Saturday 12th July (3pm)
Charlton Athletic (H)
Saturday 19th July (3pm)
Eastbourne Borough (H)
Tuesday 22nd July (7.45pm)
Herne Bay (A)
Saturday 26th July (3pm)
Gillingham (H)
Tuesday 29th July (7.45pm)
Faversham Town (A)
Saturday 2nd August (3pm)
Ebbsfleet United (H)
A dejected dressing room knows there is plenty of work to be done. Dartford fans queue for half time refreshments and are left wondering if the season can get any worse. It’s October and Adrian Pennock is trying to rally the troops because his side is three down at half-time against Wingate and Finchley. There is still another forty-five minutes to get through.
We’re a dozen league games into the season and a sense of perspective is required. Fresh from relegation to the Isthmian Premier the Darts kept just three players from last season’s squad. The rebuild started in the summer, but how long will it take for the squad to gel? Should a club of Dartford’s stature be playing at this level? How will we turn around our fortunes? A little more patience and soon the answers began to reveal.
Despite a bright start in August with four league wins in the first five, plus a comprehensive 6-2 victory against Marlow in the F.A Cup, Dartford struggled through September and half of October. Heavy defeats to rivals Dover Athletic and Billericay Town compounded a run of seven league games without a win and by now the Darts were already out of the two major cup competitions. All the way down in 15th and 14 points from the top in November, maybe expectations needed lowering or maybe not…
Ade Yusuff is just inside the Wingate and Finchley penalty box, gets his feet in a muddle, falls over and instinctively with his back to goal sweeps the ball goalwards to make it 3-2. There is hope and a tiny spark waiting to be ignited.
What follows is incredible. It started burning slowly, then grew and grew as the players, the supporters, the club started to believe. A county cup win over Erith Town was merely a prelude. The Darts stopped the losing league rot with a battling 0-0 draw against an in-form Cray Valley Paper Mills, then followed that up with a 1-1 stalemate at Potters Bar Town. Not the most glamorous of results, but a foundation on which to build.
The ball works its way across the Princes Park pitch to George Whitefield 30 yards from the Cheshunt goal. The defender brings the ball under control and smashes it in the top corner. The roof and the season lifts off.
The Darts go on a record equalling 21-game unbeaten league run.
Footage courtesy of kstdart
Yet that run almost ended before it really got going. Dartford are 3-2 down in Essex with just three minutes remaining, the points are all Hashtag United’s. Then the boy wonder, Olly Box calmly volleys home a rebound in the last minute. He’s not the hero though. The Tags break at lightning speed, the goal is open and somehow Jacob Marsden makes the save of the season. It ends 3-3. Pennock has now got his squad refusing to be beaten, showing the character and tenacity to climb the table.
The Darts have just brushed aside Bognor Regis Town, it is their third clean sheet in four games. The defence has tightened up and the wins keep coming. The midfield is strengthened with the loan signings of Hayden Bullas and Louis Dunne, providing depth to the already creative partnership of the influential Samir Carruthers and Denzelle Olopade. The goals are shared out and striker Callum Jones is showing the work ethic that has earned him Player of the Year, everything is clicking into place.
What happens next was near record breaking, literally. A goal deficit at Horsham turned into a 3-1 win, Carruthers, Box and Olopade turning the game around. Folkestone Invicta were the next victims. Box delivers on Boxing Day with a quality brace and once again the Darts come from behind beating Cray Wanderers. Players are now stepping up when the team is down, and confidence is growing. Away clean sheets at Canvey Island and Chatham Town make it five consecutive wins.
The ball comes out to Josh Hill, the defender unleashes a long-range rocket and the goal of the season. The Darts breeze past Whitehawk, defeat Wingate and Finchley before a key home match against Billericay Town.
Footage courtesy of kstdart
The Essex club thrashed the Darts in October, but three months later Pennock’s side is a different beast and boy did it show. A fantastic performance blows away the league leaders. Box, Whitefield, Jones and now even the substitutes are making an impact. Eddie Dsane adds a fourth to banish the Blues and Dartford are serious title contenders. If there is a set of fixtures to showcase how far the Darts have progressed this season it’s the two matches against Billericay Town, but more was still to come.
