Category: Season Preview (Page 2 of 5)

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 28, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Slough Town

It was a patchy season for the Rebels last time recording their first win on the fourth game of the campaign. Slough Town went on to take sixteen points from their next seven outings and early signs pointed towards a playoff challenge, however the wheels fell off from October through to Christmas. The Berkshire side went twelve without victory which landed them in a relegation battle as they sunk down the standings to twentieth place. Slough Town had a better start to 2023 picking up three wins and four draws during an unbeaten spell that provided some comfort, which was needed as they reached the business end of the season. In the end the Rebels stayed up by three points to complete their fifth campaign in the National South.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 18th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rdRound
County Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: John Goddard & George Alexander (6 goals)

Manager – Scott Davies

Following in the footsteps of a management duo that lasted a decade at Slough Town is always going to be a challenge. Step forward former Rebels captain who made over 100 appearances in two spells for the club. Davies started his senior playing career in 2006 and moved around Football League clubs frequently. After leaving Oxford United almost ten years ago, Davies embarked on a non-league career taking him to Dunstable Town, Wealdstone, Oxford City and Chelmsford City before his first stint with the Rebels. Short periods with Kingstonian and Harlow Town followed until he returned to Arbour Park.

Summer Transfers

Slough Town have made a trio of signings from Bracknell Town by bringing in Mickel Platt, Gary Abisogun and Dan Bayliss. The Rebels have also taken Nathan Minhas from one of their previous bosses Jon Underwood at Beaconsfield Town. Isthmian Premier League winner Jonny Giles arrives from Bishop’s Stortford, National South playoff finalist Munashire Sundire joins from St Albans City and Jeanmal Prosper from Chesham United. Scott Davies has persuaded former Sunderland youngster Tyrese Dyce to sign and has also promoted academy graduates Kai Allsopp and Oscar Lucey. Goalkeeper, Hubert Graczyk signs on loan from Arsenal.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Mickel Platt (Bracknell Town)	George Hunt (Hampton and Richmond Borough)
Gary Abisogun (Bracknell Town)	James Dobson (Beaconsfield Town)
Dan Bayliss (Bracknell Town)	Rhys Forster (Enfield Town)
Nathan Minhas (Beaconsfield Town)	Shane Bush (Bedford Town)
Munashire Sundire (St Albans City)	Tyrese Owen (Haverfordwest)
Jonny Giles (Bishop’s Stortford)	Imran Kayani (Dover Athletic)
Jeanmal Prosper (Chesham United)	Ogo Obi (Maidstone United)
Tyrese Dyce (Gosport Borough)	Lee Togwell
Hubert Graczyk (Arsenal)
Oscar Lucey (academy)
Kai Allsopp (academy)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 9 / Slough Town wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Previous Matches

Dartford 1 – 0 Slough Town (21/02/2023 – National South)
Slough Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/10/2022 – National South)
Slough Town 0 – 6 Dartford (30/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)*
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
* – Dartford won 6-5 on penalties

Next Meetings

Dartford v Slough Town – Tuesday 5^th September 2023
Slough Town v Dartford – Tuesday 20^th February 2024

Statistics

Dartford have won five consecutive league games against Slough Town with an aggregate score of 14-1
The Darts have kept three clean sheets in a row against the Rebels in the league at Princes Park
Dartford’s last two league games at Arbour Park have ended in victories with a combined score of 8-1

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 28, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Maidstone United

Reaching the last eight of the F.A Trophy was Maidstone United’s highlight last season after finishing bottom of the National League. Relegation after one season back in non-league’s top flight, the Stones claimed just five victories, conceded over one hundred goals and finished twenty five points from safety. Maidstone United last tasted league victory on 26 November, by January Hakan Heyrettin was sacked and at close of play they had gone twenty-five matches without a win. It got even worse for their former manager, going down with Dulwich Hamlet. Ex-Dartford striker, Jack Barham top scored for the Kent club in a season Stones fans will quickly want to forget. Instead, they can reminisce over their last campaign in the National South when they went up as champions.

2022/2023 Season
National League: 24th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: Quarter-Final
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Jack Barham (9 goals)

Manager – George Elokobi

It’s been just over a year since Elokobi retired from playing football, which included a career that took him from Dulwich Hamlet to the Premier League. The former defender was spotted at Hamlet at an early age by Colchester United and four years later he was playing at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship. Wolves won the league to gain promotion to the Premier League, where they stayed for three seasons. Elokobi moved on with spells at Oldham Athletic, a return to Colchester United, Leyton Orient and Aldershot Town before becoming a fans favourite at Maidstone United.

