Tag: Chatham Town

Dartford will have the chance to close the gap on Chatham Town in this weekend’s Kent derby.

The Darts got back to winning ways last time out and victory on Saturday will move them to within three points of the Chats. However, Adrian Pennock’s side have played two extra matches and are one place behind their opponents. Third place Chatham Town have hit form with five consecutive wins in all competitions.

Box Gift Wraps Win

At home to St Albans City last weekend, the Darts had to dig out a 1-0 win after looking second best for most of the afternoon. Olly Box scored the match winner with the hosts first meaningful effort on goal. Ten minutes into the second half Box used his skill and accuracy to fire beyond the St Albans City goalkeeper. The forward’s first goal at Princes Park in five. Dartford held out to claim a third home clean sheet in four and with it maximum points.

Jonny on the Spot

Earlier in the game George Whitefield, who was back in the lineup for Ben Frempah, gave away a first half penalty. Goalkeeper, Jonny Henly saved the spot kick to deny former Dartford striker Alex Wall from scoring on his return to Princes Park. The Darts keeper also made some crucial saves to earn Player of the Match.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Eze’s First Start

Two minutes after the penalty miss Pennock altered the side by cutting short Luther Williams’ 50th start for the club. The Dartford boss introduced 18 year old Nelson Eze in a tactical change giving the striker his debut after joining on loan from Ipswich Town. The Dartford boss felt Callum Jones needed more support up front.

Playoff Picture

Dartford ended a run of three straight losses without scoring against St Albans City and with it secured fourth place at Christmas. After back to back league defeats and with the current top six taking maximum points, victory over the Saints became more important. The Darts are being chased down by Aveley who are two points further back and have played four fewer matches.

Early pacesetters Brentwood Town hold second spot, but Chatham Town are hot on their heels, a win behind the Essex club and also with games in hand. Kevin Hake’s side have their sights on the National South after going full time in the summer and have recently hit great form.

Dartford Double

Last season the Darts won home and away against Chatham Town. On New Year’s Day, Pennock’s side kickstarted 2025 with a 2-0 victory on the road.

Both sides couldn’t be separated at the break. However, the breakthrough came just past the hour when George Whitefield’s cross was deflected goalwards and into the Chatham Town net. Eddie Dsane entered the game and added a second from a tight angle to secure the win.

Earlier in last season the Darts came from behind at Princes Park. The visitors led when Jamie Vila scored in the first half. Three minutes after the interval Sam Odaudu equalised with a long range effort. Dartford left it late to complete the turnaround when Callum Jones put the hosts in front with four minutes to go and Dsane netted a last minute penalty.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Ex-Darts Impress

In January last year Matthew MacArthur joined Dartford on loan, scored on debut, made another appearance then returned to Gillingham. Late October this year he joined Chatham Town and he has netted a brace in his last two league appearances and scored six in as many games in all competitions.

The 21-year old helped his new side reach the F.A Trophy fourth round by scoring against Plymouth Parkway. He also put two past Potters Bar Town and Cheshunt. Another former Dart was on the scoresheet in the trophy too. Ben Allen made ten substitute appearances under Pennock last season at Dartford. He has scored four in his last five matches for Chatham Town in all competitions, last on target in Tuesday night’s 2-1 Kent Senior Cup quarter final win over League Two side Bromley.

Hot Streak

Chatham Town are on track to match their seven wins in a row earlier in the season. However the Darts will be hoping to halt that run and become only the third team to beat the Chats at the Sports Ground in the Isthmian Premier this season.

Only runaway leaders Folkestone Invicta and St Albans City visited Chatham Town and claimed maximum points. Since the defeat to the Saints, the Kent side have won their last two home league fixtures putting four past Burgess Hill Town and three past Potters Bar Town. At the other end of the pitch the Chats have been solid recently. Bromley were the first team to breach Chatham Town’s defence in over seven hours of football.

Manager’s View

Pennock called last weekend’s win against St Albans City ‘a big three points’, but the performance was far from convincing at first, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and admitted: “We weren’t on it first half and I said to the boys at half time ‘look it could be one of these games where we’re not going to be right on it but we could win the game 1-0’ and that’s what we’ve done”.