Victories over Bowers and Pitsea and Hashtag United put the Darts on the verge of breaking the club record of consecutive league wins during one season. The 2-0 home triumph over the Tags equalled the previous best of ten, only Chichester City stood in the way now. Neither side could break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw bringing the incredible achievement to a close.
Carruthers puts home a penalty at Hendon to complete another comeback. The Darts win 3-2 and equal another club record of 21 league matches unbeaten. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and unusually Dartford come out second best in a 3-0 defeat to Cheshunt. So, what better way to bounce back then to face your title rivals next.
The scoreboard at Princes Park shows 87 minutes, Dartford 0 Horsham 1. Sam Odaudu sends in a low cross and George Whitefield stabs the ball in for an equaliser. In these circumstances rescuing a point will do, but not a Dartford team refusing to give in. Carruthers puts in a delightful free-kick, Whitefield gets something on the ball and falling kindly to Dsane the forward cannot miss at the far post. The most dramatic of victories keeps the title dream alive.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
There was even more reason to believe despite defeat at Lewes a week later. Billericay Town and Horsham also lost that weekend, was this a sign luck is on Dartford’s side? A fortnight later a day out in Bognor ends in a 2-0 away win and the fans chanting ‘we are top of the league’. Six more games to hold on.
Princes Park is silent for the home side have shipped in two goals in the first-half against Folkestone Invicta. We’ve been here before, two down at the break. Whitefield halves the deficit then late on in the game Olopade is fouled in the penalty area. The pressure is on Carruthers, but he rises to the occasion. It finishes 2-2. Two points dropped or one point gained? Somehow the draw was enough to extend Dartford’s lead by the end of the day. Another sign?
The Darts pick up a win at Whitehawk and then the Easter period has another twist waiting in store. Carruthers has already scored a worldy and Olopade added another before Hill put the third past Kent rivals Dover Athletic. The 3-1 win another measure of how far Pennock’s side have come since that heavy defeat at the Crabble in September.
Footage courtesy of kstdart
Then the twist…Easter Monday is not as good as Friday and the Darts draw 2-2 at Cray Wanderers setting up a final day showdown.
Dartford slip to third on goal difference level on points with Horsham and Billericay Town. Pennock’s side have to better what their title rivals do in the last game, the odds are against them, but whilst there is a chance and all that.
The final whistle has blown bringing an end to the league campaign. The players are devastated in the dressing room. Pennock has been here before, he needs to rally the troops. Got to get ready for the playoffs.
Today’s game against Chichester City has been called off due to a frozen pitch.
A new date will be scheduled as soon as possible.
The Darts have climbed the division with an outstanding unbeaten run, which stretched to an impressive 15 league games last weekend. A sixth consecutive victory on Saturday lifted Dartford up another place and increased their run at home to seven without defeat. Chichester City are enjoying their debut season in the Isthmian Premier, unbeaten in six and are a place and three points shy of a playoff spot.
A near perfect December earned Adrian Pennock his first manager of the Month award with the Darts. Only Dulwich Hamlet took points off his side in the final month of 2024 as he led his team to five wins and a draw. The New Year started as the last ended. An away Kent derby victory at Chatham Town was followed up with a 4-1 triumph at home against Whitehawk.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
The Dartford boss only made a couple of changes versus the Hawks, who themselves were experiencing a new manager bounce and unbeaten in five. Denzelle Olopade missed his first league game of the season due to an ankle injury. Pennock felt it was a good idea to rest the midfielder after playing four games in nine days. Samir Carruthers dropped to the bench, but made an impact when he came on. In their place came midfielders Jez Pinder and Louis Dunne.
