regis Town and Carshalton Athletic. Nandhra netted twice against the Rocks either side of Geofrey Okonkwo’s goal. Whilst against the Robins, Jordan Maguire-Drew bagged both in a 2-0 victory. However, their last outing ended in defeat at Hashtag United. Maguire-Drew found the back of the net again, but the Tags came from behind with goals from Andronicos Georgiou and Joe Christou condemning the Hawks to a fourth defeat in six.
|
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
DARTFORD |
38 |
77 |
+28 |
|
Billericay Town |
38 |
75 |
+32 |
|
Horsham |
38 |
75 |
+30 |
|
Dover Athletic |
38 |
71 |
+33 |
|
Cray Valley (PM) |
38 |
68 |
+19 |
| Dartford (WLWWWD) | Whitehawk (LLLWWL) | ||||
| Folkestone Invicta | H | 2-2 | Hashtag United | A | 1-2 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 3-0 | Bognor Regis Town | H | 3-0 |
| Bognor Regis Town | A | 2-0 | Carshalton Athletic | H | 2-0 |
| Hastings United | H | 2-0 | Folkestone Invicta | A | 0-1 |
| Lewes | A | 1-3 | Chatham Town | H | 0-2 |
| Horsham | H | 2-1 | Wingate and Finchley | A | 1-3 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 6 / Whitehawk wins: 3 / Draws: 0
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 4 – 1 Whitehawk (04/01/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (27/01/2018 – National South)
Whitehawk 0 – 4 Dartford (05/09/2017 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (04/02/2017 – National South)
Whitehawk 1 – 0 Dartford (10/08/2016 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 4 Whitehawk (12/03/2016 – National South)
Statistics
On This Day
Dartford moved closer to the Isthmian Division One North title on this day in 2008. A five star display in front of 1338 supporters saw the Darts ease past Tilbury. Eddie McClements curled the hosts ahead and Jay May scored a couple of headers before the break. Jamie Coyle added two more in the second half and a week later the Darts were crowned champions. In 1975, Dartford recorded their highest ever scoring draw when they drew 5-5 with Stourbridge in the Southern Premier League. That wasn’t even enough to break the club record as games against Reading Reserves (1926 – Southern League East Section) and Erith Avenue (1891 – Kent Junior Cup) ended with the same scoreline!
Title ambitions continue for Dartford when they host Folkestone Invicta in the Isthmian Premier this weekend.
Leading the table by a single point, the Darts have five games to hold their nerve as they bid for a return to the National South at the first attempt. Although a draw will secure a playoff place on Saturday, Adrian Pennock’s side know realistically a victory will move Dartford one step closer to their target.
Folkestone Invicta will be the first of three Kent derbies remaining for the Darts in the regular season. Invicta are mid-table and set for a tenth consecutive campaign in the Isthmian Premier when August comes around again, by which time they will have Jay Saunders in charge.
The Darts recorded another away win last time out when they beat Dulwich Hamlet 3-0 in front of a full house. George Whitefield returned to the starting lineup replacing Luther Williams, who along with Louis Dunne wasn’t in the matchday squad. Dunne has now missed the last two games with a strain. Although it took a while to settle into the match, Dartford ran out comfortable winners and were set on their way when Hayden Bullas opened the scoring. Callum Jones doubled the lead before the interval and the striker netted another to seal the victory. Since defeat at Lewes, the Darts have taken maximum points in their last three fixtures taking pole position.
Assistant manager, Roland Edge called last weekend’s result ‘a fantastic victory’, and was pleased with his team’s display, he told Dartford FC TV: “You know when you come to Dulwich, if you don’t perform you go away with nothing. I thought as a team performance it was one of the best of the year so far, which means loads as well because pressure is coming. We know where we are in the league, and we know what we’ve got to do”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
For the final promotion Dartford’s management team are sticking to the same message for their squad, Edge commented: “You’ve got to go out there and believe first and foremost. They have done well; they are top of the league for a reason. If they can maintain what they have done for the majority of the season, then they will end there”.
Despite the pressure a title race can bring the assistant boss urged his players to ‘go and enjoy’ the run in and work hard, he added: “In the next five games they’ve just got to roll their sleeves up and fight. Everyone is tired, everyone in the league is tired, mentally and physically now. We’ve just got to work as hard as we can and see where we end up”.
Dartford won the reverse fixture against Folkestone Invicta just before the Christmas period. The Darts had started to find their groove, approaching the match unbeaten in ten, but were made to scrap it out at Cheriton Road and take a 1-0 away victory. In an even contest it took until almost ten minutes from time for Jones to break the deadlock. Invicta struggled to clear their lines, Michael Olarewaju kept the ball alive to find Jones, who scored the winner from close range.
