Category: Season Preview (Page 2 of 8)

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 4, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

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

August 3, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

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

August 3, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

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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Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 2, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dover Athletic

In terms of time in the top flight of non-league, Dover Athletic top the table of teams currently in the Isthmian Premier. The Kent side won the Southern League in the nineties and spent nine years in the National League. In the space of four seasons, the Whites found themselves dropping to the Isthmian Division One South. Then a familiar story began to unfold again. Up they climbed reaching the National League a decade ago only to fall once more.

2023/2024 Season
National South: 24th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Zidan Sutherland (5 goals)

In 2021, Dover Athletic failed to fulfil their fixtures and a hefty points deduction for the next season saw them finish on one point. Back in the National South they survived on the final day. Hoping the rot was stopped, the Kent club won just four league games in 2023/2024 finishing rock bottom. The Whites suffered a seven-game losing streak early this year and are currently on a 22 game winless away run.

Manager – Jake Leberl

Having watched the club from the terraces and having been part of the youth side and first team, Jake Leberl knows Dover Athletic extremely well. Now in his fifth spell with the club on and off the field, he was assistant manager under Mitch Brundle before stepping up last season. The Whites have been in the doldrums lately and Leberl will be keen to stop the slide further down non-league, so Dover Athletic can look forward again.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 18 / Dover Athletic wins: 11 / Draws: 12

Previous Six Meetings

Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (17/02/2024 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Dover Athletic (28/08/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/04/2023 – National South)
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)

Next Meetings

Dover Athletic v Dartford – Saturday 7th September 2024
Dartford v Dover Athletic – Saturday 19th April 2025

Statistics

Dartford have won their last six matches against Dover Athletic
The Darts have lost just once at home in the league versus the Whites (W6, D4) and have won the last five
Dartford have won the last two league games at the Crabble

Match Highlights 2023/2024

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 2, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Dartford

Returning to the Isthmian Premier after 14 years in the National Leagues, the Darts were relegated from the National South last season. After a 13-year nomadic existence, a return home in 2006 proved to be the catalyst. The Darts won two Isthmian titles and a National South playoff to reach the top of non-league and earn an eighth-place finish. Relegation back to the South and several playoff misses proceeded last season’s drop.

2023/2024 Season
National South: 21st
F.A Cup: 1st Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Qualifying Round
Kent Senior Cup: Semi-Final
London Senior Cup: Semi-Final
Top League Scorer: Luke Coulson (10 goals)

Having finished runners up in the campaign before few would have expected last term to end in relegation. Although performances weren’t great, up until the New Year the Darts were mid-table and closer to the top seven than the bottom four in terms of points. Due to poor displays on the pitch, two weeks later Alan Dowson departed. Losing streaks developed and one win in eighteen saw Dartford slump into the bottom four and they couldn’t get out.

Manager – Adrian Pennock

The Darts were a sinking ship when Adrian Pennock arrived and although the former Gillingham and AFC Bournemouth defender couldn’t save them from relegation, he gets a chance to rebuild the squad in the Isthmian Premier. His experience could be valuable for the Darts having managed Welling United, Forest Green Rovers, Gillingham and Barrow. A spell out in the Far East with Brunei DPMM culminated in winning the 2019 Singapore Premier League.

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 1, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Cray Wanderers

One of the oldest football clubs in the world, Cray Wanderers were formed in 1860 and entered the Isthmian League in 2004. The Wands won consecutive Kent League titles before promotion 20 years ago and have since had two spells in both the Isthmian Division One and Premier. Cray Wanderers won the Isthmian South East in the last full season before covid and missed out on a National South spot after a semi-final playoff a year ago.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 17th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
Kent Senior Cup: 2nd Round
London Senior Cup: Quarter-Final
Top League Scorer: Gary Lockyer (11 goals)

A dreadful start to last season had Cray Wanderers on the back foot from the off. The Wands lost their opening five games with just one goal to show. Then they hit five against title challengers Chatham Town to get off the mark. Points were picked up in the middle third of the football calendar with February being the most productive period. Despite a late slump in form, Cray Wanderers finished on a high with a 6-2 win.

