Month: December 2023

Dartford end the year at home to local rivals Welling United in the National South this weekend.

Just four days since their Boxing Day clash both sides are looking to pick up vital points in the league. Dartford’s inconsistent campaign can go a variety of ways in a tight division. Optimistic in chasing a playoff place, the Darts are hoping to move up the table. Welling United have the same ambitions, but victory for them will help them in their current relegation battle.

The Darts edged the Boxing Day clash thanks to Richard Chin’s third goal of the season. Alan Dowson made two changes to the side that collapsed against St Albans City in their last home game. In came Paul Rooney and Luke Allen to replace Jordan Wynter and Harvey Bradbury. At Park View Road, in a poor first half there wasn’t much between the two sides, the hosts just about the better team. However, Dartford approached the second-half with much more energy and were rewarded just before the hour. George Alexander was put through on goal, but his effort was saved. Chin kept pace and he stroked home the rebound into an empty net.

The first away clean sheet since August helped Dartford to three important points. Victory moved them up five places into thirteenth. Meanwhile, Welling United remain in the relegation zone eight points from safety.

Ahead of Dartford’s final game of 2023, Dowson has re-signed midfielder Jack Smith. The 22 year-old returns after a spell with National North side King’s Lynn Town. He made 35 appearances whilst on loan with the Darts last season scoring four goals.

In Kent derbies Dowson had excelled, winning nine of his first ten in league. Welling United were the only team to stop the Darts with a draw, until defeat at Tonbridge Angels a fortnight ago. The unbeaten Kent derby run in the National South ended emphatically when Dartford were handsomely beaten by the Angels. However, Dartford do have an excellent record in league competition against the Wings.

Yet it was Danny Bloor’s side who won last time out at Princes Park when they met in September. For a second season in a row the Darts exited the F.A Cup at the first hurdle. Antony Papadopoulos was Welling United’s hat-trick hero as the Wings came to Princes Park and won 3-2. Dartford twice took the lead through Lewis Manor. However, Papadopoulos had the answer to send Dowson’s side out of the competition.

Dartford last hosted Welling United in the National South just over a year ago when they were on a crest of a wave. During Dowson’s best spell since his appointment, they won 5-1. Racing into a three-goal lead before the break Pierre Fonkeu, Davide Rodari and former Wing, Maxwell Statham scored the goals to put Dartford well in command. Former Dart, Ade Azeez pulled a goal back for the visitors, but the advantage was later stretched when Jack Smith and Luke Coulson wrapped up a fine display.

The reverse fixture saw the Darts twice go a goal down to come away with a point. George Alexander, now on loan at Dartford scored for the Wings to open the scoring. It took a while for the away team to get going and they were level through another former Wing, Charlie Sheringham. The hosts went back ahead after Ade Azeez smashed a shot in off the underside of the crossbar against his old side, but Malachi Napa confidently finished to level the match at 2-2.

Former players facing their old side is common in this fixture and this term it’s no different. As well as Sheringham, Statham and Alexander, Harvey Bradbury also had a spell at Park View Road. The striker spent some of the 2020/2021 campaign with Welling United scoring twice in eight appearances. Lining up against Dartford could be goalkeeper Charles-Cook and full back Rob Howard. Both spent a short amount of time with the Darts, Charles Cook made nine appearances and Howard seven.

Welling United had a terrible start to their campaign with an opening day thrashing at newly promoted Truro City. The Wings went on to lose their first four matches before getting their first victories. Incredibly Welling United went on a ten-match winless streak involving seven draws. An entertaining 4-3 win at home to Slough Town ended that run before a 4-1 reverse to Braintree Town. Bloor’s side shocked league leaders Yeovil Town with a 4-1 home triumph a month ago, but they are still in need of points as they approach the New Year. One point in their last five outings and no goals in the last three has put the Wings under more pressure.

League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 26 / Welling United wins: 11 / Draws: 12

Previous Meetings

Welling United 0 – 1 Dartford (26/12/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 3 Welling United (15/09/2023 – F.A Cup)
Welling United 2 – 2 Dartford (04/02/2023 – National South)
Dartford 5 – 1 Welling United (01/11/2022 – National South)
Welling United 2 – 2 Dartford (26/04/2022 – Kent Senior Cup)*
Dartford 4 – 2 Welling United (05/02/2022 – National South)
* – Welling United won 5-3 on penalties

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten in nine league games against Welling United (W7, D2)
• At home, the Darts have taken 22 out of the last 24 points available versus the Wings (W7, D1) and have only ever lost one league match to Welling United in December 2013 (W10, D2)
• Dartford have lost just one in the last 17 league matches against Welling United (W11, D5)

On This Day

It’s been 15 years since Dartford played on 30 December. The Darts ended 2008 with a win at Ramsgate, Jamie Day scoring the only goal in the Isthmian Premier League contest. At Princes Park, two years earlier Ryan Hayes scored twice in a 4-2 victory over Whyteleafe. Ryan Briggs and Brendon Cass also netted in the Isthmian Division One South fixture. In 1989, Dartford also defeated Crawley Town 2-0 in the Southern Premier League at Watling Street. Another win to close 2023 will make it four in a row on this day.

