Dartford FC Previews

Month: December 2025

Chatham Town v Dartford

December 27, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Dartford will have the chance to close the gap on Chatham Town in this weekend’s Kent derby.

The Darts got back to winning ways last time out and victory on Saturday will move them to within three points of the Chats. However, Adrian Pennock’s side have played two extra matches and are one place behind their opponents. Third place Chatham Town have hit form with five consecutive wins in all competitions.

Box Gift Wraps Win

At home to St Albans City last weekend, the Darts had to dig out a 1-0 win after looking second best for most of the afternoon. Olly Box scored the match winner with the hosts first meaningful effort on goal. Ten minutes into the second half Box used his skill and accuracy to fire beyond the St Albans City goalkeeper. The forward’s first goal at Princes Park in five. Dartford held out to claim a third home clean sheet in four and with it maximum points.

Jonny on the Spot

Earlier in the game George Whitefield, who was back in the lineup for Ben Frempah, gave away a first half penalty. Goalkeeper, Jonny Henly saved the spot kick to deny former Dartford striker Alex Wall from scoring on his return to Princes Park. The Darts keeper also made some crucial saves to earn Player of the Match.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Eze’s First Start

Two minutes after the penalty miss Pennock altered the side by cutting short Luther Williams’ 50th start for the club. The Dartford boss introduced 18 year old Nelson Eze in a tactical change giving the striker his debut after joining on loan from Ipswich Town. The Dartford boss felt Callum Jones needed more support up front.

Playoff Picture

Dartford ended a run of three straight losses without scoring against St Albans City and with it secured fourth place at Christmas. After back to back league defeats and with the current top six taking maximum points, victory over the Saints became more important. The Darts are being chased down by Aveley who are two points further back and have played four fewer matches.

Early pacesetters Brentwood Town hold second spot, but Chatham Town are hot on their heels, a win behind the Essex club and also with games in hand. Kevin Hake’s side have their sights on the National South after going full time in the summer and have recently hit great form.

Dartford Double

Last season the Darts won home and away against Chatham Town. On New Year’s Day, Pennock’s side kickstarted 2025 with a 2-0 victory on the road.

Both sides couldn’t be separated at the break. However, the breakthrough came just past the hour when George Whitefield’s cross was deflected goalwards and into the Chatham Town net. Eddie Dsane entered the game and added a second from a tight angle to secure the win.

Earlier in last season the Darts came from behind at Princes Park. The visitors led when Jamie Vila scored in the first half. Three minutes after the interval Sam Odaudu equalised with a long range effort. Dartford left it late to complete the turnaround when Callum Jones put the hosts in front with four minutes to go and Dsane netted a last minute penalty.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Ex-Darts Impress

In January last year Matthew MacArthur joined Dartford on loan, scored on debut, made another appearance then returned to Gillingham. Late October this year he joined Chatham Town and he has netted a brace in his last two league appearances and scored six in as many games in all competitions.

The 21-year old helped his new side reach the F.A Trophy fourth round by scoring against Plymouth Parkway. He also put two past Potters Bar Town and Cheshunt. Another former Dart was on the scoresheet in the trophy too. Ben Allen made ten substitute appearances under Pennock last season at Dartford. He has scored four in his last five matches for Chatham Town in all competitions, last on target in Tuesday night’s 2-1 Kent Senior Cup quarter final win over League Two side Bromley.

Hot Streak

Chatham Town are on track to match their seven wins in a row earlier in the season. However the Darts will be hoping to halt that run and become only the third team to beat the Chats at the Sports Ground in the Isthmian Premier this season.

Only runaway leaders Folkestone Invicta and St Albans City visited Chatham Town and claimed maximum points. Since the defeat to the Saints, the Kent side have won their last two home league fixtures putting four past Burgess Hill Town and three past Potters Bar Town. At the other end of the pitch the Chats have been solid recently. Bromley were the first team to breach Chatham Town’s defence in over seven hours of football.

