Dartford FC Previews

Tag: Billericay Town

Isthmian Premier Playoff Preview

April 28, 2025 / / 0 Comments

The Isthmian Premier League playoffs start this week with a place in the National South up for grabs. We look at the four teams who booked their place in the end of season showdown.

The contenders

Billericay Town have been the most consistent team throughout the season. The league runners up entered the top three in matchday seven and stayed there. Missing out on the title by a goal, the Blues are guaranteed home advantage in the playoffs.

Dartford made up the trio of teams with a chance of winning the division on the final day. A club equalling record of 21 games unbeaten which included ten victories in a row propelled the Darts up the table after languishing in 15th back in October. On Good Friday they increased their lead at the top to two points, but then saw the lead wiped out on Easter Monday.

Cray Valley Paper Mills recorded their highest ever league finish in their debut Isthmian Premier campaign. The best of the promoted teams, the Millers have occupied a playoff spot since mid-October and deserve a shot at could be an impressive second consecutive promotion.

Dover Athletic grabbed the final spot with a winner takes all showdown against Chichester City on the last game. Failure to cement a playoff spot would have been disastrous for Dover considering they were the early front runners to win the league. The Whites were top from October to the New Year then they lost form for a couple of months. The Whites had a strong enough finish to the campaign to hold on to the last playoff spot.

Who has hit form at the right time?

Whilst Billericay Town and Dartford have had their eyes on the prize of winning the league, Dover Athletic have been focussing on just booking a place in the playoffs. Cray Valley Paper Mills have had more time to prepare and could afford to rest players on the weekend.

Prior the the Millers losing on the final day, Steve McKimm’s side had won five on the bounce. Over the last six games they have acrrued the same number of points as runners up Billericay Town. Meanwhile, Dover Athletic regained their form towards the end of the campaign and are fourth over the final six games. The Darts lost a bit of momentum and are seventh. However, over the last eight fixtures only two points seperate the four playoff contenders.

 TeamWonDrawnLostPointsGD
Billericay Town60218+12
Cray Valley (PM)60218+7
Dartford52117+7
Dover Athletic51216+4

How have the playoff contenders fared against each other?

Billericay Town are guaranteed home advantage and have picked up seven points on their own patch by beating Dartford and Cray Valley Paper Mills. The only points dropped were against Dover Athletic.

The Darts host Cray Valley Paper Mills in the semi-final and both sides could end up playing home and away over the playoff campaign. Dartford also have seven home points drawing with the Millers, but picked up one win on the road having lost heavily to both Billericay Town and Dover Athletic.

Cray Valley Paper Mills lost their season’s opener at home against Dartford and picked up just one victory versus the playoff contenders. That was a home win over Dover Athletic, but they drew a total of three out of six matches against the playoff contenders.

Dover Athletic will have to travel in the semi-final and potentially the final. On the road, the Whites failed to beat any of the playoff sides picking up a point at Billericay Town.

Team Won Drawn Lost Points GD
Billericay Town 3 2 1 11 +2
Dartford 3 1 2 10 -1
Cray Valley (PM) 1 3 2 6 -1
Dover Athletic 1 2 3 5 0

Has any team had previous playoff success?

Lee Noble scored the only goal of the final in 2012 when the Darts beat local rivals Welling United in their first ever playoff campaign to gain promotion to the National League. Since then Dartford lost to Weymouth on penalties in 2020 to be denied a National League place too. The Darts went out in the semi final in 2017, 2018 and 2023 and the quarter final in 2022.

Dover Athletic’s solitary playoff winning campaign also resulted in a Kent derby win when they beat Ebbsfleet United 4-2 to reach the National League in 2014. Like the Darts they have also had five failed attempts, including one chance to make it to the Football League nine years ago. On that occasion they lost the semi final, which was also their fate in the 2007 Isthmian Division One South and 2010 National South. They have been twice losing finalists as well, in 2006 they were beaten by Tonbridge Angels in the Isthmian Division One South and in 2013 by Salisbury City in the National South.

Billericay Town have reached one final in their two playoff campaigns losing to Bromley on penalties in the 2007 Isthmian Premier final. Whilst Cray Valley Paper Mills have appeared once losing the Isthmian Division One South East semi final three years ago.

