Month: April 2023

Hampton and Richmond Borough v Dartford

April 27, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Pressure is off for Dartford for one weekend only as they take on Hampton and Richmond Borough in the final league game of the season.

The Darts secured the runners up spot crowning their final home game of the regular season with a win. Victory earned Alan Dowson’s side home advantage in the playoffs and a bye into the semi-finals which starts next weekend. The Dartford boss used to manage Hampton and Richmond Borough and his success there will see him welcomed back to the Beveree. The Middlesex club can finish as high as sixteenth in the division with all three points.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Hampton & Richmond Borough (24/09/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Marvin Herschel scored on his debut in the reverse fixture back in September and it turned out to be the match winner. However, it was Charlie Sheringham that made an impact by scoring and assisting after coming on as a substitute. After Carruthers and Luke Allen combined, Sheringham was sent through and slotted home the opener. The striker then set up Herschel nine minutes later to see Dartford go two up with 18 minutes to play. Searching for a first home clean sheet of the season, the Darts were unable to hold out when Jake Gray fired past Joe Young. Last time at the Beveree, Carruthers made his Dartford debut last season and found himself on the winning the side. Marcus Dinanga scored the only goal of the game just over a year ago.

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Match Highlights – Hampton & Richmond Borough v Dartford (26/03/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Dowson will need to decide on whether to rest players or maintain the side that beat St Albans City at Princes Park last Saturday. The Darts suffered a disappointing defeat on the road just two days earlier against relegation threatened Concord Rangers but bounced back with a hard fought 2-1 win against the Saints. Four changes were made to the side with Jordan Wynter, Richard Chin, Luke Allen and Samir Carruthers returning to the starting eleven, the latter returning from injury and making an early impact against St Albans City. Striker Alex Wall who returned from injury against Concord Rangers as a substitute only to be substituted in the same game was out on the weekend as well as former Hampton and Richmond Borough defender Tommy Block.

Saturday’s win was a good test for what is to come in a weeks’ time as the Darts could be facing last weekends opponents again. Chin had an excellent afternoon and the loanee set up Carruthers for his tenth goal of the season. The Darts had an advantage after just three minutes and had to hold firm as the first-half progressed. It took until the 72nd minute for St Albans City to equalise with one of the best goals scored at Princes Park from an opposing side. Shaun Jeffers acrobatically struck the ball beyond Ben Dudzinski for yet another goal against the Darts. Luke Coulson and Pierre Fonkeu started from the substitute’s bench and the pair made an impact five minutes after St Albans City equalised. Coulson’s free-kick was saved by Dylan Berry and Fonkeu pounced to net the winner, his tenth league goal of the campaign.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v St Albans City (22/04/2023) – Dartford FC TV

Dartford’s form has been sketchy to say the least as they approach the playoffs, they have alternated between wins and losses for the last nine games. Whilst they have suffered late defeats to Chelmsford City, Taunton Town and Concord Rangers as well as the reverse at Eastbourne Borough, the Darts also beat Farnborough, Dulwich Hamlet, recorded their sixth and seventh Kent derby wins of the season against Dover Athletic and Tonbridge Angels respectively and overcame St Albans City.

Hampton and Richmond Borough were heading for a relegation battle in February compounded by a heavy defeat to Ebbsfleet United. A month earlier Gary McCann departed and Mel Gwinnett was appointed as boss. The new man couldn’t buy a win in his first six games in charge, but the Beavers rallied and swam to safety showing excellent form throughout March in particular. After the 6-2 reverse against the Fleet, Hampton and Richmond Borough won eight of their next eleven fixtures beating the sides down at the bottom such as Dulwich Hamlet, Cheshunt, Dover Athletic and Hungerford Town. Keeping their cool during those six pointers lifted the Middlesex club away from the battle at the wrong end of the table with plenty of time to spare.

On Tuesday night, with the shackles off they were beaten for a third away game in a row having been beaten by Chippenham Town and Concord Rangers, although they did win their last home match in between versus Weymouth. A 3-0 reverse at Welling United means the Beavers have now lost three in four, but all the hard work has already been done.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 9 / Hampton and Richmond Borough wins: 5 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Dartford (LWLWLW)			Hampton & Richmond (WWLWLL)
St Albans City	H	2-1	Welling United	A	0-3
Concord Rangers	A	2-3	Concord Rangers	A	0-2
Tonbridge Angels	A	1-0	Weymouth	H	2-1
Taunton Town	H	0-1	Chippenham Town	A	1-2
Dover Athletic	H	2-1	Hungerford Town	H	2-0
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2	Taunton Town	H	3-1

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 2 – 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough (24/09/2022 – National South)
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 – 1 Dartford (26/03/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough (22/01/2022 – National South)
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 – 0 Dartford (10/10/2020 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough (08/02/2020 – National South)
Hampton & Richmond Borough 1 – 2 Dartford (05/11/2019 – National South)