Summer Transfers

Following relegation there has been a bit of a clear out as George Elokobi sets to shape a new look squad. Devonte Aransiba and Chi Ezennolim come in from Kent sides Tonbridge Angels and Welling United, Lamar Reynolds joins from Braintree Town, Levi Amantchi from Brackley Town and Razzaq Coleman De-Graft from Lewes. After impressing on trial Conor Kelly and Ogo Obi join the Stones.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Devonte Aransibia (Tonbridge Angels)	Jerome Binnom-Williams (Dulwich Hamlet)
Razzaq Coleman De-Graft (Lewes)	Regan Booty (Gateshead)
Lamar Reynolds (Braintree Town)	Dominic Odusanya (Welling United)
Chi Ezennolim (Welling United)	Joan Luque (Worthing)
Levi Amantchi (Brackley Town)	Tom Hadler (Ramsgate)
Ogo Obi (Slough Town)	Tushaun Walters (Hastings United)
Conor Kelly	Roarie Deacon (Havant and Waterlooville)
	Jack Cawley (Wellington Olympic)
	Mark Marshall
	James Alabi
	Yusuf Mersin
	Henry Woods

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 46 / Maidstone United wins: 47 / Draws: 19

Previous Matches

Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (18/04/2022 – National South)
Maidstone United 4 – 0 Dartford (11/12/2021 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 3 Dartford (02/10/2021 – F.A Cup)
Maidstone United 0 – 2 Dartford (14/11/2020 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 1 Dartford (21/01/2020 – Kent Senior Cup)
Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (26/11/2019 – F.A Trophy)

Next Meetings

Maidstone United v Dartford – Saturday 2^nd December 2023
Dartford v Maidstone United – Saturday 16^th March 2024

Statistics

Dartford have lost their last two league games against Maidstone United. Prior those defeats the Darts were unbeaten in eight league matches versus the Stones (W6, D2)
Dartford’s current streak of three without a league win at home against the Stones (D2, L1) is their longest since 1922 to 1923 (D2, L1)
The Darts had won four league games in a row at Maidstone United before the 4-0 reverse in December 2021

Match Highlights – 2021/2022

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 27, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Hemel Hempstead Town

Scoring goals was the difference between turning draws into victories and for a team who signed Jordan Greenidge in the summer this was a surprise. The striker previously scored six goals in nine appearances for Dartford before joining the Tudors. He only managed to net three in the league for Hemel Hempstead Town before moving to Tonbridge Angels where he top scored. The Hertfordshire side drew fifteen and were amongst the lowest scorers in the division, Josh Castiglione won their golden boot with six. Defensively they were in the top ten and so only games involving Taunton Town saw fewer goals. At the start of the season the Tudors were aiming for the playoffs under Mark Jones, by January they were off the pace and decided a change was necessary.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 15th
F.A Cup: 3rd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: Quarter-Final
Top League Scorer: Josh Castiglione (6 goals)

Manager – Bradley Quinton

A promotion winner with Braintree Town five years ago, Quinton rebuilt a squad following relegation and returned to the National League at the first time of asking. Two months into the Iron’s next season he resigned and in January 2019, he was appointed to stop Welling United’s towards the bottom end of the National South. Prior his success in Essex, Quinton previously played a part in Enfield Town reaching the playoffs and recording their best F.A Cup run. In December, Hemel Hempstead Town decided Quinton was the best candidate for the job, now he starts he first campaign with the Tudors.

