Tag: Carshalton Athletic

Dartford begin the Bank Holiday weekend at home to Carshalton Athletic still searching for a first win of the season.

The Darts have picked up just one point in their opening three games, their worst start in 13 years. However, that point was earned in their previous home fixture against last season’s runners up. The Robins have so far taken six points from nine available. A good start if they are aiming to improve on their seventh place finish last term.

Carshalton Spoil the Party

A tough fixture list doesn’t get any easier for Dartford. They have already played league leaders Dulwich Hamlet and the two pre-season favourites Billericay Town and St Albans City. Next up they face a Carshalton Athletic side who enjoyed their last visit to Princes Park just four months ago.

On the final day of last season, Adrian Pennock’s side were aiming for the league title only to lose 4-1 to the Robins and miss out.

Kola Salami was given time and space to put the visitors ahead. Then just before the interval Sharon Ifeanyi made it two. George Whitefield pulled a goal back for the Darts. Then Nabeel Ghannam struck twice for the Surrey side.

The reverse fixture almost a year ago finished 1-0 to Dartford. Eddie Dsane scored his first for the club.

Disciplinary Concerns

Red cards have cost Dartford in both away matches this term. On the opening day Ben Frempah was sent off in a 4-0 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet. Last Saturday, Michael Olarewaju was dismissed in a 2-0 loss at St Albans City.

Ironically it was Frempah’s suspension that saw Olarewaju return to the starting lineup. That was the only change from the deserved 1-1 draw in Dartford’s last home game versus Billericay Town.

With a full team on the field, the Darts were in control at Clarence Park. Then with 42 minutes gone Olarewaju stopped a goalscoring opportunity reducing Dartford to ten men. Zane Benton netted the resulting penalty to put St Albans City ahead. The game was beyond the visitors early in the second half when Jasper Mather added another.

Display "Highlights | St Albans City vs Dartford | Isthmian Premier Division | 16th August 2025" from YouTube

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Always display content from YouTube

Open "Highlights | St Albans City vs Dartford | Isthmian Premier Division | 16th August 2025" directly

Highlights courtesy of St Albans City

Resilient Robins

Carshalton Athletic won on the opening day beating Cray Valley Paper Mills. Goals from Ifeanyi and Tommy Bradford earned the Robins all three points.

An early goal had the Surrey club behind in their first away game. Lewes took the lead in the second minute as Devonte West put past former Dartford loanee, Matt Kerbey. The goalkeeper started last season as the Darts number one and played eight games. Ifeanyi equalised midway through the first half, but Jack Burchell won it for Lewes in the second half.

A number of injuries picked up in Sussex and manager Peter Adeniyi serving a touchline ban made for a tough fixture last weekend. However, the Robins battled through and overcame Billericay Town. The only goal of the game came from Kola Salami, but it was Kerbey’s performance that stood out.

Manager’s view

Having effectively played a full game with ten men this season, manager Adrian Pennock is worried about the impact of his side picking up red and yellow cards. He spoke to Dartford FC TV after the loss at St Albans City and said: “The discipline really, it’s killing us. It’s the second red card in three games. At the moment we’re shooting ourselves in the foot”.

Prior to the dismissal of Olarewaju, the Darts boss was happy with his team’s performance, he commented: “We caused them so many problems. We should have been three up, arguably 4-0 up”.

Unsurprisingly, Pennock saw the red card as a turning point and believes the result would have been different had his side kept 11 players on the field. He was pleased with the response of his players and their never give up attitude, he added: “I have to say after going down to ten men, we had to work very hard and I’ve got to be very proud of them”.

Keeping a full team on the field for the Darts to stand a chance of grabbing their first win, he explained: “They are a very good side, I like Carshalton. It’ll be a tough game again. We’ve got to get back, put another good performance in and hopefully have 11 players at the end of the 95 minutes”.