Statistics

Dartford have lost just one of the last 11 against Hampton and Richmond Borough (W6, D4)
The Darts are unbeaten in their last five visits to the Beveree (W3, D2)
Dartford have kept three clean sheets in their last four visits to Hampton and Richmond Borough

On This Day

A dramatic late win down in Poole helped Dartford secure a third-place finish and a bye in the playoffs. Needing to beat Chelmsford City’s result at Hungerford Town, the Darts came from behind to leapfrog the Clarets on the final day. Andy Pugh gave Dartford a lead which was extinguished when Poole Town scored twice through Marvin Brooks and Steve Devlin. Two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game Tom Murphy equalised and with virtually the last kick Lee Noble completed the comeback. The Darts have won their last two on this day and both games were on the road, Tonbridge Angels were beaten 4-2 in the Southern League South back in 2000. Ricky Bennett scored four in a 6-0 win over Faversham Town in 1995. Dartford’s opponents were forced to field a young side after several players had walked out of the club. In a subsequent match, Faversham Town lost 13-0 against Folkestone Invicta.

Dartford v St Albans City

April 21, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford have a tough final home game of the regular season when they host playoff hopefuls St Albans City this weekend.

The Darts will be hoping for another two home matches, but that depends if they can secure second place and make it through to the playoff final next month. A runners up finish will mean a home tie in the semi-final against the side who finishes in either fifth or sixth, that side could be St Albans City. The Saints have a four-point cushion over eighth place with two games remaining.

Victory will bring up 50 points at Princes Park for Dartford this term, who have the second-best home record in the league. St Alban City have fared better on their travels accumulating the second most points on the road. Little separates the two teams and that was the case back in October when they played out a 1-1 draw at Clarence Park. Jack Smith scored his first goal in a Dartford shirt and although it was an easy tap in, the Darts worked the ball forwards swiftly after gaining possession on the halfway line. St Albans City equalised after catching Dartford out with a quick throw in and when the ball fell to Shaun Jeffers, he took an air shot before drilling his second attempt beyond Joe Young. The Darts will have to keep an eye on St Albans City’s top scorer, Jeffers has managed 25 league goals this term and top scored last season with 27.

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Match Highlights – St Albans City v Dartford (22/10/2022) – Dartford FC TV

The prospect of facing St Albans City since Dartford returned to the National South used to be daunting for the Darts, the Saints won five out of six with an aggregate score of 14-2. However, the tide has turned in recent years as Dartford have lost just once in the last seven meetings, winning four of those. The last time the Hertfordshire club came to visit Princes Park was a day shy of a year. Dartford surpassed a century of goals for the season in all competitions and Keiran Murtagh scored his first two for the club. The midfielder’s glancing header from Jack Jebb’s corner set the host on their way, but Jeffers levelled for the Saints. Murtagh put the Darts back ahead when his volley beat goalkeeper, Michael Johnson at the near post. Marcus Dinanga slotted in a third to complete a double over St Albans City after the reverse fixture on the opening day also ended 3-1.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v St Albans City (23/04/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Up until the festive season the Darts were well within a chance of challenging for the National South title. After victories against Havant and Waterlooville then completing a double against local rivals Ebbsfleet United, Dartford were top of the table on New Years Day. Rising to the summit was helped by a run of ten victories and a draw in eleven matches from September to early November. After the fantastic spell over Christmas and New Year, the Darts beat Cheshunt to make it four wins on the bounce, but form has not been that good since. Now the National South title has been sewn up, Dowson’s side are left scrapping for second with Oxford City and Chelmsford City.

On Thursday night the Darts missed an opportunity to go five points clear of the chasers losing 3-2 at Concord Rangers. Only one change was made to the starting eleven after the 1-0 away win at Tonbridge. Luke Allen made way for Pierre Fonkeu. Alex Wall and Charlie Sheringham were named on the bench. Wall had been out with a calf strain picked up against Eastbourne Borough on Good Friday. Although the striker made a ten minute appearance on Thursday he was taken off and may have returned from injury too soon. Sheringham’s injury kept the striker out for over two months and he was introduced later on in the game. Samir Carruthers didn’t feature in the matchday squad and has been recovering since the Easter period, although Dowson did state the midfielder is back training.

Dartford suffered a disappointing defeat in Essex against a Concord Rangers side hoping to pull of a great escape. In a topsy turvy game the hosts went ahead when Lewis Manor scored. Within six minutes the Darts were level and it was Harvey Bradbury yet again with his fifth goal in eight games since joining last month. Dartford edged in front when Sam Odaudu scored his first for the club on his 26th appearance. The Beachboys fought back in the second half, Ben Steward equalised then with two minutes left Manor scored a vital winner for Rob Small’s side.

