Category: Season Preview (Page 1 of 8)

Season Preview 2024/2025

Wingate and Finchley

Formed as a merger between Wingate and Finchley, the Blues have spent all but six years of their existence in the Isthmian leagues. Starting as Wingate and Finchley in 1991, they switched from the South Midlands to the Isthmian Division Three after four years. Aside from a two-year spell in the Southern League East, the Blues have one playoff promotion to their name up to the Isthmian Premier in 2011, where they have stayed since.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 4th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Elliot Long (22 goals)

Playoff semi-finalists last season, Wingate and Finchley were consistent enough to record their highest league position in seven years. Hanging around just outside the top five, the Blues really pushed on from February losing only two games until the end of the season. In that time Wingate and Finchley picked up nine victories and five draws to cement a place in the playoffs where they lost to eventual winners Enfield Town.

Manager – Ahmet Rifat

A long serving former Wingate and Finchley player, Ahmet Rifat come through the academy at Reading as a midfielder. At the age of 33 he broke the record for most Wingate and Finchley appearances when he reached 460 games during the 2019/2020 season. After hanging up his boots, Rifat turned manager in October 2022 and last term guided the club to their first playoff campaign in 13 years.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Wingate and Finchley wins: 2 / Draws: 2

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 0 Wingate and Finchley (26/04/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Wingate and Finchley 0 – 2 Dartford (03/11/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Wingate and Finchley 3 – 2 Dartford (18/03/2006 – Southern League Div 1 East)
Dartford 2 – 1 Wingate and Finchley (17/12/2005 – Southern League Div 1 East)
Wingate and Finchley 2 – 2 Dartford (28/03/2005 – Southern League Div 1 East)
Dartford 2 – 2 Wingate and Finchley (27/12/2004 – Southern League Div 1 East)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Wingate and Finchley – Saturday 19th October 2024
Wingate and Finchley v Dartford – Saturday 18th January 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won three of their last four games against Wingate and Finchley (L1)
  • The Darts are unbeaten in the three home matches against the Blues (W2, D1)
  • Dartford recorded their first away win over Wingate and Finchley last time they visited Summers Lane (D1, L2)

Match Highlights – 2007/2008

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Match highlights courtesy of sonytino

Season Preview 2024/2025

Whitehawk

In the space of seven years Whitehawk almost completed the journey from the Sussex League to the National League but were denied in playoff heartbreak. County champions in 2010 and back-to-back Isthmian titles in 2012 and 2013, the Hawks soared. In the National South, Whitehawk reached the playoffs in consecutive campaigns before double relegation. Last term was their first back in the Isthmian Premier after winning the Division One South East playoffs a year earlier.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 9th
F.A Cup: 3rd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
Top League Scorer: Charlie Walker (15goals)

Whitehawk’s opening day defeat was their only one throughout August, September, and October. Over the following two months they failed to win dropping from fourth to fifteenth by the New Year. The Hawks improved again by February and finished strongly. In their final 18 games they only lost twice and in the last seven they took 19 points from a possible 21. Although Whitehawk fell short of the playoff places, they finished in great form.

Manager – Ross McNeilly

Another side to make a change to their management team this summer, Ross McNeilly was named boss towards the end of May. Most recently a first team coach with Dorking Wanderers, he also gained experience as a manager with Aldershot Town in the National League. McNeilly previously led the Shots academy side and his experience in youth football extends to Sunderland as well as Woking.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Whitehawk wins: 3 / Draws: 0

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (27/01/2018 – National South)
Whitehawk 0 – 4 Dartford (05/09/2017 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (04/02/2017 – National South)
Whitehawk 1 – 0 Dartford (10/08/2016 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 4 Whitehawk (12/03/2016 – National South)
Whitehawk 0 – 1 Dartford (19/12/2015 – National South)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Whitehawk – Saturday 4th January 2025
Whitehawk v Dartford – Saturday 12th April 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won their last three games against Whitehawk
  • The Darts have won their last two home games 3-1 against the Hawks
  • The winning side has kept a clean sheet in the three fixtures at the Enclosed Ground (W2, L1)

Match Highlights 2017/2018

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Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

Potters Bar Town

Runners up of the Isthmian Division One North in 2018, a reorganisation of step three meant the Scholars didn’t need to participate in the playoffs. Instead, they won promotion and for the first time reached the Isthmian Premier. A year earlier Potters Bar Town switched from the Southern League to begin a second spell in the Isthmian. The Scholars have spent four full campaigns in the Premier finishing between thirteenth and sixteenth in each season.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 15th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 1st Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Brandon Adams (18 goals)

One month in and it looked like a long season ahead for the Hertfordshire club. Six straight defeats from the opening day left the Scholars joint bottom, but they finally got off the mark against eventual runners up Chatham Town mid-September. Potters Bar Town went on to lose just four from the next 26 fixtures. However, the early season form returned finishing the campaign with one win and nine defeats.