Manager’s View

Pennock called last weekend’s win against St Albans City ‘a big three points’, but the performance was far from convincing at first, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and admitted: “We weren’t on it first half and I said to the boys at half time ‘look it could be one of these games where we’re not going to be right on it but we could win the game 1-0’ and that’s what we’ve done”.

The Dartford manager saw an improvement in the second half and was pleased in the way his side picked up maximum points, he added: “We showed some really good football in the second half in patches, but what I liked about us was winning that scrappy game, to win 1-0 and another clean sheet is excellent from the boys”.

Once again Dartford can expect a challenging afternoon this weekend against Chatham Town, Pennock commented: “It’s going to be a very tough game. They are full time, they are flying high in the league, but this win today (against St Albans City) sets us up nicely”.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Michael Olarewaju has served his suspension and should be available again. Dan Smith is nursing a hamstring injury. Dean Nayler remains a long term absentee.

Current League Form

 
Dartford (DWWLLW) Chatham Town (DWWWWW)
St Albans City H 1-0 Bromley (KSC) H 2-1
Folkestone Invicta H 1-2 Cheshunt A 4-0
Lewes A 0-1 Potters Bar Town H 3-0
Dulwich Hamlet H 1-0 Plymouth Parkway (FAT) H 3-0
Whitehawk A 2-1 Burgess Hill Town H 4-0
Cray Valley PM A 1-1 Chichester City A 2-2

 

(FAT – F.A Trophy / KSC – Kent Senior Cup)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 32 / Chatham Town wins: 40 / Draws: 11

Previous Meetings

Chatham Town 0 – 2 Dartford (01/01/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (26/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 3 Chatham Town (09/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)
Chatham Town 2 – 3 Dartford (26/12/2006 – Isthmian Division One South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (15/04/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (27/09/2005 – Southern League Cup)

Statistics

  • Dartford have won four of the last five league meetings against the Chats (L1)
  • The Darts have won five of their last eight league matches at Chatham Town (D1, L2)
  • As a Dartford player, Eddie Dsane has scored in both his appearances against Chatham Town
  • The Darts end the year playing their 150th Isthmian Premier League match (W81 D33 L35)
  • Saturday’s game will be Dartford’s 49th in 2025 in all competitions (W24 D12 L12) and 43rd in the league (W23 D10 L9)

On This Day

Cody McDonald scored a hat-trick and was sent off on this day in 2008. The striker helped Dartford to a 3-2 win at Canvey Island with his treble. McDonald scored two first half goals within a minute of each other and added his third in the second half. The hosts hit back with two goals in reply, but the Darts finished with ten men when McDonald picked up two yellow cards.

Gravesend and Northfleet (now Ebbsfleet United) have been the most frequent opponents on this day. Dartford have played their local rivals eight times on 27 December winning five, drawing two and losing just one. The last meeting on this day between the two clubs ended 1-1 back in 1982.

Dartford v St Albans City

December 19, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Dartford’s last home match of the year takes place this weekend when they host St Albans City in the Isthmian Premier.

The Darts are hanging around in the playoff places after back to back defeats. Adrian Pennock’s side are sitting in fourth, but two sides are close enough to potentially make games in hand count and apply more pressure on the Darts.

St Albans City were expected to be challenging further up the table after relegation from the National South. The Saints were forced to make a managerial change when Ian Culverhouse unexpectedly left. Since November, former Billericay Town boss Gary McCann has been in charge and his new side are mid-table.

Leaders Too Good

Last time out the Darts were up against a Folkestone Invicta side topping the table and suffered a 2-1 defeat. Adrian Pennock went for a back five to try and contain Invicta. With strikers Dan Smith out injured and Eddie Dsane only fit enough to be named substitute, the Dartford boss had little choice other than to replace a midfielder for an extra defender. In came Sam Odaudu and Ben Frempah in place of George Whitefield and Jez Pinder. Midfielder, Dan Carter returned to the starting lineup ahead of Samir Carruthers.