A second place finish is still in Dartford’s hands but they will most likely need points against St Albans City this weekend. Dowson’s side are two points ahead of their closest challengers Oxford City and Chelmsford City and can still be caught by Worthing.

Dartford (79pts)	Oxford City (77)	Chelmsford (77)	Worthing (72)
St Albans (H)	Havant & W (H)	Hemel (A)	Taunton (A)
			Cheshunt (A)
Hampton & R (A)	Bath (A)	Taunton (H)	Hemel (H)

St Albans City have hit form at the right time to get into the top seven and they hope to stay put. If the Saints can make the playoffs it will be the first time in this division since they won promotion to the National League in 2006. Difficult to beat in the first couple of months of the season, St Albans City were too inconsistent and by the end of October they were in twelfth. However, the Hertfordshire side saw out the rest of 2022 with seven wins from nine, including a 6-0 away trouncing of Hampton and Richmond Borough and into fifth. A mediocre start to the New Year and a difficult February meant the Saints dipped below the dotted line, but they would rise again. Currently David Noble’s side have tasted defeat just once in their last eight outings winning five of those and their last two matches. A 3-0 triumph over Welling United last weekend followed up a 2-1 win at bottom club Concord Rangers and now St Albans City are hoping to stay above that dotted line.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 11 / St Albans City wins: 6 / Draws: 6

Current League Form

Dartford (WLWLWL)			St Albans City (WWDLWW)
Concord Rangers	A	2-3	Welling United	H	3-0
Tonbridge Angels	A	1-0	Concord Rangers	A	2-1
Taunton Town	H	0-1	Braintree Town	H	0-2
Dover Athletic	H	2-1	Chippenham Town	A	1-1
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2	Havant & Waterlooville	H	2-0
Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-0	Dover Athletic	H	1-0

Last Six Meetings

St Albans City 1 – 1 Dartford (22/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 St Albans City (23/04/2022 – National South)
St Albans City 1 – 3 Dartford (14/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 St Albans City (17/11/2020 – National South)
St Albans City 1 – 2 Dartford (07/03/2020 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 St Albans City (06/08/2019 – National South)

Statistics

Dartford have won 50% of their home games against St Albans City in all competitions (W6, D4, L2)
The Darts have gone 13 games without a clean sheet against the Saints stretching back to a 2-0 win in February 2016
Dartford have alternated between wins and losses for their last eight games

On This Day

Two late goals from substitute Tom Murphy turned the final home game of the 2018/2019 season around for the Darts. After finding themselves a goal down at home to Billericay Town, Murphy was introduced and scored in the 88th and 90th minutes to win it for Dartford. Two years earlier, the Darts cruised to a 4-0 triumph over Bishop’s Stortford in the last home league fixture of the 2016/2017 campaign before the playoffs. Andy Pugh and Elliot Bradbrook gave the Darts a commanding 2-0 lead before the break. Duane Ofori-Acheampong and Alfie Pavey added another two in the second-half. Bromley beat the Darts 4-1 at Hayes Lane in 2011 on this day and Danny Harris netted a brace a year earlier in a 2-1 victory over Hendon with the Isthmian Premier League title already secured. Dartford claimed a fourth Kent Senior Cup in five seasons with a 3-2 win over Folkestone back in 1935.

Concord Rangers v Dartford

April 19, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford aim to make their game in hand count against bottom side Concord Rangers on Thursday night as they push to secure second place.

The Darts can extend their lead over Oxford City and Chelmsford City to five points going into the final two games of the season with a consecutive away victory. Dartford put their away day troubles behind them on a weekend that saw the chasing sides pile on the pressure with victories of their own. Dowson’s men have failed to win back to back fixtures on the road since the purple patch in December and into January when they beat Havant and Waterlooville, champions Ebbsfleet United and Cheshunt. Concord Rangers will be on their third game of the week and after Tuesday night’s result have given themselves a glimmer of hope.

Dartford are guaranteed a playoff spot after ending their run of six away games without a win in the league by beating Tonbridge Angels on the weekend. The Darts have now gone unbeaten in Kent derbies after inflicting doubles over champions Ebbsfleet United, Dover Athletic and now Tonbridge Angels, picking up an astonishing 22 points from a maximum of 24, only Welling United managed to take anything from the Darts in the league. However, inconsistent form has seen Dartford alternate between winning and losing for the last seven matches and since the start of February they have not recorded consecutive wins, draws or losses. Heading towards the playoffs now is the time for Dowson and company to find consistency and build momentum.