The busy schedule made for a challenging game as assistant boss Roland Edge explained when speaking to Dartford FC TV, he said: “Both teams looked a little bit leggy, so it was never going to have the normal tempo”. The game came to life when Josh Hill scored a screamer from long range, an effort that could easily win goal of the season. Striker, Callum Jones increased the lead with his eighth of the campaign before Whitehawk halved the deficit.
Edge added: “It took a wonder strike to spark it into a game and then at 2-0 I thought we were in control. We were in control so much that I thought we got a little bit sloppy, then the 2-1 woke us up and by the end of it we were the team that created most of the chances, so I thought in the end it was a fair result”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
In the closing stages the Darts sealed the three points. First Carruthers won a penalty dusted himself off and put away the spot kick. Then another substitute, Eddie Dsane scored his third in as many games with a wonderful solo effort. Substitutes have now contributed to eight league goals this season for the Darts.
During the current unbeaten run, the Darts have won five of their last seven home fixtures keeping three clean sheets. Despite setbacks throughout September and October, Edge puts Dartford’s form down to endeavour, he commented: “I think we’ve got a lot of belief, but I think the belief has come from hardwork. When we weren’t winning everyone was all doom and gloom a little bit, but I thought we performed well in a lot of those games”.
In the reverse fixture back in November, the Darts let a two goal lead slip to come home with a point. An in form Olly Box scored for a third game in a row after nine minutes, then an own goal from Ben Pashley doubled Dartford’s advantage. In the second half the hosts fought back to earn a draw in the first ever meeting between the two sides. First, Ethan Prichard scored then Isaac Bello equalised leaving the spoils shared.
Highlights courtesy of Chichester City FC
Edge was impressed with the Lillywhites in the away match he said: “I liked Chichester, I thought they had a lot about them. They are quite similar to us in a way that they have some good flair players that can score goals. Their forward line is a handful”. Now the focus is recovering in time ahead of the home game this weekend, he added: “It’s down to us now to get over the Christmas period, try and put some energy back into the lads, face Chichester and hopefully we will perform well”.
Isthmian Division One South East playoff winners, Chichester City have won five of their last six. After defeating Lewes 3-2 at the Dripping Pan they drew 1-1 with Whitehawk. Since then the Lillywhites have taken maximum points in their previous four fixtures against Hendon, Carshalton Athletic, Bognor Regis Town and most recently Chatham Town.
Last weekend, one change was made to the side that enjoyed the 4-1 New Year’s Day derby victory over Bognor Regis Town. Mo Jammeh was preferred to Lloyd Rowlatt and the decision was justified when Jammeh opened the scoring after just two minutes. It took until injury time for the Lillywhites to secure a 2-0 triumph when Prichard added another and his sixth league goal of the season.
| Dartford (WWWWWW) | Chichester City (WDWWWW) | ||||
| Whitehawk | H | 4-1 | Chatham Town | H | 2-0 |
| Chatham Town | A | 2-0 | Bognor Regis Town | A | 4-1 |
| Canvey Island | A | 1-0 | Carshalton Athletic | A | 2-1 |
| Cray Wanderers | H | 2-1 | Hendon | H | 1-0 |
| Folkestone Invicta | A | 1-0 | Whitehawk | H | 1-1 |
| Horsham | A | 3-1 | Lewes | A | 3-2 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 0 / Chichester City wins: 0 / Draws: 1
Previous Meeting
Chichester City 2 – 2 Dartford (26/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
On This Day
One of Dartford’s most famous games took place on this day 89 years ago. The Darts travelled to the Baseball Ground to take on top flight Derby County in the F.A Cup third round. The Rams were second in the old First Division, but the Darts shocked their opponents going two goals up when Mercer and Joe Harron scored. Derby County were level by half-time with the winner coming in the second-half.
Dartford have won their last three home matches on 11 January with the most recent a 3-0 win against Oxford City five years ago. Darren McQueen, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong and Luke Wanadio all scored in the National South fixture. The previous two victories came in the fifties with the Darts beating Lovells Athletic 3-1 in the Southern League back in 1958 and two years earlier Dover 2-0 in a Kent Senior Cup first round replay.