The visitors became only the second side to claim a win at Princes Park this season in the league. Joe Pigott managed to open the scoring from a tight angle. Former Dartford forward Ade Yussuf doubled Folkestone’s lead. Carruthers scored a superb free-kick with two minutes remaining, but it proved to be no more than a consolation goal.

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Challenging Festive Fixtures

The Darts will feel the need for a victory after their last two results, even more so the fact they have two tricky Kent derbies on the horizon. In the second half of January, Dartford also take on three playoff pushing sides. Whilst the fixture list is tough over the next few weeks it will also be a great opportunity for Dartford to prove their playoff credentials. However, a positive result against St Albans City is the first target and in recent meetings the Hertfordshire side have come out on top.

Darts Miss Target

Dartford fell to defeat in the reverse fixture four months ago. St Albans City claimed a 2-0 victory with goals from Zane Banton and Jasper Mather. Banton netted a penalty after Michael Olarewaju’s handball was punished with a red card. Mather gave the Saints breathing space by doubling their lead.

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Highlights courtesy of SaintsTV

The Darts have failed to get anything from St Albans City over the last four games. After a heartbreaking National South playoff defeat on penalties in May 2023, Dartford have lost three in a row without scoring against the Hertfordshire club. Yet that isn’t the first time such a streak has happened. In 2016 and 2017, the Saints also won three consecutive games versus the Darts without conceding.

Between those two barren spells, Dartford had improved their fortunes by tasting defeat just once in eight meetings with the Saints. Pierre Fonkeu was the last Dartford player to score a winning goal in this fixture, which came just weeks before the playoff defeat. A 2-1 home victory saw Carruthers put the hosts ahead before Shaun Jeffers acrobatically equalised.

Culverhouse Out, McCann In

Towards the end of October, Ian Culverhouse took the opportunity to return to King’s Lynn Town for a third spell. Saints were sitting in tenth, five points off the last playoff spot Dartford were occupying. Without a permanent boss the Hertfordshire club slid down to seventeenth.

Back in September, Gary McCann left Billericay Town after a disappointing start for the Blues. His availability led to St Albans City appointing him last month and so far he has taken Saints up four places with three victories and a draw from seven league games.

Mixed Results

Last weekend St Albans City fell to defeat against a Chichester City side who were hovering above the relegation zone. Troy Perez-Duah’s goal was sandwiched between Ethan Prichard’s lob and Joseph Moore’s winner for the Sussex club.

Saints took a point at Ramsgate, but they also lost a Hertfordshire derby versus bottom of the table side Potters Bar Town. Once again, McCann’s side equalised before falling behind to lose.

It was against another Kent team that the Saints excelled. They ended last month with a resounding 4-1 win over Chatham Town. Zane Banton, Sam Smart, Kieran Petrie and Leo Sery all found the back of the net. Former Dartford striker Alex Wall has regularly featured for St Albans City. Wall made 74 appearances and scored 23 times for the Darts over three spells.

Manager’s View

Pennock spoke to Dartford FC TV after the loss last Saturday, he said he was, “disappointed we lost. We’ve got to put our hands up and sometimes you get beaten by a better side, but we didn’t give up. We gave everything”.

The Darts boss feels his side weren’t ‘shrewd’ enough in attack and is pleased Eddie Dsane is getting fitter after injury, he commented: “he’s another option for us and he looked nice and bright when he came off the bench”.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

If selected Luther Williams will make his 50th start for the Darts. Michael Olarewaju was out suspended against Folkestone Invicta, the defender has received two red cards this term, one in the reverse fixture at Clarence Park. Dan Smith is nursing a hamstring injury. Eddie Dsane, Dan Carter and Jacob Bland will be hoping for more minutes. Dean Nayler remains out after a pre-season injury.

