Dartford FC Previews

Month: August 2024 (Page 2 of 2)

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 5, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Horsham

The golden age of the thirties saw Horsham regularly in the top three of the Sussex League and become six-times champions before another after the war. The Sussex club has spent just one campaign outside the Isthmian Leagues since 1973. Dropping out nine years ago, Horsham scored 131 goals in the Southern Combination League winning the title to return immediately. Another promotion in 2019 put the Hornets back in the Isthmian Premier.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 5th
F.A Cup: 1st Round
F.A Trophy: 4th Round
County Cup: Winners
Top League Scorer: Daniel Ajakaiye (14 goals)

The Hornets had an historical season last time out despite losing in the playoff semi-final to Chatham Town on penalties. Horsham recorded their highest ever league position of fifth in the Isthmian Premier. They reached the F.A Cup second round drawing 3-3 with League One side Barnsley in round one. Although the Sussex side lost the replay they were reinstated before going out to Sutton United. To add extra gloss to the campaign the Hornets also won the Sussex Senior Cup.

Manager – Dominic Di Paola

Horsham were on the brink of relegation to the County League when Dominic Di Paola took over in April 2015. He was noticed after leading East Preston to two league titles in three seasons, the last sixteen of the FA Vase and five county cup finals. After a spell at Hastings United, Di Paola led the Hornets to their first title in 20 years, guided the team back to the Isthmian Premier, won a cup and reached the F.A Cup first round.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Horsham wins: 2 / Draws: 2

Previous Six Meetings

Horsham 0 – 2 Dartford (21/09/2019 – F.A Cup)
Horsham 1 – 3 Dartford (18/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 2 Horsham (15/08/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Horsham 3 – 2 Dartford (18/02/2009 – Isthmian League Cup)
Horsham 0 – 3 Dartford (24/01/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 4 – 0 Horsham (20/09/2008 – Isthmian Premier)

Next Meetings

Horsham v Dartford – Saturday 16th November 2024
Dartford v Horsham – Saturday 1st March 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won five of the last six games against Horsham in all competitions (D1)
  • The Darts are unbeaten in all four home matches versus Horsham (D1)
  • Dartford have won the last two games at Horsham

Match Highlights 2009/2010

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Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 5, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Hendon

Three times F.A Amateur Cup winners and two time Isthmian League champions before the National League was formed, Hendon have non-league pedigree. At a county level they have won a record 15 Middlesex Senior Cups and are high up on the all-time list in the London Senior Cup too. Most recently, after losing the Isthmian Premier playoff final in 2018 they spent six years in the Southern Premier South before switching back this summer.

2023/2024 Season
Southern Premier South: 10th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 5th Round
Middlesex Senior Cup: Semi-Final
London Senior Cup: Runner-Up
Top League Scorer: Nico Muir (18 goals)

Hendon recorded their highest finish in the Southern Premier South division last term during their six-season tenure and reached the last 16 of the F.A Trophy. The Greens began their campaign as they ended it, as draw specialists. Seven of their opening 11 fixtures finished all square, with only one defeat. Whilst at the business end they drew nine of the final 17. In between was an inconsistent run of wins and losses resulting in tenth place.

Manager – Lee Allinson

A familiar name in the dugout at Hendon, Lee Allinson is following in the management footsteps of his father Ian. At St Albans City the pair worked together with Lee as the assistant manager. Prior joining Hendon in November 2019, Lee Allinson guided Biggleswade Town to the Southern League Premier Central playoffs. Relatively new to the management world, Allinson enjoyed playing for the likes of Boreham Wood and St Albans City.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Hendon wins: 3 / Draws: 0

Previous Six Meetings

Hendon 6 – 3 Dartford (23/04/2024 – London Senior Cup)
Hendon 1 – 2 Dartford (22/04/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 5 – 0 Hendon (05/09/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 0 Hendon (06/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Hendon 3 – 0 Dartford (16/08/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 0 – 3 Hendon (08/11/1952 – F.A Cup)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Hendon – Saturday 12th October 2024
Hendon v Dartford – Saturday 15th February 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford’s defeat in last season’s London Senior Cup semi-final ended a run of three consecutive victories against Hendon
  • The Darts have won both fixtures at Princes Park scoring six without reply
  • Dartford have won just once at Hendon and that was just over 14 years ago (L2)

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Hastings United

Nine years away from the Isthmian Premier ended in 2022 when Hastings United won the Division One South East title. Since returning to the premier division, the U’s have posted top ten finishes, something they have achieved in eight of their last nine completed seasons in both tiers of the Isthmian League. This season Hastings United hope to kick on under a newly appointed manager familiar to the Sussex coast.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 7th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: Runner-Up
Top League Scorer: Davide Rodari (28 goals)

Unbeaten in their opening six games, Hastings United showed consistency for most of the campaign and stayed around the playoff places. The only significant blip for the Sussex club came immediately after their undefeated start. Five consecutive losses saw them slip downwards, but with the help of former Dart, Davide Rodari they climbed the standings again. The forward set a club record of most goals in a season for the U’s scoring 34 times.

