Aveley
Rewind nine years and it’s incredible to think Aveley will be testing themselves against former Football League sides. The Millers were down in the Isthmian Division One North, whilst Yeovil Town were in the Championship. Yet here they are and fully merited after back-to-back promotions. Last season, the Essex club negotiated the playoffs, beating third place Canvey Island and league runners up AFC Hornchurch. In their previous campaign they clinched the Isthmian Division One North title. Five wins in their opening six set the tone last term and after a twelve-match unbeaten run around the turn of the year, it set the Millers up for their successful promotion push. Former Dartford striker George Sykes top scored for the club, but he won’t be donning Aveley colours this season.
2022/2023 Season
Isthmian Premier: 4th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
Top League Scorer: George Sykes (15 goals)
Manager – Danny Scopes
Four years ago Danny Scopes was appointed as a manager for the first time, but he never had a full campaign with Concord Rangers due to two Covid hit seasons. Still he managed to guide the Beachboys to Wembley losing the F.A Trophy final against Harrogate Town. Shortly after that final defeat, Scopes resigned in May 2021. Six months later Aveley took the opportunity to take on the man who helped the Cowley brothers take Concord Rangers up the non-league pyramid. Already Scopes has made an impression at Aveley by winning the Isthmian Division One North, then last season’s Isthmian Premier playoffs.
Summer Transfers
Danny Scopes has bought in Lionel Ainsworth to be his player/assistant manager. The 35-year-old has plenty of Football League experience and also had a three year stay at Motherwell. Alex Hernandez and Nana Kyei remain in the National South after relegation with Concord Rangers, Harry Lodovica switches from Chelmsford City, Tommy Davis and Jon Benton arrive from Southend United, Jalen Jones from Cray Wanderers, Charlee Hughes from Hemel Hempstead Town and Matt Rush from Braintree Town. Former Dartford striker and top scorer George Sykes leaves, but Garrett Kelly, Aveley’s Player of the Season stays.
| Transfers In | Transfers Out |
| Alex Hernandez (Concord Rangers) | George Sykes (Bishop’s Stortford) |
| Nana Kyei (Concord Rangers) | Brendan Shabani (Wingate and Finchley) |
| Lionel Ainsworth (AFC Sudbury) | Ryan Scott (Hornchurch) |
| Tommy Davis (Southend United) | Nick Dembele (Dover Athletic) |
| Jon Benton (Southend United) | Benas Vaivada |
| Matt Rush (Braintree Town) | Jamie Dicks |
| Jalen Jones (Cray Wanderers) | |
| Charlee Hughes (Hemel Hempstead Town) | |
| Harry Lodovica (Chelmsford City) |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 5 / Aveley wins: 2 / Draws: 3
Previous Matches
Dartford 2 – 2 Aveley (17/04/2010 – Isthmian Premier League)
Dartford 4 – 5 Aveley (15/12/2009 – Isthmian League Cup)
Aveley 1 – 4 Dartford (24/10/2009 – Isthmian Premier League)
Aveley 2 – 2 Dartford (29/12/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Dartford 3 – 0 Aveley (13/11/2007 – Isthmian League Cup)
Dartford 4 – 0 Aveley (27/08/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Next Meetings
Aveley v Dartford – Saturday 26th August 2023
Dartford v Aveley – Saturday 10th February 2024
Statistics
- Dartford are unbeaten in the league at home against the Millers (W2, D2)
- The Darts are unbeaten in their last three trips to Aveley (W2, L1)
- In the ten previous meetings, an astonishing 4.5 goals a game have been scored in this fixture
Match Highlights – 2009/2010
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