Malachai Napa was given his first league start in nearly a month and rewarded Alan Dowson’s decision with the only goal of the game. The winger was one of four changes from the side that lost to Taunton Town a week ago. With four games in eight days, the Dartford boss shuffled his side by bringing in Napa, Sam Odaudu, Keiran Murtagh and Jack Smith for Jernade Meade, who has now served his one match suspension, Jordan Wynter, Bobby Dunn and Marvin Herschel.

Tonbridge Angels enjoyed most of the possession throughout the Kent derby, but resolute Dartford defending restricted the hosts. The decisive moment came in the 24th minute when goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski sent a long ball forward which fell to Napa. Breaking through the Angels backline the 23-year- old made sure the Darts took an important lead. Keeping out Tonbridge Angels secured three points and earned Dartford their first away clean sheet since August, a third on the road this season and first in 19 matches in all competitions.

Christian Jolley spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and commented: “I thought the boys were outstanding, to a man they were brilliant, it was a real squad performance. After the week we’ve had and the miles we’ve covered in regard to pitch action we thought it was a really important game to try and get a result. We had to do it differently by being patient and using our energy reserves wisely”.

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

Last time Dartford travelled across the River Thames to take on the Beachboys they lost 1-0 on a cold November evening. Lemar Reynolds scored the decisive goal to separate the two teams. It was just as tight two months later when a goalless draw was played out at Princes Park.

However, the Darts got the better of Concord Rangers earlier this season thanks to the influential Samir Carruthers. The midfielder stood out and opened the scoring in the first half with a deflected effort, but Mo Bettamer levelled the score from the spot just before the break. A neat move in the second-half saw Pierre Fonkeu swivel and shoot beyond goalkeeper Mitch Beeney to regain Dartford’s lead. Maximum points were secured when Dan Wilks’ drop kick found its way to the edge of the Concord Rangers box. A lack of communication between Beeney and Aron Pollock led to the defender passing the ball into his own goal.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Concord Rangers (26/11/2022) – Dartford FC TV

If fit Alex Wall could face his former club, a team he helped reached the F.A Trophy final in May 2021 scoring the winner in the semi-final. The striker had two spells with the Beachboys scoring 32 goals in 53 games. Wall has been back training this week and so has well as Charlie Sheringham, so they could play a part against Concord Rangers. Dowson is also confident midfielder Samir Carruthers can make a return, whilst Jernade Meade returns from suspension. Former Dart, Ricky Modeste could feature for Concord Rangers, the winger only made three appearances for Dartford in the 2020/2021 campaign.

Concord Rangers have lost every game against sides in the top six and have picked up just one point from those in the current top ten. However on Tuesday night they faced a struggling Dover Athletic side a grabbed a crucial three points. Nana Kyei’s cross was finished by Lewis Manor in the only goal of the game leaving the Beachboys nine points from safety with five matches to go.

The heavy end of season schedule could play a huge part in whether the Essex club remain in the division. Last weekend they were comprehensively beaten away at Bath City losing 4-0. That defeat came after a relegation scrap with Hungerford Town in which Concord Rangers won 1-0, and victory over Dover Athletic was just their second in nine outings. The Beachboys need to cram in their final fixtures over the nine days remaining of the season and by the time they take on Dulwich Hamlet it could be a vital six pointer.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Concord Rangers wins: 4 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Dartford (LWLWLW)			Concord Rangers (LLLWLW)
Tonbridge Angels	A	1-0	Dover Athletic	H	1-0
Taunton Town	H	0-1	Bath City	A	0-4
Dover Athletic	H	2-1	Hungerford Town	H	1-0
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2	St Albans City	H	1-2
Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-0	Worthing	A	0-7
Chelmsford City	H	1-2	Taunton Town	A	0-1

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/11/2022 – National South)
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)

Statistics

Dartford have won just one of their last five trips to Concord Rangers (D2, L2).
The Darts have scored once in each of their last five away games.
Tom Bonner made his 450th start for Dartford in the win at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

On This Day

Dartford were defeated in the first leg of the Southern League Cup final on this day in 1988. The reliable Peter Taylor missed a penalty as Bromsgrove Rovers won 3-1 giving the Darts a mammoth task, only two teams had ever overturned a two goal deficit in the Southern League Cup final before. Six days later and despite another miss from the spot, Dartford won 3-0 in the second leg with goals from Garry Britnell, Kurt Davidson and Colin Johnson handing the cup to the Darts. It wasn’t so glorious in Dartford’s last away trip on 20 April, they lost 6-0 down in Eastbourne four years ago.

Tonbridge Angels v Dartford

April 14, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford are back on the road this weekend when they make the short trip to Tonbridge Angels in their final Kent derby of the season.

The Darts are just one win away from securing a playoff place which they failed to do on Thursday night after a home loss against Taunton Town. A third defeat in five leaves Dartford just short of their target and under pressure to maintain their position in second place. Alan Dowson’s side could end up taking on Tonbridge Angels if their opponents make the top seven, they are currently just three points adrift and unbeaten in their last three home matches.