The Darts started brightly this season before a dip in form left them looking behind them. However, since November, Adrian Pennock’s side have put together an 14 match unbeaten run to turn them into title contenders. Whitehawk have struggled this term until recently. The Hawks are on their third manager who has recently masterminded a strong finish to 2024.
A fifth consecutive league win on Wednesday helped the Darts close the gap on league leaders Dover Athletic to just four points. November saw Dartford pick up four draws and three victories before consistently turning those draws into wins the following month. In December, only Dulwich Hamlet took points from Pennock’s side as the Darts claimed five wins in the final month of the year.
On New Year’s Day, Dartford added another three points to their tally. Pennock shuffled the pack again to account for the busy festive schedule making four changes to the side that beat Canvey Island. Michael Olarewaju and Hayden Bullas kept their places in the side with regulars Sam Okoye and Louis Dunne named on the bench. Josh Hill returned as captain, whilst Olly Box, Callum Jones and Samir Carruthers were back in the starting eleven.
Dartford completed a double over Chatham Town to see in 2025 starting in the manner in which they ended last year. Both sides were in form and couldn’t be separated at the break. However, the breakthrough came just past the hour when George Whitefield’s cross was deflected goalwards and into the Chatham Town net. Eddie Dsane entered the game and added a second from a tight angle to take his tally to eight for the season in all competitions. The Darts are now in the shake up for top spot with just four points separating the top four, which includes Cray Valley Paper Mills in third and Billericay Town in second.
Dartford won both games against Whitehawk last time the two sides were competing in the same division. At the Enclosed Ground in September 2017, the Darts ran out 4-0 winners with Alfie Pavey setting the Darts on the way to maximum points. The striker scored after eight minutes and by half-time the visitors had three. Ryan Hayes and Elliot Bradbrook added another two to put Dartford in command at the break. It took until the last minute for lead to be extended further when Lyle Della-Verde scored.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
The reverse fixture at Princes Park four months later finished 3-1 to the Darts. Ronnie Vint pounced on a loose ball from Ryan Hayes’ free-kick just before the interval to put Dartford a goal up. Whitehawk were level when David Ijaha hit his low effort through a crowd of defenders. Andy Pugh became the decider with two goals, first the striker tucked away Dartford’s second then he rounded the goalkeeper for the third.
Dartford have won the last two at Princes Park against the Sussex side also winning in February 2017. This time the Darts went two up when Hayes curled a shot into the Whitehawk goal. Tom Murphy lobbed the goalkeeper to double the lead. In the second half, the Hawks scored from the spot before Pugh calmly finished a well worked move.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
A change in manager has seen Whitehawk string together their best results of the season so far. Ahead of their New Year’s Day derby clash with Lewes, the Hawks went five unbeaten. Shaun Saunders returned to the struggling Sussex side to lift them off the bottom of the table. Whitehawk finished 2024 in the last relegation place, but without the unbeaten run things would be a little worse for the Hawks. Saunders is one of Whitehawk’s most successful managers, but requested a break from football this summer for personal reasons. Ross McNeilly was put in charge until he left and Dave Altendorff took over.
Whitehawk’s struggles in front of goal peaked during October and November at the end of McNeilly’s reign and throughout Altendorff’s when they went six games without a goal. In fact they managed just two in 11 outings. That led to a third change in manager at the end of November. Since the arrival of Saunders, the Hawks beat Folkestone Invicta at home before securing their first away win of the season against bottom side Bognor Regis Town. A pair of draws versus Chichester city and Hashtag United was followed by a much needed victory over Dulwich Hamlet.