Current League Form

 
Dartford (WDWWLL) St Albans City (WLWLDL)
Folkestone Invicta H 1-2 Chichester City H 1-2
Lewes A 0-1 Ramsgate A 1-1
Dulwich Hamlet H 1-0 Potters Bar Town H 1-2
Whitehawk A 2-1 Chatham Town A 4-1
Cray Valley PM A 1-1 Burgess Hill Town H 3-4
Chichester City H 2-0 Carshalton Athletic H 2-1

 

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 12 / St Albans City wins: 9 / Draws: 7

Previous Meetings

St Albans City 2 – 0 Dartford (16/08/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 0 – 3 St Albans City (23/12/2023 – National South)
St Albans City 1 – 0 Dartford (09/09/2023 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 St Albans City (07/05/2023 – National South Playoffs)*
Dartford 2 – 1 St Albans City (22/04/2023 – National South)
St Albans City 1 – 1 Dartford (22/10/2022 – National South)
* – St Albans City won 5-3 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford are winless in their last four matches against St Albans City (D1*, L3) * – lost on penalties
  • Dartford have failed to score in their last three matches against St Albans City. The last time they went three in a row without a goal versus the Saints was from April 2016 to March 2017
  • The Darts have gone 18 matches without a clean sheet against the Hertfordshire club stretching back to February 2016 (W6, D3, L9). The Saints have kept a clean sheet in half of those games.

On This Day

Dartford caused a National League upset on this day in 2014 by going to Wrexham and winning 3-1. Imagine if that happened these days against the Championship side owned by Hollywood stars. Back then captain Elliot Bradbrook put the Darts ahead at the Racecourse Ground. The Welsh club levelled through Louis Moult, but Rory McAuley restored the visitor’s lead. In the final minute Tom Bradbrook sealed a memorable victory.

Dartford v Folkestone Invicta

December 11, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Dartford host league leaders Folkestone Invicta in an enticing Kent derby this weekend hoping to close the gap at the top.

The Darts have collected the most points at home in the division, whilst Invicta are number one in the away charts. Adrian Pennock’s side know victory will put them in a great position ahead of a tough fixture schedule this month.

Folkestone Invicta are flying at the moment, nine points clear at the summit and have won their last four games on the road. Jay Saunders has guided his team to eight consecutive victories in the league, winning a top of the table clash last time out.

Late Loss at Lewes

Dartford’s unbeaten run was brought to a last gasp end at the Dripping Pan. The Darts had put together a run of four matches without defeat before travelling to Sussex.

Adrian Pennock made two changes with Joe Tennent returning to replace the suspended Michael Olarewaju. The lack of fit strikers also meant there was no Dan Smith or Eddie Dsane, so Samir Carruthers took his place in the midfield. Full back Sam Odaudu was back in the squad and made a substitute appearance after being out through injury since mid-October.

A 95th minute winner from Bobby Unwin made sure the hosts came out on top in a closely fought game. Pennock felt his side lacked that cutting edge in front of goal, which ultimately cost his side.

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Home Form Keeps Darts Challenging

Dartford’s home form is making sure they are hanging around the playoff places. The Darts finished last Saturday in fourth place, but by the time this weekend’s game comes around they could have dropped out.

At Princes Park, only Wingate and Finchley have gone home with maximum points and the Darts have scored in every league match on their own patch. Pennock’s side have won the last two home fixtures without conceding and will need to keep it tight at the back against a Folkestone Invicta side who have racked up 54 goals before the halfway point in the season.

Pennock told www.kentsportsnews.com last week that he thinks “the league is going to be tight behind Folkestone”. Although it’s hard to argue against his opinion, it’s down to Pennock to make sure the Darts remain in the playoff mix.

Bittersweet Draw

At the final whistle in this very fixture back in April, the Darts ended with mixed emotions. In the midst of a title race, Dartford went two down at Princes Park against Folkestone Invicta, drew 2-2 and results elsewhere meant somehow Pennock’s side extended their lead at the top by a point. Yet it still felt like two crucial points had been dropped.

