Dartford FC Previews

Month: November 2022

Dartford v Concord Rangers

November 25, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dartford a back in action at Princes Park this weekend when they host Concord Rangers in the National South.

It’s been three weeks since a home game for the Darts and after losing in their last league outing they picked up a draw on Tuesday night. Under a new manager Concord Rangers have started to pick up crucial points as they begin to move up the table.

Dartford went into the Oxford City game on Tuesday on the back of two defeats, in which they conceded seven goals. A 3-1 loss on the road at Farnborough was followed up by a cup upset against Swindon Supermarine in the F.A Trophy. After that 4-0 reverse to the Southern Premier South side, Alan Dowson and company travelled to Marsh Lane to face a team who had only lost once in the league at home.

The central defensive partnership of Connor Essam and Tom Bonner was reunited after a two game absence. It was the captain Bonner who headed the Darts in front in a well earned 1-1 draw. Dartford came close to returning home with all three points but were denied by Canice Carroll’s late equaliser three minutes from time. Dowson made five changes in total from the team that exited the F.A Trophy bringing in goalkeeper, Archie Mair on a months loan from Norwich City’s under 21 team. As well as Essam returning to the starting eleven, Keiran Murtagh, Samir Carruthers and Davide Rodari were back in the side. There was no Josh Johnson after completing a month of his loan and Joe Young who missed the Swindon Supermarine game on the weekend.

Dartford picked up just one point against Concord Rangers last term and that was at Princes Park in January. Despite Jake Robinson hitting the crossbar late on, the game ended 0-0 in Ronnie Vint’s last appearance for the Darts. Both meetings in 2021/2022 were close encounters and it was the Beachboys who came out on top at Thames Road just over a year ago. The match was settled when Lamar Reynolds scored the only goal just past the hour mark.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Concord Rangers (25/01/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Concord Rangers have improved over the last month since a change of manager. The Beachboys were down in 22nd when Chris Search departed having won only twice in the opening 14 fixtures. With eight points on the board, the Essex club felt it was time to make a change in the dugout. In came Rob Small who took Bowers and Pitsea from the Essex Senior League to the Isthmian Premier division and after losing his opener, the Beachboys have since gone unbeaten in the National South. Small had success in his eight years at Bowers and Pitsea and also took then to the F.A Cup first round for the first time ever losing narrowly to Lincoln City 1-0 at Sincil Bank. Small also took the Essex club to the semi-final of the F.A Vase in 2016.

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Match Highlights – Concord Rangers v Dartford (02/11/2021) – Dartford FC TV

Unbeaten in the National South in their last four games, the Beachboys strung three consecutive wins together since a 3-0 defeat at Hampton and Richmond Borough. Concord Rangers won by the same score in the following match defeating Dover Athletic with goals from Ryan Blackman, Nana Kyei and Aron Pollock. Another three were netted at home versus Chippenham Town after falling behind at Thames Road. Alex Bray, Saleem Akanbi and Blackman were all on the scoresheet to pick up maximum points.

The last two league games for the Beachboys involved Kent sides Tonbridge Angels and Welling United. Ben Williamson scored the winning goal against the Angels in a 1-0 victory and four days later Concord Rangers drew with the Wings. With home advantage and playing 70 minutes with an extra man, the Beachboys were unable to take advantage of Welling United’s Sid Nelson’s sending off. Instead the visitors took the lead when Taylor Mahoney netted for the Kent side. Concord Rangers managed to get a grip on the game and were rewarded with an equaliser by Louis Ramsey.

Since then, Small’s side have been in cup action losing to lower league opposition Harrow Borough 4-2 in the F.A Trophy. The Southern Premier League South side caused an upset going three up inside the opening 35 minutes. Blackman scored in first-half stoppage time and when Harrison Day grabbed another for the Beachboys the comeback was on. However in the last minute Harrow Borough regained a two goal lead to send the Essex club out.

