Month: February 2025

Dartford v Horsham

February 28, 2025 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford hope to return to winning ways in a crucial clash against Horsham at Princes Park this weekend.

The Darts were surprisingly toppled last time out ending an incredible unbeaten run of 21 matches, equalling a club record for games without defeat in the league. Defeat allowed Saturday’s opponents, Horsham to close the gap on the Darts to a single point. With the top three separated by just three points, this weekend’s fixture will have an impact on the title race.

Both sides have been able to put strong runs together putting them into the mix for promotion to the National South. Last time they met back in December, the Darts were about to start a record equalling ten game winning streak. Despite being beaten by Adrian Pennock’s side, Horsham bounced back with eight straight victories of their own.

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Match highlights courtesy of Hornets TV

The Hornets went in front that day when Charlie Hester-Cook hit a powerful long-range effort over Dartford goalkeeper, Jacob Marsden. The Darts were level when Samir Carruthers found space in the home side’s box and calmly finished. In the second-half, the midfielder sent Olly Box through on goal, who composed himself before giving the Darts the lead. Three points were wrapped up with eight minutes remaining, Denzelle Olopade fired a low shot through a crowd of players.

Dartford have won their previous four against Horsham, the last four all away from home. Darren McQueen and Luke Allen netted in the 2-0 F.A Cup win six years ago. An Elliot Bradbrook brace and a third from Allan Tait secured a 3-1 victory in March 2010. Princes Park last hosted the Hornets that same season on the opening day of the Isthmian Premier League campaign. The visitors scored first when Russell Eldridge’s free-kick beat Andrew Young. Then an 11 minute second-half spell changed the game. Bradbrook scored on his debut, then shortly afterwards won a penalty which Adam Flanagan dispatched. Bradbrook added his second of the afternoon before Pat Harding pulled one back for Horsham.

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Match Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino

Having taken maximum points in the last eight away games, the Darts were hoping to match their winning run on the road from 15 years ago when they visited Cheshunt last Saturday. Pennock brought Carruthers back into the side, the midfielder’s first start since the 4-0 win over Billericay Town last month. Box also returned to the starting lineup after his substitute appearance in the 3-2 victory against Hendon. Jez Pinder and Eddie Dsane dropped to the bench.

It looked as though the Darts were going to go into the interval all square until Cheshunt’s Donell Thomas broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. The ambers doubled their advantage when Kenny Coker scored and a third followed from a penalty courtesy of Vas Vasiliou.

Dartford manager Pennock called the defeat in Hertfordshire ‘a bad day at the office’ and felt Cheshunt were worth their win, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the 3-0 loss and said: “I thought they deserved it. I thought that in both boxes they were very good. First half we asked a lot of questions, but they were defending for their lives. You’ve got to give them credit they were, in both boxes, better than us”.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Pennock doesn’t want his team to get downhearted after such a fantastic run coming to a halt, but now he must prepare the Darts for a challenging fixture this weekend, he commented: “It’s going to be a cracker because they (Horsham) are flying as well. If we can get a good crowd behind us, like we have done recently…hopefully we will get back on the horse”.

Since defeat at home to the Darts, Horsham have lost just once in their last 14 games, dropping just four points. In that run they have defeated both title contenders Dover Athletic and Billericay Town. The Hornets added another victim to their list of challengers last weekend by overcoming Cray Valley Paper Mills.

Former Dart, Chris Dickson was in the lineup against Cray Valley Paper Mills. The striker played eight games for Dartford scoring three goals during the 2020/2021 season. The 40-year-old was the only change to the side that drew with Chatham Town a week earlier replacing Greg Luer. Meanwhile, Jack Brivio was out with a long-term knee injury and Lee Harding is recovering from an ankle wound that needed stitches. A goal from Reece Meekums and a penalty by James Hammond helped the Hornets to a 2-1 victory. Former Horsham player, Tom Beere reduced the deficit towards the end of the game.

The home win was the Hornets sixth in seven games. On the road, the Sussex club have lost just one of their last seven and that was in their previous trip to Kent. Horsham were beaten 3-0 by Folkestone Invicta just over a month ago, but they did claim maximum points in their only other away fixture since defeating Whitehawk.