Manager – Danny Bloor

Back in Sussex after a short spell in Kent, Danny Bloor is the new Hastings United manager replacing Chris Agutter, who took over at one of Bloor’s former clubs Worthing. Just over a year ago, a change of ownership at Eastbourne Borough led the 54-year-old exploring a new path. He found himself at Welling United, but by January with the Wings in danger of relegation he departed. Now Bloor is back in the county where he also gained experience with Eastbourne Town.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 38 / Hastings United wins: 29 / Draws: 20

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 4 – 3 Hastings United (27/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 1 – 3 Dartford (22/08/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 0 – 0 Dartford (03/03/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 2 Hastings United (13/09/2008 – F.A Cup)
Dartford 0 – 2 Hastings United (23/08/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 1 – 2 Dartford (14/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)

Next Meetings

Hastings United v Dartford – Saturday 30th November 2024
Dartford v Hastings United – Saturday 15th March 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won three of the last four games against Hastings United in all competitions (D1)
  • The Darts have won the last two at home against Hastings United. Those two matches have produced an average of six goals per game
  • Dartford are currently four unbeaten at the Pilot Field (W3, D1)

Match Highlights 2009/2010

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Season Preview 2024/2025

August 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Hashtag United

The youngest team in the division at just over eight years old. Hashtag United were founded by YouTuber, Spencer Carmichael-Brown. Exhibition games were filmed and a large social media following gained momentum leading to more investment and rising through the non-league pyramid. The Tags have won two league titles, most recently the Isthmian Division One North just over a year ago. Last season was their debut in the Premier and a mid-table finish was more than respectable.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 13th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: Semi-Final
Top League Scorer: Luke May-Parrott (10 goals)

Hashtag United only lost one of their opening eleven fixtures last season. The problem was that seven of those were draws. Consecutive defeats arrived before a fantastic run of 19 points from their next seven games ending 2023 in style. However, a difficult January which included five straight losses saw the Essex club struggle briefly. The Tags picked themselves up again to go on another positive run and finish thirteenth.

Manager –  Jay Devereux

In a playing career that was cut short due to injury, Jay Devereux has plenty of non-league experience. He has coached and played at county level through to the National League. After moving into coaching with Barking he managed reserve teams at Dagenham and Redbridge as well as Redbridge. As an assistant manager he spent seven seasons with East Thurrock United helping them reach the National South. Six years at the helm of Hashtag United, Devereux has two league titles under his belt.

Next Meetings

Hashtag United v Dartford – Saturday 28th September 2024
Dartford v Hashtag United – Saturday 8th February 2025

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 3, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Folkestone Invicta

An Isthmian League side since non-league was restructured 20 years ago, Folkestone Invicta have spent the last eight campaigns in the Premier division. When they became the only club in the town in 1990, Invicta didn’t take long to get out of the Kent League and into the Southern before a switch to the Isthmian. After consecutive playoff final defeats, they won the Division One South by some distance in 2016 and have been mainstays in the Premier ever since.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 16th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: David Smith (15 goals)

Fairly solid at Cheriton Road, Folkestone Invicta had a nearly even spread of wins, draws and losses. Eight draws on home soil was the joint highest in the division and converting a few of those into victories could easily have seen them climb up some places. On the road, only the bottom five had a worst record than Invicta, so an improvement on their travels this season will be one of their priorities.

Manager – Andy Drury

As a player Andy Drury made it up to the Championship when he joined Ipswich Town, but spent most of his career in non-league, including a couple of spells with Ebbsfleet United. The midfielder won the National South with Lewes as well as the F.A Trophy and National League with Stevenage. Management appealed to Drury just over two years ago with stints at Whitstable Town and Margate. In November he was announced Folkestone Invicta’s player-manager.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Folkestone Invicta wins: 10 / Draws: 4

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 6 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (17/05/2022 – Kent Senior Cup Final)*
Dartford 4 – 0 Folkestone Invicta (25/02/2020 – Kent Senior Cup)
Folkestone Invicta 1 – 4 Dartford (07/12/2011 – Kent Senior Cup)
Dartford 2 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (12/09/2006 – Isthmian League Cup)**
Dartford 1 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (18/01/2005 – Kent Senior Cup)
Folkestone Invicta 1 – 0 Dartford (13/03/2004 – Southern League Div One East)
* played at Chatham Town
** Dartford won 5-3 on penalties