On Tuesday night they took on Aveley in the Essex Senior Cup, a team representing the Isthmian Premier League and were taken to penalties. After a 1-1 draw the Beachboys won the shootout 4-2. Former Dart midfielder D’Sean Theobalds was named on the bench, but ex Dartford winger Ricky Modeste was not included, the pair could return to Princes Park on the weekend. Theobalds played seven games under Steve King during last season and scored one goal, whilst Modeste signed in August 2020 and made only three appearances for the club.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Concord Rangers wins: 4 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Dartford
(DWWWLD) 		    Concord Rangers
(LLWWWD)		    
Oxford City A 1-1 Welling United H 1-1
Farnborough A 1-3 Tonbridge Angels H 1-0
Braintree Town H 4-1 Chippenham Town H 3-1
Welling United H 5-1 Dover Athletic A 3-0
Weymouth H 3-0 Hampton and Richmond A 0-3
Slough Town A 2-1 Bath City H 0-2

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 0 – 0 Concord Rangers (25/01/2022 – National South)
Concord Rangers 1 – 0 Dartford (02/11/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Concord Rangers (21/12/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 0 – 2 Dartford (14/09/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/01/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 2 – 0 Dartford (14/08/2018 – National South)

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just one of their last seven games against Concord Rangers (D3, L3)
  • The Darts are winless in three at home versus the Beachboys (D2, L1)
  • Dartford have failed to score in their last three matches against Concord Rangers

On This Day

Elliot Bradbrook scored a F.A Trophy hat-trick on this day to send Dartford into round one. Weston-super-Mare took the lead through Bradley Ash, but before the break Andy Pugh levelled. Bradbrook put the Darts back in front and the tie could have turned after Tom Bonner was sent off. Ash converted the subsequent penalty equalising for the hosts. A replay would have been a good result with ten men, however Bradbrook had other ideas scoring twice to claim the match ball and a 4-2 victory. That win is Dartford’s only triumph on this day in the last six outings. Three years ago they went out at the same stage of the competition to local rivals Maidstone United in a replay. In the twelve home matches on 26 November, the Darts have won just three, 4-0 against Faversham in 1898, 3-2 versus Chelmsford City in 1960 and the last win at home came in 1988 when Dartford beat Worcester City 2-0.

Oxford City v Dartford

November 22, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dartford will be eager to bounce back from a difficult week when they take on Oxford City on Tuesday night in the National South.

After an unbeaten run of 11 games in all competitions and picking up an impressive 31 points from a possible 33 in the league, the Darts lost twice in a row to see their good form come to an end. Oxford City have been have not lost at home in the league since the opening day and will fancy their chances.

The journey to Marsh Lane last season ended in a 1-1 draw with goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook making his debut. The shot stopper was unable to keep out Joe Iaciofano’s equaliser that day after the Darts had taken the lead in the third minute through a Marcus Dinanga penalty. The two sides couldn’t be separated in the earlier meeting at Princes Park either playing out a 0-0 stalemate. In October 2019, the Darts won 1-0 in Oxford with Ben Greenhalgh’s curling shot being the decisive goal in the game. Overall, Dartford have avoided defeat against Tuesday’s opponents in their last four matches, winning two and drawing two.

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Match Highlights – Oxford City v Dartford (02/04/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Alan Dowson has plenty of work to do ahead of the visit to Marsh Lane. Last weekend they were beaten on the road at Farnborough missing an opportunity to top the standings. Instead they ended the day in third after falling to a 3-1 loss against the Hampshire side. After acknowledging the poor performance, Dowson made four changes to the team to face Swindon Supermarine on Saturday in the F.A Trophy second round.

Kristian Campbell scored a consolation goal against Farnborough and he was named in the starting eleven alongside goalkeeper Tom Wray and loanee Joshua Johnson. Once again the Darts missed the central defensive partnership of Tom Bonner and Connor Essam. Bonner was suspended versus Farnborough, but the captain returned on the weekend. This time Essam was unavailable and the unfortunate Wray conceded four as the Darts failed to score. Yet another cup upset went against the Darts and having conceded seven goals over the past week, Dowson needs his players to respond on Tuesday night.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Oxford City (13/11/2021) – Dartford FC TV

Oxford City were also dumped out of the trophy against lower league opposition. Last season, Plymouth Parkway were two divisions below the Hoops. After winning promotion, the Devonshire club have now claimed an cupset beating Ross Jenkins’ team on penalties. Iaciofano had put City ahead only for Harrison King to level and take the tie to spot kicks.