Current League Table (Top 5)

Team	Played	Points	GD
Billericay Town	32	66	+27
DARTFORD	32	64	+22
Horsham	31	63	+28
Cray Valley (PM)	31	57	+15
Dover Athletic	31	56	+30

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWDWL)			Horsham (LWWWDW)
Cheshunt	A	0-3	Cray Valley (PM)	H	2-1
Hendon	A	3-2	Chatham Town	H	1-1
Chichester City	H	0-0	Whitehawk	A	2-1
Hashtag United	H	2-0	Hastings United	H	1-0
Bowers and Pitsea	A	3-1	Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-0
Billericay Town	H	4-0	Folkestone Invicta	A	0-3

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Horsham wins: 2 / Draws: 2

Previous Meetings

Horsham 1 – 3 Dartford (17/12/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
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)

Statistics

Dartford have won six of the last seven games against Horsham in all competitions (L1)
The Darts are unbeaten in all four home matches versus Horsham (D1)
Dartford are ten matches unbeaten at home (D3). Their longest run without a league defeat at Princes Park since the 2022/2023 season

On This Day

Dartford have never lost a league match at home on this day winning six out of seven. An fortunate own goal handed the Darts a 1-0 win against Basingstoke Town in 2011. Lee Noble hit a shot from 25 yards, which was tipped onto the crossbar by visiting goalkeeper, Chay Morris. The ball dropped onto retreating defender Callum Reynolds, rolled down his chest and over the line.

Dartford left it late three years earlier in the race for the Isthmian Division One North title. On the verge of dropping crucial points, the Darts won a penalty against Waltham Forest during injury time. Jamie Coyle kept his cool to score the only goal of the game and bag all three points for the hosts.

The only side to visit Dartford and come away with anything in the league was Waterlooville in 1997. The Hampshire club drew 2-2 in the Southern League South. The Darts are winless in their last three games on this day. Brentford B won a London Senior Cup quarter-final tie 2-0 at Princes Park three years ago. Dartford drew 2-2 at Hayes and Yeading United in the National South back in 2016 and lost 3-0 at Southport two years earlier in the National League.

Cheshunt v Dartford

February 21, 2025 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford have another opportunity to create history when they visit Cheshunt on the weekend.

The Darts will set a new club record of unbeaten league games if they avoid defeat on Saturday and extend their current sequence to 22 matches. Last time out Dartford were made to work for their eighth away win in a row when they took maximum points to stay top of the Isthmian Premier. Another victory on the road will also set a joint best winning away streak in league competition for the Darts.

Dartford came from behind last Saturday in their 3-2 win at Hendon. The Darts have been in such fine form that they’ve rarely needed to claim points after conceding the first goal. In fact, the last time Adrian Pennock’s side had to turn an Isthmian Premier match around was on Boxing Day, in the Kent derby victory over Cray Wanderers, nine league fixtures ago.

There was plenty going on during last weekend’s game. The Darts dropped from first to third and back again, all before a hectic seven-minute period in the second half at the Silver Jubilee Stadium. Pennock made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Chichester City bringing in Eddie Dsane, Jez Pinder and Sam Okoye for Olly Box, Louis Dunne and George Whitefield. Creative midfielder, Samir Carruthers was back in the squad after being out with a hamstring injury and made a big impact.

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Match Highlights courtesy of HendonFCOfficial

Even though the pack had been shuffled following three games in a week, the Darts still managed to negotiate their way to victory, but it was far from simple. Battling against relegation, Hendon deservedly led at the break after Nikolai Krokhin scored for the hosts. The twist and turns of the second half started within five minutes of the restart. Denzelle Olopade equalised, then on loan Hayden Bullas netted his first for the Darts. Hendon drew level again through Leo Sery, but on 57 minutes Carruthers converted from the penalty spot for the decisive goal.

