The Darts will be back at Princes Park for a league game on Tuesday night against Brentwood Town.
Dartford have a tough test for their opening home game of the season. Whilst the Darts missed out on the playoffs last term, one of the teams they were unable to catch were this weekend’s opponents.
Brentwood Town followed up their Isthmian North title with a playoff final appearance in May. The Essex side almost won back-to back promotions, but were denied late in extra time by Billericay Town.
Opening Day Comeback
The Darts came from two goal down to win on their opener and spoil Three Bridges’ day. The Sussex side benefited from two penalties in the first half. Emmanuel Oke conceded a spot kick and Charlie Bennett became the first Bridges player to net in the Isthmian Premier. The same player added another from 12 yards after Adrian Gyamera fouled Kevin Riveria in the box.
Player manager, Ben Greenhalgh sparked the comeback on the stroke of half time with his first strike since returning to the club. The equaliser arrived in the second half when Joe Tenent headed home Greenhalgh free-kick. Two minutes later the turn around was complete with Max Fiddes getting his first goal in a Dartford shirt on his debut.
Back of the Nat
Brentwood Town began their camping with a clean sheet and a 2-0 victory. The Blues kept Burgess Hill Town at bay and also needed their first of the campaign on the stroke of half time. Charlee Adam’s free-kick found Bradley Sachs who headed the Essex side ahead. New signing Nat Mardell made sure of maximum points late in the second half with a guided finish.
Fighting Spirit
Last time Dartford entertained Brentwood Town at home they had to show plenty of grit and determination. Back in January, with both sides aiming for the playoffs an entertaining five goal ensued. The hosts had to win it the hard way when Sam Odaudu was sent off with a little over a quarter to play.
Dartford went two up with the first coming from Sam Okoye after a couple minutes. The advantage was doubled when Olly Box put the Darts in control. Yet the visitors came back through Kymani Thomas, then Daniel Ogunleye after the hosts were reduced to ten men. The winner was finally struck by Eddie Dsane after a brilliant solo run from Dan Carter.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Draw in Essex
The earlier meeting last season saw the two sides draw 1-1. At the time, Dartford were looking for some form after a slow start in Adrian Pennock’s second full campaign in charge. Brentwood Town fresh from their league title maintained momentum and led the Isthmian Premier.
Samir Carruthers put the Darts in front with a free-kick. Charlee Hughes equalised for the Blues to share the spoils.
Highlights courtesy of BrentwoodTownTV
Summer Changes
The fact that the goalscorers from both games last term have all left their respected clubs highlights the changes to both squads over the summer. Dartford have replaced Box and Dsane with Gianluca Botti and Max Fiddes. Brentwood Town lost Ogunleye up front and taken a punt on former Stanway Rovers top scorer Nat Mardell.
Keith Rowland has also bolstered his squad with promotion winners. The Blues have added Mikey Berry from champions Folkestone Invicta, whilst Tommy Davis and Ben Steward were signed from Billericay Town. He has also introduced new faces from the National South bringing in Malachi Linton from AFC Totton, Harry Gibbs from playoff winners Hornchurch and Charlee Adams from Chelmsford City.
Manager’s View
Ben Greenhalgh was delighted with how his players responded to adversity on the weekend. He spoke to Dartford FC TV after the win and said: “We showed a little bit of everything, positive and negative. One thing we spoke about is the graft and character these boys are going to have and that’s attacking and defensively”.
The player manager admits the opening ten minutes was ‘too emotional’ when a decision didn’t go Dartford’s way. Harry White in the Three Bridges goal could have been sent off. Afterwards the Darts found themselves two down. At that point the team ‘could have imploded’ according to Greenhalgh.
Dartford’s boss was pleased with how his side saw the game out at 3-2 up, he commented: “The comeback is great, but it’s also the mentality to accept for the last fifteen minutes we had to defend for our lives. For us not to let in an open play goal is credit for the group”.
Brentwood Town visit the Darts on Tuesday night. Greenhalgh is expecting his players to be fully focussed, he explained: “There are good teams in this division and we have to accept that. We have to not be complacent against anyone. We going to go to Princes Park and we’re going consistent. We go again Tuesday and hopefully get another three points, it will be a brilliant start”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 4 / Brentwood Town wins: 2 / Draws: 3
Previous Meetings
Dartford 3 – 2 Brentwood Town (31/01/2026– Isthmian Premier)
Brentwood Town 1 – 1 Dartford (11/10/2025– Isthmian Premier)
Brentwood Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/11/2017 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 0 – 1 Brentwood Town (29/03/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Brentwood Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/02/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Brentwood Town 2 – 1 Dartford (08/03/1969 – Southern League First Division)
Statistics
- Dartford’s win in January was their first in the league against Brentwood Town in 58 years (D3, L2)
- The Darts have hosted the Blues four times in all competitions and have a 50% win rate (W2, D1, L1)
- Dartford have lost just one of their last 11 opening home games (W5, D5), but are winless in their last three (D2, L1)
On This Day
Dartford have played four time on this day all at home. Six years ago, the Darts drew 0-0 with Hemel Hempstead Town. Three years earlier a goal from Tom Bradbrook after six minutes saw Dartford beat Eastbourne Borough.
In 2012, Dartford’s long awaited return to the National League ended in defeat against Tamworth. Peter Till and Adam Cunnington put the Lambs ahead. Elliot Bradbrook scored a free-kick before Cunnington added a third for the hosts. Harry Crawford set up a tense finish. In another season opener, the Darts drew 1-1 with Yeovil Town in the Southern Premier back in 1973.
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