Manager – Max Mitchell

Last season was Max Mitchell’s first full campaign in charge at Potters Bar Town. He joined the club in December 2022 on an interim basis from Welwyn City Garden, after a successful spell with the Citizens, and his position was made permanent in April last year. Mitchell previously managed Walthamstow and St Margaretsbury in the Essex Senior League and had a spell in the Southern League with Hertford Town.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 2 / Potters Bar Town wins: 1 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Potters Bar Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/04/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Dartford 4 – 0 Potters Bar Town (27/10/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Dartford 1 – 2 Potters Bar Town (11/03/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Potters Bar Town 1 – 4 Dartford (08/10/2005 – Southern League Div One East)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Potters Bar Town – Tuesday 13th August 2024
Potters Bar Town v Dartford – Tuesday 5th November 2024

Statistics

  • Dartford are unbeaten in the last two matches against Potters Bar Town (W1, D1)
  • The Darts kept the only clean sheet in this fixture the last time they hosted the Scholars at Princes Park
  • Dartford are unbeaten in their two visits to Potters Bar Town (W1, D1)

Match Highlights 2007/2008

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Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino

Season Preview 2024/2025

Lewes

In the early 2000’s Lewes moved up through the Isthmian Leagues to the National South. By the end of the decade, they reached the National League. That success was the tipping point as the cost was too much, as a result the Rooks were relegated from the National League after one season. Afterwards they became a community club and in 2017 were the first semi-professional club to pay the women’s team the same as the men.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 8th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala (14 goals)

Lewes finished the season as one of the form teams winning five consecutive games. The Sussex club started the campaign brightly, had an unbeaten run of seven over the festive period, but in between the Rooks weren’t quite consistent enough to earn a place in the playoff places. Aided by the goals of former Dartford winger Kalvin Kalala, Lewes finished eighth and on par compared to the previous two seasons.

Manager – Craig Nelson

Managing in the Southern Counties East last season, Craig Nelson was announced as the new boss of Lewes following Tony Russell’s departure after three seasons. Nelson was at Glebe last term and had the Kent side top of the table when he left with four games to go, the Kent club finished third. In his playing career, he became established at this level playing for Tooting and Mitcham United before progressing into coaching, and then his first managerial role at Glebe.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 2 / Lewes wins: 1 / Draws: 0

Previous Meetings

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)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Lewes – Saturday 23rd November 2024
Lewes v Dartford – Saturday 8th March 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford are unbeaten in the three matches played against Lewes (W2, D1)
  • The Darts have won their only home fixtures against the Rooks with a clean sheet
  • Dartford have yet to lose to Lewes on their two visits to the Dripping Pan (W1, D1)

Match Highlights 2009/2010

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Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino

Season Preview 2024/2025

Horsham

The golden age of the thirties saw Horsham regularly in the top three of the Sussex League and become six-times champions before another after the war. The Sussex club has spent just one campaign outside the Isthmian Leagues since 1973. Dropping out nine years ago, Horsham scored 131 goals in the Southern Combination League winning the title to return immediately. Another promotion in 2019 put the Hornets back in the Isthmian Premier.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 5th
F.A Cup: 1st Round
F.A Trophy: 4th Round
County Cup: Winners
Top League Scorer: Daniel Ajakaiye (14 goals)

The Hornets had an historical season last time out despite losing in the playoff semi-final to Chatham Town on penalties. Horsham recorded their highest ever league position of fifth in the Isthmian Premier. They reached the F.A Cup second round drawing 3-3 with League One side Barnsley in round one. Although the Sussex side lost the replay they were reinstated before going out to Sutton United. To add extra gloss to the campaign the Hornets also won the Sussex Senior Cup.

Manager – Dominic Di Paola

Horsham were on the brink of relegation to the County League when Dominic Di Paola took over in April 2015. He was noticed after leading East Preston to two league titles in three seasons, the last sixteen of the FA Vase and five county cup finals. After a spell at Hastings United, Di Paola led the Hornets to their first title in 20 years, guided the team back to the Isthmian Premier, won a cup and reached the F.A Cup first round.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Horsham wins: 2 / Draws: 2

Previous Six Meetings

Horsham 0 – 2 Dartford (21/09/2019 – F.A Cup)
Horsham 1 – 3 Dartford (18/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 2 Horsham (15/08/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Horsham 3 – 2 Dartford (18/02/2009 – Isthmian League Cup)
Horsham 0 – 3 Dartford (24/01/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 4 – 0 Horsham (20/09/2008 – Isthmian Premier)

Next Meetings

Horsham v Dartford – Saturday 16th November 2024
Dartford v Horsham – Saturday 1st March 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won five of the last six games against Horsham in all competitions (D1)
  • The Darts are unbeaten in all four home matches versus Horsham (D1)
  • Dartford have won the last two games at Horsham

Match Highlights 2009/2010

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Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino

Season Preview 2024/2025

Hendon

Three times F.A Amateur Cup winners and two time Isthmian League champions before the National League was formed, Hendon have non-league pedigree. At a county level they have won a record 15 Middlesex Senior Cups and are high up on the all-time list in the London Senior Cup too. Most recently, after losing the Isthmian Premier playoff final in 2018 they spent six years in the Southern Premier South before switching back this summer.