A record Dartford will want to maintain this weekend is their perfect one against Cheshunt. The Darts have come out on top in the previous three meetings winning the reverse fixture back in November. A dominating first half display saw the Darts lead at half-time thanks to a Carruthers penalty. In an even second half, the visitors equalised through Tommy Wood. Then 19-year-old, George Whitefield scored a stunner from long range to secure a 2-1 triumph.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Both sides met in the National South during the 2022/2023 season with the Darts winning 2-1 at Princes Park. Pierre Fonkeu scored a brace that made all the difference. Former Dartford academy graduate, Dajon Golding scored a late consolation for the visitors. In the return match, the Darts were helped by a former player when Rowan Liburd scored an own goal. Luke Coulson and Tom Bonner extended the lead before a consolation from the Ambers.

Cheshunt have had mixed results this term, but form has improved since Boxing Day to pull them eight points clear of the relegation zone. In October, long serving manager Craig Edwards departed after defeat against Potters Bar Town. The loss left the Ambers second from bottom with five points from their opening eight games. A fortnight later former Hampton and Richmond Borough boss, Mel Gwinnett was appointed, and he has since moved the Hertfordshire side up to 15th in the table, eight points clear of safety. The new manager will want to improve form at home, where the Ambers have only beaten sides currently in the bottom three.

Gwinnett made eleven changes prior the Hertfordshire Senior Cup semi-final defeat over a week ago. Three of those players, Darion Furlong, Magloire Muyembe and Christian Scott were the only trio retained for last weekend’s fixture against Cray Wanderers. It was all looking good for the visitors when former Wand, Kenny Coker put the Ambers ahead. However, the hosts turned fortunes around with two goals from Nyren Clunis then Soul Kader.

In their last home game, Cheshunt ended a run of four without victory at Theobalds Lane. A last-minute effort from Coker got the Ambers back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory. The home side had to come from behind after former Dartford forward, Davide Rodari gave relegation threatened Hasting United a first-half advantage. Jack Munns levelled for Cheshunt just past the hour mark, then Coker decided the game in injury time.

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWWDW)			Cheshunt (WWLDWL)
Hendon	A	3-2	Cray Wanderers	A	1-2
Chichester City	H	0-0	Hastings United	H	2-1
Hashtag United	H	2-0	Hendon	H	2-2
Bowers and Pitsea	A	3-1	Hashtag United	A	0-1
Billericay Town	H	4-0	Canvey Island	A	1-0
Wingate & Finchley	A	2-1	Potters Bar Town	A	2-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Cheshunt wins: 0 / Draws: 0

Previous Meetings

Dartford 2 – 1 Cheshunt (09/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Cheshunt 1 – 3 Dartford (07/01/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Cheshunt (13/08/2022 – National South)

Statistics

Dartford are unbeaten in 21 league games, their joint best run since the 2007/2008 Isthmian Division One North title winning season.
The club record for unbeaten matches in all competitions stands at 23 set in 1995/1996
The Darts have won eight away games in a row first time since 2016/2017, but that was in all competitions. Last time Dartford won eight in a row in the league was in 2009/2010, when they went a record nine matches.

On This Day

Danny Harris and Lee Noble were on target as the Darts defeated Dorchester down in Dorset in 2011. The National South fixture finished 2-0 to the visitors and is Dartford’s last away win on this day.

Three years later, former Football League side Hereford United visited Princes Park in the National League and were beaten by goals from Alex Wall and Noble.

Five years ago, the Darts won against Eastbourne Borough back in the National South. Jack Jebb’s opener was cancelled out by Greg Luer, but Darren McQueen netted a penalty in a 2-1 victory.

Dartford’s last game on this day ended in an away loss at Hungerford Town in which manager, Steve King and Junior Tiensia were sent off. Jake Robinson scored a late consolation for the Darts.

Hendon v Dartford

February 13, 2025 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford are on the road for the rest of the month starting with a trip to relegation battlers Hendon this weekend.

The Darts equalled a club record last time out, but extended their unbeaten league run to an astounding 20 games. Coming up to four months since they were last defeated in the Isthmian Premier, Adrian Pannock’s side have climbed to the top of the table where they lead by a point. After a run of 13 league matches without victory, Hendon have slid down the standings and are now in the bottom four. The Greens are five points adrift of safety with a game in hand.