Jon Henly was in goal for Invicta that day trying to prevent his current club from staying top of the league. However, it was Amadou Kassarate who stunned Princes Park with two first half goals and left the Darts with plenty of work to do.

It took Dartford an hour to finally break through the Invicta defence when George Whitefield pulled a goal back. With four minutes remaining Denzelle Olopade won a penalty and Carruthers kept his cool to level. In the final moments the Darts had an effort ruled out for offside, a close call that denied them a dramatic victory.

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Jones Decides Outcome

Almost a year ago Dartford went to Cheriton Road and came home with all three points, Callum Jones scoring the decisive goal. In a scrappy contest their wasn’t much to write about, but in the end the Darts got what they wanted and at the time extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches.

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Invicta Target Title

Preparation for this campaign started early for Folkestone Invicta. In fact it really began at the tail end of last term. Saunders was originally announced Invicta boss for 2025/2026, but his stint in charge was brought forward to see last season out. That allowed him to assess the squad and it wasn’t long after the season ended that wholesale changes were made.

The result is a title push and the prospect of reaching the National South for the first time since the non league pyramid was reformed. Should they be successful in achieving promotion, the club will be playing in step two for the first time since 2003, when they were relegated from the Southern Premier League after three years in the division.

Setting the Standard

Invicta went ten unbeaten to set a solid foundation and that included a 5-2 away victory at Aveley and a 6-0 home win versus Lewes. At the end of October, Hashtag United were and still are the only side to have beaten the league leaders. Since that loss Saunders’ side have won eight straight league games including the 8-1 thrashing of Cray Wanderers.

On Saturday, Folkestone Invicta claimed a statement win against their closest rivals Brentwood Town. The top two were separated by Ade Yusuff’s penalty to pull Invicta further clear. The forward could make a return to Princes Park having played six times under Pennock last season scoring once.

Another clean sheet means the Kent side have not conceded in their previous three games. Also featuring in last weekend’s triumph was Jack Jebb, who made 67 appearances for the Darts scoring nine and Adam Lovatt, who had a loan spell in 2022/2023 appearing five times.

Manager’s View

Pennock was pleased with last weekend’s defensive display, but felt the Darts didn’t make the most of attacking opportunities. He spoke to www.dartfordfc.com after the game and explained: “We had lots of good chances, but our decision making was poor in the final third. Either the pass was poor, or we didn’t shoot when we should have. We wanted to walk the ball in. That’s what messed us up. I thought we defended very well as a unit, but we had the chances to win and we weren’t at it.”

Looking towards this weekend’s Kent derby, the Dartford boss says Invicta deserve to be leading the division, he commented: “I’ve known Jay at Folkestone a long time so it will be good to see him. They are the league leaders on merit and I’m really looking forward to the game”.

For the full interview with Gareth Morgan click here

Team News

Michael Olarewaju was suspended last weekend due to picking up two red cards this season. Dan Smith is unlikely to feature against his former club due a hamstring issue. Eddie Dsane is back in training. Dan Carter has extended his loan spell and could be available, but is recovering from a minor injury. Dean Nayler remains out after his pre-season injury. Sam Smith is another who could face his former side on Saturday.

Current League Form

 
Dartford (LWDWWL) Folkestone Invicta (DWLLLDW)
Lewes A 0-1 Brentwood Town H 1-0
Dulwich Hamlet H 1-0 Chichester City H 3-0
Whitehawk A 2-1 Wingate & Finchley A 1-0
Cray Valley PM A 1-1 Cheshunt A 4-2
Chichester City H 2-0 Cray Wanderers H 8-1
Billericay Town A 1-2 Potters Bar Town A 3-0

 

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 8 / Folkestone Invicta wins: 10 / Draws: 5

Previous Meetings

Dartford 2 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (05/04/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Folkestone Invicta 0 – 1 Dartford (21/12/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
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)**
* played at Chatham Town
** Dartford won 5-3 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford are unbeaten in their last six against Folkestone Invicta in all competitions (W4, D2).
  • In the league the Darts are winless in the last four at home against Folkestone Invicta (D1, L3).
  • Dartford’s blank versus Lewes last weekend was their first in the Isthmian Premier in 18 games.
  • Four of the top five goalscorers in the league play for either side. Dartford’s Olly Box has 11 goals and Eddie Dsane is on ten. Folkestone Invicta pair, Jake Hutchinson and Joe Piggot also have ten goals.

