A decade ago, Brentwood Town were promoted to the Isthmian Premier League where they stayed for just one season. The Blues had two near misses in the playoffs of 2022 and 2024. Those disappointments were soon forgotten when they won the Isthmian Division One North title just over a year ago. Last season they were back and this time they almost left the division again, but at the right end. The Blues managed to keep their winning mentality and took the Isthmian Premier by surprise. Reaching another playoff and almost making it consecutive promotions, Brentwood Town had a great campaign last time out.
2025/2026 Season Isthmian Premier: 5th F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round F.A Trophy: 2nd Round County Cup: 4th Round League Cup: 3rd Round Top League Scorer: Daniel Ogunleye (20 goals)
On the opening day Brentwood were welcomed to the division with a local away day at relegated Aveley. A draw gave the Blues confidence and a brilliant run of eight consecutive wins made everyone take note. Dartford brought that run to an end in October with a draw. Then they suffered four defeats in six, people wondered how long the Essex club would last at the top. Aside from another patchy spell in January, Brentwood Town need not worry. The Blues were consistent enough to win a playoff place. Two Essex derbies saw them beat Aveley, then lose the final to Billericay Town after extra time.
Manager – Keith Rowland
Former West Ham United defender, Keith Rowland played for the likes of AFC Bournemouth and Queens Park Rangers to name a few. Adding to his playing experience he won 19 international caps for Northern Ireland too. Rowland’s coaching career began at Braintree Town. He went into management with Wingate and Finchley in 2016, where he recorded the club’s highest finish on two occasions. Spells followed at Aveley and Tilbury before his current role at Brentwood Town.
Summer Transfers
The issue with be so successful after promotion is your best players will be picked up in the transfer market. It’s testament to what Rowland has built and this summer he has been building again. Three new signings won promotion out of the Isthmian Premier last season. Mikey Berry arrives from champions Folkestone Invicta, Tommy Davis and Ben Steward have been signed from Billericay Town.
Harry Seaden will be the new man between the sticks after his switch from Cray Wanderers. Nat Mardell moves from Isthmian Premier newcomers Stanway Rovers and Sid Walker comes in from Grays Athletic. The Blues also added Malachi Linton from AFC Totton, Harry Gibbs from National South playoff winners Hornchurch and Charlee Adams from Chelmsford City.
Replacing the goals of Daniel Ogunleye will be a challenge, the striker earned a move to Ebbsfleet United. Also, on the up, Alejandro Machado is now at Folkestone Invicta and Kymani Thomas at Dagenham and Redbridge.
Former Dartford legend, Lee Noble leaves the Blues for Heybridge Swifts. Ade Cole (AFC Whyteleafe), Charlie Edwards (St Albans City) and Ethan Kaiser (Carshalton Athletic) remain in the Isthmian Premier. Jon Nzengo has departed and joined Tilbury.
Dartford hope to strengthen their playoff credentials by gaining ground on Brentwood Town this weekend.
The Darts host the Blues this Saturday and know victory will take them to within two points of the Essex side. Only a win will guarantee Adrian Pennock’s side a top five place at the end of the afternoon as pressure starts to mount from those looking to get into the playoff places. Brentwood Town will not want to get dragged into that battle and instead will be aiming to keep pace with those above them.
Missed Opportunities
Out of the current top five it is looking like Brentwood Town is the team Dartford can catch, but the Darts failed to gain on the Blues last weekend and so Keith Rowland’s side remain five points clear.
Lately, Dartford have made a habit of beating teams towards the top of the table, then dropping points against teams below them. After claiming an excellent win over Chatham Town, the Darts conceded late to draw at Hashtag United. Adrian Pennock’s side then ended Aveley’s long unbeaten run only to follow that impressive result with defeat at Burgess Hill Town.
Sunk in Sussex
It was no surprise that the Dartford boss named an unchanged side for their trip to Sussex after defeating an in form Aveley. However, once again their away performance has contributed to why the Darts are hanging onto a playoff spot rather than comfortably being in the top five.