Dartford’s incredible winning streak of ten in a row came to an end on Tuesday night when they hosted an in-form Chichester City, who themselves had won their previous seven. Pennock named an unchanged side for a third consecutive game hoping his side would record 11 victories on the spin for the first time in the club’s 137-year history. With the excellent form both teams were in, it was no surprise the mid-week fixture finished level.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

The well-earned point was enough to put the Darts top of the league with goalkeeper, Jacob Marsden keeping a third consecutive clean sheet at Princes Park. Although the Darts fell short of breaking their record, Pennock was pleased with the draw praising his experienced players after two tough fixtures in three days.

On their travels, Dartford have won their last seven for the first time since they recorded nine consecutive away victories in the 2009/2010 Isthmian Premier title winning season. Prior the winning away streak, the Darts had drawn three in a row, so they are now ten unbeaten on the road in the league.

The reverse fixture against Hendon in mid-October displayed the character and endeavour now expected of the players. The Darts had to dig in to get a 0-0 draw against the Greens after Jez Pinder was controversially sent off. The hosts played almost the whole second-half a man down but held out for a draw. The stalemate left Dartford down in ninth and a week later they dropped four more places. Meanwhile, Hendon were looking upwards towards the playoff spots. Since the last meeting between the two sides, the tables have turned dramatically.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Despite a heavy defeat to Dartford’s last conquerors Wingate and Finchley, Hendon hit their purple patch in a series of home matches in November. The Greens picked up ten points from 12 without conceding, which included a 9-0 thumping of Hasting United. A 3-0 win followed three days later over Whitehawk, a team they drew 2-2 with on Tuesday night. Defeat at Billericay Town on 30 November turned out to be Lee Allinson’s last league match in charge, it also turned out to be the start of a terrible run.

The Greens went on to lose another eight in a row, a sequence which included a spell of seven consecutive league games without scoring. At home they are still on a barren run having lost their last six without a single goal to show for their efforts.

A month ago, the club appointed Ben Bukowski as the new manager, and he has helped Hendon to three draws in their last four outings. The latest stalemate came in mid-week with a 2-2 draw in a relegation six pointer at Whitehawk. After on loan debutant Freddie Stanley was sent off inside two minutes, the odds were stacked against the Hendon. The hosts went in front twice through Harry Bridle, but Stefan Illic and Niko Muir pegged back the Hawks.

Dartford’s last trip to Silver Jubilee Park saw them get knocked out of the London Senior Cup almost ten months ago. The semi final tie finished with a young Darts side losing 6-3 to the Greens. During Dartford’s previous two year stay in the Isthmian Premier, the two teams met four times with the Darts losing the first clash 3-0 on the opening day of the 2008/2009 campaign. Brian Haule, James Bent and Chris Bangura all scored for Hendon. The reverse fixture four months later saw a rare Tommy Osborne goal to win the game for the Darts.

The following campaign witnessed Dartford take the Isthmian Premier title. Tony Burman’s side completed a double over Hendon winning at home 5-0 in September 2009. Rob Haworth opened the scoring and Lee Burns doubled the lead. Jay May grabbed a second half brace and in the final minute Lee Noble completed the rout. The penultimate game of that campaign was a closer affair. Danny Harris scored both goals in a 2-1 victory.

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWWWD)			Hendon (WWWWWW)
Chichester City	H	0-0	Whitehawk	A	2-2
Hashtag United	H	2-0	Cheshunt	A	2-2
Bowers and Pitsea	A	3-1	Folkestone Invicta	H	0-2
Billericay Town	H	4-0	Wingate & Finchley	A	3-3
Wingate & Finchley	A	2-1	Carshalton Athletic	H	0-3
Whitehawk	H	4-1	Horsham	H	0-4

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Hendon wins: 3 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Dartford 0 – 0 Hendon (12/10/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
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)

Statistics

Dartford are unbeaten in 20 league games. If the Darts avoid defeat this weekend they will equal the 21 without defeat during the 2007/2008 Isthmian Division One North title winning season.
Josh Hill could make is 100th Dartford appearance this weekend. The captain has stared 91 games, made eight substitute appearances and has scored nine goals
Dartford’s 0-0 draw on Tuesday night ended a run of scoring in 18 straight league games, their best run in a season since the start of the 2022/2023 campaign

On This Day

A late Ryan Hayes free-kick rescued a point in the Kent derby with Welling United 14 years ago. The Wings led after Jack Parkinson headed the away side in front. Hayes was introduced to the action and his set piece found its way beyond goalkeeper Tom Lovelock. Dartford last tasted victory on this day back in 1992 when they beat Trowbridge Town 2-0 in the Southern Premier. Since then, the Darts have been beaten 2-1 away at Weymouth in 1997 and 4-1 in another Kent derby at Erith and Belvedere in 2003. The last win on the road on this day was in 1965 when they defeated Margate 1-0 in a Kent Floodlight League tie.