Summer Transfers

George Williams has turned his loan deal from last season into a permanent move to the Tudors from Boreham Wood. A lack of a goalscorer was an issue last term and Bradley Quinton hopes the signings of Alfie Matthews from Braintree Town and Joe Iaciofano from Oxford City will address that problem. Joe Re gets another chance in the National South after relegation with Cheshunt, Jethro Hanson joins from Hereford, Myles Judd from Dover Athletic and Arjanit Krasniqi from Chelmsford City. Plucked from a lower division, Bilal Sayoud also moves to the Tudors this summer. Josh Williams had a successful loan spell last season, he makes his move permanent from Luton Town, Finlay Corrigan joins on loan from Ipswich Town and Chris Smith from King’s Lynn Town.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
George Williams (Boreham Wood)	Josh Castiglione (Chelmsford City)
Joe Re (Cheshunt)	Jack Westbrook
Jethro Hanson (Hereford)	Charlee Hughes
Alfie Matthews (Braintree Town)	Dominic Morgan-Griffiths
Joe Iaciofano (Oxford City)	Godfrey Poku
Arjanit Krasniqi (Chelmsford City)
Myles Judd (Dover Athletic)
Bilal Sayoud (Enfield Town)
Josh Williams (Luton Town )
Finlay Corrigan (Ipswich Town)
Chris Smith (King’s Lynn Town)
James Taylor (academy)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 8 / Hemel Hempstead Town wins: 2 / Draws: 5

Previous Matches

Dartford 1 – 3 Hemel Hempstead Town (14/01/2023 – National South)
Hemel Hempstead Town 0 – 2 Dartford (29/08/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Hemel Hempstead Town (09/04/2022 – National South)
Hemel Hempstead Town 2 – 3 Dartford (20/11/2021 – National South)
Hemel Hempstead Town 1 – 3 Dartford (10/11/2020 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Hemel Hempstead Town (31/08/2019 – National South)

Next Meetings

Hemel Hempstead Town v Dartford – Saturday 28^th October 2023
Dartford v Hemel Hempstead Town – Saturday 23^rd March 2024

Statistics

Hemel Hempstead Town won the first and last league meetings against the Darts. In between those defeats Dartford were unbeaten in 12 league matches (W7, D5)
Dartford are winless in their last four at home against the Tudors (D3, L1)
The Darts are on a streak of five consecutive victories at Vauxhall Road and are unbeaten in six (W5, D1)

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 27, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Havant and Waterlooville

Title contenders leading into December, Havant and Waterlooville unravelled rapidly in the second half of the season recording their lowest National South finish since relegation in 2016. Muhammadu Faal provided the firepower with an impressive twenty-one goals and the Hawks were keeping pace at the top dropping just four points in their first eleven games. A draw at the end of November had the Hampshire side a point behind leaders Dartford with two games in hand. The heavy 5-1 December defeat at home to Worthing and the loss against the Darts eleven days later was just the start of what was to come. The final sixteen games yielded a solitary victory and in March, manager Paul Doswell was banned for twelve games and a week later he was replaced.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 10th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Muhammadu Faal (21 goals)

Manager – Jamie Collins

A non-league career that went full circle saw Collins make over 150 appearances for Havant and Waterlooville in the second-half of the 2000’s. He captained the Hawks in their famous F.A Cup run to the fourth round, losing to Liverpool. A short stint at Hampton and Richmond Borough was followed by spells with Newport County, where he won the National South, Aldershot Town, Forest Green Rovers and Eastleigh. A second National South title was claimed at Sutton United during a five-year spell which included over 200 appearances. He returned to the Hawks in June 2021 and was appointed manager this March.

Summer Transfers

Dartford swooped in for former Hawks, Joash Nembhard, Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Paul Rooney in the summer. Whilst a ex-Dart, Kai Innocent moved to Havant and Waterlooville from Eastbourne Borough. Ansu Janneh, Joe McNerney and Brendan Willson move down a division from Dagenham and Redbridge, Woking and Eastleigh respectively. Tom Mehew joins from Chippenham Town, Roarie Deacon from Maidstone United, Tom Blair from Weymouth and Devante Stanley from National South playoff finalists St Albans City.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Tom Mehew (Chippenham Town)	Joash Nembhard (Dartford)
Ansu Janneh (Dagenham and Redbridge)	Paul Rooney (Dartford)
Kai Innocent (Eastbourne Borough)	Tyrell Miller-Rodney (Dartford)
Joe McNerney (Woking)	Joe Newton (Solihull Moors)
Roarie Deacon (Maidstone United)	Danny Wright (Gloucester City)
Brendan Willson (Eastleigh)	Jake Andrews (Swindon Supermarine)
Tom Blair (Weymouth)	Sam Magri (AFC Totton)
Devante Stanley (St Albans City)	Charlie Ruff (Chelmsford City)
	Tommy Wright (Winchester City)
	Josh Passley (Bromley)
	Gianni Crichlow (Tonbridge Angels)
	Oscar Gobern