In the National South, Oxford City have one of the best home records in the division tasting defeat just once and that was on the opening day. Since then they have gone a dozen home games unbeaten winning eight and drawing four. Oxford City have dished out a 5-0 hammering of Concord Rangers, were the first team to take points off league leaders Ebbsfleet United and have won three of their last four at Marsh Lane. Form on the road has not been as great and explains why City are ninth in the table, but just a point from a top seven spot.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 8 / Oxford City wins: 3 / Draws: 5

Current League Form

Dartford
(WDWWWL) 		    Oxford City
(WLWLDW)		    
Farnborough A 1-3 Dover Athletic H 3-1
Braintree Town H 4-1 Hemel Hempstead Town H 2-2
Welling United H 5-1 Worthing A 0-1
Weymouth H 3-0 Hungerford Town H 2-0
Slough Town A 2-1 Farnborough Town A 1-2
St Albans City A 1-1 Taunton Town H 2-1

Last Six Meetings

Oxford City 1 – 1 Dartford (02/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 0 Oxford City (13/11/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Oxford City (11/01/2020 – National South)
Oxford City 0 – 1 Dartford (12/10/2019 – National South)
Oxford City 2 – 1 Dartford (27/04/2019 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Oxford City (13/11/2018 – National South)

Statistics

  • Dartford are four games unbeaten against Oxford City (W2, D2) and have kept three clean sheets in those matches
  • Dartford have scored in each of their eight visits to visiting Marsh Lane and are unbeaten in their last two there (W1, D1)
  • If the Darts avoid defeat it will be their best unbeaten run when visiting Oxford City.

On This Day

Dartford have failed to win on this day since 1988 when they beat Crawley Town 4-0 in the Southern League Cup second round. In league football you have to go back two years earlier when they defeated Folkestone 5-0 in the Southern Premier League. In 1989, the Darts took Football League side Exeter City to a F.A Cup first round replay, but lost the away tie 4-1. Dartford’s last six games on 22 November have been away from home, the last was a 2-2 draw at Welling United in 2016 in the Kent Senior Cup. Goals from Ryan Hayes and Keaton Wood weren’t enough as the Wings went through 4-1 on penalties.

Swindon Supermarine v Dartford

November 18, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dartford get their F.A Trophy campaign underway this weekend with a trip to Swindon Supermarine of the Southern Premier League South.

In the first meeting between the two sides, the Darts will be determined to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat which saw their unbeaten run of eleven games come to an end. Swindon Supermarine on the other hand will be hoping to join a list of teams who have upset Dartford in cup competitions recently.

After ten victories and a draw the Darts travelled to Hampshire last weekend to face Farnborough, who were on a good run of their own. Alan Dowson’s side were second best throughout the afternoon losing 3-1 and not only did they miss an opportunity to return to the top of the National South they also missed their captain, Tom Bonner. The defender was suspended after his red card in the 4-1 victory over Braintree Town, but he will be available for the F.A Trophy second round tie. Having been reliable in a defensive midfield role, Jordan Wynter dropped to centre back with Keiran Murtagh and Samir Carruthers coming into the side in place of Bonner and Josh Johnson.

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Match Highlights – Farnborough v Dartford (12/11/2022) – Dartford FC TV

The hosts exposed Dartford’s defence and after nineteen minutes were ahead when Hisham Kasimu got the better of Wynter then finished a one on one with Joe Young in goal. The lead was doubled when Dartford failed to clear the ball and Johnathon Page netted from close range. After five weeks without any playing time, Darts full back Kristian Campbell returned to action at half-time. His introduction was rewarded when he scored a header from Luke Coulson’s corner. However, Farnborough made sure of maximum points when Ollie Pendleberry scored a brilliant free-kick.

Disappointed with the result, Dowson was unhappy with his performance as well as his players, especially after the high standards set by the Darts over the last two months by taking an astonishing 31 points from a possible 33 in the league prior to defeat at Farnborough. Sitting third in the National South two points behind rivals Ebbsfleet United keeps Dartford in a strong position, but now they now focus on cup football and will hope to put past cup results behind them.

Earlier this season, Dowson lost his first competitive cup match for the club at home against Beckenham Town, a team one division lower than Swindon Supermarine. Last term, the Darts were beaten by lower league teams AFC Sudbury in the F.A Cup and Needham Market in the F.A Trophy. The season before the Darts lost to Haringey Borough in the F.A Trophy and former boss, Steve King lost on debut to Kingstonian in the F.A Cup three years ago. Dartford should know too well that complacency is no option come three o’clock on Saturday.

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Interview – Alan Dowson speaks to Dartford FC TV after defeat at Farnborough

Swindon Supermarine have only reached the third round on two occasions losing to Ebbsfleet United in 2008/09 and Bath City in 2020/21, so victory will equal their best performance in the F.A Trophy. The Marine are going well in the Southern Premier League South sitting in fifth and occupying a playoff place. The Wiltshire club are currently four unbeaten in all competitions including a 5-0 victory in the last round of the competition. During those four matches Harry Williams has netted each time adding five to his total tally of the season which stands at 20 in as many games. The striker has an impressive scoring record for Marine recording nearly goal every other game since being at the club.