2023/2024 Season
Southern Premier South: 10th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 5th Round
Middlesex Senior Cup: Semi-Final
London Senior Cup: Runner-Up
Top League Scorer: Nico Muir (18 goals)

Hendon recorded their highest finish in the Southern Premier South division last term during their six-season tenure and reached the last 16 of the F.A Trophy. The Greens began their campaign as they ended it, as draw specialists. Seven of their opening 11 fixtures finished all square, with only one defeat. Whilst at the business end they drew nine of the final 17. In between was an inconsistent run of wins and losses resulting in tenth place.

Manager – Lee Allinson

A familiar name in the dugout at Hendon, Lee Allinson is following in the management footsteps of his father Ian. At St Albans City the pair worked together with Lee as the assistant manager. Prior joining Hendon in November 2019, Lee Allinson guided Biggleswade Town to the Southern League Premier Central playoffs. Relatively new to the management world, Allinson enjoyed playing for the likes of Boreham Wood and St Albans City.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Hendon wins: 3 / Draws: 0

Previous Six Meetings

Hendon 6 – 3 Dartford (23/04/2024 – London Senior Cup)
Hendon 1 – 2 Dartford (22/04/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 5 – 0 Hendon (05/09/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 0 Hendon (06/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Hendon 3 – 0 Dartford (16/08/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 0 – 3 Hendon (08/11/1952 – F.A Cup)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Hendon – Saturday 12th October 2024
Hendon v Dartford – Saturday 15th February 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford’s defeat in last season’s London Senior Cup semi-final ended a run of three consecutive victories against Hendon
  • The Darts have won both fixtures at Princes Park scoring six without reply
  • Dartford have won just once at Hendon and that was just over 14 years ago (L2)

Season Preview 2024/2025

Hastings United

Nine years away from the Isthmian Premier ended in 2022 when Hastings United won the Division One South East title. Since returning to the premier division, the U’s have posted top ten finishes, something they have achieved in eight of their last nine completed seasons in both tiers of the Isthmian League. This season Hastings United hope to kick on under a newly appointed manager familiar to the Sussex coast.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 7th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: Runner-Up
Top League Scorer: Davide Rodari (28 goals)

Unbeaten in their opening six games, Hastings United showed consistency for most of the campaign and stayed around the playoff places. The only significant blip for the Sussex club came immediately after their undefeated start. Five consecutive losses saw them slip downwards, but with the help of former Dart, Davide Rodari they climbed the standings again. The forward set a club record of most goals in a season for the U’s scoring 34 times.

Manager – Danny Bloor

Back in Sussex after a short spell in Kent, Danny Bloor is the new Hastings United manager replacing Chris Agutter, who took over at one of Bloor’s former clubs Worthing. Just over a year ago, a change of ownership at Eastbourne Borough led the 54-year-old exploring a new path. He found himself at Welling United, but by January with the Wings in danger of relegation he departed. Now Bloor is back in the county where he also gained experience with Eastbourne Town.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 38 / Hastings United wins: 29 / Draws: 20

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 4 – 3 Hastings United (27/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 1 – 3 Dartford (22/08/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 0 – 0 Dartford (03/03/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 2 Hastings United (13/09/2008 – F.A Cup)
Dartford 0 – 2 Hastings United (23/08/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 1 – 2 Dartford (14/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)

Next Meetings

Hastings United v Dartford – Saturday 30th November 2024
Dartford v Hastings United – Saturday 15th March 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won three of the last four games against Hastings United in all competitions (D1)
  • The Darts have won the last two at home against Hastings United. Those two matches have produced an average of six goals per game
  • Dartford are currently four unbeaten at the Pilot Field (W3, D1)

Match Highlights 2009/2010

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Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino

Season Preview 2024/2025

Hashtag United

The youngest team in the division at just over eight years old. Hashtag United were founded by YouTuber, Spencer Carmichael-Brown. Exhibition games were filmed and a large social media following gained momentum leading to more investment and rising through the non-league pyramid. The Tags have won two league titles, most recently the Isthmian Division One North just over a year ago. Last season was their debut in the Premier and a mid-table finish was more than respectable.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 13th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: Semi-Final
Top League Scorer: Luke May-Parrott (10 goals)

Hashtag United only lost one of their opening eleven fixtures last season. The problem was that seven of those were draws. Consecutive defeats arrived before a fantastic run of 19 points from their next seven games ending 2023 in style. However, a difficult January which included five straight losses saw the Essex club struggle briefly. The Tags picked themselves up again to go on another positive run and finish thirteenth.