Does your final league position give you a better chance of winning?

It goes without saying that the better teams will finish higher in the league and therefore should have the better chance. One factor that helps is having good recent form, then there’s the player’s physical and mental states, manager’s decisions and even good fortune to consider. Historically there is less chance of winning if you finish fifth. Six league runners up have won the playoffs and the same number of third place teams have triumphed as well. Fourth is just one win behind, whilst Cheshunt are the only fifth place team to win promotion.

Position Winners
2nd 6
3rd  6
4th 5
5th 1

Does home advantage count?

In recent years the away side in the final has won promotion. The last four playoff campaigns has seen Enfield Town, Aveley, Cheshunt and Tonbridge Angels go up with the latter three playing the semi-final away as well. However that has only really become a recent trend. Overall, since the restructuring of non league and when playoffs were introduced, the Isthmian Premier has had 11 finals won by the home side versus seven away. In total half of the 18 winners played both playoff matches at home.

Season Position Team Semi final venue Final venue
23/24 3rd Enfield Town Home Away
22/23 4th Aveley Away Away
21/22 5th Cheshunt Away Away
18/19 4th Tonbridge Angels Away Away
17/18 2nd Dulwich Hamlet Home Home
16/17 2nd Bognor Regis Town Home Home
15/16 3rd East Thurrock United Home Home
14/15 3rd Margate Home Away
13/14 4th Lowestoft Town Away Home
12/13 4th Concord Rangers Away Away
11/12 2nd AFC Hornchurch Home Home
10/11 2nd Tonbridge Angels Home Home
09/10 4th Boreham Wood Away Home
08/09 2nd Staines Town Home Home
07/08 3rd AFC Wimbledon Home Away
06/07 2nd Bromley Home Home
05/06 3rd Fisher Athletic Home Home
04/05 3rd Eastleigh Home Home

Dartford v Billericay Town

January 23, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Dartford host new league leaders Billericay Town this weekend in a top of the table clash.

The Darts are full of confidence after seven straight wins in the Isthmian Premier taking them to fourth place. Stretching their league run to an impressive 16 games without defeat, Dartford have now surpassed their unbeaten sequence during the title winning campaign in 2009/2010. Another victory will put them level on points with the Blues, who comfortably beat Adrian Pennock’s side back in October. Billericay Town moved to the summit last weekend taking full advantage of Dover Athletic’s slip up.

Both clubs had the same goal at the start of the season of promotion. Dartford hope to bounce back to the National South at the first time of asking. Billericay Town are determined to reach the same destination after what would be a three year absence.

Last time out the Darts battled to a well earned triumph at Wingate and Finchley. Pennock had to adjust to in game injuries and a controversial red card to pick up vital points in the race for promotion. Full back, Sam Odaudu missed his first game of the season with a back injury and will be assessed before this weekend. Sam Okoye and Denzelle Olopade returned to the starting eleven and Michael Olarewaju was named on the bench.

Wingate and Finchley were quick out of the blocks in October leading by three after 21 minutes. This time the Darts started quickly with an early goal. Staying up from a free kick, George Whitefield found himself on the end of a Samir Carruthers cross to head in the opener after just nine minutes. The defender is now on five goals for the season. Okoye won a penalty ten minutes before the break, which Carruthers rolled in, his fifth spot kick scored and seventh goal this term. Dartford let the hosts back in the game on the stroke of half time when Camilo Restrepo halved the deficit.

A couple of injuries left Pennock needing to shuffle the pack and taking off the two goalscorers. Carruthers was unable to complete the first forty five and was replaced by Jez Pinder in the closing stages of the half. During the interval Whitefield was substituted and Michael Olarewaju introduced. Assistant manager, Roland Edge explained after the game that Carruthers felt a twinge in his hamstring and Whitefield rolled his ankle. The pair were taken off as a precaution and are hoping to be fit on Saturday.

Dartford were reduced to ten men with half an hour to go. Having already been cautioned Okoye picked up a second yellow card when the match official felt the full back took too long over a throw in. That left Dartford’s Player of the Match, Callum Jones isolated up front. The striker spent the end of last season on loan at Billericay Town. The dismissal also enforced a defensive substitution with Tyler Christian-Law coming on for Olly Box leaving the Darts digging deep to hold on.

