Dartford take part in the Isthmian League Cup for the first time in two years when they visit AFC Whyteleafe at Flamingo Park on Wednesday night.
On the 20th anniversary of Princes Park opening, the Darts begin their sixth campaign in the competition on the road. After the club opted out last season, player manager Ben Greenhalgh wanted to enter this term to help develop his young squad.
AFC Whyteleafe will participate for only the second time having won consecutive promotions to the Isthmian Premier. The Leafe will be aiming to go a step further than last year and have already defeated Dartford in the league.
Two-by Sinks Darts
In the meeting between the two sides just under a month ago, Toby Aromolaran made the difference. Since signing from Aveley he has scored eight in only six league appearances, including his brace against the Darts. The forward put his side in front when he pounced at the far post. Greenhalgh equalised for Dartford, but parity lasted just four minutes when Aromolaran scored the winner from the spot.
King Overthrown
Although Dartford went on to lose another fixture after the AFC Whyteleafe reverse, Greenhalgh and company have got back to their early season form. The Darts have progressed in the F.A Trophy, the Kent Senior Cup and have now won four of their last five matches in all competitions.
On Saturday the Darts put in an outstanding performance to beat an Eastbourne Borough side on the back of eight straight wins. Dartford were four up at half-time against a side managed by former boss, Steve King.
Greenhalgh named an unchanged team for only the second time and his selection worked wonders. Dan Smith scored in open play for the third game in a row, then Max Fiddes scored twice, either side of Greenhalgh’s strike. The Sports pulled one back through former Dart, Liam Nash in the second half.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Frontline Firing
Taking opportunities in front of goal was something Greenhalgh pointed out earlier in the season as something that needs to improve. In the opening 19 games, the Darts scored three or more goals in just four of those matches. Now they have scored three or more in the four of the previous five. The trio of Fiddes, Dan Smith and Greenhalgh have been responsible for all of Dartford’s goals in last three matches.
However, the League Cup takes less priority and Greenhalgh is expected to use his players looking to gain more minutes in game time. In the Kent Senior Cup ties against Ramsgate and Bromley those players stood up to the task with a 2-0 victory and a 4-1 win. Academy players and those closer to the the first team will have another chance to impress on Wednesday.
Settling Leafes
Since promotion to the Isthmian Premier it has taken a while for AFC Whyteleafe to find their feet. The Surrey side have won five of their last six league matches to climb to mid-table. Prior the run they are now on, the Leafe were in the bottom four with one win to their name.
Another side whose attacking output has improved, AFC Whyteleafe have averaged over three goals a game in their last seven outings in all competitions. In their first 13 fixtures they were scoring around one goal a match.
Towners Downed
On Saturday, AFC Whyteleafe earned an impressive win at league leaders Enfield Town. Palace Francis and Aromolaran both scored to knock the Towners off top spot in the Isthmian Premier.
Leading up to the weekend, Enzo Gonnella’s team had put four past Dulwich Hamlet and won 6-3 in the Surrey Senior Cup, beating Combined Counties Premier Division South side Virginia Water.
Player Manager’s View
Ben Greenhalgh was delighted with Saturday’s win, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the 4-1 victory over Eastbourne Borough and said: “We were so ruthless in the first half and I think it’s been coming”, he added: “It was all us in every department”. Greenhalgh explained that the second half was a different type of test having gone four up before half-time, he commented: “It’s very difficult to then go in the second half and look to win five or six nil. You don’t want to find yourself in the mentality that you’ve already won the game”.
The Dartford boss will make changes to the starting eleven to prioritise the F.A Trophy on the weekend, he explained: “We entered these competitions just to give other people opportunities. Right now our focus is fully on Totton on Saturday”. Although Greenhalgh still wants standards to remain high, he continued: “I still expect the players to turn up and wear the badge with pride, which they’ve always done, but in the same manner we’re not going to overdo players and add to the injury list that we’ve had to already deal with this season”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
Sam Odaudu will be out injured for longer than expected, but an approximate timescale has yet to be confirmed. Adrian Gyamera and Emmanuel Oke have been carrying injuries. Ike Orji picked up a ‘knock’ on the weekend. With the League Cup tie on a Wednesday, Greenhalgh has hinted certain players will not feature due to the proximity of the F.A Trophy match with National South side AFC Totton.
Current Form
| DARTFORD (LWWLWW) | AFC WHYTELEAFE (WWLWWW) | ||||
| Eastbourne Borough | H | 4-1 | Enfield Town | A | 2-0 |
| Lewes | A | 2-1 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 4-2 |
| Aveley | A | 3-4 | Virginia Water (SSC) | H | 6-3 |
| Bromley (KSC) | H | 4-1 | Burgess Hill Town | H | 2-3 |
| Three Bridges (FAT) | H | 3-2 | Dartford | H | 2-1 |
| Brentwood Town | A | 0-3 | Whitehawk | H | 5-0 |
FAT – F.A Trophy / KSC – Kent Senior Cup / SSC – Surrey Senior Cup
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 0 / AFC Whyteleafe wins: 1 / Draws: 0
Previous Meeting
AFC Whyteleafe 2 – 1 Dartford (17/10/2026 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
- Dartford have entered the Isthmian League Cup five times winning 6, drawing two (progressing twice on penalties) and losing five.
- The Darts have won three, drawn one (went through on penalties) and lost three Isthmian League Cup ties on the road.
- Scored 3+ goals in four of the last five games in all competitions. They had previously scored 3+ goals in four of the last 19.
On This Day
A momentous day 20 years ago saw the opening of Princes Park. Dartford’s homecoming ended up with a 4-2 victory over Horsham YMCA in the Isthmian Division One South. Brendon Cass scored the first goal in the new stadium and went on to claim a brace. Nick Barnes and Eddie McClements also wrote their names in club history with goals.
Dartford have lost the last two on Remembrance Day, but did win a Kent derby against Welling United in 2014. Max Cornhill and Harry Crawford scored before the Wings had Jake Gallagher sent off, then scored a consolation through Harry Beautyman.
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