Manager –  Jay Devereux

In a playing career that was cut short due to injury, Jay Devereux has plenty of non-league experience. He has coached and played at county level through to the National League. After moving into coaching with Barking he managed reserve teams at Dagenham and Redbridge as well as Redbridge. As an assistant manager he spent seven seasons with East Thurrock United helping them reach the National South. Six years at the helm of Hashtag United, Devereux has two league titles under his belt.

Next Meetings

Hashtag United v Dartford – Saturday 28th September 2024
Dartford v Hashtag United – Saturday 8th February 2025

Season Preview 2024/2025

Folkestone Invicta

An Isthmian League side since non-league was restructured 20 years ago, Folkestone Invicta have spent the last eight campaigns in the Premier division. When they became the only club in the town in 1990, Invicta didn’t take long to get out of the Kent League and into the Southern before a switch to the Isthmian. After consecutive playoff final defeats, they won the Division One South by some distance in 2016 and have been mainstays in the Premier ever since.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 16th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: David Smith (15 goals)

Fairly solid at Cheriton Road, Folkestone Invicta had a nearly even spread of wins, draws and losses. Eight draws on home soil was the joint highest in the division and converting a few of those into victories could easily have seen them climb up some places. On the road, only the bottom five had a worst record than Invicta, so an improvement on their travels this season will be one of their priorities.

Manager – Andy Drury

As a player Andy Drury made it up to the Championship when he joined Ipswich Town, but spent most of his career in non-league, including a couple of spells with Ebbsfleet United. The midfielder won the National South with Lewes as well as the F.A Trophy and National League with Stevenage. Management appealed to Drury just over two years ago with stints at Whitstable Town and Margate. In November he was announced Folkestone Invicta’s player-manager.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Folkestone Invicta wins: 10 / Draws: 4

Previous Six Meetings

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)**
Dartford 1 – 2 Folkestone Invicta (18/01/2005 – Kent Senior Cup)
Folkestone Invicta 1 – 0 Dartford (13/03/2004 – Southern League Div One East)
* played at Chatham Town
** Dartford won 5-3 on penalties

Next Meetings

Folkestone Invicta v Dartford – Saturday 21st December 2024
Dartford v Folkestone Invicta – Saturday 5th April 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford are unbeaten in their last four against Fokkestone Invicta in all competitions (W3, D1). Invicta had won eight in a row prior Dartford’s current run
  • The Darts have lost the last five league games in this fixture stretching back to 1998
  • In the league Dartford have lost the last three at home and previous two away versus Folkestone Invicta

Match Highlights 2021/2022

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

Dulwich Hamlet

A club with the highest average attendance in the Isthmian Premier last season. Dulwich Hamlet are four times Isthmian champions, but you need to go back 75 years for the last Premier Division title. However, they did win the Division One South championship just over a decade ago. Hamlet also won the F.A Amateur Cup four times and have lifted the Surrey Senior Cup a record 16 times, the most recent in the seventies.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 11th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 1st Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Luke Wanadio (19 goals)

Five years in the National South came to an end just over 12 months ago and so last season was the first back in the Isthmian Premier. Hamlet posted a mid-table finish, but it took until October to get going. Losing six of their opening nine left them in the relegation zone, but then Hamlet went on to taste defeat just four times up to Easter, picking up 14 victories and nine draws. Form dipped at the end, but by then they were well safe.

Manager – Hakan Hayrettin

Over twenty years of managerial experience, Hakan Hayrettin picked up his first piece of silverware in 2003 winning the Essex Senior Cup with Waltham Forest. He remained in the county with Thurrock before guiding Grays Athletic into the Isthmian Premier with a league title in 2013. Hayrettin teamed up with John Still at Luton Town as a coach before heading back into management with Braintree Town. A National South league winner with Maidstone United two years ago, Hayrettin joined Hamlet in March 2023.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (01/04/2023 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 2 Dartford (08/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (08/01/2022 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 0 – 2 Dartford (28/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (25/01/2020 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 1 Dartford (07/12/2019 – National South)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Dulwich Hamlet – Saturday 14th December 2024
Dulwich Hamlet v Dartford – Saturday 29th March 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won four of their last five matches against Dulwich Hamlet (D1)
  • The Darts are unbeaten at home in all competitions versus Hamlet (W4, D3)
  • Dartford have won the last two league games at Champion Hill and are unbeaten in the last three

Match Highlights 2023/2023

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