That is now six consecutive wins on the road for Pennock’s side in the league, the last time the Darts achieved this in the same season was when they went on to lift the Isthmian Premier League trophy after an eight game winning streak. At home, Dartford are unbeaten in seven matches coming out on top in their last two.

With factors seemingly against Dartford they managed to secure three points last weekend, Edge commented to Dartford FC TV: “I’m super proud of them, it’s a squad thing and they all dug deep. Eddie (Dsane) and Tyler (Christian-Law) covered the ground as if they played ninety minutes. They all stick together, and they are a great group. It’s a pleasure to work with them and without having that togetherness today it could have easily been two all or 3-2 to Wingate. So, the lads take all the credit today they were fantastic”.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dartford were handsomely beaten in the reverse fixture over three months ago. Matt Kerbey’s last appearance as a Dart ended in the goalkeeper conceding four unanswered goals. Billericay Town approached the game unbeaten, and it took just two minutes for former Dartford defender Tom Bender to give the Blues an early advantage. The second blow also came from a corner and this time it was Frankie Merrifield who nodded home. Michael Olarewaju was introduced for the second half to make his debut, but the defender was helpless in plugging Dartford’s leaky defence. The Blues added two more after the interval through Moses Emmanuel and Matt Johnson.

After the 4-0 loss, the Darts were encouraged by a goalless draw with ten men versus Hendon and a second half effort against Wingate and Finchley, yet they found themselves winless in five league matches. However, fortunes have turned since then with Pennock’s side going on an extraordinary run taking the club from thirteenth to fourth in the Isthmian Premier League standings. Since the beginning of Dartford’s unbeaten streak they have made up seven points on Billericay Town.

Dartford hold good form at home against the Blues winning the last four. Twice the Darts won in 2021, the last a 1-0 win decided by Jake Robinson. In the campaign prior that victory, Charlie Sheringham scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 triumph. The double act of Darren McQueen and Elliott Romain were responsible for the Darts winning 3-2 in December 2019. Eight months prior, Tom Murphy’s late brace turned a defeat into maximum points.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

A week ago, De-Carry Sheriff finished off a great few days for the Essex club with a brace in Billericay Town’s 2-0 home win over Dulwich Hamlet. The forward helped his side to the top of the standings and just four days earlier he scored the only goal to send the Blues to the League Cup semi final. Gary McCann’s side beat Dartford’s conquerors Sheppey United 1-0 in the last eight. Double victory and consecutive clean sheets has helped Ricay bounce back from their 1-0 loss at fifth place Horsham, who are also within a shout of the title race just four points behind the league leaders. Prior the loss in Sussex, Billericay Town were four unbeaten on the road.

Mcann’s squad has plenty of familiar faces with five former Dartford players now donning the blue of Billericay Town. Midfielder, Tyrell Miller-Rodney was part of the Darts’ side relegated last term, he made 35 appearances scoring three goals. Jay Porter and Femi Akinwande came through the academy and made the senior team. Porter featured four times over a decade ago and Akinwande had two spells making just five appearances. Ade Azeez started life at Princes Park finding the back of the net on a regular basis, the striker ended up with 18 goals in 47 matches four seasons ago. Tom Bender was part of the 2014/2015 squad when he played 20 times.

The Blues have a big couple of weeks ahead of them in their pursuit for the Isthmian Premier title. After facing the Darts on their travels, they host Cray Valley Paper Mills, who are also in the shake up and currently occupying third place.