The Dartford manager saw an improvement in the second half and was pleased in the way his side picked up maximum points, he added: “We showed some really good football in the second half in patches, but what I liked about us was winning that scrappy game, to win 1-0 and another clean sheet is excellent from the boys”.

Once again Dartford can expect a challenging afternoon this weekend against Chatham Town, Pennock commented: “It’s going to be a very tough game. They are full time, they are flying high in the league, but this win today (against St Albans City) sets us up nicely”.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Michael Olarewaju has served his suspension and should be available again. Dan Smith is nursing a hamstring injury. Dean Nayler remains a long term absentee.

Current League Form

Dartford (DWWLLW)			Chatham Town (DWWWWW)
St Albans City	H	1-0	Bromley (KSC)	H	2-1
Folkestone Invicta	H	1-2	Cheshunt	A	4-0
Lewes	A	0-1	Potters Bar Town	H	3-0
Dulwich Hamlet	H	1-0	Plymouth Parkway (FAT)	H	3-0
Whitehawk	A	2-1	Burgess Hill Town	H	4-0
Cray Valley PM	A	1-1	Chichester City	A	2-2

 

(FAT – F.A Trophy / KSC – Kent Senior Cup)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 32 / Chatham Town wins: 40 / Draws: 11

Previous Meetings

Chatham Town 0 – 2 Dartford (01/01/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (26/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 3 Chatham Town (09/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)
Chatham Town 2 – 3 Dartford (26/12/2006 – Isthmian Division One South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (15/04/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (27/09/2005 – Southern League Cup)

Statistics

• Dartford have won four of the last five league meetings against the Chats (L1)
• The Darts have won five of their last eight league matches at Chatham Town (D1, L2)
• As a Dartford player, Eddie Dsane has scored in both his appearances against Chatham Town
• The Darts end the year playing their 150th Isthmian Premier League match (W81 D33 L35)
• Saturday’s game will be Dartford’s 49th in 2025 in all competitions (W24 D12 L12) and 43rd in the league (W23 D10 L9)

On This Day

Cody McDonald scored a hat-trick and was sent off on this day in 2008. The striker helped Dartford to a 3-2 win at Canvey Island with his treble. McDonald scored two first half goals within a minute of each other and added his third in the second half. The hosts hit back with two goals in reply, but the Darts finished with ten men when McDonald picked up two yellow cards.

Gravesend and Northfleet (now Ebbsfleet United) have been the most frequent opponents on this day. Dartford have played their local rivals eight times on 27 December winning five, drawing two and losing just one. The last meeting on this day between the two clubs ended 1-1 back in 1982.

Dartford begin the new year with an enticing Kent derby at Chatham Town on Wednesday.

Two in form teams of the division will go head to head hoping to continue with their playoff push. Unbeaten in 13 league fixtures, the Darts are on their best run since their Isthmian Premier title winning season in 2010. Chatham Town have climbed to fifth in the table right behind Dartford and aim to close the seven point gap.

Adrian Pennock has guided Dartford to a strong fourth place to end 2024 and will be wishing for momentum to carry on starting on New Year’s Day. A busy festive fixture schedule saw the Darts boss make six changes on the weekend at Canvey Island to a side that had remained unchanged for the previous six league games. Dartford have benefitted from a settled starting eleven recently, but on Saturday they displayed what the rest of the squad can achieve.

Pennock rested captain Josh Hill, top scorer Olly Box and playmaker Samir Carruthers as well as Sam Okoye, Louis Dunne and Callum Jones. The Dartford manager introduced Michael Olarewaju for his first start since 5 November, Tyler Christian-Law, Hayden Bullas, Jez Pinder, Duane Ofori-Acheampong and Eddie Dsane.