Burgess Hill Town can thank George Vorster for the win. The forward scored a brace either side of Denzelle Olopade’s fantastic strike. The Hillians earned a penalty when Kieran Rowe was fouled by Jonny Henly. Up stepped Vorster to put the hosts ahead. In first half injury time, Olopade unleashed a long range shot which flew past Roco Rees and into the net. The midfielder’s second goal in as many games.
Vorster restored Burgess Hill Town’s lead with a header early in the second half and it was much needed. The Sussex side were reduced to ten men after Ben Pope was given a second yellow card. Dartford couldn’t make the numerical advantage count in the final half hour and suffered their first ever defeat at Burgess Hill Town, losing a perfect away record against the Hillians.
Dartford will be pleased to be back at home this weekend. A draw at Brentwood Town in October was one of 14 points gained on the road this term. At Princes Park the story is different with the Darts boasting the second highest points at home in the division, just over double the amount earned on their travels.
Darts Deny Blues
Three months ago in Essex, the Darts faced Isthmian North champions Brentwood Town and halted their 100% home record. Continuing momentum from last season, the league leaders at the time had just won eight in a row. Jacob Bland made his debut and Dan Carter came off the bench for his first appearance, but it was a more experienced midfielder who gave Dartford a lead. Samir Carruthers scored directly from free kick, but Charlee Hughes equalised for the Blues as the points were shared.
Dartford have only hosted Brentwood Town once at Princes Park and that ended in defeat back in March 2008. The Blues won 1-0 and the decisive goal alerted Dartford to a certain Lee Noble. The midfielder impressed in the Brentwood midfield and later became a fans favourite with the Darts, winning multiple Player of the Year awards and scoring the 2012 playoff winner. In the previous six meetings against the Essex club, Dartford have won just once and that was in the F.A Trophy third qualifying round in November 2017. Noble proved decisive again, this time against his former side as the Darts triumphed 2-1.
Settling in the Isthmian Premier
Brentwood Town had an outstanding start to their season and topped the table at the end of October. Between the opening day draw with Aveley and the stalemate with the Darts they won all eight league matches. The momentum from their Isthmian North title win just kept growing.
The beginning of November saw the changing of the guard. Brentwood Town lost three in a row to begin that month and relinquished top spot. The Blues recovered, only losing one more in the next eight and that was at league leaders Folkestone Invicta.
Blues Barren Spell
However, for a second time this term the Essex club have just lost three on the spin and will be determined to stop the streak. A clinical Cray Wanderers side won 4-1 with all of their goals coming in the first-half. Although Kymani Thomas scored a consolation, it was a sorry afternoon for the Blues.
The Essex derby with Billericay Town was decided by Elliot Long as Ricay took all three points. Then last time out, Brentwood Town were beaten 2-0 by Dulwich Hamlet.
Manager’s View
Adrian Pennock was disappointed at the defeat in Sussex last weekend, he told www.dartfordfc.com: “I was disappointed with the result. But we weren’t good enough from front to back. I thought our decision-making was poor. It’s not often I can say nearly every player had an off game”.
Dartford are coming under pressure from teams trying to reach the playoffs, the Darts boss commented: “There’s a lot of football to be played. There are lots of teams behind us hitting form, so we have to concentrate on us”, but home advantage could well play its part in the next fortnight, he added: “There’s two home matches to come and they will both be tough games. But we are strong at home. We are going to do all we can to get the six points and forget about this weekend”.
Team News
Aside from Dean Nayler with a long term injury, Adrian Pennock should have a full squad to choose from.
Brentwood Town 1 – 1 Dartford (11/10/2025 – Isthmian Premier) Brentwood Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/11/2017 – F.A Trophy) Dartford 0 – 1 Brentwood Town (29/03/2008 – Isthmian Division One North) Brentwood Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/02/2008 – Isthmian Division One North) Brentwood Town 2 – 1 Dartford (08/03/1969 – Southern League First Division) Dartford 1 – 1 Brentwood Town (15/02/1969 – Southern League First Division)
Statistics
Dartford are five games without a league win against Brentwood Town (D3, L2)
The Darts have kept four clean sheets at home in their last five league games and have kept consecutive home clean sheets in the league
The Darts last managed three home league games without conceding a year ago.
