Dartford hope to claim their first win of the season when they host Farnborough this weekend.
The Darts have drawn both of their home games so far picking up just two points from the opening three fixtures. Whilst Farnborough recorded their first victory of the campaign on Tuesday night.
Last season’s fixture at Princes Park saw Harvey Bradbury score on his debut in a 3-1 win back in March. Maxwell Statham got Dartford off to a great start by poking the ball over the line for the opener. The defender almost added a second later on, however his effort was ruled out for offside. Coulson started to run the show and in the second-half doubled the lead. After Bradbury was introduced as a substitute, the striker added a third. Farnborough managed a consolation when Harry Parsons pulled a goal back.
The Darts were involved in an entertaining six goal thriller on the opening day. Squandering the lead twice against Bath City left Alan Dowson disappointed with just a point, but pleased with his side’s attacking intent. However, defensively the Dartford boss has been unhappy with individual errors. That led to a 3-3 draw and goalkeeper Mitch Beeney being dropped for new loan signing Jack McIntyre. Central defence was also strenghtened with James Golding arriving from Oxford United. Although goals were at a premium against Weymouth, the Darts still fell to a 1-0 defeat, another mistake proving costly.
On Tuesday night Bradbury found the back of the net again. His goal wasn’t enough as a late Hampton and Richmond Borough equaliser denied the Darts maximum points. Dowson made one change to the starting lineup bringing back Baris Altintop. Jordan Wynter dropped to the bench, but it wasn’t long before he made his 150th appearance for the club. Sam Odaudu was substituted with an injury in the first half and replaced by Wynter. Despite the setback the hosts were ahead after Tommy Block’s cross was headed home by Bradbury. The striker has now scored seven goals in 13 appearances for the club. With eight minutes remaining Dean Inman levelled for the Beavers. Dartford were reduced to ten men when former Hampton and Richmond Borough winger Brandon Barzey was sent off.
Summer signing Paul Rooney has yet to make his debut after serving a three match ban. The former Havant and Waterlooville man picked up a suspension after an incident at his former club. He was shown a red card in Dartford’s first pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic. Dowson will have to assess the extent of Odaudu’s injury ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
Farnborough finished in a respectable 12th place last term after winning promotion back to the National South. Although they have lost last season’s top scorer Mason Bloomfield they signed former Dart, Alfie Pavey. Boro’s new striker scored the club’s first of the campaign when he nodded in the opener against Eastbourne Borough. Pavey’s goal was cancelled out by Stefan Vukoje in a 1-1 draw. Spencer Day’s side earned their first point after losing 1-0 on the opening day versus Chelmsford City. Pavey scored 29 times in 58 appearances for the Darts winning the golden boot in 2017/2018.
On Tuesday night Pavey scored another making it two for the season. He gave Boro the lead against Hemel Hempstead Town. The hosts were pegged back before the interval after Arnit Krasniqi scored from long range. Manager Spencer Day decided to start with Connor Cullen. His selection was justified when the forward won the game with a header.
Current Form
| Dartford (DLD) | Farnborough (LDW) | ||||
| Hampton & Richmond Borough | H | 1-1 | Hemel Hempstead Town | H | 2-1 |
| Weymouth | A | 0-1 | Eastbourne Borough | H | 1-1 |
| Bath City | H | 3-3 | Chelmsford City | A | 0-1 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 4 / Farnborough wins: 5 / Draws: 2
Last Six Meetings
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)
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
- Jordan Wynter has made 150 appearances for the Darts (140 starts + 10 sub)
- Charlie Sheringham could make his 150th appearance if selected (116 starts + 33 sub)
On This Day
Warren Mfula scored a second-half hat-trick in a 7-1 victory over Oxford City on this day. The striker netted three times in a 19 minute spell after the Darts had already bagged four. Richard Sho-Silva, Lyle Della-Verde, Alfie Pavey and Lee Noble were the other goalscorers. Dartford opened their 2006/2007 season in style on 19 August with a 6-1 win. An away trip to Burgess Hill Town posed no problems as Brendon Cass claimed the match ball with a hat-trick. Jon Farley and a Jay May brace also featured in the convincing triumph. The Darts have won six of their last nine on this day. Other notable results include the 5-2 Southern League Cup first round win over Corinthian in 1981 and a 6-2 victory 20 years earlier against Trowbridge Town in the Southern League First Division.
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