Match Highlights courtesy of Invicta TV
It’s been just over 21 years since Dartford last hosted a league game against Folkestone Invicta and that didn’t end well at all. In the days when the Darts played their home games at Stonebridge Road, Invicta ran out 6-1 winners during the 2003/2004 Southern League Division One East campaign. Just over a fortnight later Dartford lost the return match 1-0.
Sandwiched between those fixtures and this season’s win, the Darts have met Invicta in cup competitions. Most notably the Kent Senior Cup Final in May 2022 when Dartford lifted silverware after a 6-2 triumph. Samir Carruthers was part of that side with second-half goals coming from Luke Allen, Ali Mansaray, Connor Essam, a brace from Ade Azeez and Danny Leonard.
In the early part of March and with Folkestone Invicta still hoping for a playoff push, the club parted company with Andy Drury. The former boss was at Cheriton Road since November 2023 and steered Invicta away from relegation last term. Since Drury’s departure, former Folkestone Invicta player Tim Dixon has been in charge. This week the club announced former Tonbridge Angels boss, Jay Saunders as the new manager on a four year deal. Originally due to take charge in August, the Angels have since let Saunders leave early. At the time of writing it has yet to be confirmed if he will be in the away dugout this weekend.
In the time Dixon has been interim manager he has guided his team to a single victory in four matches at the helm. Dixon’s first match finished in a 3-1 defeat at home to Chichester City, in which former Dartford midfielder Jack Jebb came off injured and has not featured since. Jebb made 67 appearances for the Darts scoring nine goals during his time at Princes Park. At the same venue Invicta beat Whitehawk four days later with Daniel Smith scoring the only goal of the game.
Since their last victory Folkestone Invicta have lost two in a row. They were beaten 1-0 on the road by Cheshunt and last weekend they lost against Chatham Town. In a squad that featured former Darts, Ade Yusuff and Luke Allen, Invicta went down 3-1 with Amadou Kassarate netting for Invicta. Yusuff was with Dartford this season and scored one goal in six appearances, whilst Allen departed in the summer after playing 123 games for the Darts and scoring 15 times.
|
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
DARTFORD |
37 |
76 |
+28 |
|
Billericay Town |
37 |
75 |
+34 |
|
Horsham |
37 |
72 |
+29 |
|
Cray Valley (PM) |
37 |
68 |
+17 |
|
Dover Athletic |
37 |
66 |
+32 |
| Dartford (LWLWWW) | Folkestone Invicta (DWLWLL) | ||||
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 3-0 | Chatham Town | H | 1-3 |
| Bognor Regis Town | A | 2-0 | Cheshunt | A | 0-1 |
| Hastings United | H | 2-0 | Whitehawk | H | 1-0 |
| Lewes | A | 1-3 | Chichester City | H | 1-3 |
| Horsham | H | 2-1 | Bognor Regis Town | A | 2-1 |
| Cheshunt | A | 0-3 | Potters Bar Town | H | 1-1 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 8 / Folkestone Invicta wins: 10 / Draws: 4
Previous Six Meetings
Folkestone Invicta 0 – 1 Dartford (21/12/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 6 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (17/05/2022 – Kent Senior Cup Final)*
Dartford 4 – 0 Folkestone Invicta (25/02/2020 – Kent Senior Cup)
Folkestone Invicta 1 – 4 Dartford (07/12/2011 – Kent Senior Cup)
Dartford 2 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (12/09/2006 – Isthmian League Cup)**
Dartford 1 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (18/01/2005 – Kent Senior Cup)
* played at Chatham Town
** Dartford won 5-3 on penalties
Statistics
On This Day
Charlie Sheringham and Ryan Hayes helped Dartford into the Kent Senior Cup Final on this day in 2011. Sheringham scored twice against Ramsgate before Hayes added a third. The Darts went on to lift the county cup a month later.
Three years ago in the same competition, Dartford defeated Margate 4-2 in the quarter final. Luke Allen opened the scoring, but that was cancelled out by Margate’s James Bessey-Saldanha. In the second-half, Kalvin Kalala put Dartford back in front, Ade Azeez added a third and Ody Alfa a fourth. There was still time for Vance Bola to pull one back for Margate. Once again the Darts went on to win the Kent Senior Cup.
Dartford’s last home game on this day was back in 2010 when they beat Canvey Island in the Isthmian Premier. Danny Harris and Elliot Bradbrook both scored to move the Darts within three points of claiming the title.
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