Even with those changes, the Darts came away with a fourth straight victory on the road, something the club last achieved at the beginning of 2021/22 campaign. Two of the alterations had an impact in the only goal of the game in Essex. On the stroke of half-time, Hayden Bullas skipped down the byline and his dangerous cross saw Eddie Dsane react fastest to a loose ball and find the back of the net. The 1-0 win keeps Dartford’s perfect league record over Canvey Island taking their run against the Gulls to eight consecutive victories.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

At the other end of the field in goal, stand in captain Jacob Marsden kept a third away clean sheet in four. The goalkeeper admitted it wasn’t the best performance by his side, but at this stage of the season it’s the points that matter, he explained to Dartford FC TV: “The run continues and that is important for us to keep climbing the table. The wins are not always going to be pretty, particularly in the winter months due to the pitches and weather and whatever else, it’s needs must really”.

The stand in skipper was pleased with the attitude and application of his team mates and how that affected support from the fans, he added: “I thought the boys showed so much endeavour, work rate and heart, which is why the fans feed off us so much and we feed of their support. It helps us go and push through those barriers whether the football is pretty or not”.

Dartford won their last Kent derby by coming behind against Cray Wanderers on Boxing Day. Pennock’s side have now taken 13 points from 18 available in Kent derbies this season. One of those triumphs was the reverse fixture versus Chatham Town, which closed out August on a Bank Holiday afternoon. Jamie Yila put the visitors ahead and almost doubled the lead before the interval.

Sam Odaudu’s 25 yard drive put Dartford on level terms early in the second half. With six minutes to go Callum Jones fired a shot off the underside of the crossbar to put the Darts ahead. The deal was sealed in stoppage time when Eddie Dsane was fouled in the Chatham Town box. The striker took his chance from the spot to secure a 3-1 win.

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Match Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dartford’s last away trip to Chatham Town was 18 years ago on Boxing Day in the Isthmian Division One South. Tony Burman’s side won 3-2 thanks to goals from Ryan Hayes, Jay May and Lew Watts.

Chatham Town have been on a similar trajectory to the Darts. After the defeat in reverse fixture the Chats were 12th at the end of August. One point from the next nine available saw them slip five more places. Since mid-October they have lost just once in 14 league games. Starting with a win at Cray Wanderers and then a handful of draws, Chatham Town have claimed seven victories in that time to climb into the playoffs. They have started to rack up goals as well beating Whitehawk by five, hitting seven against Bognor Regis Town and they also stuck four past Folkestone Invicta.

On Boxing Day, they faced second placed Cray Valley Paper Mills and even that featured plenty of goals. Aiming to put the 2-0 away defeat versus Carshalton Athletic behind them, the Chats picked up a point in a 3-3 draw. Jordy Mongoy scored the first of the afternoon, but two former Dartford players Andre Coker and Fumnaya Shomotun gave the Millers the lead. Simon Cooper levelled the game before another former Dart, Jack Evans put the Chats back in front. Evans made 16 appearances for Dartford in the 2012/2013 season scoring twice. With five minutes remaining Tom Beere made sure the points were shared.

Kevin Hake’s side added another three to the goals for column on Saturday with a 3-1 win against struggling Bowers and Pitsea. Their opponents were without a permanent manager after the resignation of James Collins on Christmas Eve. Former Dartford academy player John Ufuah returned to the Chatham Town lineup and was back to scoring ways after seven minutes. Ufuah made two substitute appearances for Dartford’s senior team during the 2017-2018 campaign. Another ex Dartford player, Rowan Liburd featured just three times for the Darts whilst on loan in 2019/2020. The striker made it two just before the half hour mark. The Chats extended their lead further before the interval with Cooper scoring on the stroke of half time. Bowers and Pitsea pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining through Alex Teniola

At home the Chats have been strong tasting defeat just once to a Canvey Island side back in September. They have drawn with the current top two, Billericay Town and league leaders Dover Athletic and have scored 12 in their last three home matches in the league. Former Premier League striker Freddie Sears is top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions followed by the former Dartford trio Evans on eight goals and both Liburd and Ufuah on seven.