The Hawks won against the odds showing the new found determination under Saunders. Just before half-time, goalkeeper Jasper Sheik conceded a penalty and was red carded for his troubles. Former Dart, Luke Wanadio just about slotted the penalty beyond makeshift keeper Rob O’Toole. A forward by trade O’Toole was left between the sticks as the Hawks had no replacement goalkeeper named on the bench. Still, the hosts came back from behind with goals from Andrew Briggs and Luke Robinson. Whitehawk were at home again on New Year’s Day against Sussex rivals Lewes, however the derby lasted 45 minutes before being abandonned.
| Dartford (DWWWWW) | Whitehawk (LWWDDW) | ||||
| Chatham Town | A | 2-0 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 2-1 |
| Canvey Island | A | 1-0 | Hashtag United | H | 1-1 |
| Cray Wanderers | H | 2-1 | Chichester City | A | 1-1 |
| Folkestone Invicta | A | 1-0 | Bognor Regis Town | A | 3-2 |
| Horsham | A | 3-1 | Folkestone Invicta | H | 1-0 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | H | 2-2 | Hendon | A | 0-3 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 5 / Whitehawk wins: 3 / Draws: 0
Previous 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)
Statistics
On This Day
Dartford let a two goal lead slip on this day four years ago, but man aged to come away with a win at Dorking Wanderers. As early as the second minute Darren McQueen scored from the spot. It took until the 72nd minute for the Darts to score another through Elliott Romain. The hosts hit back with two goals in five minutes to level the score. In the final moments of the game McQueen netted the winner on a dramatic afternoon. That victory was Dartford’s first on this day in four attempts having previously lost at home to Kidderminster Harriers (2015) and on the road to Stamford (2003) and Bromsgrove Rovers (1992). The last home win on 4 January was an entertaining 5-3 triumph over Barnet in 1986.
The Darts begin their Kent Senior Cup campaign on Tuesday night hosting National League side Bromley.
Dartford have won two of the last three editions of the county competition. After defending their title successfully they relinquished the crown last season. Now they will start their quest to reclaim the silverware against the side they beat in the final twelve years ago.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in the competition since the 2011 final. Tony Burman led the Darts to a 4-1 victory with Elliot Bradbrook opening the scoring in the first-half. After the break Ryan Hayes doubled the advantage. Goalkeeper, Craig Holloway fumbled into his own net for the third. Then Hayes set up Danny Harris to put Dartford out of sight. Bromley’s Warren McBean scored a consolation for the visitors.
The following year Dartford won promotion to the National League where they stayed for three years. Bromley remained in the National South until reaching the top flight of non league in 2015. So paths have rarely crossed with only five meetings since.
Dartford have won five of the last six against Bromley, which has included a National South double, an F.A Trophy win and a F.A Cup victory. Bromley’s only win in that time came in the F.A Cup. Yet it was the very same competition in which they last met nine years ago.
Drawn in the first round, the Darts set up a tie with Bradford City after beating Bromley 4-3 at Hayes Lane. Louis Dennis put the hosts ahead inside a minute before Harris levelled. Then Dartford went in front twice through Hayes and Bradbrook. However, the Ravens equalised on each occasion after Moses Ademola and then Danny Waldren scored. A Tom Bradbrook header nine minutes from time made sure the Darts progressed into round two for the first time in 30 years.
Now it is Bromley who are in the National League and Dartford in the division below. The Darts may have come close to joining their opponents but playoff heartbreak has denied them. This season Alan Dowson’s side have yet to get going, however on the weekend they entered the top ten.
Taking on Torquay United, Dowson made five changes to the side that lost to Braintree Town. The Dartford boss gave George Alexander his debut after joining on loan from Bromley. The striker has scored seven times for the Ravens in 44 appearances. In the National South the 22-year-old has found goalscoring a bit easier. In his loan spells at Welling United and Slough Town he has managed 15 goals in 33 league games. Richard Chin made his first start for the Darts since the playoff semi-final defeat to St Albans City. On loan for a second time from Charlton Athletic he has now made nine appearances for Dartford. Tyrell Miller-Rodney was back in action after recovering from a slight injury. Harvey Bradbury started up front and Jordan Wynter in midfield after the pair finished serving their suspensions.