Neither side have scored more than two goals in this fixture
On This Day
Dartford have an incredible unbeaten home record on this day winning nine and drawing two. The last side to visit the Darts and prevent a victory was Bristol Rovers in 2015. Dartford equalised twice through Ryan Hayes in the 2-2 National League draw. Keiran Murtagh and Pierre Fonkeu were on hand to give the Darts a 2-0 London Senior Cup win over Metropolitan Police three years ago. In 2009, the Darts won a Kent derby against rivals Maidstone United in the Isthmian Premier League. Rob Haworth scored from a tight angle in Cody McDonald’s last game for the Darts before he joined Norwich City. That derby day victory was the last of a seven game winning streak at home on 31 January.
Dartford are up against newly promoted and surprise league leaders Brentwood Town this weekend in the Isthmian Premier.
The Darts face a tough task if they want to record their first win on the road this season. Adrian Pennock’s side will need to end the Blues perfect home start and eight game winning streak in the league.
Isthmian Division One Division One North champions Brentwood Town are top of the standings again. After a draw on the opening day no one in the division has been able to stop Keith Rowland’s team in their tracks. The Essex club are guaranteed to remain in pole position this weekend regardless of the result.
Another Cup Exit
For the second time in four seasons Dartford have exited the F.A Trophy, F.A Cup and Kent Senior Cup at the first hurdle. The Darts are now under pressure to pick up results after their disappointing trophy defeat to Hadley. Olly Box continued his good goalscoring form with an early strike making it three goals in his last three appearances. Even though injuries within the squad have cleared up, Michael Olarewaju and Dan Smith made their first starts since August, Dartford still let a lead slip. Hadley turned the tie on its head to become the fourth team from a lower division to knock the Darts out of the competition in the last six years.
Too Many Draws
Only four sides in the Isthmian Premier League have lost fewer matches than Dartford. The problem is those sides are in the top four and the Darts are down in thirteenth. Drawing over half of their league games has contributed to this season’s frustration which has seen the Darts post just two wins on the board, both at Princes Park.
Burgess Hill Town were the latest club to hold back Pennock’s side having come from behind twice. Box and Callum Jones got Dartford off to a great start and the performance in the first half deservedly had the home side ahead. After the break, the Darts were caught out immediately when Marcus Allen pulled a goal back, then equalised with twenty minutes to go. Sam Odaudu scored a deflected free-kick late in the game, but another free-kick from Chris Whelpdale caught out goalkeeper Jonny Henly during injury time to level for the Hillians.
Whilst the Darts are now six unbeaten in the Isthmian Premier they have only picked up ten points from those games.
New Signing
Dartford could give a debut to 21-year-old Jacob Bland, a new signing from Isthmian Division One North side Bowers and Pitsea. The midfielder spent a month with the Darts during the summer. After getting regular games with Bowers, Pennock feels Bland is now a good addition to the squad.
Noble Shines and Signs
Dartford romped to the league title last time Brentwood Town were in the same division. Lining up for The Blues against the Darts that year was a future Dartford legend. Lee Noble impressed Tony Burman in both fixtures back in 2008, so much so he signed the midfielder that summer.
Noble spent 12 years at Princes Park, scoring the National South playoff winner in 2012, won the Supporter’s Player of the Year on five occasions, made over 450 appearances and scored 51 goals. Noble returned home to Brentwood Town in 2024, became Manager’s Player of the Year and helped the Blues to the Isthmian Division One North title.
In a campaign where the Darts added a championship to their honours, Brentwood Town took four points from Burman’s side. Brendon Cass and John Guest scored for Dartford in a 2-2 draw in Essex. The reverse fixture ended 1-0 to the Blues, the scorer that day was Lee Noble.
The Blues have been perfect since the season opening draw at Aveley. Former West Ham United defender and Northern Ireland international, Keith Rowland guided Brentwood Town to their first Isthmian Premier point in nine years. Summer signing Charlee Hughes scored against his former club in the 1-1 draw.