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 8 / Havant and Waterlooville wins: 5 / Draws: 5

Previous Matches

Havant and Waterlooville 1 – 3 Dartford (14/12/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Havant and Waterlooville (16/08/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Havant and Waterlooville (19/03/2022 – National South)
Havant and Waterlooville 0 – 1 Dartford (09/02/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Havant and Waterlooville (31/10/2020 – National South)
Havant and Waterlooville 1 – 2 Dartford (25/07/2020 – National South Playoff)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Havant and Waterlooville – Saturday 21^st October 2023
Havant and Waterlooville v Dartford – Saturday 6^th April 2024

Statistics

Dartford’s home defeat last season is their only loss to Havant and Waterlooville in the last eight league games (W4, D3)
The Darts have won one of their last four at home against the Hawks (D2, L1)
Dartford have won their last two away games in the league at Westleigh Park and last three including the playoff win in July 2020

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 27, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Hampton and Richmond Borough

Heading for a relegation battle in February, Hampton and Richmond Borough decided a managerial change was necessary a month earlier. Gary McCann departed, and Mel Gwinnett was appointed as boss, but the new man couldn’t buy a win in his first six games in charge. The Beavers rallied and swam to safety showing excellent form throughout March in particular. After a heavy defeat against the league champions, Hampton and Richmond Borough won eight of their next eleven fixtures beating the sides down at the bottom such as Dulwich Hamlet, Cheshunt, Dover Athletic and Hungerford Town. Keeping their cool during those six pointers including victory over Weymouth in April lifted the Middlesex club away from the battle at the wrong end of the table with plenty of time to spare.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 17th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorers: Alfie Whittingham & Ruaridh Donaldson (6 goals)

Manager – Mike Gwinnett

A first full season as manager is ahead of Gwinnett who was appointed by Hampton and Richmond Borough back in January. He left his coaching role at Barnet to have a shot as a boss with the Beavers. A former Goalkeeper, Gwinnett worked closely with Paul Tisdale at Exeter City when he began his coaching career with the Grecians. He followed Tisdale to Milton Keynes Dons on to Bristol Rovers as football operations manager and later Stevenage. After his coaching role with the Bees, he became head of football operations with Hampton and Richmond Borough before moving into the Beveree hotseat.

Summer Transfers

Winger Brandon Barzey is one of Dartford’s new signings this summer as he leaves the Beveree. Mason Bloomfield scored 11 league goals last term with Farnborough and moves to MIddlesex. Joining from the National League, Robert Hall arrives from Barnet and Jordan Cheadle from Dorking Wanderers. Adam Debois was relegated with Cheshunt in April, but he will have another shot at the National South. George HUnt is in from Slough Town, whilst Alex Solomon and Ben Seymour make the step up from Kingstonian and Plymouth Parkway respectively. Georgian, Teimouraz Vasagkasvilli also joins the club.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Robert Hall (Barnet)	Brandon Barzey (Dartford)
George Hunt (Slough Town)	Jack McKnight (Hanwell Town)
Alex Solomon (Kingstonian)	Danny Rowe (Basingstoke Town)
Mason Bloomfield (Farnborough)
Jordan Cheadle (Dorking Wanderers)
Ben Seymour (Plymouth Parkway)
Adam Debois (Cheshunt)
Isaac Pitblado (Queens Park Rangers)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 9 / Hampton and Richmond Borough wins: 5 / Draws: 5

Previous Matches

Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 – 0 Dartford (29/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough (24/09/2022 – National South)
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 – 1 Dartford (26/03/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough (22/01/2022 – National South)
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 – 0 Dartford (10/10/2020 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Hampton & Richmond Borough (08/02/2020 – National South)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Hampton and Richmond Borough – Tuesday 15^th August 2023
Hampton and Richmond Borough v Dartford – Tuesday 23^rd January 2024

Statistics

Dartford have lost just one of the last 12 league games against Hampton and Richmond Borough (W6, D5) and are unbeaten in the last five (W2, D3)
Dartford have lost just once in their last seven home league games against the Beavers (W4, D2)
The Darts have kept three consecutive clean sheets at the Beveree (W1, D2)

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 27, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Farnborough