Kent derbies have yielded an impressive 19 points from a possible 21 for the Darts this season with only Welling United taking anything from the Darts. Earlier in the campaign goals from Samir Carruthers and Pierre Fonkeu earned Dartford a 2-0 home win over the Angels. Carruthers has been pivotal this term with his creativity, but the midfielder’s injury against Eastbourne Borough on Good Friday looks to have put him out for the rest of the campaign. The 30-year-old scored direct from a corner in the reverse fixture back in October at Princes Park and was involved in the second goal as well. Flicking on a header for Charlie Sheringham, who had his shot saved only to see Fonkeu scramble the ball over the line.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Tonbridge Angels (15/10/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Sheringham is another on the treatment table after his rib injury picked up against Chippenham Town in February, Tommy Block is not likely to feature this term and Jernade Meade will be suspended. Alex Wall was rested on Easter Monday after picking up a calf strain, the striker was left out again on Thursday night. Captain, Tom Bonner could make his 450th start for the club this weekend.

Dowson made three changes on Thursday night against Taunton Town to the side that beat Dover Athletic with a late Luke Allen strike on Easter Monday. The midfielder was rewarded by being selected, Bobby Dunn made his first start since joining the Darts and Marvin Herschel made his first league appearance since October. Dropping to the bench, Richard Chin, Jack Smith and Fonkeu were on standby. The visitors started the better and saw Ollie Chamberlain strike the woodwork before Nat Jarvis tapped in the rebound only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The Darts responded when they hit the post after Allen’s teasing cross and later in the first-half his shot came off the crossbar. Very little happened in the second forty five until Taunton Town’s Cameron Evans netted a winner with three minutes to go.

Home advantage in the playoffs could be crucial for the Darts, especially having failed to win away from home since the beginning of January, a run of six league games. Dartford let a lead slip against Eastbourne Borough and picked up just one point out of the two games versus Hungerford Town and Weymouth, both sides in the relegation zone. The point at Braintree Town in February was creditable considering the Iron were in form at the time and the Darts showed character to comeback twice at Welling United. A poor performance at Worthing started the barren spell on the road, which Dowson and company will be keen to end on Saturday.

Tonbridge Angels have only lost once at home against teams above them in the table, but Dartford’s last visit to Longmead finished in an entertaining 3-2 victory. Danny Leonard set the Darts on their way scoring a brace in the opening twenty minutes. However, Tommy Wood halved the deficit and after the Darts restored a two-goal cushion through Jack Jebb, the Angels added a consolation through Ibrahim Olutade.

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Match Highlights – Tonbridge Angels v Dartford (29/01/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Manager, Jay Saunders has turned Tonbridge Angels into a team challenging for the playoffs after the club finished 16th last season. The postponement of the Farnborough game on Easter Monday means the Angels last played on Good Friday when they drew 1-1 with Hemel Hempstead Town. Former Dartford striker, Jordan Greenidge wasn’t allowed to play against his parent club, but he will be available on Saturday.

At this level Greenidge is a goal threat having netted six in eight games for the Darts last season. This term the striker has scored 16 times in 23 appearances for Tonbridge Angels and four in 15 with Hemel Hempstead Town. The Darts could do with Meade’s knowledge of the striker having spent time with the Tudors earlier this term, he will also know all about Craig Braham-Barrett as he linked up with the defender on international duty for Montserrat last month. Braham-Barrett is another former Dart who spent two seasons at Princes Park making 29 appearances.

Since the New Year’s Day defeat at Welling United, the Angels have shown solid form in 2023. They have only lost three of their last 17 league fixtures and two of were away against Chelmsford City and Oxford City, the two sides chasing the Darts for that second place finish. In that time they picked up their fourth point versus champions Ebbsfleet United with a 1-1 draw racked up eight victories. Over the past month if they could have turned a few draws into wins then they would be in that top seven.

On Good Friday, Joe Turner opened the scoring with a decent finish past ex Dartford goalkeeper Craig King in the Hemel Hempstead Town goal. However, the lead lasted less than ten minutes when Josh Castiglione equalised as the spoils were shared. It was Tonbridge Angels’ third draw in five having earned a point at home to Ebbsfleet United and another away at Havant and Waterlooville. Prior their match over Easter, the Angels were involved in plenty of goals clinging on to beat Hungerford Town 4-3 before being on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat at Oxford City.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 71 / Tonbridge Angels wins: 38 / Draws: 25

