Dartford take a break from league football and start their F.A Cup campaign at Bracknell Town this weekend.
The Saturday 6.30pm kick off will see the Darts travel to Sandhurst to take on the Southern Premier South side for the first time ever.
Adrian Pennock’s side have had a tough start to their season, especially on the road. Five points in as many games mean the Darts are down in fifteenth. Bracknell Town have had an identical beginning to their campaign and occupy the same position in their division. Winless in their opening four, the Robins then managed a first victory in their previous outing. Bracknell Town will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s F.A Cup performance when they went out at the first qualifying round.
Bank Holiday Monday Madness
Eight goals, three red cards, a hat-trick and late drama made for an entertaining game at Ramsgate last time out for the Darts.
Super sub, Eddie Dsane scored a hat-trick, and defensive pair Sam Smith and Sam Okoye were both dismissed as the Darts came back to draw 4-4 at the Southwood Stadium.
Straight from kick-off Dartford were already on the back foot when Mitch May put the Rams ahead after just 15 seconds. Although Dan Smith got the Darts level with six minutes played, the hosts added another two before the interval. First, Tijan Jadama scored, then Ryan Kingsford made it three.
Five minutes into the second half Sam Smith received his marching orders for a second caution. Despite a numerical disadvantage, Eddie Dsane netted his first of the season to give the Darts hope. However, a hill turned into a mountain after Okoye was given a red card. The referee didn’t stop there though when he sent off Ramsgate’s Harry Webster shortly after. Dartford continued to climb and were rewarded when Dsane equalised. Then minutes later the Rams hit back when former Dart, Tom Clifford regained the lead for the hosts. In stoppage time, the Darts won a penalty which Dsane dispatched.
Highlights courtesy of Ramsgate FC
Slow Starts and Fightbacks
The Darts have formed a habit of conceding first and in the last two games they have shown character to gain four points from losing positions. Against Carshalton Athletic, Olly Box scored a brilliant brace either side of goals from Dan Smith and Jez Pinder to secure a first win of the season.
It appears the attack is starting to click with eight goals in two games. However, the Darts will need to improve their discipline in defence to give themselves the best chance of progressing.
Maiden Win for Bracknell
Dartford weren’t the only side to fall behind early on Monday. Bracknell Town were a goal down after 15 seconds as well conceding against Basingstoke Town. The Robins rallied back with goals from Joe Grant, Seb Bowerman and former Dartford golden boot winner Alfie Pavey. The striker scored 27 goals in the 2017/2018 campaign with the Darts.
Bracknell Town opened their campaign in defeat against Berkhamsted and in between two 1-1 draws, in which Bowerman scored in both games, the Berkshire side lost 4-3 at home to Poole Town. So, the victory over Basingstoke Town was much needed for Jordan Ive’s team.
Robins Rise
Bracknell Town were in the Hellenic League seven years ago and lost the title by two goals. Thatcham Town were champions on goal difference in 2018, but the Robins were promoted to the Isthmian Division One South Central. The Berkshire club finished runners up again the following season but took the title three years later. Their first season in the Southern Premier South saw the club finish runners up again, but since then they have lost a playoff final before finishing down in eighteenth last term.
Manager’s View
Pennock was far from pleased with his side’s defensive errors on Monday, he spoke to Dartford FV TV after the draw and said: “The goals we conceded were an absolute joke”. The Dartford boss feels the issues at the back are fixable and that his team is “close to being a good side”. In the other direction Pennock has confidence in the attack, he added: “We will score goals, football isn’t rocket science, if we keep clean sheets, we will win games”.
An away tie won’t be easy for the Darts and the team will need to be fully focussed on the day, Pennock commented: “It’s another astroturf, it’s another away game, it’s a very tough place to go. If we give them four goals, then we’re not going to be in the F.A Cup”.
Looking ahead to the first qualifying round on the weekend, Pennock highlights the importance of the cup, he said: “The F.A Cup is my favourite competition ever, it’s the best competition in the world. I want to have a really good cup run if we can, for the people at this football club, for the people behind the scenes and obviously for all the supporters because they deserve it as well”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
Michael Olarewaju missed the last game through injury, as he had served his suspension for the red card he received against St Albans City. Both Sam Smith and Sam Okoye will serve their one match bans in the league match versus Canvey Island. Pennock told the local press that Dsane is ‘going to start’. Sammie McLeod, Samir Carruthers and Dean Nayler are on the injury list.
Current Form
| Dartford (LDLWD) | Bracknell Town (LDLDW) | ||||
| Ramsgate | A | 4-4 | Basingstoke Town | H | 3-2 |
| Carshalton Athletic | H | 4-1 | Weymouth | A | 1-1 |
| St Albans City | A | 0-2 | Poole Town | H | 3-4 |
| Billericay Town | H | 1-1 | Uxbridge | H | 1-1 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 0-4 | Berkhamsted | A | 0-1 |
Statistics
- Dartford have progressed or started beyond the first qualifying round stage for the last 18 years. Hastings United were the last side to beat the Darts at this stage of the competition in 2006.
- The Darts have won their last four first qualifying round ties. They needed a replay in 2007 against Sittingbourne and beat Hastings United (2008), Chipstead (2009) and Marlow (2024)
- Dartford have won their last two first qualifying round games scoring 12 goals. They defeated Chipstead 6-1 and Marlow 6-2.
- Bracknell Town reached the F.A Cup first round in consecutive seasons in 2023 and 2024, losing to Ipswich Town and Cambridge United, equalling their best performance set in 2001 when they went out against Lincoln City.
On This Day
Dartford were up against Horsham YMCA in the F.A Cup preliminary round in 1997. The Darts went through with a 4-2 win during a difficult period for the club. Already homeless after the loss of Watling Street, Dartford were sharing with Erith and Belvedere at Park View. A fire at the ground meant the Darts were forced to find another temporary home, not ideal preparations for the away tie in Sussex and the league campaign ahead.
That cup win was Dartford’s fifth in a row on this day, and they went on to extend that sequence to seven. The only defeat in the last 12 matches on 30 August was at Chelmsford City in 2010. That was the last away fixture on this day and since then the Darts have won two in a row, both at home.
In 2014, Dartford fell behind against AFC Telford United in the National League. Goals from Luke Daley and Andy Pugh in the second half claimed the hosts first win of the season. Seven years later, Jake Robinson scored twice, and Ade Azeez added another in a 3-1 National South win against Eastbourne Borough.
