Dartford chase their first league win under interim manager Tony Burman this weekend when they visit playoff chasers Bath City in the National South.
The Darts have lost both league fixtures since Burman’s return to the dugout. His side were second best at home to Weymouth a fortnight ago. Last weekend an improved performance saw Dartford narrowly lose down at Farnborough. However, two county cup victories have given players plenty of opportunity to impress and regain some confidence.
Bath City have won their last two National South matches and occupy the final playoff spot. The Romans have games in hand over the teams above them and hope to put some distance between them and those below the dotted line.
Winless in five league outings, the first time since the start of the 2019/2020 campaign, Dartford have sunk to nineteenth and are just six points clear of the relegation zone. The squad has been hampered by the loss of strikers with Harvey Bradbury, Lewis Manor and George Alexander all leaving recently.
Yet the Kent Senior Cup may have been a welcome distraction and has offered Burman a silver lining. In the 3-2 home win over Sevenoaks Town, Fumnaya Shomotun was impressive for the Oaks, so much so that Burman signed the former Barnet winger. The 26-year-old received plaudits in his debut against Farnborough Town and was lively against Queens Park Rangers Development Team in the London Senior Cup.
Six changes were made to the side that lost 2-1 at Farnborough. Academy graduates, Ashton Day was given his senior debut and Olly Box made his second career start for the Darts. Tom Wray and Sam Odaudu made up five players who featured having come through the academy ranks, George Whitefield who made a substitute appearance. Box netted in the Kent Senior Cup game a week earlier and this time he scored the equaliser that took QPR’s youngsters to penalties. The Darts progressed winning 5-4 from the spot and set up a last eight tie with Cray Wanderers.
Whilst Dartford’s attack was potent last time they met Bath City, their defence was leaky in an entertaining 3-3 draw on the opening day at Princes Park. Former manager, Alan Dowson handed out eight debuts to a new look team. One of those debutants, Tyrell Miller-Rodney grabbed the first goal of the season. Captain, Luke Coulson led by example by putting the Darts two up. In the space of three second-half minutes Bath City were level through Ewan Clark and then Scott Wilson. Coulson netted again and despite the Romans being reduced to ten men they equalised once more courtesy of a stunning effort by Jordan Thomas.
Dartford’s previous visit to Twerton Park was more successful. Last season’s opening fixture ended with a 2-1 victory. Pierre Fonkeu’s double brought back all three points. However, it took until 65 minutes to open his account capitalising on goalkeeper, Dan Wilks’ long ball. Five minutes later the striker made it two from close range after applying pressure on Bath City’s defence. The reverse fixture at Princes Park finished 0-0.
Bath City were looking for their first win of 2024 when this fixture was due to take place last month. The Romans won on Boxing Day beating Chippenham Town on the road. The return fixture on New Year’s Day finished goalless and then they were beaten by Yeovil Town and Slough Town. The Romans were also knocked out in the fourth round of the F.A Trophy by Coalville Town.
Since then, Bath City have regained their stride with a pair of 1-0 victories. Cody Cooke scored his 12th league goal of the season in the away triumph over Weston-super-Mare. Four days later Clark was the match winner in the home win against Eastbourne Borough.
Current League Form
| Dartford (WDDLLL) | Bath City (WDLLWW) | ||||
| Farnborough | A | 1-2 | Eastbourne Borough | H | 1-0 |
| Weymouth | H | 0-1 | Weston-super-Mare | A | 1-0 |
| Maidstone United | A | 1-2 | Slough Town | H | 1-2 |
| Weston-super-Mare | A | 2-2 | Yeovil Town | A | 0-2 |
| Welling United | H | 1-1 | Chippenham Town | H | 0-0 |
| Welling United | A | 1-0 | Chippenham Town | A | 2-1 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 37 / Bath City wins: 40 / Draws: 22
Last Six Meetings
Dartford 3 – 3 Bath City (05/08/2023) – National South)
Dartford 0 – 0 Bath City (10/12/2022 – National South)
Bath City 0 – 2 Dartford (06/08/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Bath City (19/02/2022 – National South)
Bath City 0 – 0 Dartford (27/11/2021 – F.A Trophy)*
Bath City 1 – 3 Dartford (04/09/2021 – National South)
* – Dartford won 5-3 on penalties
Statistics
- The Darts have lost just once in their last 15 league games against the Romans (W11, D3)
- In those 15 league games Dartford have kept ten clean sheets
- In the league, the Darts have lost just one of their last eight at Twerton Park (W5, D2) and have won in five of their last six visits there.
- Dartford have lost three consecutive league games, they have not lost four in a row in the National South since March 2016.
On This Day
Dartford have played 21 times on 10 February and have lost just three. The Darts have won 14 of their fixtures on this day with the last victory coming in 2007. Steve Hafner and Brad Potter scored as the Darts beat Sittingbourne in the Isthmian Division One South. Dartford’s last outing was a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Chelmsford City six years ago, Ryan Hayes scoring against the Clarets. On the road, Dartford have won six, drawn three and lost one on 10 February.
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