Dartford’s last game on the road this year takes place on Boxing Day when they visit local rivals Welling United in the National South.

The Darts’ last Kent derby ended Alan Dowson’s near perfect league record against fellow county opponents. Prior defeat at Tonbridge Angels, the Wings were the only Kent side to have taken points from Dartford since Dowson’s appointment in a draw ten months ago.

In that game, Welling United had the better of the first half with former Dart, Ade Azeez hitting the post. Just before the break George Alexander, now at Dartford scored on his Wings debut. A better second half showing for the Darts saw Charlie Sheringham equalise against his former club. However, the hosts were back in front when Azeez smashed a shot in off the underside of the crossbar. The points were shared when substitute Malachai Napa made an impact by curling home the equaliser.

Dartford were dominant in the reverse fixture last season. At Princes Park the Darts ran out 5-1 winners. Pierre Fonkeu and Davide Rodari scored to set up a fine performance for the hosts. Former Welling United defender added a third before half-time. Azeez may have pulled a goal back for the visitors, but Jack Smith and Luke Coulson wrapped up a resounding victory.

Boxing Day will be the second time Dowson’s side have faced Welling United this term. The pair were drawn out in the F.A Cup second qualifying round three months ago. The Wings progressed with a 3-2 win and their first triumph at Princes Park in almost ten years. Antony Papadopoulos grabbed the headlines with a hat-trick. Dartford took the lead twice through Lewis Manor though, but the Wings fought back before netting a winner fifteen minutes to go.

In the last dozen visits to Park View Road, the Darts have lost just once in normal time. However, seven of those meetings have ended all square including the last two. Four of Dartford’s trips to DA16 have been on Boxing Day. The most memorable of those a last minute 3-2 victory in 2017 in which Alfie Pavey scored a stunner. Most recently, four years ago Dartford won 3-0 courtesy of Darren McQueen and Elliot Romain. The Wings won the 2018 fixture 2-0, whilst back in 2011 it finished 1-1.

Yet Dartford approach this Kent derby having lost their last two, conceding seven without reply. After the 4-0 loss at Tonbridge Angels, Dowson made two changes to the side that faced St Albans City at home. Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Luke Coulson were back in the starting eleven. Once again, the Saints were thankful for Shaun Jeffers scoring against the Darts. His strike with twenty minutes remaining opened up the hosts, the visitors went on to win 3-0.

Slipping to eighteenth in the division, Dartford are now six points off the playoffs and the relegation zone. Dowson will need to find a way to instill some confidence in his players over a crucial period for his side’s season.

There are now three Kent clubs in the bottom seven and Welling United are one of those. The Wings suffered a heavy loss at Bath City on the weekend to leave them third from bottom and five points from safety. Only Havant and Waterlooville have conceded more goals than Danny Bloor’s team this term, the Wings have let in two or more six of their last seven outings.

League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 25 / Welling United wins: 11 / Draws: 12

Previous Meetings

Dartford 2 – 3 Welling United (15/09/2023 – F.A Cup)
Welling United 2 – 2 Dartford (04/02/2023 – National South)
Dartford 5 – 1 Welling United (01/11/2022 – National South)
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)
* – Welling United won 5-3 on penalties

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten in eight league games against Welling United (W6, D2)
• The Darts are unbeaten in their last three league games at Park View Road (W2, D1)
• Dartford have lost just once in their last nine league visits (W3, D5)

On This Day

Dartford have won five of their last six Boxing Day matches with only Welling United beating them in 2018. A year ago, the Darts went to Stonebridge Road and thrashed eventual champions Ebbsfleet United. It sealed a first North West Kent derby victory away at the Fleet since 1979. Luke Allen scored after 45 seconds to set the tone, Luke Coulson doubled the lead on five minutes and Maxwell Statham added a third with just eleven on the clock. Alex Wall netted just before the break and there was still time for Ebbsfleet United to get off the mark prior half-time.

The last home game on this day was also against Ebbsfleet United in 2016. Tom Bonner and Duane Ofori-Acheampong put the Darts in command. Craig Tanner halved the deficit for Fleet, but Dartford held out for a 2-1 triumph. The three fixtures between the two clashes with Ebbsfleet United were against Welling United.

This will be Dartford’s 79th Boxing Day game and their 51st at home. In total the Darts have won 30, drawn 21 and lost 25. Two fixtures have been abandoned on this day. The infamous 1959 clash with Gravesend and Northfleet and a 1985 National League match at Maidstone United.