Current League Form

Dartford (WLWLWL)			Tonbridge Angels (WDDWLD)
Taunton Town	H	0-1	Hemel Hempstead Town	H	1-1
Dover Athletic	H	2-1	Oxford City	A	0-4
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2	Hungerford Town	H	4-3
Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-0	Havant & Waterlooville	A	1-1
Chelmsford City	H	1-2	Ebbsfleet United	H	1-1
Farnborough	H	3-1	Eastbourne Borough	A	2-1

Previous Meeting

Dartford 2 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (15/10/2022 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 2 – 3 Dartford (29/01/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Tonbridge Angels (11/09/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (05/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (28/12/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 3 – 2 Dartford (03/09/2019 – National South)

Statistics

Dartford have lost just one of the last 15 games against Tonbridge Angels (W12, D2)
The Darts have won five of the last six away matches against the Angels (W5, L1)
Dartford are winless in seven consecutive away matches in all competitions (D3, L4). The last time they went eight games without an away win in a single season was in 2013/2014 (D4, L11)

On This Day

Dartford have won their last three on this day including the 2-0 win at Billericay Town a year ago. Second-half strikes from Jebb and Marcus Dinanga was enough to beat the side who ended up relegated at the end of the season. That was also one of three consecutive away clean sheets on 15 April. In 2010, the Darts romped to a 4-0 victory at Waltham Abbey. Goals by James White, Lee Noble, Carl Rook and Lee Burns helped Dartford add another three points in their Isthmian Division One North title winning campaign. A 0-0 draw at Tunbridge Wells in a 1995 Kent League fixture was the other clean sheet on the road. Dartford last conceded on the road on this day in 1989 against Macclesfield Town and they managed it four times in the F.A Trophy semi-final second leg. The reverse fixture ended 0-0 at Watling Street, but the Silkmen stopped Peter Taylor’s side heading to Wembley winning 4-1 on aggregate. However, Dartford did lift some silverware on 15 April back in 1939 when they beat Northfleet United 4-0 in the Kent Senior Shield final.

Dartford v Taunton Town

April 12, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford can secure a playoff place with a win in their penultimate home game of the regular season against Taunton Town on Thursday night.

With a top seven spot all but guaranteed, the Darts are aiming to finish second to earn them home advantage in the playoffs and a bye into the semi-final. A third home win in four on Easter Monday in the Kent derby against Dover Athletic edged Alan Dowson’s side closer to their target. Taunton Town have hit good form winning three on the bounce to virtually make sure they will be playing National South football next season.

Dartford are two points ahead of closest rivals Oxford City with two games in hand and five to play. Three more wins will make sure the Darts claim second and keep the rest of the playoff contenders at bay. So Dowson’s men will be eager to avoid double defeat against Taunton Town who won the reverse fixture back in August.

Eight months ago, Davide Rodari scored the opener at Wordsworth Drive even though he looked second best when he chasing down Sam Odaudu’s long ball, but a mix up at the back between goalkeeper Jack Bycroft and centre half Dan Ball allowed Rodari to get between the pair, round the keeper and slot into an empty net. Another long ball caused problems with 15 minutes to go, this time for the Darts. Tom Bonner was caught out and substitute Dave Sims-Burgess took advantage to equalise. Then four minutes later another sub won it for the Peacocks, Ross Stearn poked home from close range.

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Highlights – Taunton Town v Dartford (20/08/2022) – courtesy of Dartford FC TV

On Monday, Dowson made one change following the 2-1 Good Friday defeat at Eastbourne Borough. Striker, Alex Wall picked up a calf strain during the loss in Sussex meaning Pierre Fonkeu was selected in the Kent derby against Dover Athletic. Wall joined an injury list which already included Charlie Sheringham, Samir Carruthers and Tommy Block. Despite Jernade Meade’s red card at Eastbourne, the full back will not start his suspension until Saturday against Tonbridge Angels.

Harvey Bradbury helped Dartford on their way to a sixth Kent derby win in the National League after just five minutes. The striker capitalised on a defensive mix up to score for the second game in a row, his fourth in five appearances since joining the club. Bradbury had the ball in the back of the net again, but his effort was ruled out for offiside. From that moment Dover Athletic gained control and before the first-half was out Jordan Higgs equalised. The Darts got to grips with proceedings in the second-half and with seven minutes to go substitute Luke Allen finished superbly to win it for the hosts.

Taunton Town have been playing catch up after a series of postponements throughout the season. The Peacocks now have a heavy fixture list and their trip to Princes Park will be their fifth game in April out of ten scheduled. At the beginning of the month a modest points total had the Somerset side looking like they would be involved in a relegation battle, however realistically having played fewer matches they were really in a false league position. Five wins in seven has seen Rob Dray’s team on the verge of securing National South football for only their second ever season. Taunton Town need just four points from their remaining six fixtures.