Promotion to the National South was secured when Farnborough won the Southern Premier League South playoffs just over a year ago. Last season was their first time back in the second tier of non-league since 2015 and it was a positive campaign for the Hampshire club. Despite a disappointing April, involving one win and six defeats, Boro were playing catch up after excellent cup runs to the F.A Cup second round and F.A Trophy third round. Quietly in the playoff picture and perhaps overlooked because of their games in hand meant Boro’s points tally never put them in the top seven. A run of one defeat in seventeen from October showed Farnborough’s potential but playing half of their league season in the final three months caught up with them.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 12th
F.A Cup: 2nd Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
Top League Scorer: Mason Bloomfield (11 goals)

Manager – Spencer Day

It’s been a bumpy road for Day to get where he is now. Early decisions as a businessman made life difficult for the former Chertsey Town owner and manager. In the dugout he won promotion from the Combined Counties Premier League to the Southern League Division One Central with the Surrey side. After four years he moved to Farnborough where he has been ever since. Two relegations and administration left Boro in trouble. However, Day has since brought stability to the Hampshire side. After two playoff promotions, Boro enjoyed a successful season back in the National South last time out.

Summer Transfers

Former Dartford golden boot winner, Alfie Pavey will be at Cherrywood Road next season after signing from Braintree Town. Making the short journey from Aldershot Town will be Joe Partington and from rivals Woking, Sid Nelson. Adam Mekki joins from National League side Dorking Wanderers and Jaden Perez from Eastbourne Borough. Ryan Upward arrives from Maidenhead United with Kevin Lokko going the other way. Top scorer Mason Bloomfield is now at Hampton and Richmond Borough and former Dart, Michael Fernandes takes a step down to the Southern Premier League South with relegated Hungerford Town. Michael Folivi and Taylor Maloney have been added to the squad from Chelmsford City and Welling United respectively.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Sid Nelson (Woking)	Mason Bloomfield (Hampton & Richmond Borough)
Adam Mekki (Dorking Wanderers)	Kevin Lokko (Maidenhead United)
Ryan Upward (Maidenhead United)	Freddie Grant (Chippenham Town)
Alfie Pavey (Braintree Town)	Michael Fernandes (Hungerford Town)
Joe Partington (Aldershot Town)	Omar Rowe (Hayes and Yeading United)
Jaden Perez (Eastbourne Borough)	Chike Kandi
Micahel Folivi (Chelmsford City)	Zaid Al Hussaini
Taylor Maloney (Welling United)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Farnborough wins: 5 / Draws: 2

Previous Matches

Dartford 3 – 1 Farnborough (11/03/2023 – National South)
Farnborough 3 – 1 Dartford (12/11/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Farnborough (10/03/2012 – National South)
Farnborough 1 – 2 Dartford (17/09/2011 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Farnborough (22/01/2011 – National South)
Farnborough 2 – 1 Dartford (21/08/2010 – National South)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Farnborough – Saturday 19^th August 2023
Farnborough v Dartford – Saturday 3rd February 2024

Statistics

Dartford have won four of the last five league games against Farnborough. Last season’s away defeat their only loss in that time.
The Darts are on a three match winning streak at Princes Park in the league versus Borough
Dartford’s only away league win against Farnborough came in 2011 (D1, L2)

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 26, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Eastbourne Borough

A new era begins for the Sports who have been taken over by majority shareholder and entrepreneur, Simon Leslie. Co-founder of a world leading travel media company, Leslie set out a vision to include a data driven approach to aspects of performance and recruitment. Under former boss Danny Bloor, Eastbourne Borough have been playoff contenders over the last two years, successfully qualifying in 2022 where they lost in the eliminator round. Last time out they were just three points from a top seven place. The Sports hit a purple patch in November and December losing just one in ten and they gained momentum during the final stretch. A vital six pointer on the penultimate game against Braintree Town saw the Iron clinch the last playoff place at Eastbourne Borough’s expense.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 8th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
Top League Scorer: Shiloh Remy (13 goals)

Manager – Mark Beard

Football League experience as a player in the nineties, Beard started out at Millwall and went on to play for Sheffield United and Southend United. At the turn of the millennium, he picked up plenty of non-league knowledge and won the F.A Trophy with Stevenage and Isthmian Premier playoffs at AFC Wimbledon. The former midfielder has had managerial roles at Haywards Heath Town, Tooting and Mitcham United and Loxwood as well as various coaching jobs in between. After the takeover at Eastbourne Borough this summer, Beard was chosen as the new Sports boss leaving his coaching post at Dorking Wanderers.

