Dartford will have the chance to extend their perfect start when they visit Isthmian North champions Maldon and Tiptree this weekend.
The Darts have won their opening two league games for the first time in four years. Victory against newly promoted Three Bridges was followed up with another win over last season’s playoff finalists Brentwood Town.
Following a difficult summer, Maldon and Tiptree had a disastrous start to their campaign. The Jammers lost heavily to Dulwich Hamlet. However, Mark Hawkes’ side bounced back by maintaining an 18 month unbeaten home record in the league with a late win over Aveley.
Dartford’s Decent Defence
Dan Smith was the match winner on Tuesday night as the Darts claimed a gritty three points. The striker nodded in the only goal of the game at home against Brentwood Town.
Ben Greenhalgh made one change with George Whitefield coming in for Emmanuel Oke. As well as Whitefield, the Dartford defence were exceptional all night and deservedly kept their first clean sheet of the season.
The Darts were fast out of the blocks in both halves, but made it count in the first. Greenhalgh’s corner was met by the head of Smith after just three minutes. Brentwood Town controlled possession for the majority of the game, but Dartford limited their opportunities. Although, Joe Tennent was called into action with a goal line clearance just before half time.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Opening Day Comeback
Greenhalgh has already led Dartford to victory over a title winning side and hopes to repeat that this weekend. The Darts defeated Isthmian South East champions Three Bridges in this season’s opener.
The Bridges went two goals up through a couple of penalties, but Dartford’s player manager sparked a comeback. A well taken strike by Greenhalgh pulled a goal back before half-time. The player manager then grabbed an assist from a free-kick which Joe Tennent nodded home, then Max Fiddes headed in the winner on his debut.
May Saves the Day
Dartford have never played the Jammers in their current guise, but they did face Maldon Town before they amalgamated with Tiptree United. That was back in 2007 when Dartford lifted the Isthmian North title. Tony Burman’s side twice came from behind to draw 2-2. Ryan Hayes followed up a long range effort to level. The winger also put in the corner that resulted in Jay May’s equaliser.
Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino
Hammered by Hamlet
It’s been a turbulent summer for Maldon and Tiptree. Title celebrations didn’t last long before the club’s co-owners were charged with multiple offences. Manager, Kevin Horlock then quit the Jammers leaving the Essex side little time to prepare for the new campaign. In came new manager Hawkes, who couldn’t have got off to a worse start.
Playing in the Isthmian Premier for the first time as Maldon and Tiptree, the Essex side travelled to Dulwich Hamlet on the first weekend of the season. Just like the Darts visit to Champion Hill last term, the Jammers were comprehensively beaten. The match was sewn up in the first half with Hamlet four up at the break. Nyren Clunis scored twice, David Smith opened his account and former Dart, Luke Wanadio added another. In the second half, Gaspar Mico and Sol Baugh wrapped up the three points with only an hour played.
Fortress
Hawkes made three changes for their county clash with Aveley. Kai Christopher Ray Redgrave, Eze Ebuzoeme and TQ Addy replaced Hedley Ogbebor, Jaden Brissett and Iffy Allen. Former Dart, Ibby Akanbi kept his place in the side, the striker played five times in the 2023/2024 campaign for Dartford.
Up against last season’s runners up and after a heavy defeat, the Jammers bounced back with maximum points. Maldon and Tiptree took confidence from their outstanding home record and extended their unbeaten run at Park Drive to 28 league matches, this time with a late Allen goal.
Manager’s View
Dartford’s narrow win on Tuesday night was far from perfect, but Ben Greenhalgh couldn’t fault his player’s work ethic. The player manager felt his team wasn’t ‘good enough’ on the ball or in their pressing game, but highlighted the squad’s positive attitude, he told Dartford FC TV: “I think all we can talk about is the desire and hunger everyone had and the three points”.
Greenhalgh compared the performance to the last 25 minutes of the win at Three Bridges, where the team had to dig in. He commented: “It happened again tonight, all that matters is we are a new team and we’re building. To have character to win a game like that is incredible at this stage”.
Ahead of the Maldon and Tiptree match, Greenhalgh isn’t reading too much into their 6-0 loss on the opening day, he said: “I warned people that it’s not a bad eleven. They’ve got a lot of players that you would be interested in”, he continued: “We had someone watch the game and they said that they almost just gave up for that Saturday. So we don’t know the goings on there, but when they’re at it they’re going to be good”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
Defender, Emmanuel Oke has a slight shoulder issue and is likely to be unavailable for Saturday. Luke Exal has only featured in the first pre-season friendly due to a hip injury.
Current Form
| Dartford (WW) | Maldon and Tiptree (LW) | ||||
| Brentwood Town | H | 1-0 | Aveley | H | 1-0 |
| Three Bridges | A | 3-2 | Dulwich Hamlet | A | 0-6 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 0 / Maldon and Tiptree* wins: 2 / Draws: 2
*previously Maldon Town
Previous Meetings
Maldon Town 2 – 2 Dartford (22/12/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Dartford 2 – 2 Maldon Town (18/08/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Dartford 0 – 5 Maldon Town (26/03/2005 – Southern League Division One East)
Maldon Town 3 – 2 Dartford (01/01/2005 – Southern League Division One East)
Statistics
- The Darts last won their opening three league games in 2021
- Dartford have yet to concede a goal in open play
- The Darts have never beaten Maldon and Tiptree in four attempts
- Dartford have drawn the last two by the same score (2-2)
On This Day
Dartford have never lost on 15 August in their six previous games on this day. The last outing ended 1-1 three years ago. Manager, Alan Dowson faced his former club and Brandon Barzey was sent off against his old side. Harvey Bradbury put Dartford ahead at Princes Park, only for Dean Inman to equalise before Barzey’s dismissal.
The Darts beat Concord Rangers in 2017 with a goal in either half from Elliot Bradbrook and Lyle Della-Verde. Two years earlier Dartford drew 2-2 with Sutton United having twice led through a pair of Tom Bradbrook goals. In 2009, Dartford won their opening Isthmian North match at home to Horsham winning 3-2. Elliot Bradbrook claimed a brace and Adam Flanagan scored the other.
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