Dartford v Chichester City

February 11, 2025 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Isthmian Premier League leaders Dartford aim to create history when they host Chichester City on Tuesday night.

An eleventh win in row will set a club record for one season for the Darts and in the process will extend their unbeaten run to an incredible 20 league games. Adrian Pennock’s side recorded a tenth consecutive victory on the weekend beating Hashtag United. Chichester City are second in the form table behind Dartford. Over the last nine fixtures, the two sides have claimed a combined 52 points out of 54 available.

Pennock selected an unchanged team to take on Hashtag United on the weekend, having led the Darts to victory a week earlier versus Bowers and Pitsea. On Saturday, the lead at the summit changed even though Dartford went in front against the Tags through Callum Jones’ penalty. The striker netted his third in as many matches and fourth in fifth to take his tally to 11 in all competitions. With Billericay Town moving into pole position during the afternoon on goal difference, Olly Box’s eleventh league strike of the season wrestled top spot back from the Essex side.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

A fourth consecutive victory at Princes Park means the Darts have gone nine without defeat at home. A consecutive home clean sheet for goalkeeper Jacob Marsden also means Dartford now have the second best defence in the division. Five points now separate the top five, so the Darts will need to make home advantage count considering they host five of the current top nine between now and the end of the season.

Pennock welcomed ‘a big three points’ on the weekend and is looking forward to the mid-week fixture, he spoke to Dartford FC TV and said: “We go again on Tuesday against another good team. We drew 2-2 at their place and they have got some very good footballers. We’re going in the right direction…but it’s another big game for us on Tuesday”. The Dartford boss thanked the fans and urged them to continue their excellent support for the remainder of the season.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dartford let slip a two goal lead in November’s reverse fixture at Oaklands Park. Despite holding the advantage and only coming away with a point, Pennock felt a draw at the time was a good result. Box scored for a third game in a row to put Dartford ahead, then an own goal from Ben Pashley doubled their lead. In the second half the hosts fought back to earn a 2-2 draw. First, Ethan Prichard pulled one back, then Isaac Bello equalised leaving the spoils shared.

In the context of this season, Dartford had just come out of a period of seven without a league win and had begun to put an unbeaten run together. The stalemate in Sussex stretched the sequence to six matches without defeat, a sequence the Darts keep extending. Chichester City lost three in a row after that comeback, but since then they have climbed the table and are aiming for the playoff places.

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Highlights courtesy of Chichester City FC

The Lillywhites are currently unbeaten in nine league outings and have won the last seven. On the road the Sussex club have won four in a row. On the weekend their game against Folkestone Invicta was postponed, so now they have games in hand over teams above them. Chichester City will want to make those fixtures count as they are currently nine points adrift of the final playoff place.

The Sussex side will approach Tuesday night’s match having had extra rest. Chichester City’s last outing ended in a successive 2-1 victory. The Lillywhites beat Wingate and Finchley at home with all the goals coming in the fist half. Top scorer, Jimmy Wild added his 21st league goal of the season with the opener. The visitors hit back a few minutes later through Ogo Obi, but a penalty in first half injury time by Curtis Da Costa turned out to be the decider. A week earlier, Lloyd Rowlatt netted a 97th winner at Dulwich Hamlet.

Over the last nine games only Whitehawk have managed to take points from Chichester City. On the way to recording seven straight victories, the Lillywhites have also beaten Hendon, Carshalton Athletic, Bognor Regis Town, Chatham Town and Bowers and Pitsea. The last side to defeat the Sussex club was Cray Wanderers back in early December.