On the weekend they beat Yate Town 2-0 with new loan signing from Gloucester City, Liam Armstrong keeping a clean sheet on debut. Yate Town were reduced to ten men before the break with the scores level. It took Williams until seventy minutes to register the first goal and with five minutes to go Conor McDonagh sealed the victory.

The Marine’s F.A Trophy campaign began after the F.A Cup exit to Farnborough. Swindon Supermarine were beaten 5-1 by the Hampshire side in the third qualifying round. In the F.A Trophy, Lee Spalding’s side have negotiated through two rounds beating Cirencester Town 3-0 early last month in a local derby. Brad Hooper scored with a fine strike after ten minutes and a second half back heel from James Harding made it two. The third came when Zack Kotwica took the ball round the goalkeeper to slot home. In the last round they drew out Winchester City and despite losing to the Hampshire club in the league a week earlier they thrashed City 5-0 on the road. Williams and McDonagh gave Marine a two goal cushion heading into the interval to put the visitors in control. Williams got the scoring started again in the second half with twenty minutes left on the clock and two late goals from Hooper and Kotwica wrapped up the win.

Current Form (all competitions)

Dartford
(DWWWWL) 		    Swindon Supermarine
(WLDWDW)		    
Farnborough A 1-3 Yate Town H 2-0
Braintree Town H 4-1 Chesham United A 1-1
Welling United H 5-1 Winchester City (FAT) A 5-0
Weymouth H 3-0 Hanwell Town H 1-1
Slough Town A 2-1 Winchester City H 1-2
St Albans City A 1-1 Harrow Borough H 2-1

Statistics

  • In the last two F.A Trophy campaigns Dartford won on penalties in the second round
  • Since reaching the semi-final in 2013, the Darts have got to at least the third round in three of the last nine years
  • This is only the third time Swindon Supermarine has played in the F.A Trophy second round since entering the competition for the first time in 2001/02

On This Day

This will be Dartford’s first F.A Trophy game on this day, but other cup competitions haven’t gone so well on 19 November for the Darts. They have won just twice beating Sheppey United 6-2 in the Kent Senior Cup 42 years ago and Headington United 2-0 in a Southern League Cup tie in 1958. Dartford have lost six cup games on this day including their last four. In 1985 AFC Bournemouth knocked the Darts out of the F.A Cup for a second year in a row, the year before the Cherries denied Dartford a chance to take on Manchester United in the next round. The Darts were also beaten by Millwall in 1983 and Kettering Town in 1988 in the F.A Cup first round. The last outing for Dartford on this day was six years ago when they defeated Bishop’s Stortford 3-0, an own goal was added to by Andy Pugh and Elliot Bradbrook.

Farnborough v Dartford

November 10, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dartford can extend their unbeaten run to a dozen matches when they visit Southern Premier South playoff winners Farnborough this weekend.

The Darts have won ten and drawn one of their last 11 games and have the potential to top the National South standings when the full-time scores roll in on Saturday. Farnborough may have taken a while settling in on their return to the division but are enjoying an unbeaten streak of their own.

Dartford were in pole position come the end of last weekend’s results and they have found their scoring boots of late. Only once had the Darts scored more than twice, in the Kent derby win over Dover Athletic two months ago, now they have scored twelve in three games hitting Weymouth for three, Welling United for five and most recently Braintree Town for four. Alan Dowson made one change to the side that thrashed local rivals Welling United for the game against Braintree Town, Charlie Sheringham was back in attack replacing Davide Rodari. The Dartford boss will need to reshuffle again this weekend, this time in defence due to the one game suspension picked up by captain Tom Bonner.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Braintree Town (05/11/2022) – courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dowson’s side have showed character this season, firstly overcoming a spell of five defeats in seven earlier in the campaign, then with comeback wins over Eastbourne Borough, Dulwich Hamlet and Slough Town and on Saturday they had to play out half an hour with ten men. The Darts often struggled against Braintree Town in the past, but this time they won 4-1 with an outstanding second-half display. Sheringham netted from the spot five minutes after the break and the game could have turned after Bonner was sent off for a second caution. However, Dartford stretched their lead when Luke Coulson scored potentially the goal of the season. His second in as many games since coming back from injury was a spectacular volley from outside the box. Braintree Town pulled a goal back with just over ten minutes to play, the header from Kyran Clements testing Dartford’s resolve. Dowson introduced Samir Carruthers and Keiran Murtagh and the pair combined for a third in the last minute, Carruthers finishing off a fine move. Then there was time for Carruthers to score the second penalty of the afternoon for his eighth of the campaign.