Next Meetings

Folkestone Invicta v Dartford – Saturday 21st December 2024
Dartford v Folkestone Invicta – Saturday 5th April 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford are unbeaten in their last four against Fokkestone Invicta in all competitions (W3, D1). Invicta had won eight in a row prior Dartford’s current run
  • The Darts have lost the last five league games in this fixture stretching back to 1998
  • In the league Dartford have lost the last three at home and previous two away versus Folkestone Invicta

Match Highlights 2021/2022

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Season Preview 2024/2025

August 3, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Dulwich Hamlet

A club with the highest average attendance in the Isthmian Premier last season. Dulwich Hamlet are four times Isthmian champions, but you need to go back 75 years for the last Premier Division title. However, they did win the Division One South championship just over a decade ago. Hamlet also won the F.A Amateur Cup four times and have lifted the Surrey Senior Cup a record 16 times, the most recent in the seventies.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 11th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 1st Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Luke Wanadio (19 goals)

Five years in the National South came to an end just over 12 months ago and so last season was the first back in the Isthmian Premier. Hamlet posted a mid-table finish, but it took until October to get going. Losing six of their opening nine left them in the relegation zone, but then Hamlet went on to taste defeat just four times up to Easter, picking up 14 victories and nine draws. Form dipped at the end, but by then they were well safe.

Manager – Hakan Hayrettin

Over twenty years of managerial experience, Hakan Hayrettin picked up his first piece of silverware in 2003 winning the Essex Senior Cup with Waltham Forest. He remained in the county with Thurrock before guiding Grays Athletic into the Isthmian Premier with a league title in 2013. Hayrettin teamed up with John Still at Luton Town as a coach before heading back into management with Braintree Town. A National South league winner with Maidstone United two years ago, Hayrettin joined Hamlet in March 2023.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (01/04/2023 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 2 Dartford (08/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (08/01/2022 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 0 – 2 Dartford (28/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (25/01/2020 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 1 Dartford (07/12/2019 – National South)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Dulwich Hamlet – Saturday 14th December 2024
Dulwich Hamlet v Dartford – Saturday 29th March 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won four of their last five matches against Dulwich Hamlet (D1)
  • The Darts are unbeaten at home in all competitions versus Hamlet (W4, D3)
  • Dartford have won the last two league games at Champion Hill and are unbeaten in the last three

Match Highlights 2023/2023

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Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Dover Athletic

In terms of time in the top flight of non-league, Dover Athletic top the table of teams currently in the Isthmian Premier. The Kent side won the Southern League in the nineties and spent nine years in the National League. In the space of four seasons, the Whites found themselves dropping to the Isthmian Division One South. Then a familiar story began to unfold again. Up they climbed reaching the National League a decade ago only to fall once more.

2023/2024 Season
National South: 24th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Zidan Sutherland (5 goals)

In 2021, Dover Athletic failed to fulfil their fixtures and a hefty points deduction for the next season saw them finish on one point. Back in the National South they survived on the final day. Hoping the rot was stopped, the Kent club won just four league games in 2023/2024 finishing rock bottom. The Whites suffered a seven-game losing streak early this year and are currently on a 22 game winless away run.

Manager – Jake Leberl

Having watched the club from the terraces and having been part of the youth side and first team, Jake Leberl knows Dover Athletic extremely well. Now in his fifth spell with the club on and off the field, he was assistant manager under Mitch Brundle before stepping up last season. The Whites have been in the doldrums lately and Leberl will be keen to stop the slide further down non-league, so Dover Athletic can look forward again.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 18 / Dover Athletic wins: 11 / Draws: 12

Previous Six Meetings

Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (17/02/2024 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Dover Athletic (28/08/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/04/2023 – National South)
Dover Athletic 1 – 3 Dartford (13/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (08/03/2022 – Kent Senior Cup)
Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (13/12/2016 – F.A Trophy)

Next Meetings

Dover Athletic v Dartford – Saturday 7th September 2024
Dartford v Dover Athletic – Saturday 19th April 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won their last six matches against Dover Athletic
  • The Darts have lost just once at home in the league versus the Whites (W6, D4) and have won the last five
  • Dartford have won the last two league games at the Crabble

Match Highlights 2023/2024

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Dartford

Returning to the Isthmian Premier after 14 years in the National Leagues, the Darts were relegated from the National South last season. After a 13-year nomadic existence, a return home in 2006 proved to be the catalyst. The Darts won two Isthmian titles and a National South playoff to reach the top of non-league and earn an eighth-place finish. Relegation back to the South and several playoff misses proceeded last season’s drop.