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWWWW) Billericay Town (WWWWLW)
Wingate & Finchley A 2-1 Dulwich Hamlet H 2-0
Whitehawk H 4-1 Horsham A 0-1
Chatham Town A 2-0 Potters Bar Town H 1-0
Canvey Island A 1-0 Hashtag United A 2-1
Cray Wanderers H 2-1 Dover Athletic A 1-0
Folkestone Invicta A 1-0 Canvey Island H 3-0

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Billericay Town wins: 3 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Billericay Town 4 – 0 Dartford (08/10/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Billericay Town 0 – 2 Dartford (15/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Billericay Town (04/12/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Billericay Town (12/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Billericay Town (14/12/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Billericay Town (22/04/2019 – National South)

Statistics

  • The Darts are currently on a run of four consecutive home victories against Billericay Town
  • Dartford’s defeat to the Blues in October ended a run of five wins in a row against the Essex club
  • The winning side has kept a clean sheet in each of the last four meetings (W3, L1)
  • Dartford’s current unbeaten run of 16 matches is their best in a single season since the Isthmian Division One North title winning campaign, when they went 21 matches without defeat

On This Day

Dartford have not lost in their last four games on this day, all at home. Princes Park hosted an entertaining National League encounter against Cambridge United in 2014. The Darts came from two down to lead after U’s debutant Ryan Bird netted a brace. The hosts fought back with an Elliot Bradbrook penalty, a Max Cornhill header and a Danny Harris strike. Alan Julian saved a spot kick for the Darts before Luke Berry tied the match at 3-3.

Three years ago the Darts were held to a goalless draw with Concord Rangers in the National South. Another clean sheet was earned two years earlier when Darren McQueen scored the only goal against Dulwich Hamlet. The unbeaten run on 25 January started in 2011, a Kent Senior Cup triumph over Tonbridge Angels was secured with goals from Harris and Charlie Sheringham. Dartford went on to lift the county cup that season.

Billericay Town v Dartford

October 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Dartford return to Isthmian Premier action on Tuesday night when they visit unbeaten Billericay Town.

The Darts have lost their last two league games, most recently a fortnight ago. Since then they have exited both the F.A Cup and F.A Trophy. Billericay Town have had a solid start and are second, four points behind the leaders. Yet it is Dartford who have come out on top in this fixture winning the previous five.

Two second half goals earned the Darts maximum points at the New Lodge in April 2022. A slick move ended with former Blue, Jake Robinson crossing for Jack Jebb to finish from close range. A calmly taken side footed volley from Marcus Dinanga doubled the lead in the 2-0 win. The reverse fixture four months earlier was decided by Robinson’s goal after ten minutes.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

The Darts are going through a tricky spell. After winning four of their opening five matches they fell to consecutive league defeats. A heavy loss versus Dover Athletic was followed by a poor result against Bowers and Pitsea. At least between those games the Darts beat Leatherhead in the cup, but that’s their only win in the last five.

Despite losing 3-1 in the F.A Cup to Worthing, Adrian Pennock was pleased with the performance against higher league opponents. Therefore the Dartford boss stuck to the same starting eleven on Saturday against Dulwich Hamlet in the F.A Trophy. Oliver Box was unavailable with a groin injury and Duane Ofori-Acheampong with a suspension. The striker will serve the last of his three match ban on Tuesday night.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

The Darts were undone by a former player when Luke Wanadio scored the only goal of the game. Pennock’s side looked dominant in the first half but were wasteful in front of goal. Unable to find a way through they were punished on 53 minutes by Wanadio. Dartford drew a blank and went out at the first hurdle in the F.A Trophy for a third year in a row. With that result, Callum Jones’ run of scoring in four consecutive home games came to an end. The striker will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet against his former club on Tuesday night.

New signing Ade Yusuff will be available after joining on dual registration from Isthmian Premier champions Hornchurch. The striker had 33 goal involvements in 49 games with the Essex club. The 30 year old also hit 95 goals in 183 appearances for Folkestone Invicta over two spells.

Hoping they won’t be haunted by former players again, the Darts will have to be on their guard. Midfielder, Tyrell Miller-Rodney spent last season at Princes Park making 35 appearances and scoring three goals. Tom Bender has previously netted against Dartford whilst at St Albans City. The defender spent the 2014/2015 season with the Darts appearing 20 times. Jay Porter came through the academy at Princes Park and he played four times for the first team over ten years ago. Whilst Ade Azeez is returning from a long term injury. The striker scored 18 goals during the 2021/2022 for Dartford.

On the weekend, Gary McCann’s side were also knocked out of the F.A Trophy. Drawn away to Southern Premier South’s Chertsey Town, the Blues were taken to spot kicks. Ashley Nzala opened the scoring for Billericay Town, but his goal was cancelled out by William Montague. The hosts went through with a 6-5 penalty shoot out victory.