Display ""We are shooting ourselves in the foot" | Ady Pennock post match interview | St Albans (A)" from YouTube

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Always display content from YouTube

Open "”We are shooting ourselves in the foot” | Ady Pennock post match interview | St Albans (A)" directly

Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Michael Olarewaju will start his suspension, but Ben Frempah will be available. Sam Okoye progressed with his recovery by making a substitute appearance last weekend. Samir Carruthers will be an absentee due to a groin injury. Pennock expects the midfielder to be out for approximately three weeks. Sammie McLeod is waiting on a scan to his injury suffered in pre-season and Dean Nayler is unavailable for the long term.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Carshalton Athletic wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 4 Carshalton Athletic (26/04/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 1 Dartford (24/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic (23/01/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 4 Dartford (19/09/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 2 Dartford (20/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 2 – 3 Carshalton Athletic (02/09/2008 – Isthmian Premier)

Statistics

• Dartford have lost the first and last league meetings against Carshalton Athletic, but went four games unbeaten in between (W3, D1)
• The home side has never won this fixture in nine attempts. The Darts have yet to beat the Robins on home soil (D2, L2)
• Last time one point after three games was in 2014, but this season’s inferior goal difference makes it the worst start since losing the opening three in 2012.
• After three games, Dartford have played 91 minutes with ten men

On This Day

Elliott Bradbrook missed a penalty on this day in 2014 as the Darts were held to a 0-0 draw with Torquay United in the National League. However, the former captain was on the scoresheet in the Kent derby with Dover Athletic three years earlier. Dartford drew 2-2 at the Crabble in the National South, Charlie Sheringham opened the scoring that day. The only Isthmian Premier match the Darts have played on this day ended ina 2-0 home defeat to Hastings United in 2008. Dartford’s last home victory on 23 August was in 1995 when they beat Chatham Town 1-0 in the Kent League.

Dartford will be hoping fortune is on their side for the final day title showdown against Carshalton Athletic this weekend.

The Isthmian Premier title race couldn’t be much tighter with the top three level on points. Yet the Darts have a far inferior goal difference meaning they will need league leaders Billericay Town and second place Horsham to slip up to stand a chance of becoming champions.

As it stands

Realistically the permutations are simple for Adrian Pennock’s side. A Dartford win will see them return to the National South, if Billericay Town and Horsham fail to get maximum points. If the Darts draw they will need the top two to lose.

With Billericay Town eight goals ahead of the Darts and Horsham seven, history isn’t on Dartford’s side when the title comes down to goal difference. On three previous occasions the Darts have narrowly lost out having been level on points. The most recent of times came in the 2017/2018 National South season. The club suffered the same fate in 1996 (Kent League) and 1988 (Southern Premier).

Final day fixtures

Billericay Town (1st) v Cheshunt (15th)
Dartford (3rd) v Carshalton Athletic (7th)
Horsham (2nd) v Hashtag United (8th)

At the start of Easter Monday, Dartford had the title in their own hands but the two point advantage was erased once they drew 2-2 at Cray Wanderers. In the space of ninety minutes the Darts went from top to third.

Pennock made one change to the side that beat Dover Athletic on Good Friday. Samir Carruthers was named on the bench after struggling with injury recently and in came Louis Dunne.

In an entertaining Kent derby it took until half hour for Dartford to lead in their first ever visit to Flamingo Park. Sam Odaudu’s long throw found its way to Callum Jones, who scored his 15th of the season. For eight minutes the Darts had one hand on the league trophy as the two other title challengers had yet to find a breakthrough. When Frankie Raymond converted a penalty for the hosts then it was back to square one and a final day decider.

Early in the second half, Cray Wanderers went in front through Lateef Adaja, but Dartford bounced back quickly when Denzelle Olopade scored his second goal over the Easter period. Michael Olarewaju was sent off with ten minutes remaining. However that didn’t deter the Darts, in the final moments of the game Eddie Dsane hit the crossbar and Jones had his effort cleared off the line. Dartford have now rescued 19 points from losing positions this season, whether those points are crucial come the final whistle on Saturday remains to be seen.