Martin Tyler spoke to Dartford FC TV afterwards and said: “No one could have written the scenario like this to be honest and we’ve ended up singing in the Dartford rain, but the scoreline doesn’t in any way reflect what a tight game it was and what Braintree brought to the match”, he added: “The reason we’ve had a recent run of good results is the competition for places has been that much hotter, so even someone like Samir (Carruthers) who has played in the Premier League cannot be guaranteed a start”.

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Match Highlights – Farnborough v Dartford (17/11/2011) – courtesy of sonytino

The last time Dartford won 4-1 and were reduced to ten men was 11 years ago against Farnborough. On that day Sheringham scored twice including one from a penalty. Tom Champion and Danny Harris were the other scorers, Lee Noble was sent off when the scores were level at 1-1. In the reverse fixture five months earlier Noble scored a last-minute consolation in a 2-1 defeat. The next season Dartford won promotion to the National League via the playoffs and completed a double over Boro winning 2-1 at Cherrywood Road thanks to goals from Sheringham and Lee Burns, then at Princes Park Jacob Erskine netted twice and Tony Garrod sealed a 3-0 victory.

Farnborough are on a nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and wrote some F.A Cup headlines last weekend by upsetting League Two Sutton United. Last term, Dartford signed Michael Fernandes on loan from Colchester United before the campaign had started, however he didn’t manage a competitive game before moving to Farnborough. The winger scored with three minutes to go in the F.A Cup tie and a second was added by Francis Amarty in injury time. Confidence has been growing at Boro since their promotion and slow start to this season. In cup games they have beaten last season’s promotion rivals Hayes and Yeading United, brushed aside Dartford’s F.A Trophy opponents Swindon Supermarine in a 5-1 win, hit Biggleswade Town for seven and in the Hampshire Senior Cup defeated Cove 7-2 as well.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Farnborough (10/03/2012) – courtesy of sonytino

In the National South, Farnborough lost seven of their opening ten games ending September down in the relegation zone. Spencer Day’s side have climbed five places over the last month picking up 11 points out of a possible 15, their latest a 0-0 draw at home to Eastbourne Borough. Day spoke to Farnborough TV after the Tuesday night’s game, he commented: “I think it was a fair result, it was a very poor performance from us, very much the cliché after the lord mayor’s show at the weekend”. Attention now turns to hosting the Darts and Day said: “It’s a massive game, it’s a hell of a challenge, it’s the first team right at the top of the table that we’ve faced at home, it’s a massive challenge. Dowse is doing a great job there and it’s going to be a very difficult game”.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Farnborough wins: 4 / Draws: 2

Current League Form

Dartford
(WWDWWW) 		    Farnborough
(LWDWWD)		    
Braintree Town H 4-1 Eastbourne Borough A 0-0
Welling United H 5-1 Oxford City H 2-1
Weymouth H 3-0 Weymouth A 1-0
Slough Town A 2-1 Dover Athletic A 1-1
St Albans City A 1-1 Worthing A 2-1
Tonbridge Angels H 2-0 Chelmsford City H 0-1

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 0 Farnborough (10/03/2012 – National South)
Farnborough 1 – 2 Dartford (17/09/2011 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Farnborough (22/01/2011 – National South)
Farnborough 2 – 1 Dartford (21/08/2010 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Farnborough Town (23/11/1998 – F.A Trophy)
Farnborough Town 1 – 1 Dartford (21/11/1998 – F.A Trophy)

Statistics

  • The Darts have never won at Farnborough in five attempts (D2, L3)
  • Half of Dartford’s games this season have ended 2-1 (W5, L5)
  • Farnborough have won four times in this fixture, three of them were 2-1 victories.

On This Day

Danny Harris and Luke Wanadio scored the goals to claim a 2-0 win over Hemel Hempstead Town on this day six years ago. The last away day on 12 November came in 2013 with the Darts being humbled by Woking 3-0 in the National League. Dartford’s last victory on their travels on this day was in 2005 when they beat Margate in the F.A Trophy 1-0. The Darts have only tasted victory two other times away from home on 12 November. In 1996 they beat Tooting and Mitcham United 3-2 also in the F.A Trophy and in 1921 they defeated Bexley Heath 3-1 in the Kent Senior Cup.