Over Easter, one of the tightest defences in the division kept a consecutive clean sheet on Good Friday. Following a 1-0 win against bottom side Concord Rangers in which Lee Lucas netted the winner, the Peacocks kept out Bath City in a 2-0 victory. It took the Somerset club 76 minutes to break the deadlock when Cameron Evans scored from close range. Victory was secured with eight minutes on the clock, Dylan Morgan finishing from just inside the penalty box.

Dray was forced to make two changes for the Easter Monday clash with Slough Town. Suspensions to Lucas and Nat Jarvis meant Nick McCootie and Morgan were handed starts. Jarvis will be available to return against the Darts, but Lucas still has two games to serve. A last minute winner was enough for the Peacocks to claim a 2-1 victory. The hosts took the lead from a corner headed in by Jake Wannell. Slough Town hit back on the stroke of half-time when Matt Lench levelled. Then during second-half injury Morgan grabbed a winner for Taunton Town.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 0 / Taunton Town wins: 1 / Draws: 0

Current League Form

Dartford (DWLWLW)			Taunton Town (WLLWWW)
Dover Athletic	H	2-1	Slough Town	H	2-1
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2	Bath City	A	2-0
Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-0	Concord Rangers	H	1-0
Chelmsford City	H	1-2	Ebbsfleet United	H	0-1
Farnborough	H	3-1	Hampton & Richmond	A	1-3
Hungerford Town	A	1-1	Braintree Town	A	2-0

Previous Meeting

Taunton Town 2 – 1 Dartford (20/08/2022 – National South)

Statistics

The Darts have won all ten home games against sides currently 14th and below in the league, Taunton Town are 15th.
Dartford have conceded one fewer than the best defence in the league. Taunton Town have conceded the fewest goals (44) in the division, joint with champions Ebbsfleet United.
The Darts have not gone three unbeaten at home in the league since their eight game winning streak from 24 September 2022 to 26 November 2022

On This Day

Paul Sawyer lifted the Kent Senior Trophy on this day in 1996 after the Darts beat Chatham Town 3-0 in the final. Dean Bowey, Ricky Bennett and Sean Bristow all scored at Park View Road to give Tony Burman’s black and white army some deserved silverware. Dartford’s last outing on 13 April was four years ago and ended in defeat at Princes Park. Nat Jarvis and Nick McCootie, now of Taunton Town were in the Chippenham Town side that won 1-0. Defeat in 2019 ended a three game winning streak on this day without conceding a goal. In 2009, Lee Noble, Adam Flanagan, Rob Haworth and Ryan Hayes all scored in a 4-0 win over Canvey Island in the Isthmian Premier League. A year later in the same division Allan Tait scored the only goal of the game against Harrow Borough and in 2013, Charlie Sheringham netted the winner as the Darts beat Stockport County 1-0 in the National League.

Dartford v Dover Athletic

April 9, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford’s quest for securing a runner up spot continues this Easter Monday in their final home Kent derby of the season against rivals Dover Athletic.

In league competition, the Darts have fared extremely well in local derbies this term dropping just two points from their six so far and winning all three at Princes Park. In their last home game, Dartford bounced back from defeat with a resounding 4-0 victory over Dulwich Hamlet before travelling away to Eastbourne Borough on Good Friday. Dover Athletic look set to be playing National South football again next season, their last away trip saw the Whites end a four game losing streak before hosting Welling United.

Down in Sussex, the Darts fell to another away defeat in the league stretching their winless streak on the road to six. Yet it all looked good at by the end of the first half when Harvey Bradbury gave the Darts a 1-0 lead. The striker headed in his third goal for the club in four appearances. However the afternoon soon unravelled early in the second half when Eastbourne Borough scored twice in as many minutes. First Leone Gravata pounced to level, then Luke Pearce put the hosts ahead. The task was hard enough to mount a comeback after hat-trick hero from the Dulwich Hamlet win, Alex Wall was taken off in the first-half and things were to get worse at 2-1 down. Jernade Meade was already on a caution before another incident saw the defender pick up another resulting in his dismissals. To compound matters after Dowson had used up all his substitutes, Samir Carruthers was injured leaving the Darts with nine men. Early player news is that Wall has a calf strain, whilst Carruthers could be out for the rest of the season.

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Match Highlights – Eastbourne Borough v Dartford (07/04/2023) – Dartford FC TV

Meanwhile, Dover Athletic kept a clean sheet on Good Friday but were unable to breach Welling United’s defence in a goalless Kent derby at the Crabble. The hosts enjoyed the better chances in a fairly even fixture which failed to produce any clear cut opportunities for either side. Although the draw followed up an excellent 3-1 away win at Braintree Town, the Whites have now failed to score in their last four home outings.

