Dartford search for their first home win of the season against Canvey Island in the Isthmian Premier on the weekend.
The Darts opened their home campaign with a defeat on Tuesday night. After winning the opening fixture at Cray Valley Paper Mills, the Darts failed to add more early points to their tally against a side who lost 8-0 on matchday one. Canvey Island are still waiting to get off the mark, suffering two defeats in a row.
Prior to kick-off on Tuesday night against Potters Bar Town, Eddie Dsane was announced as a new signing. The striker has had recent experience in the Isthmian Premier with Margate, Horsham and Kingstonian. Adrian Pennock named an unchanged starting lineup, but was still without Duane Ofori-Acheampong, midfielder Samir Carruthers and goalkeeper Jacob Marsden.
The Darts were unable to produce any clear chances in the first half, which helped the visitors grow in confidence. Just before conceding, Dartford had a warning when summer signing Ore Bello raced through on goal only to miss. Two minutes later Potters Bar Town went ahead when Steve Cawley netted their first of the season.
In the second half, the Darts began to create some chances after the hour mark including one from Dsane, who had come on as a substitute to make his debut. However the hosts drew a blank in front of goal falling to their first loss of the season.
Canvey Island are next up at Princes Park and the last time Dartford hosted the Gulls it turned out to be an epic encounter back in October 2010. Drawn in the F.A Cup third qualifying round, the two sides had already drawn 2-2 just three days earlier. The replay finished 3-3 after extra time going all the way to penalties. Frank Everett put Canvey Island in front, but the Darts raced ahead with goals from Danny Harris, Carl Rook and Paul Goodacre. The visitors fought back with an Alex Rhodes brace. The penalty shoot out finished 9-8 to the Darts.
Dartford had won all six meetings between the two sides before the F.A Cup tie. The last league fixture between the pair was in April 2010 at Princes Park. Once again Canvey Island went in front before Harris and Elliot Bradbrook turned the game around.
The reverse fixture four months earlier ended up 5-2 to the Darts. Lee Burns scored twice, Jamie Coyle, Rob Haworth and Harris added to the tally.
Canvey Island lost to Isthmian Division One South East playoff winners Chichester City on the opening day. Manager, Brad Wellman handed out full debuts to six of his squad, but was without new signings Chris Harris and Harry Hope. Jimmy Wallace and Mason Hall were also absent from the matchday squad.
The Gulls took the lead in Sussex after eight minutes. Although Conor Hubble missed his penalty the midfielder stuck away the rebound. In the second half Jimmy Wild levelled for the hosts and Joe Moore netted the winner for Chichester City.
On Tuesday night, Canvey Island were in action again in an Essex derby with Hashtag United. This time Harris was available and made his debut and Kane Gilbert made his first start since returning to the Gulls from Halstead Town. Making way for the duo were Emmanuel Adebiyi and Finlay Dorrell.
The Tags led at the break through their captain and former Dartford midfielder Max Cornhill. The Gulls went two down just past the hour when Ayo Olukoga scored his first goal for Hashtag United. In the final few minutes Canvey Island set up a nervy finish for their opponents after Gilbert scored a consolation.
Last season was Canvey Island’s second campaign back in the Isthmian Premier. The Gulls reached third-place but were defeated in the playoffs. The Essex club were unable to replicate that success last term finishing fourteenth. Inconsistent form and a leaky defence, the second worst out of non-relegated sides, prevented Canvey Island from a better showing. Yet they ended the campaign strongly with just two losses in their last eight.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 6 / Canvey Island wins: 0 / Draws: 2
Previous Meetings
Dartford 3 – 3 Canvey Island (12/10/2010 – F.A Cup)*
Canvey Island 2 – 2 Dartford (09/10/2010 – F.A Cup)
Dartford 2 – 1 Canvey Island (05/04/2010 – National South)
Canvey Island 2 – 5 Dartford (29/12/2009 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 0 Canvey Island (13/04/2009 – National South)
Canvey Island 2 – 3 Dartford (27/12/2008 – National South)
* – Dartford won 9-8 on penalties
Statistics
- Dartford have won all six league fixtures against Canvey Island with an aggregate score of 21-6
- The Darts have won three and drawn one at Princes Park versus the Gulls in all competitions
- Dartford have scored in every game against Canvey Island averaging 3.25 goals a game
On This Day
Dartford’s last home match on this day was 20 years ago in the Southern League Division One East. The Darts drew 3-3 with Great Wakering Rovers , the third consecutive home game on 17 August in which they had scored three. In 2002, Dartford beat King’s Lynn 3-0 and in 1994, Greenwich Borough were beaten 3-1 in the Kent League. Dartford’s last two matches on this day have ended in a loss on the road. Most recently Weymouth won 3-1 five years ago in the National South and in 2010, Hampton and Richmond secured a 1-0 victory.