On This Day

Dartford caused a F.A Trophy first round upset to knock out Kent rivals Dover Athletic on this day in 2016. Ronnie Vint, whose goal took the tie to a replay days earlier, scored an equaliser after Jim Stevenson had Dover Athletic aheaad at the Crabble. On the stroke of half-time Luke Wanadio scored from 20 yards in the 2-1 win.

The Darts also beat Solihull Moors at the same stage of competition a couple of years earlier. The Bradbrook brother were on target in the 2-0 victory. Elliot scored from the penalty spot and Tom doubled the lead.

Dartford have failed to win a league game on this day since 1975, when they beat Dorchester Town 2-0 in the Southern League Division One South. Since then the Darts drew three in a row followed by three league defeats on the spin. The last home triumph in a league match on 13 December was back in 1958 against Guildford City, a 5-1 win in the Southern League South Eastern Division.

Lewes v Dartford

December 5, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Dartford will want to strengthen their playoff credentials when they travel to Lewes this weekend in the Isthmian Premier.

The Darts have yet to record back to back away wins this season and if Adrian Pennock’s side achieve a victory they could climb into third place. Maximum points can also potentially close the gap on the top two, who take each other on this Saturday.

Lewes have taken just one point from their last four outings and will be hoping to move further away from a relegation battle rather than being dragged towards the bottom three.

Smith on Song

Sam Smith scored his first goal for the Darts to become the match winner. The midfielder pounced on a blocked shot to find the bottom corner through a crowd of players. Dartford created plenty of opportunities to race ahead, but were unable to add to their tally. That made for a nervy final fifteen minutes, but the Darts held out to take three valuable points.

Sam Okoye and Jez Pinder returned from suspension and went into the starting lineup. Dan Carter and Jacob Bland were named as substitutes. Joe Tennent was missing from the matchday squad.

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Building Momentum

Victory on Saturday extended Dartford’s unbeaten run to four putting the consecutive defeats in early November behind them. On the road the Darts have lost just one of their last seven in the league, but have only won one as well.

With some difficult matches on the horizon against league leaders Folkestone Invicta and playoff hopefuls St Albans City, then Chatham Town, an away victory at Lewes will build confidence and keep the momentum going ahead of the remaining December fixtures.

Defensive Improvement

Twenty games into the league campaign and the Darts are showing they are contenders to make the playoffs. Although Pennock’s side are sitting in third, they could easily get a challenge from teams below them who have games in hand. Yet it’s clear Dartford have improved defensively which has turned those early season home draws into wins.

Over the first ten league matches, the Darts won just twice conceding 19 and had to wait until the ninth game to record a first and only clean sheet in that spell. Over the next ten outings, Dartford have won seven, conceded nine and added a further four clean sheets.

Rooks Take Darts

Michael Olarewaju scored his only goal for the Darts in this fixture last season. The defender won’t be able to repeat that on Saturday as he begins his suspension. Back in March, Olarewaju equalised at the Dripping Pan after Danny Bassett put Lewes in front. The hosts won it in the final ten minutes with two goals from Marcus Sablier.

Dominant Dartford

Defeat in Sussex in March was Dartford’s first ever against Lewes. Previously, the Darts had won three out of four including a 2-0 triumph at Princes Park just over a year ago.

Academy graduates Olly Box and George Whitefield were the difference, but the Darts could have won by more on the day.