The Darts now know they will have to at least keep their unbeaten home run going to be in with a chance of winning the division. Dartford’s last league defeat came 15 games ago back in October, since then they have won ten and drawn four in the Isthmian Premier on their own patch.

If Pennock’s side add another victory on Saturday it will complete a double over Carshalton Athletic, who they beat in August. Dsane opened his account in the first half to score his first goal for the club. Good work from Olopade set up the striker to give Dartford a lead inside the first twenty minutes. The Darts held off Carshalton Athletic late on with spirited defending and a good goalkeeping performance by the on loan Matt Kerbey.

Dartford have only ever lost once to the Robins and are currently unbeaten in four against the Surrey side, but the Darts have failed to beat them at home in the three previous meetings. The F.A Trophy first round replay ended 1-1 in 1991 and needed a second replay, which Dartford won. In league matches, Carshalton Athletic were 3-2 winners in 2008, Jamie Day and John Guest scoring for the Darts. The following season the two teams drew 1-1 again. Richard Jolly put the Robins in front and Jamie Coyle equalised. Since the loss to the Surrey side at Princes Park, the Darts have recorded three away victories against Saturday’s opponents scoring a total of seven without reply.

Display "Dartford v Carshalton.wmv" from YouTube

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Always display content from YouTube

Open "Dartford v Carshalton.wmv" directly

Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino

After an impressive 5-1 win against Dulwich Hamlet on Easter Monday, Carshalton Athletic will finish either seventh or eighth. A point on the weekend will keep them ahead of Hashtag United, but defeat on the final day and a win for the Tags will see the two teams swap places. The Darts will be hoping Hashtag United do them a favour when they visit Horsham.

There have plenty of goals during March and April when the Robins have been involved. On Monday they were three up by half time courtesy of Fabio Camacho-Saraiva and a David Smith brace. Dylan Pepe and Mason Saunders-Henry added two more before Dulwich Hamlet’s last minute consolation. Featuring in the Robins win was former Dart, Kalvin Kalala who made 26 appearances for Dartford and scored five goals during the 2021/2022 campaign. The games over Easter came too soon for the injured former loanee, Kwaku Frimpong. The midfielder was on loan for a month at Dartford in September 2022 and only managed two substitute appearances. His loan spell was cut short after picking up a red card and suspension before being recalled by AFC Wimbledon.

On Good Friday, Peter Adeniyi’s side made it a perfect Easter by beating Lewes 3-1 thanks to two injury time goals. The second half comeback was completed when Nabeel Ghannam equalised, Sharon Ifeany put the visitors ahead and Tommy Bradford made sure of maximum points.

Consecutive victories was just the tonic for the pair of 3-0 defeats, first at Chatham Town then on their own patch versus Horsham. At the end of March, the Robins thrashed Bowers and Pitsea 6-1 and at the beginning of last month they drew 4-4 with Bognor Regis Town. Carshalton Athletic came from three down to lead before conceding a last minute equaliser against the Rocks.

The Robins are guaranteed their highest finish since coming runners up in 2019 and next season will be their eighth consecutive year in the Isthmian Premier.

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWDWW)			Cray Wanderers (LWLLWW)
Cray Wanderers	A	2-2	Dulwich Hamlet	H	5-1
Dover Athletic	H	3-1	Lewes	A	3-1
Whitehawk	A	1-0	Horsham	H	0-3
Folkestone Invicta	H	2-2	Chatham Town	A	0-3
Dulwich Hamlet	A	3-0	Bowers & Pitsea	H	6-1
Bognor Regis Town	A	2-0	Whitehawk	A	0-2

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Carshalton Athletic wins: 1 / Draws: 3