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWWWW)			Chichester City (WWWWWW)
Hashtag United	H	2-0	Wingate & Finchley	H	2-1
Bowers and Pitsea	A	3-1	Dulwich Hamlet	A	2-1
Billericay Town	H	4-0	Bowers and Pitsea	H	1-0
Wingate & Finchley	A	2-1	Chatham Town	H	2-0
Whitehawk	H	4-1	Bognor Regis Town	A	4-1
Chatham Town	A	2-0	Carshalton Athletic	A	2-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 0 / Chichester City wins: 0 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Chichester City 2 – 2 Dartford (26/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)

Statistics

Dartford are unbeaten in 19 league games. Another two unbeaten matches will equal the 21 without defeat during the 2007/2008 Isthmian Division One North title winning season.
The Darts could keep a third consecutive home clean sheet in the league for the first time in two years
Dartford have scored in 18 straight league games, their best run in a season since the start of the 2022/2023 campaign

On This Day

On this day Gosport Borough striker, Rowan Vine ended up in goal for seventy minutes as Dartford cruised to a 4-0 victory in Hampshire. Mark Childs was making his Borough debut before getting injured. The experienced Vine, who made plenty of Championship appearances in his playing days donned the gloves as there was no goalkeeper named on the bench. The Darts took full advantage with goals from Andy Pugh, Luke Wanadio, Keaton Wood and Kaka Dembele helping Dartford to their 2017 National South title charge. Two years ago the Darts beat Chippenham Town 2-0 with goals from midfield pair Jack Smith and Luke Allen. Dartford have won five of their last seven on this day, drawing one and losing the other.

Dartford v Hashtag United

February 7, 2025 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

New Isthmian Premier leaders Dartford hope to continue their remarkable unbeaten run when they host Hashtag United this weekend.

The Darts are now 18 games without defeat and have risen from thirteenth to the summit in that time. Manager of the Month for December and January, Adrian Pennock has guided his side to nine straight wins in the league and haven’t lost at Princes Park since mid-October.

Hashtag United have also climbed the standings since early November. The Essex club were second from bottom on Guy Fawkes night, now they are sixth after Tuesday’s draw at Bognor Regis Town. The Tags have won five of their last seven in the league to take them within nine points of the playoff places.

Dartford had the opportunity to move to the top of the table last Saturday and took it with a 3-1 win at Bowers and Pitsea. Results elsewhere helped the Darts climb from third to first and lead the division by a single goal with a game in hand.

After extending his loan until the end of season, Louis Dunne started for the injured Samir Carruthers (hamstring) in the only change to the side that impressively beat Billericay Town a week earlier. Carruthers was unable to complete a full half in the previous two games, so Pennock decided not to risk the influential midfielder on an artificial surface. Gabe Campbell also made a cameo appearance as a substitute in the final moments, his first appearance since late November after returning from a loan spell at Ashford United last week.

Dartford took an early lead on 12 minutes when central defender Luther Williams received a short throw in, put in a cross for Denzelle Olopade to nod home his sixth of the season in all competitions. The advantage was doubled with half hour played, Olly Box was composed enough to square the ball to Callum Jones, who netted his third goal in four games.

Late on, January’s goalkeeper of the Month, Jacob Marsden was denied a second clean sheet in a row. Former Dart, Alfie Evans scored twice in the reverse fixture and he netted again with seven minutes to go. But the potential comeback by the hosts was short lived when Jez Pinder made it 3-1 after coming off the bench. Yet again a substitute found his name on the scoresheet, the tenth this season and fifth in as many matches. In doing so, Pinder also scored Dartford’s 24th goal by an academy graduate in all competitions this term.

Marsden saved the day last time Dartford faced Hashtag United in an enthralling 3-3 draw. The reverse fixture in Essex went back and forth, but both sides had to settle for a point in the end. Sam Odaudu provided the Darts with a first-half lead. Then Pennock’s side had to show character after falling behind twice in a hectic final 25 minutes. The Tags equalised through Toby Aromolaran and went in front after Joshua Rusoke scored. Three minutes later Olopade drew Dartford level before Ayo Olukoga put the hosts 3-2 up in the 87th minute. In the final moments Box made it all square again and there was still time for last ditch heroics when Marsden made an incredible save onto the crossbar.