Dartford v Braintree Town

November 4, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dartford hope to continue their excellent form and maintain the pressure at the top of the National South when they host Braintree Town this weekend.

The Darts have put themselves in contention at the summit of the National South by winning nine of their last ten league games. Next to arrive at Princes Park is Braintree Town, who have often been a thorn in Dartford’s side and this season the Iron are currently in the playoff places arriving on the back of four straight victories.

In all competitions Dartford have only beaten their opponents twice at home in nine attempts. Including trips to Cressing Road, then the Darts record over the Iron makes for grimmer reading. In 16 matches between the two sides Dartford have just three wins to their name.

Under Alan Dowson, the Darts have grown in confidence and prior the last week were not quite the finished article. Time will tell whether their potential will be reached, but six points and eight goals over the last week shows promising signs. On Saturday the Darts overcame bottom club Weymouth 3-0 with Josh Johnson scoring his first for the club on his home debut and Alex Wall netting a brace from off the bench. Influential midfielder, Samir Carruthers was replaced for the second-half and missed Tuesday night’s 5-1 win against Welling United, his replacement on the weekend Luke Coulson was given the nod to start the Kent derby. The only other change involved Davide Rodari making his first start in almost a month in place of Charlie Sheringham.

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Highlights – Dartford v Welling United (01/11/2022) – Dartford FC TV

The Darts were three up by half-time with Pierre Fonkeu and Rodari recreating the goalscoring exploits from earlier in the season. The pair shared Dartford’s first six goals this term and on Tuesday they scored the opening two. Fonkeu now has two in his last three games, whilst Rodari scored for the first time since August. Before the interval there was time for Maxwell Statham to draw level with Rodari in Dartford’s scoring charts with his third of the campaign. Early in the second-half former Dart, Ade Azeez kept the Dowson’s side on their toes by pulling a goal back. Jack Smith celebrated extending his loan spell from Stevenage until January with a delightful finish as the Darts hit four for the first time under Dowson. It got even better with three minutes to go when Coulson added a fifth to send Dartford top of the National South by the end of the evening.

The Darts only took a point from Braintree Town last season losing the corresponding fixture 1-0 in May, ten days before the playoff campaign. Whether the Darts were resting players or not, the performance was under par resulting in the defeat. Braintree Town’s Harry Lodovika scored late on just minutes after coming off the bench. The Iron also made things difficult earlier in the campaign at Cressing Road. Dartford were forced to come back from two goals down with a last gasp equaliser. A stunning stoppage time free kick from Jack Jebb earned a point after a Jake Robinson penalty halved the deficit. The visitors went two goals up through Gabriel Piorkowski and Gio Crichlow.

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Highlights – Dartford v Braintree Town (02/05/2022) – Dartford FC TV

The Iron are having a fantastic season compared to their seventeenth-place finish last term, for long periods they were in a scrap to beat the drop and ended up the lowest scorers in the division. The man partly responsible for the upturn in performances is manager Angelo Harrop, who masterminded AFC Sudbury’s run to the F.A Cup first round giant killing Dartford on the way. The Essex club are one of three unbeaten teams at home and sit in fifth place with the fourth highest goal tally. Although the Iron will be without home advantage, they have picked up four league victories on the road, winning their last two away fixtures 3-0 against Hampton and Richmond Borough and 2-1 at Eastbourne Borough. Those triumphs on their travels have helped Harrop’s side claim four straight wins home and away for the first time in the league since April 2018, when they were promoted to the National League via the playoffs.

Braintree Town’s last away outing saw them negotiate their way past Hampton and Richmond Borough despite several injuries and suspensions to first teamers. The reshuffled side took the lead through Jon Benton and waited until two minutes from time to add a second. Levi Amantchi scored his sixth of the season since joining in the summer from Potters Bar Town. To wrap up a good afternoon for Harrop’s team the Beavers netted an own goal to make it 3-0. Former Concord Rangers forward Lemar Reynolds has notched four league goals this term and so has ex-Welling United midfielder Alfie Matthews, who will serve a one match ban this weekend.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Braintree Town wins: 8 / Draws: 5

Current League Form

Dartford
(WWDWWW) 		    Braintree Town
(WLWWWW)		    
Welling United H 5-1 Hampton and Richmond A 3-0
Weymouth H 3-0 Welling United H 4-1
Slough Town A 2-1 Eastbourne Borough A 2-1
St Albans City A 1-1 Worthing H 2-1
Tonbridge Angels H 2-0 Dover Athletic A 1-3
Dulwich Hamlet A 2-1 St Albans City H 1-0