Back in September, the Darts won their first Kent derby of the campaign winning 3-1 at the Crabble. All the goals came before the break with the returning Samir Carruthers scoring a well-crafted opener. Luke Coulson was also back in the starting eleven on that Tuesday night and his selection was justified when he chipped in a second, the winger had already set up Carruthers for the first. A productive 18-minute spell ended when Maxwell Statham put Dartford out of sight. However, the hosts managed to pull one back through Luke Baptiste.

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Match Highlights – Dover Athletic v Dartford (13/09/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Dartford have now won their last three against their opponents stretching back to December 2016. That game came in the first round of the F.A Trophy and after a 1-1 draw at Princes Park, in which Ronnie Vint equalised, the two sides faced each other again in a replay. Vint was at it again three days later at the Crabble scoring the leveller after Jim Stevenson had the hosts in front. This time the Darts managed to find a winner when Luke Wanadio curled home a low shot, the winger who had three spells with the Darts is now at Dover Athletic. Wanadio came close to reaching 100 Dartford appearances needing just one more game before leaving and scored 18 times for the club.

Last season, the Darts began their defence of the Kent Senior Cup against the Whites winning a second round tie in March 2022. Jordan Greenidge scored twice on his debut to send Dartford on their way and like this season Baptiste scored a consolation goal. Princes Park last hosted a league game versus Dover Athletic during the 2014/2015 National League campaign. Lining up against the Darts in September 2014 was central defensive pairing Connor Essam and Tom Bonner, whilst Tyrone Sterling was also in the starting eleven for the Whites.

Essam had three loan and two permanent spells with Dover Athletic making 151 appearances for the club in total, chipping in with nine goals. Bonner was on loan at the Crabble between August 2014 and January 2015 and played 22 times for the Whites. Sterling is currently in his third spell at Dover Athletic and during the 2013/2014 campaign made 36 appearances in the National League for the Darts. To complete the list of former players Emmanuel Adebowale played just three times over a two-year period between 2017 and 2019 for Dover Athletic.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 15 / Dover Athletic wins: 11 / Draws: 12

Current League Form

Dartford (LDWLWL)			Dover Athletic (LLLLWD)
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2	Welling United	H	0-0
Dulwich Hamlet	H	4-0	Braintree Town	A	3-1
Chelmsford City	H	1-2	St Albans City	A	0-1
Farnborough	H	3-1	Hampton & Richmond	H	0-3
Hungerford Town	A	1-1	Chippenham Town	A	1-3
Weymouth	A	1-3	Cheshunt	H	0-3

Last Six Meetings

Dover Athletic 1 – 3 Dartford (13/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (08/03/2022 – Kent Senior Cup)
Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (13/12/2016 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/12/2016 – F.A Trophy)
Dover Athletic 6 – 1 Dartford (17/01/2015 – National League)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (16/09/2014 – National League)

Statistics

Dartford have lost just once in the league at home versus Dover Athletic (W4, D4)
The Darts have won the last three league games at home against the Whites with an aggregate score of 9-2
Tom Bonner has now made 450 Dartford appearances (447 starts, 3 substitute appearances and 19 goals)
Dartford have gained the most points in Kent derbies this season, Dover Athletic have picked up the fewest

	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Dartford	6	5	1	0	20	5	16
Tonbridge	7	3	1	3	10	8	10
Welling	7	2	4	1	8	10	10
Ebbsfleet	7	2	2	3	9	13	8
Dover	7	0	2	5	4	15	2

On This Day

Dartford clinched the Isthmian Premier League title to return to the second tier of non-league football on this day in 2010. Travelling across to Surrey to take on second place Kingstonian, the Darts were in jubilant mood after a memorable 6-2 win. A team goal had Dartford in front when Adam Gross, Ryan Hayes, Billy Burgess linked up before his cross was finished by Elliot Bradbrook. Eight minutes later Hayes rifled home an effort from 25 yards before Kingstonian’s Simon Huckle halved the deficit. The Darts went into the break with a 3-1 lead once Danny Harris headed in another. The goals kept coming and Bradbrook scored into an empty net for his second, then once more the K’s pulled one back courtesy of the eventual golden boot winner Bobby Traynor. The soon to be champions added further gloss to a perfect afternoon when Hayes completed his brace and Dartford’s top scorer Lee Burns made it 6-2. The Darts have won their last four games on this day, defeating King’s Lynn 1-0 in 2004 before the title clincher at Kingsmeadow. At Princes Park in 2014, Dartford beat Grimsby Town with Max Cornhill scoring the only goal of the game. Another four years later, Dartford repeated the same score at Gloucester City, this time Alfie Pavey netting the winner.

Month: April 2023

Hampton and Richmond Borough v Dartford

Dartford v St Albans City

Concord Rangers v Dartford

Tonbridge Angels v Dartford

Dartford v Taunton Town

Dartford v Dover Athletic

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