Last season Billericay Town narrowly missed out on the playoffs falling three points shy of fifth place. A late run of six consecutive victories wasn’t quite enough, but the Blues ended up with the third best defence in the division. The Essex club have continued where they left off and now boast the best defence.

Three consecutive clean sheets in the league has earned goalkeeper Sam Donkin the Golden Glove award for September. Billericay Town’s defence have conceded just five in the Isthmian Premier this term. One of this season’s favourites to be challenging for promotion, the Blues won their opening game before three consecutive draws. In their last four league outings only Cray Valley Paper Mills have taken any points from them. Victories over Hashtag United, Folkestone Invicta and Bognor Regis Town leave the Blues in a healthy position.

Current League Form

Dartford (LWWWLL) Billericay Town (DDWWDW)
Bowers & Pitsea H 1-2 Bognor Regis Town H 4-0
Dover Athletic A 1-5 Cray Valley (PM) A 0-0
Chatham Town H 3-1 Folkestone Invicta A 3-0
Carshalton Town A 1-0 Hashtag United H 2-1
Canvey Island H 2-0 Cheshunt A 1-1
Potters Bar Town H 0-1 Dover Athletic H 1-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Billericay Town wins: 2 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Billericay Town 0 – 2 Dartford (15/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Billericay Town (04/12/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Billericay Town (12/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Billericay Town (14/12/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Billericay Town (22/04/2019 – National South)
Billericay Town 1 – 1 Dartford (15/09/2018 – National South)

Statistics

  • Dartford have won their last five games against Billericay Town keeping clean sheets in the last three
  • The Darts have won twice at New Lodge in their first and last visits (D1, L1)
  • Adrian Pennock has made just seven changes to the starting eleven this season. Seven players have started every game for Dartford this term in all competitions.

On This Day

Duane Ofori-Acheampong found the back of the net twice on a glorious afternoon in Cornwall eight years ago. The Darts came away with a rare away victory at Truro City and did it in some style. Keaton Wood set the tone on three minutes and Andy Pugh added a second. Ofori-Acheampong scored either side of the interval and Alex Brown made it 5-0. Dartford’s last fixture on this day was two years when they beat Dulwich Hamlet 2-1. Samir Carruthers netted a penalty and Charlie Sheringham grabbed the winner.

Season Preview 2024/2025

July 28, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Billericay Town

A non-league local force in the seventies, Billericay Town won three of the first five F.A Vase competitions in that decade to go with seven league titles and numerous cups. Such success landed the Blues in the Isthmian Leagues and immediate back-to-back promotions. The two-time Isthmian Premier winners has seen the Essex club reach the National South for brief spells, but relegation two years ago returned the Blues to step three.

2023/2024 Season
Isthmian Premier: 6th
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
Top League Scorer: Bradley Stevenson (18 goals)

Last season Billericay Town narrowly missed out on the playoffs falling three points shy of fifth place. A late run of six consecutive victories wasn’t quite enough, but was an excellent recovery after a run of one point from eight outings in February and March. The Blues ended up with the third best defence in the division.

Manager – Gary McCann

Joining the club in April last year on a three-year contract, Gary McCann took Hampton and Richmond Borough to the National South playoffs in consecutive seasons in his previous job. Four years ago, he was denied a hat-trick of playoff qualifications based on points per game. Prior his spell at the Beavers, McCann enjoyed 13 years at Hendon and guided them to the Isthmian Premier Promotional Final in his final season there.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Billericay Town wins: 2 / Draws: 1

Previous Six Meetings

Billericay Town 0 – 2 Dartford (15/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Billericay Town (04/12/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Billericay Town (12/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Billericay Town (14/12/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Billericay Town (22/04/2019 – National South)
Billericay Town 1 – 1 Dartford (15/09/2018 – National South)

Next Meetings

Billericay Town v Dartford – Saturday 14th September 2024
Dartford v Billericay Town – Saturday 25th January 2025

Statistics

  • Dartford have won their last five games against Billericay Town keeping clean sheets in the last three
  • The Darts are currently on a run of four consecutive home victories against Ricay
  • Dartford have won twice at New Lodge in their first and last visits (D1, L1)

Match Highlights – 2021/2022

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Billericay Town v Dartford

April 13, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Dartford start the Easter weekend with a visit to relegation threatened Billericay Town on Good Friday.