Previous Six Meetings

Carshalton Athletic 0 – 1 Dartford (24/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic (23/01/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 4 Dartford (19/09/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 2 Dartford (20/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 2 – 3 Carshalton Athletic (02/09/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 2– 3 Dartford (21/01/1991 – F.A Trophy)

Statistics

• Dartford lost their first ever league meeting against Carshalton Athletic but have since gone four unbeaten (W3, D1)
• The home side has never won this fixture in eight attempts (5 away wins and 2 draws)
• Dartford are 14 unbeaten in the league at home. Their longest run without a league defeat at Princes Park since the 2021/2022 campaign (17 games)
• The Darts have won one of their last five home games on the final day of the season (D1, L3)

On This Day

Trailing from the first leg of the 1988 Southern League Cup final against Bromsgrove Rovers, the Darts had to overturn a 3-1 deficit. The second leg on this day 37 years go didn’t start well when Dartford missed a penalty at Watling Street. Then Garry Britnell, Kurt Davidson and Colin Johnson scored to help Dartford lift the league cup.

Twenty years later it was party time at Princes Park when captain Alex O’Brien lifted the league trophy. Crowned Isthmian Division One North champions a week earlier, the Darts celebrated with a 1-0 win over Wingate and Finchley, Brendon Cass the goalscorer.

In 2016, the Darts added more silverware to the cabinet winning the Kent Senior Cup. Elliot Bradbrook opened the scoring against Charlton Athletic before the visitors equalised. Ronnie Vint and Ben Francis added two more for the Darts in the 3-1 victory.

Dartford are on the road this weekend with a trip to unbeaten Carshalton Athletic in the Isthmian Premier.

The Darts won their opening away match, whilst the Robins were triumphant in their only home game of the season so far. Something will have to give on Saturday as the pair go head to head at Colston Avenue.

Adrian Pennock secured a second win of the campaign last time out when his side beat Canvey Island at Princes Park. The Dartford boss made two changes to the team that lost the previous home fixture 1-0 against Potters Bar Town. Defender and new signing Mert Apat made his debut, whilst Eddie Dsane started for the first time. The duo replaced George Whitefield and Tyler Christian-Law, the latter making an impact from off the bench.

Display "DARTFORD VS CANVEY ISLAND | ISTHMIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | 17/08/24" from YouTube

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Always display content from YouTube

Open "DARTFORD VS CANVEY ISLAND | ISTHMIAN PREMIER LEAGUE | 17/08/24" directly

A switch in formation gave the Darts impetus as they struggled to create in the first half. Moving to a more attacking 4-3-3, Pennock’s plan B worked a treat. Sam Odaudu put in a man of the match performance and scored his first ever goal at Princes Park. The full back stabbed home a volley in the second half to put Dartford ahead. Christian-Law wrapped up the points and did well to stay on his feet to take advantage of some poor defending and slot away the clincher.

After the win Odaudu spoke to Dartford FC TV and said: “The good thing is that we bounced back and got the win”. Odaudu’s only other goal for the Darts was back in April 2023 at Concord Rangers, so the academy graduate was delighted with getting on the scoresheet, he added: “I don’t get many to be fair, my last one was probably about two years ago, so its always good to score”.

A first clean sheet of the season and first at home since the 3-0 victory over Torquay United in November was welcomed, he commented: “If we always get clean sheets then we’re going to draw the game at least, so that’s a good building block. With the talent we’ve got going forward we’re bound to score. As long as we stay solid then that puts us in a good position to win the game”.

Samir Carruthers is still waiting to get involved in a matchday squad. Injury has prevented the midfielder from making an appearance since returning to the club this summer. Likewise, Duane Ofori-Acheampong has been on the treatment table and has yet to make a competitive appearance since coming back to Princes Park. Goalkeeper, Jacob Marsden is waiting for his debut and after returning from injury was named as a substitute last weekend.