A 12 minute spell at the end of the first half put the Darts in control. Three players opened their goalscoring account for the club. The new loan signings grabbing the headlines. Chin’s return went perfectly well and he put the hosts in front with a curling shot into the top corner. Alexander scored on debut with a delightful turn and shot. Finally, Moussa Diarra volleyed his side further ahead in a 3-0 win. A first ever victory over Torquay United and a first clean sheet for over a month helped Dartford move up to tenth.
Alexander isn’t the only Dartford player who has played for Bromley. The most notable is Luke Coulson, who made 135 appearances for the Ravens. Part of the F.A Trophy winning side, the winger joined the Darts in the summer of 2022. Paul Rooney, who was sent off against Braintree Town had six games on loan at Hayes Lane. Jordan Wynter made 14 appearances and Alex Wall played 19 times for the Ravens.
Bromley are now in their ninth season in the National League. Under Andy Woodman they won the F.A Trophy in 2021 beating Wrexham. In May, they were defeated in the playoff semi-finals. Before Woodman arrived, the Ravens also lost a F.A Trophy final to Brackley Town in 2018 and had previously reached the playoffs as well.
Progress has continued under Woodman during this campaign. Second in the National League they are 11 points behind leaders Chesterfield, who beat them in the playoffs six months ago. The Ravens gave a good account of themselves in front of the television cameras earlier this month losing 2-0 to League One side Blackpool.
On Saturday, they faced a long journey to the North East to take on Hartlepool United. The visitors got off to a great start when Michael Cheek put the visitors ahead after four minutes. He scored again to record his tenth of the season just before half-time. The Pools halved the deficit before Ben Krauhaus and Olufela Olomola secured a 4-1 victory.
After Dartford’s homecoming in 2006, the Darts have added four Kent Senior Cup triumphs taking them to 13 in total. Six times winners Bromley last won the tournament in 2007.
Current Form (all competitions)
| Dartford (WLWLLW) | Bromley (WLDWLW) | ||||
| Torquay United | H | 3-0 | Hartlepool United | A | 4-1 |
| Braintree Town | H | 0-2 | Aldershot Town | H | 2-3 |
| Maidstone United (FAT) | H | 0-1 | AFC Fylde | H | 1-0 |
| Worthing | A | 4-3 | Boreham Wood | A | 1-1 |
| Chelmsford City | H | 1-2 | Blackpool (FAC) | H | 0-2 |
| Weston-super-Mare | H | 4-2 | Redbridge (LSC) | H | 4-2 |
FAT – F.A Trophy / FAC – F.A Cup / LSC – London Senior Cup
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 25 / Bromley wins: 28 / Draws: 12
Previous Meetings
Bromley 3 – 4 Dartford (08/11/2014 – F.A Cup 1st Round)
Dartford 4 – 2 Bromley (12/01/2013 – F.A Trophy 3rd Round)
Bromley 1 – 2 Dartford (09/04/2012 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Bromley (29/10/2011 – F.A Cup 4th Qualifying Round)
Dartford 3 – 1 Bromley (29/08/2011 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Bromley (02/05/2011 – Kent Senior Cup Final)
Statistics
On This Day
Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong’s brace completed a comeback against Hungerford Town on this day three years ago. Ryan Seager put the Crusaders in the lead. Then two goals 13 second-half minutes from Berkeley-Agyepong earned all three points.
Eight years ago plenty of future Dartford connections and former players were on display. Losing 2-1 in the F.A Trophy at home Whitehawk, the Darts were up against Steve King, Craig Braham-Barrett, Paul Lorraine, Jake Robinson, Danny Mills and Dave Martin. On the substitutes bench that day was also David Ijaha.
The only previous Kent Senior Cup tie played by Dartford on the 28 November was a 5-2 win over Sittingbourne in 1978.
8 July 2023 – Charlton Athletic (home)
Alan Dowson kick started his first pre-season as Dartford boss against the Addicks last July. The League One side ran out 6-1 winners in front of 2775 supporters. It took half an hour for Charlton Athletic to break the deadlock through Charlie Kirk, but a Jayden Stockley own goal cancelled out their lead. Numerous changes took place at the break and with the superior technique and fitness, the Addicks scored five without reply. Miles Leaburn grabbed a brace, Sean Clare netted from the spot, Stockley made amends and Deji Elerewe finished off the rout.
