Dartford have to go again in the F.A Cup first qualifying round against Bracknell Town on Tuesday night.
On Saturday, the Darts left it late in Berkshire to force a replay back at Princes Park. Once again Adrian Pennock’s side had to battle back to rescue a draw.
Eddie Dsane was rewarded with his second start of the season after being the hat-trick hero on Bank Holiday Monday. The forward replaced Olly Box, who dropped to the bench. Luther Williams returned to the starting lineup in place of Ben Frempah, who wasn’t named in the matchday squad.
Two Down But Not Out
Despite a promising opening quarter of an hour, the Darts found themselves two down before the break. Joe Grant’s double put Bracknell Town in the driving seat as they controlled most of the first half.
After the interval the Darts improved and with five minutes remaining Denzelle Olopade hooked the ball in off the crossbar. With Dartford on the verge of crashing out of the F.A Cup, Dsane was felled in the penalty box in injury time. He calmly stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball home to equalise.
Dwindling Defensive Options
A number of injuries and suspensions leaves the Darts with few options at the back on Tuesday night. Out of the players named in the senior squad, Sam Odaudu, George Whitefield and Luther Williams are all available. When Dartford were reduced to nine men at Ramsgate, Pennock had to use striker Callum Jones at full back. The Dartford boss will be hoping he can call on some reserves before putting players in their unnatural positions. Pennock confirmed that the red card given to Sam Okoye on Bank Holiday Monday was being appealed by the club, so he may be available depending if the appeal is successful.
Manager’s View
Pennock called his side’s first half performance as ‘naive’, the second half as ‘magic’ and felt the Darts deserved to stay in the competition. He spoke to Dartford FC TV after the 2-2 draw and said: “The second half was great, we know we’re fit and stronger than a lot of other teams, but the way we played the second half was chalk and cheese from the first half”.
According to Pennock that naivety comes with having a young squad, but he is sticking by his players, he added: “We’re a very young side and the players are learning their trade, unfortunately we’re learning the hard way at the moment, but I do believe in what we’re doing”, he continued: “We’ve just got to keep faith in our youngsters because they are our future”.
Determined to go on a cup run, Pennock is hoping the supporters can play their part as well. He commented: “It’s a really big game for us and we need the Dartford supporters behind us, like they have been home and away this season. Obviously since I’ve been here they have been fantastic. We need them to turn up in their numbers and really get behind the boys. It’s going to be a tough game”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
Samir Carruthers returned on Saturday after a few weeks out with a groin injury. The midfielder made a substitute appearance and got through the final 25 minutes. Striker, Dan Smith pulled with a hamstring injury during the first half at Bracknell Town. Michael Olarewaju was still out injured as well as Sammie McLeod and Dean Nayler. Defender, Ben Frempah was missing from the squad on Saturday. Due to the replay being needed, Sam Smith and Sam Okoye (depending on the outcome of his appeal) will serve a one match suspension on Tuesday evening.
Current Form
| Dartford (LDLWDD) | Bracknell Town (LDLDWD) | ||||
| Bracknell Town | A | 2-2 | Dartford | H | 2-2 |
| Ramsgate | A | 4-4 | Basingstoke Town | H | 3-2 |
| Carshalton Athletic | H | 4-1 | Weymouth | A | 1-1 |
| St Albans City | A | 0-2 | Poole Town | H | 3-4 |
| Billericay Town | H | 1-1 | Uxbridge | H | 1-1 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 0-4 | Berkhamsted | A | 0-1 |
Statistics
- Dartford have progressed or started beyond the first qualifying round stage for the last 18 years. Hastings United were the last side to beat the Darts at this stage of the competition in 2006.
- The Darts had won their last four first qualifying round ties before Saturday’s draw. They needed a replay in 2007 against Sittingbourne and beat Hastings United (2008), Chipstead (2009) and Marlow (2024)
- Dartford’s last F.A Cup replay was against rivals Ebbsfleet United in 2013. Elliot Bradbrook scored a match winning penalty in a 1-0 victory.
- In the 13 games since the start of April, the Darts have faced a two or more goal deficit in eight matches. Dartford have won one and drawn three of those eight games.
- Luther Williams will make his 50th Dartford appearance if he features on Tuesday night
On This Day
Dartford last won on this day in 2006 and that was in the F.A Cup preliminary round. Drawn against Tunbridge Wells, the Darts cruised through with a 5-0 victory. In 2017, Dartford came from two down against Hampton and Richmond Borough in the National South. Andy Pugh and Elliot Bradbrook completed the comeback at the Beveree. Either side of that draw, the Darts were beaten 3-2 at home by Carshalton Athletic. Jamie Day and John Guest netted for the Darts in the Isthmian Premier fixture. Most recently, Dartford lost 1-0 at Taunton Town in the National South two years ago.