Dartford are unbeaten in their four previous trips to Carshalton Athletic, winning in their last three visits there. During the Isthmian Premier title winning season, the Darts convincingly won 4-0 in September 2009 with goals from Lee Burns, Jamie Day, Rob Haworth and Jamie Coyle, who also scored in 1-1 draw four months later at Princes Park.

Display "Carshalton v Dartford" from YouTube

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Always display content from YouTube

Open "Carshalton v Dartford" directly

The previous season saw Dartford avenge a 3-2 home defeat in September 2008 with a 2-0 away win in December the same year. Tommy Osbourne scored a penalty before the prolific Cody McDonald put the game out of reach.

The first meetings between the two sides came in the F.A Trophy in 1991. in the days before penalty shootouts decided the winner, it took two replays for Dartford to progress to round two after drawing 0-0 away, then 1-1 at Watling Street. A return to Surrey for the third attempt saw the black and white hooped Darts win 3-2 thanks to a last minute Gary Aldous winner.

Carshalton Athletic have made an unbeaten start to their campaign, but they won’t get too carried away if they have learnt lessons from twelve months ago. The Robins went seven without defeat to begin last term with five victories and two draws. The Surrey club finished in twelfth place.

This time Peter Adeniyi’s side are hoping to maintain their promising beginnings and continue to challenge at the top end of the Isthmian Premier. Last weekend, Carshalton Athletic recorded their second win in a row, a 3-1 triumph over newly promoted Chichester City. A goal on debut by Steve Gody inside half an hour was cancelled out by Mo Jammeh’s penalty. The Robins regained the lead through Tommy Stagg who then added another to secure all three points.

Victory in Sussex followed up their maiden win of 2024/2025 at home against Wingate and Finchley. This time it was Dominic Vose who netted a brace to add to his opening day goal in the 1-1 draw with Folkestone Invicta. Vose put the Robins ahead early on and before the interval put his side two up. Although Carshalton Athletic let the lead slip, the match winner turned out to be the man who replaced Vose in the second half. Paris Hamilton-Downes followed up a rebound to make it 3-2 to the Robins.

Peter Adeniyi will be without long term absentee Kwaku Frimpong, who had a loan spell with the Darts two years ago. The midfielder made two substitute appearances and was sent off in the shock F.A Cup defeat against Beckenham Town.

Current League Form

Dartford (WLW)			Carshalton Athletic (DWW)
Canvey Island	H	2-0	Chichester City	A	3-1
Potters Bar Town	H	0-1	Wingate and Finchley	H	3-2
Cray Valley Paper Mills	A	2-1	Folkestone Invicta	A	1-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Carshalton Athletic wins: 1 / Draws: 3

Previous Meetings

Dartford 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic (23/01/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 4 Dartford (19/09/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 0 – 2 Dartford (20/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 2 – 3 Carshalton Athletic (02/09/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Carshalton Athletic 2– 3 Dartford (21/01/1991 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic (15/01/1991 – F.A Trophy)

Statistics

• Dartford lost their first ever league meeting against Carshalton Athletic but have since gone three unbeaten (W2, D1)
• The home side has never won this fixture in seven attempts.
• Dartford are unbeaten in all four away games versus Carshalton Athletic and have won their last three

On This Day

Norman Wabo’s late winner handed Dartford all three points on this day five years ago. The Darts came from behind against Braintree Town after former Dartford player Femi Akinwande gave the Iron the lead. Luke Allen levelled before half-time and the game swung Dartford’s way once Adam Mills was sent off for the visitors. Dartford made the extra man count and with three minutes to go Wabo made it 2-1. Exactly six years earlier, Braintree Town were victorious beating the Darts 2-0 in the National League.

On the road, Dartford are currently four unbeaten on 24 August. They secured a 2-1 win at Sittingbourne 20 years ago, a 1-1 draw with Corby Town in 2002 and two more victories against Bashley (4-1 in 1996) and Sheppey United (3-0 in 1993). Dartford have lost just four out of 22 games on this day, winning 12 and drawing six.