In a commanding position to reach the playoffs, the Darts can stretch their unbeaten run in the National South to six ahead of a big Kent derby on Easter Monday. Billericay Town are in a scrap at the bottom of the division hoping to survive the drop to the Isthmian Premier League.

Steve King’s side continued their unbeaten home run in the league with a last gasp 1-1 draw against Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday. Although the Dartford boss wasn’t impressed with his side’s performance against Hemel Hempstead Town, he did praise the ‘never say die’ attitude of his players.

Dartford made five changes to the side that drew their last league game at Oxford City by the same score. Dan Wilks returned in goal, Kalvin Kalala, Ody Alfa and Ade Azeez were back in the line up, whilst Tyrique Hyde replaced Samir Carruthers who was unavailable against his parent club. The Darts had a difficult afternoon falling behind when Gus Scott-Moriss gave the visitors the lead. Dartford’s unbeaten home run looked like it was about to end, but in the last minute Marcus Dinanga popped up with the equaliser, the striker’s seventh goal in nine appearances for the club. The draw leaves Dartford six points behind second place and two in front of rivals Ebbsfleet United in fourth.

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A late goal preserves Dartford’s unbeaten home run. Highlights of last weekend’s game – Dartford FC TV

On the road, Dartford are unbeaten in three with a 1-0 triumph over Hampton and Richmond Borough followed by a 1-1 draw against playoff contenders Oxford City. Confidence was boosted with a Kent Senior Cup quarter-final win over Isthmian Premier League side Margate, in which King gave minutes to players returning from injury and others who have lacked game time. Training on a 3G surface may help the Darts like it did with the visits to Oxford City and Margate. As well as this fixture with Billericay Town their final two away days in the regular season will be on artificial grass too.

Dartford’s last visit to Billericay Town was in September 2018 and it took a last minute equaliser by Jamie Philpot for the Darts to avoid defeat. Since then the last four meetings in this fixture have all Dartford’s way at Princes Park with the previous two ending 1-0 to the Darts.

With ten league goals this term, Jake Robinson could make a return to his previous hunting ground where he had plenty of success in front of goal. The striker joined the Darts in the summer from Billericay Town where he set a record for goals in a season for the Blues back in 2018. He also netted 82 league goals in 113 appearances for the Essex club over two spells. In this campaign Robinson has scored 16 times in 27 games in all competitions.

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Jake Robinson scores against his former club. Highlights of the previous meeting – Dartford FC TV

Also potentially facing former clubs will be Femi Akinwande and Bagasan Graham who manager Jody Brown has selected in recent games. Akinwande came through Dartford’s academy before making it into the senior team. The forward left Princes Park and in his time away gained Football League experience with Colchester United and Stevenage before returning to the Darts last season. The 25-year-old is in his second spell with Billericay Town. Graham’s Dartford career was short lived and it seemed so long ago that he made his solitary appearance this season against Tonbridge Angels in September. Norman Wabo, who featured at Princes Park as a substitute for Billericay Town in the reverse fixture, is currently out on dual registration at Potters Bar Town and Denilson Carvalho last played in the first team in February.

Billericay Town boss, Jody Brown took over October from Kevin Watson with the Blues in deep trouble at the foot of the table. The Blues boss didn’t have to wait long for his first victory as he watched his new side beat Dulwich Hamlet then Slough Town. However, Brown was still shaping his squad and a run of seven straight defeats followed leaving the Essex club in a precarious position. Being allowed the time to build a team and implement his ideas, Billericay Town have lost just five times since in 18 matches. The fact they have drawn eight of those games suggest their is room for improvement.