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Barren Spell

Lewes last tasted victory a month ago when they beat the league leaders at the time, Brentwood Town. The 4-2 home win saw their opponents relinquish top spot.

Consecutive losses followed versus Carshalton Athletic, then Wingate and Finchley. The run was then extended when the Rooks suffered a 2-0 home reverse against Chatham Town, who were down to ten men with the scores level. Former Dart, Tyler Christian-Law featured in that loss. The midfielder played 42 times last season under Adrian Pennock scoring one goal.

Six Goal Thriller

However, last Saturday they halted that run of defeats in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Hashtag United. The Tags were only ahead for six minutes when Bobby Unwin levelled. The midfielder scored his first goal since returning to the club late last month. Martell Taylor-Crossdale had the Rooks in front, but before the half was out Hashtag United equalised. Another Lewes returnee, Alfie Allen put the Sussex side back in the lead five minutes into the second half. However, Evans Kouassi grabbed his second of the afternoon to leave things all square.

Assistant Manager’s View

Roland Edge was delighted with the opening 45 minutes last Saturday and the win, he told Dartford FC TV: “I thought it was well deserved. In patches in the first half it’s the best we’ve played. We put them under a lot of pressure, they defended well, but it was a really, really good first half”.

The loss of Dan Smith through injury was a setback for the Darts, but the depth of the squad played its part, Edge added: “We brought people on and they created other problems for their defence. I think on another day we could have won by two or three more really”.

Hoping to continue momentum, the assistant manager isn’t expecting an easy ride at the Dripping Pan, he commented: “Lewes are very good at home, we know what they do, they play a nice style of football”, he continued: “We are confident at the minute and we have got to maintain that. The hard work is the main thing in every game. Don’t go there thinking it’s going to be gifted to you, it never will”.

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Team News

Michael Olarewaju will be suspended this weekend for his second red card of the season that he picked up against Whitehawk. Dan Smith came off early in last weekend’s game with what looked like a hamstring issue. Joe Tennent missed out last weekend, whilst Sam Odaudu, Eddie Dsane and Dean Nayler have been out injured.

Current League Form

 
Dartford (LLWDWW) Lewes (DWLLLD)
Dulwich Hamlet H 1-0 Hashtag United A 3-3
Whitehawk A 2-1 Chatham Town H 0-2
Cray Valley PM A 1-1 Wingate & Finchley A 0-3
Chichester City H 2-0 Carshalton Athletic H 2-3
Billericay Town A 1-2 Brentwood Town H 4-2
Wingate & Finchley H 1-2 Cray Valley PM A 1-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Lewes wins: 1 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Lewes 3 – 1 Dartford (08/03/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 2 – 0 Lewes (23/11/2024– Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 0 Lewes (26/03/2011 – National South)
Lewes 1 – 1 Dartford (30/10/2010 – National South)
Lewes 0 – 2 Dartford (15/01/1983 – F.A Trophy)

Statistics

  • The Darts four game unbeaten run against the Rooks ended in their last visit to the Dripping Pan (W3, D1)
  • Dartford have scored in all five games against Lewes and have kept three clean sheets
  • The Darts are unbeaten against teams currently in the bottom ten (W7, D2)
  • Lewes have conceded the joint most goals over the last eight games (21 with Potters Bar Town)

On This Day

Dartford have won five of the last six on this day with the last two outings ending 1-0. Hendon were beaten in 2008 thanks to a rare Tommy Osbourne goal. The Darts also had James White sent off. In 1997, Dartford won at Yate Town in the Southern League South. The only side to take something out of the Darts in this current unbeaten sequence was Worcester City in 1986. Stourbridge were beaten 3-1 in 1983. Three years earlier Folkestone were defeated 1-0 and Trowbridge Town lost 3-1 in 1975.

In a Kent Floodlit League fixture Dartford thrashed rivals Maidstone United 6-0 in 1967. Twenty years earlier it was the Darts who were thrashed by Bristol City, losing 9-2 in a F.A Cup first round replay.

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