Manager – Neil Smith

It was a proud moment when Neil Smith led his Bromley side out at Wembley in the F.A Trophy six years ago. Although it ended with a runner up medal, his time with the Ravens as assistant, then manager, saw the club promoted and become a solid National League team. In March 2022, Smith switched to Cray Wanderers and led them to a playoff campaign. Now the former Gillingham midfielder is at the helm for the Wands homecoming to Flamingo Park.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 36 / Cray Wanderers wins: 21 / Draws: 11

Previous Six Meetings

Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (16/04/2024 – London Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 3 Dartford (18/12/2021 – F.A Trophy)
Cray Wanderers 4 – 2 Dartford (20/09/2017 – Kent Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (05/10/2016 – Kent Senior Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (15/10/2011 – F.A Cup)
Cray Wanderers 1 – 2 Dartford (02/01/2010 – Isthmian Premier)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Cray Wanderers – Thursday 26th December 2024
Cray Wanderers v Dartford – Monday 21st April 2025

Statistics

In the league Dartford have lost just once against Cray Wanderers in the last 19 outings (W14, D4)
Dartford last hosted Cray Wanderers in a 1-1 on Boxing Day 2009. The Darts have lost just once in the last 17 at home versus the Wands in all competitions (W11, D5)
The Darts have won 18 of the last 22 away matches against Cray Wanderers in all competitions (D1, L3)

Match Highlights 2021/2022

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Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

August 1, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Cray Valley Paper Mills

Champions of the Isthmian Division One South East, Cray Valley Paper Mills have been on a fantastic ride these last six years. Winning the Southern Counties East and reaching the F.A Vase final at Wembley in 2019 is no longer their pinnacle. Three years ago, they reached the F.A Cup first round for the first time and repeated that achievement last season. In an almost unbeaten campaign last time out, the Millers will enjoy a debut in the Isthmian Premier.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Division One South East: 1st
F.A Cup: 1st Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
Kent Senior Cup: 2nd Round
London Senior Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: Kyrell Lisbie (29 goals)

Grabbing headlines in the F.A Cup by earning a replay against Charlton Athletic in a local derby, the Millers had an astonishing league campaign too. Champions by six points, 103 goals scored and just one defeat. Cray Valley Paper Mills dropped just two points on the road winning their first 16 away matches, only runners up Ramsgate stopped them from a perfect away record. With the title still going down to the final game, the Millers made no mistake.

Manager – Steve McKimm

A decade ago, Steve McKimm was appointed manager of Tonbridge Angels. He took the Kent club to the National South by winning the 2019 playoff final. Two years later the Angels reached the F.A Cup first round and in the following season made it to the F.A Trophy fifth round for the first time. McKimm left Longmead for Carshalton Athletic prior his arrival at Cray Valley Paper Mills and his first campaign went rather well.

Next Meetings

Cray Valley Paper Mills v Dartford – Saturday 10th August 2024
Dartford v Cray Valley Paper Mills – Saturday 2nd November 2024

Season Preview 2024/2025

July 31, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Chichester City

Only 24 years old, Chichester City won their first promotion into the Isthmian Premier having had previous spells in the Sussex County and Southern Combination Leagues. The Lillywhites have won two county titles under different names, first as Chichester City United in 2004 and then in their current guise in 2019. That second title elevated the Sussex side to the Isthmian Division One South East where they won last season’s playoff final.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Division One South East: 5th
F.A Cup: Extra Preliminary Round
F.A Trophy: 1st Qualifying Round
County Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: Jimmy Wild (17 goals)

Chichester City put their foot down from February to secure the last playoff spot. One defeat in their final 15 league games included a 7-1 victory, eight clean sheets in a row and a 6-1 win. Only runners up Ramsgate took maximum points from the Lillywhites in that period. But Chichester City had the final word beating the Rams in the playoff semi-final before destroying Three Bridges 5-0 in the final.

Manager – Daniel Potter

A Senior Lecturer in Football Coaching and Performance, Daniel Potter has been first team coach at Chichester City since 2015. He also has playing experience having spent three seasons in the National League. Under Potter, Chichester City have transformed going from the Southern Combination League to progressing to the Isthmian Premier. In 2019, the Sussex club reached the second round of the F.A Cup after six rounds of qualifying under their current boss.