Since then, Brentwood Town have been unstoppable with maximum points in their last eight outings. At home, the Blues have beaten St Albans City, Burgess Hill Town, Carshalton Athletic, Canvey Island and Billericay Town. All opponents Dartford have already played home or away this term with the Darts picking up six points from those teams.
Top Scorers
Rowland’s team have been potent in attack helped by last season’s Player’s Player and Supporters’ Player Of The Year, Danny Ogunleye. He is already on five league goals and sparked interest from Colchester United over the summer. Hughes is just one goal behind in all competitions joint with Louie Johnson, who netted 18 last season to pick up annual awards at Walthamstow.
Manager’s View
The shock defeat at Hadley led to an honest discussion in the Dartford camp. Pennock spoke to www.dartfordfc.com this week and said: “We had a good chat after the game. It was an open floor. I said what I thought and I let them all speak and they gave their opinions. There was no shouting, but we all took things on board and we will see an improvement on Saturday”.
Dartford’s boss felt let down and urges his team to ‘play for the shirt’ and get a good result against the league leaders this weekend, he commented: “I want a reaction and a better performance”, he added: “I want us to bounce back and put in a proper performance against a team that is flying”.
Looking forward to the trip to Essex, Pennock is confident fortunes will improve if the players perform to the levels he demands, he said: “I know we will turn it round. But this week, I want to see energy and players that want the ball. The players know they will need to up the intensity that we have seen in the past few games, but if we can do that, it will be a cracking game”.
Team News
Dartford will be without their creative spark, Olly Box who is suspended for the red card picked up against Burgess Hill Town. However, Ikechi Eze returns after serving his ban. Defender, Ben Frempah has been out of the squad since the draw at home to Canvey Island in early September. Both Sammie McLeod and Dean Nayler have yet to feature this term as they recover from long term injuries.
Current Form
Dartford (DDDWDL)
Brentwood Town (WWLWWW)
Hadley (FAT)
A
1-2
Westfield (FAT)
A
2-1
Burgess Hill Town
H
3-3
Dulwich Hamlet
A
2-1
Cheshunt
H
2-0
Billericay Town
H
3-0
Erith Town (CC)
A
1-1*
Royston Town (FAC)
A
0-1
Aveley
A
1-1
Canvey Island
H
1-0
Canvey Island
H
2-2
Carshalton Athletic
H
3-2
(FAC – F.A Cup / CC – County Cup / FAT – F.A Trophy / * – lost 3-4 on penalties)
Brentwood Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/11/2017 – F.A Trophy) Dartford 0 – 1 Brentwood Town (29/03/2008 – Isthmian Division One North) Brentwood Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/02/2008 – Isthmian Division One North) Brentwood Town 2 – 1 Dartford (08/03/1969 – Southern League First Division) Dartford 1 – 1 Brentwood Town (15/02/1969 – Southern League First Division) Dartford 2 – 0 Billericay Town (15/04/1968 – Southern League First Division)
Statistics
Dartford are four games without a league win against Brentwood Town (D2, L2)
The Darts are five league games without a win on the road from the start of the season for the first time since 2019
Neither side have scored more than two goals in this fixture
On This Day
It’s been 11 years since Dartford played on 11 October and that was the 1-1 draw at home to Macclesfield Town. The National Premier game ended all square thanks to two late goals. Ryan Hayes looked to have won it for the Darts with five minutes to go, but Matthew Barnes-Homer levelled.
The last six Dartford fixtures on this day have all been at home with just two victories recorded. Ilford were beaten 3-1 in the Southern Premier Division One East back in 2005. Whilst in 1988, the Darts won a Southern League first round cup tie 1-0 versus Hastings United.
On the road, the Darts are unbeaten in four on this day with three draws. The last away day on 11 October was in 1986 against Bedworth United, a Southern Premier League match that ended 1-1. Dartford’s last win on their travels on this day was in 1975 when they defeated Waterlooville 2-1 in the Southern League Division One South.
