Tag: Aveley

Dartford will be searching for a much needed home win in the league when they host Aveley on Tuesday night.

It’s been three months since the Darts won at Princes Park in the National South. However they did manage to pick up a draw in their last outing on their own patch. In his fourth spell in charge, so far Tony Burman has stopped a losing streak and picked up four points in his last three matches. Yet those points are all Dartford have to show from the last 24 available.

Aveley are dreaming of a third consecutive promotion and are hanging just outside the playoff places. The Essex club won the Isthmian Division One North title, the Isthmian Premier playoffs and are now a point from the top seven. Danny Scopes has masterminded the Millers rise and they have lost just once in their last nine league matches.

During the Bank Holiday August weekend, Dartford played Aveley for the first time since 2010 and came home with a 1-0 win. The Darts had enough chances in the first-half, but the Millers came closest when they hit the crossbar from a free kick. In the second-half Dartford persisted and after a penalty decision was overturned and a goalmouth scramble wasn’t converted they finally broke the deadlock when Harvey Bradbury headed a last minute winner.

Aveley’s last visit to Princes Park was almost 14 years ago. On a day when Dartford were presented with the Isthmian Premier League trophy, the Darts played out a 2-2 draw. Rob Howarth headed in the opener on ten minutes, but the visitors were soon level through Ryan Edgar. Dartford went back in front thanks to a well taken Billy Burgess volley. Aveley found themselves level again seven minutes from time when Sherwin Stanley scored.

In a relegation six pointer on the weekend Dartford could only manage a home draw on Saturday against Taunton Town. New signing Ibby Akanbi made his debut replacing Olly Box in the starting lineup, who had scored three in his first two senior league starts. Tom Clifford kept his place in the side for his home debut. Tyrell Miller-Rodney was back in the squad after serving a one match ban. Elliott Romain made his 50th Dartford appearance in his second spell with the club.

The Darts were on the wrong end of a chaotic few minutes in the first-half. Akanbi was felled in the Taunton Town box, but claims for a penalty were waved away. The visitors went on a counter attack which resulted in Maxwell Statham conceding a spot kick, which Nick Grimes scored. Dartford struggled to get a grip on the game, however against the run of play Luke Coulson put in a cross for Fumnaya Shomotun to level at the far post, his first goal for the Darts. It remained level in the second-half and in the closing stages Alex Wall went close before Grimes was sent off right at the end.

Tony Burman spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and said: “We haven’t lost and we’ve gained a point, which is a good thing. I thought we played alright again to be fair”, the Dartford boss felt his side could have played with more tempo as the home side and found it hard to breakdown a five man Taunton Town defence. Burman believes the character of his side was a positive from the games, he added: “We’ve gone a goal down and we’ve come back, and that’s a good sign for the future. I’m pleased with the effort again, I can’t fault that, and we have just got to keep believing and get confidence and I’m sure that things will be okay”.

Since Burman’s return to the dugout, the Darts have failed to win at home in the league and on Tuesday night he will be hoping to break that duck, he commented: “It’s very important because we have got to get points. We’ve got two very good sides coming up as well, but they are at the better end of the table, so hopefully the supporters and the team will be up for the game”. Focusing on the fixture against Aveley he added: “It’s going to be a tough game. We’ve got to have an attitude where we have to be nice and positive”.

Brandon Barzey may be in contention to return after recovering from a hamstring injury. Tommy Block and Luke Allen are possibly a week a way from a comeback. Sam Odaudu will be out for a few weeks and Joash Nembhard is facing a suspension for the red card against Slough Town last week.

Aveley have been the surprise package of the National South this season taking some scalps along the way. By early November the Essex side were in second and three points behind league leaders Yeovil Town winning ten of their opening 16 fixtures. After a fantastic start to life in the National South, Aveley went through a sticky spell failing to win any of their next nine picking up just three points in the process. However, the Millers have showed character to get out of a barren run and since Boxing Day they have restored their early season form.

Fresh off the back of beating playoff contenders Hampton and Richmond Borough and Maidstone United, the Millers also faced a West Country side in a spot of bother off the field. News of Torquay United entering into administration and manager Gary Johnson departing wasn’t the ideal preparation for the Devonshire club as they hosted Aveley on the weekend. Yet it was the Gulls who went 2-0 up against Danny Scopes’ side with goals from Aaron Jarvis and Bradley Ash. The Millers were given hope just before half-time when Siju Odelusi pulled a goal back. The visitors were level early in the second-half after Eduino Vaz hit a stunning volley.

Current League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Aveley wins: 2 / Draws: 3

Last Six Meetings

Aveley 0 – 1 Dartford (26/08/2023 – National South)
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)

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten in the league at home against the Millers (W2, D2)
• The Darts have lost just one league game versus Aveley (W5, D3) back in 2005
• In the 11 previous meetings, an average of 4.18 goals a game have been scored in this fixture

On This Day

Danny Harris took home the match ball after bagging a hat-trick on this day in 2012. The Darts recorded a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Basingstoke Town in the National South. Harris scored either side of the interval to give the hosts a two goal lead. The deficit was halved when Stuart Lake netted for the visitors. Tony Garrord added a third for the Darts and Harris completed his treble. Two years earlier Dartford came home with a rare away win at Boreham Wood, Elliot Bradbrook scoring the decisive goal. In 1973, the Darts cruised to the Kent Senior Cup final with a 6-1 triumph over Canterbury City. Dartford went on to win the two legged final beating Folkestone Town 10-4 on aggregate.