Summer Transfers

Ben Dudzinksi had a short spell with Dartford towards the end of last season, the goalkeeper has moved to Eastbourne Borough. Whilst former Darts, Norman Wabo has left for Weymouth and Kai Innocent for Havant and Waterlooville. New boss, Mark Beard has outlined his intentions with the signing of two National South winners from last season, Alex Finney who was set to join Tonbridge Angels and Jack Paxman have arrived from Ebbsfleet United. Jack Clarke has been enticed from National League playoff finalists Chesterfield. Beard has also looked towards a younger look to the side bringing in bright prospects from Football League clubs. Following the new manager from Dorking Wanderers is Archie Proctor. Billy Vigar joins from Arsenal and Stefan Vukoje from Serbian side Sloboda Uzice.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Alex Finney (Ebbsfleet United)	Lee Worgan (Welling United)
Jack Paxman (Ebbsfleet United)	Mitchell Dickenson (Welling United)
Jack Clarke (Chesterfield)	James Vaughan (Welling United)
Ben Dudzinski (Dartford)	Greg Luer (Worthing)
Decarrey Sheriff (Kettering Town)	Jaden Perez (Farnborough)
Daniel Quick (Crystal Palace)	Charlie Walker (Whitehawk)
Freddie Carter (Gillingham)	James Hammond (Horsham)
Harrison Foulkes (Derby County)	Norman Wabo (Weymouth)
Imran Uche (Billericay Town)	Kai Innocent (Havant and Waterlooville)
Archie Proctor (Dorking Wanderers)	Jack Burchell (Welling United)
Alfie Bridgman (Portsmouth)	Chris Whelpdale (Lewes)
Billy Vigar (Arsenal)	Miquel Scarlett
Scott Leslie (St Albans City)	Alex Wynter
Yaser Kasim (Margate)	Jamie Yila
Stefan Vukoje (Sloboda Uzice)
Fletcher Holman (academy)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 15 / Eastbourne Borough wins: 9 / Draws: 4

Previous Matches

Eastbourne Borough 2 – 1 Dartford (07/04/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (27/09/2022 – National South)
Eastbourne Borough 2 – 7 Dartford (07/05/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (30/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Eastbourne Borough (09/02/2021 – National South)
Eastbourne Borough 3 – 1 Dartford (05/12/2020 – National South)

Next Meetings

Eastbourne Borough v Dartford – Tuesday 24^th October 2023
Dartford v Eastbourne Borough – Monday 1^st April 2024

Statistics

Eastbourne Borough’s win in April ended a run of three consecutive league victories for the Darts in this fixture
At home, Dartford have lost just once in the league in their last nine games against the Sports (W7, D1)
In the last six league trips to Priory Lane the winning side has alternated with Eastbourne Borough triumphant last time out

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 26, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dover Athletic

Perilously close to consecutive relegations Dover Athletic survived on the final day by just two goals. Staying up was in their hands approaching the last game, a winner takes all showdown with Weymouth. The Kent side lost, but a superior goal difference over Dulwich Hamlet relegated the London club instead, as all three sides finished level on points. The Whites were comfortably mid-table by March and thirteen points clear of the drop, but only a win and a draw from their last eleven fixtures saw them slide towards the Isthmian Premier only to be saved by the bell. Dover Athletic were the lowest scorers in the division averaging less than a goal a game. Former Dartford winger Luke Wanadio top scored with ten, almost a quarter of the club’s total.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 20th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Luke Wanadio (10 goals)

Manager – Mitch Brundle

When an eighteen-month contract was signed by Brundle to take the Dover Athletic job, he became the youngest active manager in the United Kingdom. Now only 28 years-old, the former midfielder returned to the Crabble as a player, when the club were relegated from the National League, and five months later he took his first managerial role. He played over 100 games for the Whites during his two spells and represented several non-league clubs such as Braintree Town, Gateshead, Dagenham and Redbridge, Barnet, and Farnborough, where he helped the Hampshire club to promotion to the National South. A first full season awaits.