Isthmian Division One North champions Brentwood Town are back in the Premier for the first time since 2015/2016. The Blues entered the Isthmian Leagues 18 years ago after winning the Essex Senior League title. In that same season they completed the treble by claiming both League Cup competitions as well. Brentwood Town have been knocking on the Isthmian Premier door in recent years. The Essex club failed in the playoffs in 2022 and 2024 before lifting the title last season.
2024/2025 Season Isthmian North: 1st F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round F.A Trophy: 3rd Round County Cup: 3rd Round Top League Scorer: Daniel Ogunleye (36 goals)
The Blues wrapped up the title last season on the penultimate game. A record crowd saw top goal scorer, Daniel Ogunleye net all four goals in a 4-0 victory. It wasn’t until December that the Essex club truly got going . They started a 13-match unbeaten run picking up 35 points. No one scored as many goals as Brentwood Town or had a better goal difference. The Blues recorded the joint biggest win in the division, an 8-0 mauling of Ipswich Wanderers. On the 8 March with the Essex side in second place faced league leaders Felixstowe and Walton United. Brentwood Town won, swapped places and never relinquished top spot.
Manager – Keith Rowland
A former West Ham United defender, Keith Rowland also played in the Football League for the likes of AFC Bournemouth and Queens Park Rangers to name a few. Adding to his playing experience he won 19 international caps for Northern Ireland too. Rowland’s coaching career began at Braintree Town under Alan Devonshire, then Rod Stringer until he went into management with Wingate and Finchley in 2016, where he recorded the club’s highest finish on two occasions. Spells followed at Aveley and Tilbury before he’s current role at Brentwood Town started in October 2023.
Summer Transfers
Unsurprisingly many of the Isthmian Division One North League winning squad have extended their stay with the club including former Dartford legend and Brentwood Town’s Manager’s Player Of The Year, Lee Noble. The midfielder helped Dartford to promotion in 2012 scoring the winner in the playoff final against Welling United. Still going at 36-years-old, Noble represented the Darts for 12 years making 476 appearances and scoring 51 goals.
Perhaps the best signing is the retention of Player’s Player Of The Year and Supporters’ Player Of The Year, Danny Ogunleye. Last season’s prolific scorer sparked interest from Colchester United in the summer.
Manny Ogunrinde and Charlee Hughes swap relegated Aveley for the promoted Blues. Ogunrinde enjoyed five years with the Millers winning consecutive promotions and Young Player of the Season in Aveley’s debut campaign in the National South. Hughes returns to Brentwood Town having previously won a golden boot with the club.
At Walthamstow last season, Louie Johnson had a great time scoring 18 goals and notching up ten assists helping him claim the club’s annual awards. Charlie Edwards arrives from Cray Wanderers. Defender, Aron Pollock joins the newly promoted club and was close to a league winners medal with Billericay Town last season. Max Hudson will be another new member of the Blues’ backline having signed from Dulwich Hamlet.
Former Dart, Lyle Della-Verde has departed the Essex side. The midfielder was at Dartford back in 2017/2018 scoring five goals in 34 games. Goalkeeper Connor Wheatley joins Basildon United. Taylor Curran has moved out to Portugal to play in their fourth division. Koby Yeboah has decided to make the switch to Canvey Island.
Brentwood Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/11/2017 – F.A Trophy) Dartford 0 – 1 Brentwood Town (29/03/2008 – Isthmian Division One North) Brentwood Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/02/2008 – Isthmian Division One North) Brentwood Town 2 – 1 Dartford (08/03/1969 – Southern League First Division) Dartford 1 – 1 Brentwood Town (15/02/1969 – Southern League First Division) Dartford 2 – 0 Billericay Town (15/04/1968 – Southern League First Division)
Next Meetings
Brentwood Town v Dartford – Saturday 11th October 2025 Dartford v Brentwood Town – Saturday 31st January 2026
Statistics
Dartford are four games without a league win against Brentwood Town (D2, L2)
The Darts did win in the last meeting between the two sides, a F.A Trophy tie in November 2017
Neither side have scored more than two goals in this fixture