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 0 – 1 Braintree Town (02/05/2022 – National South)
Braintree Town 2 – 2 Dartford (28/12/2021 – National South)
Braintree Town 2 – 1 Dartford (09/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Braintree Town (24/08/2019 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Braintree Town (06/05/2018 – National South Playoff)
Dartford 1 – 1 Braintree Town (23/12/2017 – National South)

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just once in their last 12 games against Braintree Town (D4, L7)
  • The Darts have gone 13 games without a clean sheet against the Iron
  • The Iron have kept eight clean sheets versus Dartford, in half of the games they have played the Darts.

On This Day

Dartford led twice to win against Hampton and Richmond Borough three years ago. Ky Marsh-Brown opened the scoring, but minutes later Tyrone Lewthwaite levelled for the Beavers. Elliott Romain won a penalty, picked himself up and netted from the spot to grab the winner. The Darts suffered heavy F.A Cup first round defeats in consecutive seasons on this day, both at Princes Park. In 2016, Dartford pegged National League side Sutton United back three times with two goals from Elliot Bradbrook and one from Duane Ofori-Acheampong. However, the Darts ran out of steam as the U’s rattled in three without reply in the final half an hour to win 6-3. A year later, Dartford were outclassed by League Two side Swindon Town losing 5-1, Richard Sho-Silva scoring the consolation goal. Other big scores on 5 November include Dartford’s 5-1 win over Aveley in 2005 at Stonebridge Road and a 6-2 Kent League Cup triumph against Greenwich Borough in 1994. The Darts were also on the end of an 8-0 reverse at Cambridge City in 1960.

Dartford v Welling United

November 1, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dartford could move to the top of the table if they win their rescheduled Kent derby against Welling United on Tuesday night.

The Darts moved to within two points of league leaders and local rivals Ebbsfleet United on the weekend extending their unbeaten run in the National South to nine. Victory will guarantee top spot for at least 24 hours and the Darts will remain at the summit if Havant and Waterlooville inflict a first defeat of the season on Ebbsfleet United on Wednesday evening.

Dartford are seven without defeat against the Wings and eight unbeaten at Princes Park in all competitions. However, Welling United will desperately want to undo that record with a win, potentially moving back in to the playoff places.

Fortunes have changed for Alan Dowson’s side, when this fixture was scheduled originally the Darts had just lost a fourth league game in five. Whilst, Welling United were in sixth place having won four of their last five. The form table has turned for Dartford as they have not lost in the league since the defeat at Chippenham Town in early September. In the opposite dugout Welling United boss, Warren Feeney has seen just two victories since the 5-0 triumph versus Oxford City, beating Eastbourne Borough before going six without a win until the weekend when they beat Hungerford Town.

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Highlights – Dartford v Weymouth (29/10/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Dowson made two changes to the side that beat Slough Town a week ago when they faced bottom side Weymouth on Saturday. Tom Bonner returned after be rested as a precaution, the captain took the place of Keiran Murtagh. Whilst the match winner in the 2-1 win over Slough Town, Pierre Fonkeu started ahead of Marvin Herschel. The Darts secured a ninth league win in eleven with a 3-0 victory over the Terras. Joshua Johnson scored from a delightful long range effort on his home debut and Alex Wall came off the bench to claim a brace and double his tally for the season in all competitions. The fourth consecutive league victory at home was also Dartford’s biggest score this term.

The Darts boss stated that the performance was “alright”, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and said: “It was a good win with three goals, but I don’t think it was that margin to be honest”, he added: “We were probably losing them games earlier on the season, but it was just alright”. Looking ahead to the Tuesday evening derby, Dowson commented: “They have a decent team on paper, but we have as well so we look forward to the game. A local derby and it’s only round the corner, it’s what you’re here for really. That’s the games I like and I’m sure the players like it and we’re in a good position. We look forward to the game”.

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Inetrview – Alan Dowson’s views after the win against Weymouth – Dartford FC TV

Dartford did the league double over the Wings last term and knocked them out of the Kent Senior Cup on penalties. At Princes Park, the Darts had to show their character to come from behind twice after Afolabi Akinyemi scored both of Welling United’s goals. Marcus Dinanga netted his first for the Darts to make it all square at 1-1 and Danny Leonard restored parity after Dartford fell behind again. Luke Allen enjoyed this fixture last season scoring the third at home, the midfielder also found the net at Park View Road. Dinanga went on to complete the 4-2 win with his second of the afternoon.