Next Meetings

Chichester City v Dartford – Saturday 26th October 2024
Dartford v Chichester City – Saturday 11th January 2025

Season Preview 2024/2025

July 31, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Cheshunt

Two years ago, Cheshunt reached their highest level of football after promotions either side of the abandoned covid campaigns. Twice up through the playoffs, the Ambers won the Isthmian Division One South Central final then the Isthmian Premier final. The Hertfordshire side spent just one season in the National South before relegation and almost suffered the same fate last term. Luckily, they avoided a drop to division one, where they have historically spent many a year.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 18th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: Quarter-Final
Top League Scorer: Nnamadi Nwachuku (17 goals)

A late surge from Margate put Cheshunt under pressure going into the final two weeks of the season. At the same time the Ambers lost to the Gate during a poor spell leaving them just three points clear with two to play. On the penultimate weekend both sides faced playoff chasers and claimed maximum points. Mathematically not safe but with a far superior goal difference, Cheshunt picked up the solitary point needed to survive and escape a consecutive relegation.

Manager – Craig Edwards

Cheshunt were bottom of the Isthmian Division One North in January 2018 and looked towards Craig Edwards to turn fortunes around. In his first full season, Edwards won promotion from the Isthmian Division One South Central via the playoffs in a remarkable turnaround. That experience proved useful again two years ago as the former Grays Athletic, Billericay Town and Kingstonian boss took the Ambers up through another playoff, but they lasted one season in the National South.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 2 / Cheshunt wins: 0 / Draws: 0

Previous Meetings

Cheshunt 1 – 3 Dartford (07/01/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Cheshunt (13/08/2022 – National South)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Cheshunt – Saturday 9th November 2024
Cheshunt v Dartford – Wednesday 22nd February 2025

Statistics

Dartford have a perfect record against Cheshunt in the two meetings so far
In the two matches played both teams scored averaging 3.5 goals per game
Samir Carruthers is the only player left in the current Dartford squad to have featured in both games against Cheshunt in 2022/2023

Match Highlights 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Season Preview 2024/2025

July 30, 2024 / Stuart Maidment / 0 Comments

Chatham Town

Ten times Kent League champions, Chatham Town have significantly progressed over the last three years. Now playing at their highest ever level, the Kent side got to the Isthmian Premier with increased attendances and consecutive promotions. In 2022, the Chats racked up 100 points and 122 goals, finished second and went up. In the league above they went one better claiming the Isthmian Division One South East title and last term they finished runners up in the Premier.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 2nd
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 1st Round
County Cup: Semi-Final
Top League Scorer: Jamie Yila (16 goals)

Chatham Town will feel they didn’t do themselves justice in the playoff final as they went down 3-0 to Enfield Town. However, they should be among the favourites this season following consecutive promotions and a second-place finish. Strangely the Chats best streak came when they won their opening five matches. After that they only managed three straight victories at best on three occasions in the league, but they continued to rack up points consistently.

Manager – Kevin Hake

Current Isthmian Premier League Manager of the Season, Kevin Hake led his boyhood club to the playoff final last season. He took over as Chairman seven years ago after the Chats were relegated to the Southern Counties East. Bit by bit Hake has built the club with the community at its heart, which has led to increased attendances and success on the pitch. When football resumed after Covid, Hake became manager, won consecutive promotions, and came close to a third in a row.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 30 / Chatham Town wins: 40 / Draws: 11

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 3 Chatham Town (09/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)
Chatham Town 2 – 3 Dartford (26/12/2006 – Isthmian Division One South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (15/04/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (27/09/2005 – Southern League Cup)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (20/09/2005 – Southern League Div One East)
Chatham Town 1 – 1 Dartford (16/11/2004 – Southern League Div One East)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Chatham Town – Monday 26th August 2024
Chatham Town v Dartford – Wednesday 1st January 2025

Statistics

Dartford have won just two of the last 10 league meetings against Chatham Town (D2, L6)
The Darts have won one of their last five in the league at home versus the Chats (D1, L3)
Dartford have won four of their last seven league matches at Chatham Town (D1, L2)

Category: Season Preview (Page 2 of 8)

Season Preview 2024/2025

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