Lately, Billericay Town have started to find important victories picking up four wins from the last nine outings, but they have lost their last two. In their last home game they were beaten 1-0 by Chippenham Town and on the weekend they went down 2-0 at Hampton and Richmond Borough. However, the Essex side still have everything to play for, as it’s pretty tight at the bottom. The Blues are second from bottom on goal difference just ahead of Welling United. They go to Essex rivals Chelmsford City on Easter Monday with their local rivals just one place and three points ahead of them. Another six pointer is on its way when they take on Bath City who are immediately above the Clarets. Throw in two fixtures against playoff hopefuls Eastbourne Borough and Ebbsfleet United, then an Essex derby on the final day against Braintree Town and it’s going to be quite a tense run in for Brown’s side.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Billericay Town wins: 2 / Draws: 1

Current League Form

Dartford
(LWDWDD) 		    Billericay Town
(WWWDLL)		    
Hemel Hempstead Town H 1-1 Hampton & Richmond A 0-2
Oxford City A 1-1 Chippenham Town H 0-1
Hampton & Richmond A 1-0 Havant & Waterlooville A 2-2
Havant & Waterlooville H 1-1 Oxford City H 3-1
Chelmsford City H 2-1 St Albans City H 2-1
Chippenham Town A 2-4 Hungerford Town A 4-1

Previous Meetings (last six)

Dartford 1 – 0 Billericay Town (04/12/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Billericay Town (12/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Billericay Town (14/12/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Billericay Town (22/04/2019 – National South)
Billericay Town 1 – 1 Dartford (15/09/2018 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 4 Billericay Town (06/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)

Stats

  • Despite nine meetings, the Darts have only played three away games in this fixture. The first and last victory at New Lodge was 1-0 in 2008 with a Lee Noble winner (W1, D1, L1).
  • Dartford have kept two clean sheets in a row against the Blues, which they also achieved in 2008 and 2009.
  • The Darts have only failed to score once against Billericay Town back in 2010, their only away defeat in this fixture.

On This Day

Dartford’s Wembley dream ended on this day in 1989. After a 0-0 draw at Watling Street against Macclesfield Town in the F.A Trophy semi-final, the Darts travelled to the Silkmen and lost 4-1, Kurt Davidson registering Dartford’s goal. The last game on this day was a 4-0 Isthmian Premier League triumph at Waltham Abbey. James White, Lee Noble, Carl Rook and Lee Burns netted that day, the Darts ended the campaign as league champions. In 1939, the Kent Senior Shield was lifted with a handsome 4-0 victory over Northfleet United. Silverware glossed over a terrible campaign in which Dartford finished bottom of the Southern League conceding 119 goals.

Dartford v Billericay Town

December 3, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Fresh from progression in the F.A Trophy, Dartford return to National South action this weekend when they host bottom of the table Billericay Town.

Unbeaten in four against this weekend’s opponents, the Darts have played their last three matches at Princes Park against the Blues, all ending in victories. Whilst the Darts are challenging at the top, Billericay Town are three points adrift at the foot of the table.

The last two meetings came in different campaigns as each season was cut short. Last term a Charlie Sheringham inspired hat-trick led the Darts to a comfortable 3-0 triumph. Returning from a loan spell, the striker impressed in the second half netting all three of his goals to see off the Essex side. In the previous season, this match was much closer with the Darts edging out Billericay Town 3-2, goals from Darren McQueen and a brace from Elliott Romain. It was also a tight affair back in April 2019 with Dartford heading for defeat until a late brace from Tom Murphy made sure the Darts completed a 2-1 comeback.

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Potentially, Jake Robinson could line up against his former club having been a prolific scorer for the Essex side over two spells. One of his Billericay Town goals was in that 3-2 reverse back in December 2019. In April 2018, the striker made history at New Lodge scoring 57 goals in one season to set a club record. He netted 13 times in the following campaign and moved to Maidstone United. After three months with the Stones and just one goal, he returned to Billericay Town and picked up where he left off. Robinson impressed again in his second spell adding many more goals to his tally.

At Dartford, the 35 year-old has spent time on the sidelines recovering from injury and a start on the weekend will be his first in the league since September, when he scored against Bath City to make it three league goals in four National South appearances. Coming back to match fitness, manager Steve King has started Robinson in the recent cup games where he scored against Cockfosters and claimed the matchball with a hat-trick in the Kent Senior Cup final win over Whitstable Town.