Summer Transfers

Mitch Brundle has had a tough time in his first summer transfer window. Although he has managed to secure the services of Peter Ojemen from Margate and Imran Kayani from Slough Town, the Dover Athletic boss thought he had signed Ade Shokunbi, Ricky Holmes and Myles Judd, will lose the goals from former Dartford winger Luke Wanadio and has seen another former Dart, Tyrone Sterling depart. Brundle has bolstered the squad though by adding Joshua Anifowose from Oxford United, Ifeanyi Allen from Carshalton Athletic, Nick Dembele from Aveley and Michael Olarewaju from Wingate and Finchley as well as a few academy graduates. James Dunne and Fuad Sesay have also recently signed from Welling United and Sheffield Wednesday respectively. Goalkeeper, Billy Terrell moves from AFC Bournemouth on loan.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Peter Ojemen (Margate)	Alfie Paxman (Ramsgate)
Imran Kayani (Slough Town)	Jordan Higgs (Tonbridge Angels)
Joshua Anifowose (Oxford United)	Luke Wanadio (Dulwich Hamlet)
Michael Olarewaju (Wingate and Finchley)	Lee Martin (Ramsgate)
Ifeanyi Allen (Carshalton Athletic)	Myles Judd (Hemel Hempstead Town)
Nick Dembele (Aveley)	Jake Goodman (Folkestone Invicta)
James Dunne (Welling United)	Tyrone Sterling (Margate)
Fuad Sesay (Sheffield Wednesday)	Joshua Ajayi (Erith and Belvedere)
Billy Terrell (AFC Bournemouth)	Stuart Nelson (Cirencester Town)
Archie Hatcher (academy)
Henry Young (academy)
Matt Holness (academy)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 16 / Dover Athletic wins: 11 / Draws: 12

Previous Matches

Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/04/2023 – National League)
Dover Athletic 1 – 3 Dartford (13/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (08/03/2022 – Kent Senior Cup)
Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (13/12/2016 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/12/2016 – F.A Trophy)
Dover Athletic 6 – 1 Dartford (17/01/2015 – National League)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Dover Athletic – Monday 28^th August 2023
Dover Athletic v Dartford – Saturday 17^th February 2024

Statistics

Dartford have won six of the last eight league games against Dover Athletic (D1, L1). They have also won the last four matches in all competitions, a record run against the Whites.
The Darts have won the last four league meetings at Princes Park with an aggregate score of 11-3
The Darts have won just three times in the league at the Crabble in 10 attempts (D4, L3)

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 26, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford

Title challengers up until the festive season, the Darts drifted out of the picture like everyone else during an inconsistent 2023. Hopes were raised to the maximum when they completed an emphatic double against eventual champions and local rivals Ebbsfleet United over Christmas and the New Year. The Darts showed their potential in an outstanding three months between September and November dropping just two points over an eleven-game spell. From February onwards the Darts failed to record consecutive wins, draws or losses and in the end had to settle for a runner up spot and a fourth playoff campaign in five. In 2018, the Darts lost out on promotion on goal difference and the last three playoff appearances have finished in penalty shoot-out heartbreak, reaching the final three years ago.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 2nd
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Alex Wall (11 goals)

Manager – Alan Dowson

A proven manager at this level, Dowson’s last major success was taking Woking up to the National League. Finishing runners up four years ago, he won the promotional final, had the Cards flirting with the National League playoffs and recorded Woking’s best F.A Cup run in almost two decades. At Hampton and Richmond Borough, he led the Beavers to the Isthmian Premier League title, then reached consecutive playoff campaigns. Dowson also spent seven years at Kingstonian where he won the Isthmian Division One South. Already he has a runner up medal in his first campaign with the Darts last term.

Summer Transfers

Replacing the centre back pairing of the retired Tom Bonner and Faversham Town bound Connor Essam was key this summer. Dowson has signed former Havant and Waterlooville trio Paul Rooney, Tyrell Miller-Rodney and Joash Nembhard, the promising Baris Altintop from Braintree Town and Joe Rabbetts on loan from Dorking Wanderers. Harvey Bradbury had a successful spell towards the end of last season with the Darts, the striker has signed a permanent deal. Lewis Manor and Mitchell Beeney arrive from Concord Rangers and Brandon Barzey from Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Lewis Manor (Concord Rangers)	Dan Wilks (Billericay Town)
Mitchell Beeney (Concord Rangers)	Kristian Campbell (Chatham Town)
Paul Rooney (Havant & Waterlooville)	Bobby Dunn (St Albans City)
Joash Nembhard (Havant & Waterlooville)	Keiran Murtagh (Lewes)
Tyrell Miller-Rodney (Havant & Waterlooville)	Dan Roberts (Weymouth)
Brandon Barzey (Hampton & Richmond Borough)	Cameron Brodie (Chatham Town)
Harvey Bradbury (Dorchester Town)	Jernade Meade (Tonbridge Angels)
Baris Altintop (Braintree Town)	Connor Essam (Faversham Town)
Joe Rabbetts (Dorking Wanderers)	Samir Carruthers (Chelmsford City)
Jay Boulton (academy)	Ben Dudzinski (Eastbourne Borough)
Ashton Day (academy)	Ali Mansaray (Cheshunt)
George Whitefield (academy)	Pierre Fonkeu (Oxford City)
Olly Box (academy)	Tom Bonner (retired)

