Braintree Town
Flirting with relegation since dropping back into the National South four years ago led to a change of the guard. Angelo Harrop was appointed to lead the team into the 2022/2023 season, and he guided the Iron to the playoffs. The Essex club may have fell short in the end, but they made the top seven thanks to exceptional home form. Braintree Town went unbeaten in the opening nineteen league matches at Cressing Road and only lost twice on their own patch all season. They also went thirteen without defeat after the New Year and at the end of that run were challenging for a third-place finish. However, momentum shifted in the closing stages and losing home advantage in the playoffs on the final day proved costly.
2022/2023 Season
National South: 7th
F.A Cup: 3rd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 4th Round
County Cup: Winners
Top League Scorer: Aaron Blair (11 goals)
Manager – Angelo Harrop
A new manager to the National South, Braintree Town opted to appoint Harrop last summer following the departure of Ryan Maxwell. The 35-year-old will be familiar to Dartford fans as he was the boss who caused the F.A Cup upset in the fourth qualifying round two years ago. Harrop took AFC Sudbury to seventh in the Isthmian Division One North and the first round of the F.A Cup in his last season there. His first campaign with the Iron ended in a playoff appearance and this summer Harrop agreed to stay on with the aim to remain in the division.
Summer Transfers
Dartford have benefited from the departure of Baris Altintop by signing the defender this summer. Whilst former Dart, Alfie Pavey also leaves Cressing Road opting to join Farnborough. Replacing the goals of top scorer Aaron Blair, who returned to his parent club Dagenham and Redbridge and Alfie Matthews, who will be trying to impress at Hemel Hempstead Town was top of Angelo Harrop’s list. The Iron boss raided his former club with the signing of Nnamdi Nwachuku, the striker recorded 49 goals last season and has been in great pre-season form. Joe Grimwood and Reggie Lambe also arrive from AFC Sudbury. Will Davies found the net regularly at Leiston last term and he will be hoping to continue his form in the National South, whilst George Quantrell follows Davies to Cressing Road. Arriving on loan from Luton Town will be Ben Tomkins.
| Transfers In | Transfers Out |
| Toby Stevenson (Billericay Town) | Damian Niemczycki (Margate) |
| Josh Dawodu (Hendon) | Lamar Reynolds (Maidstone United) |
| Will Davies (Leiston) | Baris Altintop (Dartford) |
| George Quantrell (Leiston) | Alfie Matthews (Hemel Hempstead Town) |
| Joe Grimwood (AFC Sudbury) | Matt Rush (Aveley) |
| Reggie Lambe (AFC Sudbury) | Billy Johnson (Kettering Town) |
| Nnamdi Nwachuku (AFC Sudbury) | Alfie Pavey (Farnborough) |
| Ben Tomkins (Luton Town) | Willie Clemons |
| Chris Regis | |
| Kyron Farrell | |
| Joe Muscatt |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 4 / Braintree Town wins: 8 / Draws: 6
Previous Matches
Braintree Town 1 – 1 Dartford (18/02/2023 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Braintree Town (05/11/2022 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Braintree Town (02/05/2022 – National South)
Braintree Town 2 – 2 Dartford (28/12/2021 – National South)
Braintree Town 2 – 1 Dartford (09/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Braintree Town (24/08/2019 – National South)
Next Meetings
Dartford v Braintree Town – Tuesday 21st November 2023
Braintree Town v Dartford – Tuesday 12th March 2024
Statistics
- The Darts have recorded just two victories in the last 14 matches against Braintree Town (D5, L7)
- Dartford’s 4-1 win in November was their biggest victory against the Iron and the first time they scored more than twice in a game versus the Essex club
- The Darts are winless in their last six trips to Cressing Road (D3, L3) and their only victory there was in September 2012
Match Highlights – 2022/2023
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