Dartford lead the way in the Isthmian Premier heading in to the final six games and next up is an away trip to Dulwich Hamlet this weekend.
The Darts returned to the top of the table last time out after winning at Bognor Regis Town. Victory on the Sussex coast ended a two game losing streak on the road and with Billericay Town falling to defeat it moved Adrian Pennock’s side back to the summit. Despite Dulwich Hamlet’s lowly position in the league, Dartford have yet to beat them this season after a draw in December and a F.A Trophy loss in October. Hamlet have lost their previous two matches and although they are nine points clear of the relegation places, they are not completely out of the woods just yet.
Pennock made just the one change to the starting lineup for the journey to Nyewood Lane on Saturday. Louis Dunne was suffering from a strain and made way for Hayden Bullas in midfield. Jez Pinder was missing from the matchday squad through illness. The Darts recorded a consecutive 2-0 triumph against a Sussex side after beating Hastings United a week earlier at Princes Park.
This time an early goal settled any nerves, and a late clincher wrapped up what the Dartford boss described as an ‘ugly win’. In the sixth minute, a well worked free-kick saw Sam Odaudu run over the dead ball before a pass down the side by Samir Carruthers put the full back through on goal to finish. The Darts defence was rarely threatened all afternoon and with five minutes to go, Callum Jones swivelled in the box to fire in his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.
Match highlights courtesy of Rocks TV
Dartford are now the frontrunners for the title holding a one point advantage over Billericay Town and just four points ahead of third place Horsham. Whilst that brings its own pressure to the side, Pennock is not getting carried away, he told Dartford FC TV: “We’ve got some hard games, so we’re not counting our chickens yet. It’s going to be difficult, but it’s just nice that we’re in this position because we are punching above our weight. With everybody connected to the football club we’re going in the right direction”. With Dulwich Hamlet next on the horizon, the Darts boss in concentrating on what his players can achieve on the weekend, he commented: “It’s all about us, we’ve got to turn up. We have played very well against Dulwich this year, but they are still a very good side”.
Dartford will have to watch out for former player Luke Wanadio, who has netted in both fixtures against the Darts this term. The forward made 99 appearances and netted 18 goals whist at Princes Park and was Hamlet’s match winner back in October’s F.A Trophy tie. However, the reverse fixture in the league finished 2-2 and saw the Darts take control, lose a lead then salvage a point. Jones opened the scoring, but on the stroke of half-time Wanadio levelled. Ralfi Hand put Hamlet ahead in the second-half until Olly Box equalised.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
This fixture has often seen former players returning to face their old club. Back in December, Josh Hill captained the Darts against his old side. Meanwhile, as well as Wanadio, Dulwich Hamlet also had Jordan Wynter, Danny Mills and George Porter in the matchday squad.
It’s been six years since Dartford lost to Dulwich Hamlet in league competition, a run of eight matches. The last visit to Champion Hill ended in a 2-1 victory in October 2022. The hosts went in front after six minutes when Nana Owusu scored. Just before the interval, Marvin Herschel was brought down for a penalty which Samir Carruthers converted. With six minutes remaining, the Darts made the most of a corner delivered into the box by Carruthers. Charlie Sheringham was there to meet the ball, and his header earned the visitors maximum points.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Dulwich Hamlet have some breathing space for now with Hendon occupying the last relegation spot nine points adrift of the London side. However, Bradley Quinton’s side take on Cray Valley Paper Mills after the Darts in a tough couple of weeks. After that Hamlet face Bognor Regis Town, who are in the relegation zone, then Canvey Island, who are point behind them in the division before their final two fixtures.
At Champion Hill, Hamlet have been a lot better than results on the road. This season they have won half of their home matches in the Isthmian Premier compared with just two away victories. Their last three outings have all ended 1-0 with only one of those going Hamlet’s way. A rare victory on their travels against Potters Bar Town was followed with consecutive defeats to Cheshunt and Dover Athletic.
|
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
DARTFORD |
36 |
73 |
+25 |
|
Billericay Town |
36 |
72 |
+30 |
|
Horsham |
36 |
69 |
+28 |
|
Cray Valley (PM) |
36 |
65 |
+15 |
|
Dover Athletic |
36 |
63 |
+31 |
| Dartford (WLWLWW) | Dulwich Hamlet (DLDWLL) | ||||
| Bognor Regis Town | A | 2-0 | Dover Athletic | A | 0-1 |
| Hastings United | H | 2-0 | Cheshunt | H | 0-1 |
| Lewes | A | 1-3 | Potters Bar Town | A | 1-0 |
| Horsham | H | 2-1 | Hashtag United | A | 3-3 |
| Cheshunt | A | 0-3 | Lewes | H | 1-3 |
| Hendon | A | 3-2 | Hastings United | A | 0-0 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 6 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 4 / Draws: 5
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 2 – 2 Dulwich Hamlet (14/12/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 0 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (05/10/2024 – F.A Trophy)
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
Statistics
- Dartford have won the last two league games at Champion Hill and are unbeaten in the last three visits
- The Darts have kept 15 clean sheets in the league this season, the joint highest with Horsham
- Dartford have won all their away games against teams currently in the bottom five. If they beat Dulwich Hamlet that record will extend to the bottom six.
On This Day
Danny Harris and Max Cornhill were the goalscorers 11 years ago when the Darts beat Macclesfield Town 2-1 in the National League. The visitors took the lead at Princes Park when Paul Turnball volleyed from long range. Harris nodded home Lee Noble’s corner and Cornhill scored from close range. That was just Dartford’s second win on this day in the last 13 outings. Surprisingly, Dartford have never won an away match on 29 March in 18 attempts, they have managed five draws in that time.