Dartford search for their first win of the season when they travel to newly promoted Aveley to start the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Darts have made a slow start in Dowson’s second campaign in charge having drawn three of the opening four games. Now they face an Aveley side full of confidence and second in the National South. In their debut season at this level the Millers have gained momentum from back to back promotions and have a perfect record at home.

If true to form in this fixture, Dartford’s first visit to Aveley in nearly 14 years could provide goals. During the Isthmian Premier League title winning season, the Darts won 4-1 despite playing the majority of the game a man down. Elliot Bradbrook guided the away side into the lead directing a low cross into the net. The Millers equalised through Ryan Edgar’s long range drive which deceived Andrew Young in the Dartford goal. Adam Flanagan was then dismissed for an off the ball incident just before half-time, however that didn’t faze Tony Burman’s side in the second-half.

Jamie Coyle nodded in at the far post from a deep corner to regain Dartford’s lead and from there on the Darts pulled away. After a goalmouth scramble Jay May ensured the ball crossed the line and in injury time Ryan Hayes exquisitely volleyed his own rebound over the stranded goalkeeper. In the same season the reverse fixture finished 2-2 at Princes Park and a league cup clash ended 5-4 to Aveley.

Frustratingly for Dartford they are currently six points behind the front runners, the same number of points they have dropped from winning positions. Although their only away fixture ended in a 1-0 defeat down in Weymouth, the Darts led twice versus Bath City to draw 3-3 and conceded equalisers in the 1-1 stalemates against Hampton and Richmond Borough, then Farnborough.

Impressive in his first two games for Dartford, Brandon Barzey has been in the thick of the action in his previous two outings. The winger was red carded against his former club Hampton and Richmond Borough and will start his suspension this weekend. Unfortunately, he also gave away a needless last minute penalty resulting in Farnborough’s equaliser. However, summer signing Paul Rooney is now available after he made his debut last weekend. Meanwhile, Jack McIntyre and Joe Rabbetts have returned to their parent clubs after being recalled.

Impressive in his first two games for Dartford, Brandon Barzey has been in the thick of the action in his previous two outings. The winger was red carded against his former club Hampton and Richmond Borough and will start his suspension this weekend. Unfortunately, he also gave away a needless last minute penalty resulting in Farnborough’s equaliser. However, summer signing Paul Rooney is now available after he made his debut last weekend. Meanwhile, Jack McIntyre and Joe Rabbetts have returned to their parent clubs after being recalled.

Aveley began their maiden season in the National South with a 1-0 away defeat at Chippenham Town. The Millers were undone by a Tyreke Johnson cross that sailed over goalkeeper Jonathan North. Manager, Danny Scopes handed out six debuts in an historic game for the Millers and since the loss they have adapted quickly to their new surroundings. Three consecutive victories has put Aveley in second place, a run which also halted Worthing’s perfect start.

At Parkside the Millers have won two out of two, starting with the 4-1 thumping of Taunton Town. Siju Odelusi’s hat-trick rounded off a memorable afternoon and e opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Malachi Linton levelled for the Peacocks, but Odelusi had Aveley back in front before the break. Charlee Hughes extended the Millers lead and in the last minute Odelusi secured the matchball. Full timers, Eastbourne Borough were next to visit and were beaten 2-0 by a Jon Benton strike and Matt Rush goal.

Last weekend Aveley’s first away victory followed when they defeated Worthing, who had won their opening three. Benton scored for a second game in a row and Eduino Vaz made it two before half-time. Worthing pulled a goal back, but it was merely a consolation for the Rebels.

Current Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Aveley wins: 2 / Draws: 3

Last Six Meetings

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)

Statistics

• 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
• Charlie Sheringham could make his 150th appearance if selected (116 starts + 33 sub)

On This Day

Dartford are unbeaten in their last four on this day drawing 2-2 in their last match on 26 August. In 2019, the Darts battled back from a goal down to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Darren McQueen and Luke Wanadio, however an 88th minute equaliser denied Dartford a win at Hungerford Town. Two years earlier a Bradbrook brace and Alfie Pavey goal earned a 3-0 away victory over Hemel Hempstead Town and in 2013, Danny Harris and Kenny Clark scored in a 2-0 win at Tamworth.

Dartford’s last home game on this day resulted in 1-0 triumph over Kingstonian in 2006, Jay May netting the winner. The last away defeat on the 26 August was back in 1985, meaning the Darts have gone five without loss on their travels. The other two wins on the road include a 3-2 victory against Bromsgrove Rovers in 1989 and a 3-1 win over Egham Town in the F.A Cup preliminary round 28 years ago.