14 July 2023 – Dunston (away)
A summer getaway to Dowson’s homeland aims to build up team spirit and integrate new signings. The long journey to the North East of England to Gateshead to take on Dunston will provide an opportunity for the team to bond. The Northern Division One East side finished three points away from the playoffs last time out. When Lee Noble scored the winner for the Darts in the 2012 National South playoffs, Dunston had success of their own that season winning the F.A Vase at Wembley.
18 July 2023 – Margate (away)
Dartford may showcase some of their academy talents in front of Ben Greenhalgh, who has been working with Dowson to produce a pathway for the youngsters. Greenhalgh also plays for Margate in the Isthmian Premier League and is their assistant manager. The Gate also have former Darts, Tyrone Sterling and Sam Blackman in their squad managed by new boss Reece Prestedge. The two sides last met in April 2022 in the Kent Senior Cup quarter-final. Dartford won 4-2 with goals from Luke Allen, Kalvin Kalala, Ade Azeez and Ody Alfa, the Darts went on to lift the county cup, which Margate won last season.
22 July 2023 – Gillingham (home)
It’s been four years since Dartford faced Gillingham and in that time the Gills have dropped into League Two. In 2019, the Darts were beaten 2-1 at Princes Park with Norman Wabo scoring for the hosts. Last season Gillingham looked set for back to back relegation and falling out of the Football League, but a takeover and an injection of cash saw them ease to safety. The Gills will now be among the favourites to challenge for promotion for the upcoming campaign. The Darts last beat Kent’s only Football League side in 2015 when they went on to lift the county cup. Tom Wynter and Jack Simmons scored in the 2-1 Kent Senior Cup second round victory.
25 July 2023 – Bromley (away)
The Darts visited Bromley as part of their pre-season last year and came away with a 0-0 draw against the F.A Trophy winners. The Ravens had beaten Wrexham 1-0 at Wembley and Dartford’s Luke Coulson was in that Bromley side that triumphed. The Ravens went out at the first hurdle last term, but they did reach the playoff semi-finals and ran Chesterfield close in an epic tie. It’s been over ten years since Dartford have been on an even footing with Bromley, with the two sides passing each other in 2015.
28 July 2023 – Phoenix Sports (away)
A last minute penalty from former Dartford legend Ryan Hayes won Phoenix Sports promotion back to the Isthmian South East in their last competitive game. Just three and half miles separate the two clubs and also on Phoenix’s books last season was Andy Pugh. The Darts breezed past the Sports in March 2020 on the way to lifting the delayed Kent Senior Cup. Jordan Wynter, a brace from Liam Nash, Elliott Romain and Amrit Bansal-McNulty all scored in a 5-1 semi-final victory.
29 July 2023 – Billericay Town (away)
Dartford make the trip over the river to take on a Billericay Town side hoping to get back to the National South. Helping Ricay to achieve their goal will be former Dartford players aplenty. Ade Azeez, Dan Wilks, Malachai Napa, Tom Bender and Jay Porter have all been recruited in the summer by former Hampton and Richmond Borough boss Gary McCann. The Darts have won their last five against Billericay Town whilst they were in the National South without conceding in the last three meetings, the last of which was a 2-0 victory in April 2022 at the New Lodge.
1 August 2023 – Leatherhead (away)
The final warm up game is a trip clockwise round the M25 to visit Isthmian Division One South side Leatherhead. The Darts played out an entertaining friendly at Fetcham Grove just four years ago. Lee Noble, Andy Pugh, the now retired Tom Bonner and Darren McQueen had Dartford 4-0 up before the Tanners hit three in a seven goal thriller. Four of the six competitive meetings between the two sides have been in cup competitions. The only time the Darts faced Leatherhead in the league was in the 2006/2007 season when both sides won a game each.
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