Season Preview 2023/2024

July 26, 2023 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Chippenham Town

Since promotion to the National South, Chippenham Town have posted consistent mid-table finishes except for one playoff campaign two years ago. Once again, the Bluebirds finished thirteenth for the third time in five seasons and although that was lower than their seventh-place playoff finish, the Wiltshire side were bang on par. After defeat away at Dartford in February, Chippenham Town were in a false position down in the bottom three knowing they had a bountiful of home games to play. Being a tough side to crack at Hardenhuish Park helped them go fifteen matches unbeaten and taste defeat just once in their final twenty fixtures. Adding a dab of gloss to their season, the Bluebirds set club records by reaching the F.A Cup second round and F.A Trophy third round.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 13th
F.A Cup: 2nd Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: Quarter-Final
Top League Scorer: Joe Parker (7 goals)

Manager – Gary Horgan

Two spells as a player with Chippenham Town, Horgan started his managerial career with the Bluebirds in style. When he joined from Hungerford Town in September 2016 it was only a season later when Horgan became part of the coaching team. Towards the end of the 2021/2022 campaign with six games to go he was appointed boss and took the Bluebirds from eleventh to the playoffs where they lost in the semi-final. Last season Horgan took Chippenham Town on a F.A Cup run to the second round and posted a typical finish for the Wiltshire club in the league.

Summer Transfers

Top scorer, Joe Parker will be playing National North football this season after his summer move further West. The Bluebirds have virtually traded with Bath City as Luke Spokes arrives from the Romans and Luke Russe goes the other way. Chippenham Town have also snapped up Tyreke Johnson from Woking, Luke Haines from Hereford, Tom Owen-Evans from Kidderminster Harriers and Freddie Grant from Farnborough. The Bluebirds have also snapped up Aaron Amadi-Holloway from Hereford and promoted four graduates from their academy.

Transfers In	Transfers Out
Jake Evans (Hungerford Town)	Alefe Santos (Poole Town)
Tyreke Johnson (Woking)	Joe Parker (Gloucester City)
Luke Haines (Hereford)	Spencer Hamilton (Gloucester City)
Tom Owen-Evans (Kidderminster Harriers)	Luke Russe (Bath City)
Luke Spokes (Bath City)	Dan Griffiths (Penybont)
Freddie Grant (Farnborough)	Aaron Simpson (Salisbury)
Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Hereford)	James Walker (Hungerford Town)
Marcel Lewis (academy)	Tom Mehew (Havant & Waterlooville)
Otis Lewis (academy)
Joel Manning (academy)
Mal Nicholls (academy)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Chippenham Town wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Previous Matches

Dartford 2 – 0 Chippenham Town (11/02/2023 – National South)
Chippenham Town 2 – 1 Dartford (03/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 0 Chippenham Town (12/05/2022 – National South Playoff)*
Chippenham Town 4 – 2 Dartford (12/03/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 3 Chippenham Town (06/11/2021 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (27/10/2020 – National South)
* Chippenham Town won 3-2 on penalties

Next Meetings

Chippenham Town v Dartford – Saturday 7^th October 2023
Dartford v Chippenham Town – Saturday 13^th January 2024

Statistics

Dartford’s clean sheet in the home fixture last season was their first against Chippenham Town since the first meeting in September 2017
Dartford are unbeaten in three home league matches against the Bluebirds (W1, D2) and have only lost once in the league at Princes Park against the Wiltshire side (W2, D2)
The Darts have lost their last two visits to Chippenham Town, but were unbeaten in the previous four (W3, D1)

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Category: Season Preview (Page 2 of 5)

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