Robinson also started in Dartford’s last outing which ended in a penalty shoot out victory at Bath City in the F.A Trophy. That takes the Darts unbeaten run to six now, which includes three wins and three draws in normal time. Another former Billericay Town player involved in Saturday’s win was Luke Wanadio, who made his way across the Thames with Robinson in the summer, the winger came on as a substitute as the Darts claimed a 5-3 triumph in the shoot-out.

King was pleased to get through into the next round on a difficult afternoon where the ‘wind played havoc with the game’. Speaking to Dartford FC TV after the trophy tie, King felt it was a similar game to the league meeting between the two teams when each side dominated a half each.

Looking forward to this weekend’s league match, King is not taking Billericay Town’s lowly league position for granted and feels the Darts are starting to reach their early season promise, he explained: “We’re six unbeaten now and we’ve got to continue and keep the run going. Billericay are having a tough time at the moment”, he continued: “It’s going to be another tough game, if we drop the standards we will lose the football match. That’s the pressure that’s on, they need to stand up and be counted and I think a lot of the games lately we’ve been okay, we’ve been back to somewhere near to what we was”.

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Billericay Town started the campaign with Kevin Watson in charge, but after just one point from the opening six league games he left the New Lodge. Jody Brown was appointed and the day after he watched the Blues win their first league game of the season beating a decent Dulwich Hamlet side. Brown was in the dugout for the next fixture and claimed the club’s second straight success on debut winning against Slough Town. Since then they have suffered six National South defeats on the spin. During their current run they have netted just twice and shipped in fourteen goals.

Brown has made a few adjustments to the squad adding a former Dart in Denilson Carvalho to the team. Carvalho had a very brief spell with Dartford and his only appearance was in the 3-0 win against Billericay Town. Before Brown’s arrival, the Blues squad already had a number of links with the Darts and in particular signings made by Steve King. Midfielder, Bagasan Graham moved into the New Lodge in September, his only start for the Darts was in the 1-1 draw with Tonbridge Angels this season. Rowan Liburd and Norman Wabo also had a spell at Princes Park in 2019/2020, Liburd is currently out on loan at Cheshunt, but Wabo is featuring under Brown. The forward scored four times in his spell with Dartford in 18 appearances. He was also on target in Billericay Town’s last game, his fifth of the season, but they went out of the F.A Trophy on penalties against Maidstone United.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Billericay Town wins: 2 / Draws: 1

Current Form

Dartford
(WDDLLD) 		    Billericay Town
(LLLLLL)		    
Hemel Hempstead Town A 3-2 Hampton & Richmond Borough H 0-1
Oxford City H 0-0 Chippenham Town A 0-3
Chippenham Town H 3-3 Hungerford Town H 1-4
Concord Rangers A 0-1 Welling United A 0-1
Dorking Wanderers A 0-1 St Albans City A 1-4
Chelmsford City A 0-0 Tonbridge Angels H 0-1

Previous Meetings (last six)

Dartford 1 – 0 Billericay Town (12/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Billericay Town (14/12/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Billericay Town (22/04/2019 – National South)
Billericay Town 1 – 1 Dartford (15/09/2018 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 4 Billericay Town (06/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Billericay Town 1 – 0 Dartford (02/02/2010 – Isthmian Premier)

Stats

  • Dartford have won their last three matches against Billericay Town all at Princes Park
  • The Darts are four games unbeaten against the Blues
  • Billericay Town’s only victories against the Darts came in 2010, when Dartford won the Isthmian Premier League

On This Day

Yohance Lewis scored a brace in an Isthmian League Cup tie against Whitstable Town on this day in 2007. His goals helped the Darts reach the fourth round in a 3-0 victory, Tom Bradbrook netted the other. That is Dartford’s only triumph on this day in their last seven attempts. The Darts have lost the last two 2-0 against Torquay United in 2018 and 1-0 versus Nuneaton Town six years earlier. A couple notable wins on this day include a 5-0 thrashing over Wealdstone in the Southern League Cup back in 1989 and an away F.A Trophy triumph against rivals Gravesend and Northfleet in 1971, the Darts progressed in a 2-0 victory.

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