2023/2024 Season
National South: 21st
F.A Cup: 1st Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Qualifying Round
Kent Senior Cup: Semi-Final
London Senior Cup: Semi-Final
Top League Scorer: Luke Coulson (10 goals)

Having finished runners up in the campaign before few would have expected last term to end in relegation. Although performances weren’t great, up until the New Year the Darts were mid-table and closer to the top seven than the bottom four in terms of points. Due to poor displays on the pitch, two weeks later Alan Dowson departed. Losing streaks developed and one win in eighteen saw Dartford slump into the bottom four and they couldn’t get out.

Manager – Adrian Pennock

The Darts were a sinking ship when Adrian Pennock arrived and although the former Gillingham and AFC Bournemouth defender couldn’t save them from relegation, he gets a chance to rebuild the squad in the Isthmian Premier. His experience could be valuable for the Darts having managed Welling United, Forest Green Rovers, Gillingham and Barrow. A spell out in the Far East with Brunei DPMM culminated in winning the 2019 Singapore Premier League.

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Cray Wanderers

One of the oldest football clubs in the world, Cray Wanderers were formed in 1860 and entered the Isthmian League in 2004. The Wands won consecutive Kent League titles before promotion 20 years ago and have since had two spells in both the Isthmian Division One and Premier. Cray Wanderers won the Isthmian South East in the last full season before covid and missed out on a National South spot after a semi-final playoff a year ago.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 17th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
Kent Senior Cup: 2nd Round
London Senior Cup: Quarter-Final
Top League Scorer: Gary Lockyer (11 goals)

A dreadful start to last season had Cray Wanderers on the back foot from the off. The Wands lost their opening five games with just one goal to show. Then they hit five against title challengers Chatham Town to get off the mark. Points were picked up in the middle third of the football calendar with February being the most productive period. Despite a late slump in form, Cray Wanderers finished on a high with a 6-2 win.

Manager – Neil Smith

It was a proud moment when Neil Smith led his Bromley side out at Wembley in the F.A Trophy six years ago. Although it ended with a runner up medal, his time with the Ravens as assistant, then manager, saw the club promoted and become a solid National League team. In March 2022, Smith switched to Cray Wanderers and led them to a playoff campaign. Now the former Gillingham midfielder is at the helm for the Wands homecoming to Flamingo Park.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 36 / Cray Wanderers wins: 21 / Draws: 11

Previous Six Meetings

Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (16/04/2024 – London Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 3 Dartford (18/12/2021 – F.A Trophy)
Cray Wanderers 4 – 2 Dartford (20/09/2017 – Kent Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (05/10/2016 – Kent Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (15/10/2011 – F.A Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (02/01/2010 – Isthmian Premier)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Cray Wanderers – Thursday 26th December 2024
Cray Wanderers v Dartford – Monday 21st April 2025

Statistics

  • In the league Dartford have lost just once against Cray Wanderers in the last 19 outings (W14, D4)
  • Dartford last hosted Cray Wanderers in a 1-1 on Boxing Day 2009. The Darts have lost just once in the last 17 at home versus the Wands in all competitions (W11, D5)
  • The Darts have won 18 of the last 22 away matches against Cray Wanderers in all competitions (D1, L3)

Match Highlights 2021/2022

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Season Preview 2024/2025

August 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Cray Valley Paper Mills

Champions of the Isthmian Division One South East, Cray Valley Paper Mills have been on a fantastic ride these last six years. Winning the Southern Counties East and reaching the F.A Vase final at Wembley in 2019 is no longer their pinnacle. Three years ago, they reached the F.A Cup first round for the first time and repeated that achievement last season. In an almost unbeaten campaign last time out, the Millers will enjoy a debut in the Isthmian Premier.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Division One South East: 1st
F.A Cup: 1st Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
Kent Senior Cup: 2nd Round
London Senior Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: Kyrell Lisbie (29 goals)

Grabbing headlines in the F.A Cup by earning a replay against Charlton Athletic in a local derby, the Millers had an astonishing league campaign too. Champions by six points, 103 goals scored and just one defeat. Cray Valley Paper Mills dropped just two points on the road winning their first 16 away matches, only runners up Ramsgate stopped them from a perfect away record. With the title still going down to the final game, the Millers made no mistake.

Manager – Steve McKimm

A decade ago, Steve McKimm was appointed manager of Tonbridge Angels. He took the Kent club to the National South by winning the 2019 playoff final. Two years later the Angels reached the F.A Cup first round and in the following season made it to the F.A Trophy fifth round for the first time. McKimm left Longmead for Carshalton Athletic prior his arrival at Cray Valley Paper Mills and his first campaign went rather well.

Next Meetings

Cray Valley Paper Mills v Dartford – Saturday 10th August 2024
Dartford v Cray Valley Paper Mills – Saturday 2nd November 2024

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