Looking ahead to the next two games, against Hashtag United and the game in hand versus Chichester City, assistant manager Roland Edge is expecting a tough challenge from both opposition. When speaking to Dartford FC TV, he said: “Hashtag are a decent side, we drew with them 3-3 at their place, Jacob (Marsden) made a fantastic save last kick of the game and Chichester was a tough game away as well. So we know what’s coming up. Now is about training hard in the week and to get ready for them to come to us”.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Searching for a fourth consecutive win at home, the Darts have scored four in their last two home outings. Dartford closed out January with a 4-0 victory against then league leaders Billericay Town. They also comfortably beat Whitehawk 4-1 at the start of last month. Dulwich Hamlet remain the only away side to take points off the Darts in the last seven matches at Princes Park.

Hashtag United’s slow start to the campaign is a thing of the past. The Tags have shown more consistency since the last time they played Dartford and have gained ground on the playoff places. Captained by former Dartford midfielder Max Cornhill, who played 66 times for Darts scoring nine goals, the Essex club have been one of the form sides in the division behind Dartford, Chichester City and Horsham.

On Tuesday night, Hashtag United showed plenty of character trailing late in the game against Bognor Regis Town. Harvey Rew gave the Rooks an early lead and with 15 minutes remaining Chad Field made it two. It looked as though the Tags were going to fall to defeat versus the side at the bottom, but Misha Djemaili halved the deficit with three minutes left on the clock. Then a couple of minutes later former Dart, Mert Apat equalised. The defender signed for Dartford in the summer and made five appearances before leaving Princes Park. Apat was also on the scoresheet for both sides in the 3-2 League Cup quarter final defeat to Chatham Town recently.

Last weekend, Thomas Anderson scored the only goal of the game to help Hashtag United take maximum points at home to Cheshunt, his 16^th career goal in a Tags shirt. Whilst Josh Osude could be one to watch having picked up back-to-back Player of the Month awards for the club. Victory over the Ambers was their third consecutive home win in the league having previously beaten bottom side Bognor Regis Town and Dover Athletic, who were top of the standings at the time.

On the road, Hashtag United suffered their first defeat in seven when they lost 1-0 at Carshalton Athletic last month. Prior that loss they had impressive wins in Kent at Chatham Town and at title challengers Cray Valley Paper Mills, who they beat 5-1. By contrast they also drew with strugglers Whitehawk as well as Bowers and Pitsea in the two away games leading up to those triumphs.

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWWWW)			Hashtag United (WWWLWD)
Bowers and Pitsea	A	3-1	Bognor Regis Town	A	2-2
Billericay Town	H	4-0	Cheshunt	H	1-0
Wingate & Finchley	A	2-1	Carshalton Athletic	A	0-1
Whitehawk	H	4-1	Bognor Regis Town	H	4-2
Chatham Town	A	2-0	Dover Athletic	H	2-1
Canvey Island	A	1-0	Chatham Town	A	1-0

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 0 / Hashtag United wins: 0 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Hashtag United 3 – 3 Dartford (12/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)

Statistics

Dartford have won nine league games in a row for the first time since March/April 2018, when they won the final nine games of the season
The Darts are 18 matches unbeaten, their best run since 2007/2008 when they went 21 matches without defeat.
Dartford have won their last three home matches and are unbeaten in eight. Their longest unbeaten home run in the league for two years, when they went ten games without defeat between September 2022 to New Year’s Day 2023

On This Day

Max Cornhill was in the side that helped the Darts record a famous victory on this day 11 years ago. Dartford travelled to the Racecourse Ground to take on Wrexham in the National League. Now their worlds are miles apart making the triumph in 2014 even more special. Having lost the reverse fixture 5-1 in November, Dartford were also at the wrong end of the table needing points. Once again, the Darts could rely on their captain Elliot Bradbrook to come up with the goods. It was Andy Pugh who opened the scoring, but Joe Clarke levelled for the Welsh side. Bradbrook scored the winner on the stroke of half-time to secure a memorable away win.

Month: February 2025

Dartford v Horsham

Cheshunt v Dartford

Hendon v Dartford

Dartford v Chichester City

Dartford v Hashtag United

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