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Highlights – Dartford v Welling United (05/02/2022) – courtesy of Dartford FC TV

It was much more convincing earlier in the season when Dartford recorded an impressive away victory. Azeez scored a brace against his future employers and Allen also scored twice. Noor Husin and Leonard were the other scorers that day in a resounding 6-0 win. Towards the end of the campaign the two sides were drawn against each other in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final. Again, Welling United led with both goals from Henry Burnett, but Jordan Greenidge and Jake Robinson last minute penalty forced spot kicks which the Darts won 5-3.

Several players are likely to face their old team in this local derby. Statham signed for the Darts this summer from Welling United, whilst Kristian Campbell moved from Park View Road to Princes Park during last season. Charlie Sheringham scored 19 in 39 games way back in 2008/2009 for Welling United before his first spell with Dartford in 2010/2011. Goalkeeper, Dan Wilks was also at Welling United previously, but an ankle injury means he has not played since late August.

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Highlights – Welling United v Dartford (25/09/2021) – courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Meanwhile, Ade Azeez who scored 18 times for Dartford last season is now part of the Wings strike force and returns to Princes Park for the first time. The forward has scored seven league goals so far this campaign including a hat-trick against Oxford City. Rob Howard had a brief spell on loan in late 2019 making seven appearances, he could also face his former club.

The Wings have had a reliable start to their campaign, but have yet to taste victory against a side in the current top six. Welling United picked up one point in their opening two fixtures then went on a solid run of five wins in six outings. A number of draws, including stalemates in Kent derbies against Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet United as well as at home to high fliers Havant and Waterlooville, and defeats against St Albans City and Braintree Town has seen the Wings drop out of the playoffs.

However, the Wings were back to winning ways on Saturday beating Hungerford Town 1-0 at Park View Road. Devonte Aransibia’s penalty was decisive and despite Amadou Kassarate’s late sending off Welling United held on. Despite what Feeney called a ‘flat’ first-half, the Wings dominated in the second forty five but only managed one goal. The Wings boss spoke to www.wellingunited.com post match ahead of their clash with the Darts and said: “We respect everyone we play, but for me it is just another game of football. It’s a local derby but we have got to make sure we take confidence from today (win against Hungerford Town) and give the fans something to cheer about”.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 24 / Welling United wins: 10 / Draws: 11

Current League Form

Dartford
(WWWDWW) 		    Welling United
(DDLDLW)		    
Weymouth H 3-0 Hungerford Town H 1-0
Slough Town A 2-1 Braintree Town A 1-4
St Albans City A 1-1 Ebbsfleet United A 1-1
Tonbridge Angels H 2-0 St Albans City H 0-2
Dulwich Hamlet A 2-1 Hampton and Richmond A 1-1
Hungerford Town H 2-0 Dover Athletic H 1-1

Last Six Meetings

Welling United 2 – 2 Dartford (26/04/2022 – Kent Senior Cup)*
Dartford 4 – 2 Welling United (05/02/2022 – National South)
Welling United 0 – 6 Dartford (25/09/2021 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 2 Welling United (06/02/2021 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 0 Welling United (01/01/2020 – National South)
Welling United 0 – 3 Dartford (26/12/2019 – National South)
* Dartford won 5-3 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have lost just one of their last 17 against Welling United in all competitions (W10, D6)
  • The Darts are unbeaten in the last eight games at home against the Wings (W7, D1) in all competitions
  • The Darts have won by an aggregate score of 10-2 against Welling United last season eclipsing the previous best of 7-0 in the 2019/2020 campaign
  • Dartford have kept four clean sheets in the last six league fixtures against Welling United
  • The Wings have only won three times in 21 attempts when visiting Dartford (D4, L14)

On This Day

Cody McDonald hit a Princes Park hat-trick in the F.A Trophy on this day in 2008. The striker still didn’t end up on the winning team though as the Darts drew 3-3 with Oxford City. Dartford have to go back to 1975 for their last victory on 1 November. Months after visiting Wembley in the F.A Trophy final they returned to the area to beat Wembley 1-0 in a F.A Cup fourth qualifying round tie. Since then, the Darts have drawn three and lost two on this day. The last time Dartford played on 1 November was eight years ago when they fell to a 3-0 away defeat at Grimsby Town in the National League.

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