Current League Form

Dartford (WDWWWW)			Chatham Town (WWWLDW)
Canvey Island	A	1-0	Bowers and Pitsea	H	3-1
Cray Wanderers	H	2-1	Cray Valley (PM)	A	3-3
Folkestone Invicta	A	1-0	Carshalton Athletic	A	0-2
Horsham	A	3-1	Folkestone Invicta	H	4-1
Dulwich Hamlet	H	2-2	Cheshunt	A	1-0
Bognor Regis Town	H	4-0	Bognor Regis Town	A	7-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 31 / Chatham Town wins: 40 / Draws: 11

Previous Meetings

Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (26/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 3 Chatham Town (09/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)
Chatham Town 2 – 3 Dartford (26/12/2006 – Isthmian Division One South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (15/04/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (27/09/2005 – Southern League Cup)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (20/09/2005 – Southern League Div One East)


Statistics

• Dartford have won three of the last four league games against the Chats (L1)
• The Darts have won four of their last seven league matches at Chatham Town (D1, L2)
• An average of 4.25 goals per game have been scored in the last three meetings with the winning side scoring three on each occasion (W3, L1)
• Dartford have won 4, drawn 1, lost 1 in Kent derbies this term compared to Chatham Town who have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1

On This Day

Dartford brushed aside local rivals Ebbsfleet United for a second time in under a week on this day in 2023. Having already secured a 4-1 win at Stoembridge Road, the Darts went one better at Princes Park scoring four unanswered goals. Alex Wall, Malachai Napa, Charlie Sheringham and Connor Essam all netted against the eventual National South champions. Two years ago they brushed aside eventual National South champions and rivals Ebbsfleet United 4-0.

Previously, the Darts were triumphant against Welling United in three consecutive years between 2018 and 2020. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, an Elliott Romain brace and Darren McQueen penalty earned a 4-0 win over the Wings. The season before the score was 1-0 thanks to a late Ronnie Vint goal. In 2018, the Darts won 4-1 after Ryan Hayes, Andy Pugh and two from Alfie Pavey secured all three points. Dartford have won their last four fixtures on New Year’s Day all at home with an aggregate score of 13-1

However, on the road Dartford are winless in six on this day with the last victory in 2001 against Sittingbourne 5-2 in Southern League Division One East. That is only one of two away wins ever on New Year’s Day, the other was against Cambridge City in the 1988 Southern Premier season

New Year’s Day away record W2, D5, L9
New Year’s Day overall record W13, D8, L14

Dartford host their first Kent derby of the season when they face last season’s runners up Chatham Town on Bank Holiday Monday.

The two sides meet for the first time in 17 years and are are both expected to be challenging for promotion this term. The Darts are looking for a way back to the National South at the first attempt, despite making wholesale changes over the summer. The Chats missed out last time losing the playoff final.

A victory on Saturday saw Dartford move above their opponents Carshalton Athletic and into fourth. Adrian Pennock has now guided the Darts to three wins in their opening four matches, their best start in three years. Chatham Town also took maximum points on the weekend and sit two points and four places further back.

The Darts have already tasted triumph in a Kent derby beating newly promoted Cray Valley Paper Mills on the opening day. Although Pennock’s side fell to defeat in their first home game against Potters Bar Town, they bounced back with a 2-0 Princes Park win over Canvey Island.

On Saturday, Dartford travelled to unbeaten Carshalton Athletic and Eddie Dsane’s first goal for the club was enough to bring home all three points. Tyler Christian-Law was back in the side after his strike against Canvey Island replacing defender Mert Apat. Meanwhile, returning from injury Samir Carruthers was named on the bench and was introduced with just over ten minutes to go.

Duane Ofori-Acheampong remained an absentee, whilst young defender George Whitefield missed out on selection. Former West Ham United academy full back, Samuel Caiger joined the Darts after impressing on trial. The 22 year-old has returned from a long term injury and will now spend a month on loan at Southern League Premier Central side Hitchin Town.

Dsane opened his account in the first half netting a maiden goal since his move from Kingstonian in the summer. Good work from Denzelle 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 Matt Kerbey. For the first time in a year Dartford have now kept back to back clean sheets in the league.

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Brendon Cass was Dartford’s scorer last time this fixture was played in April 2007. However, it was to no avail as the hosts went down 3-1 in the Isthmian Division One South. The reverse fixture four months earlier went better for Tony Burman’s side as they won 3-2 thanks to goals from Ryan Hayes, Jay May and Lew Watts.

At the end of that season Dartford switched to the Isthmian Division One North and won the title at the first attempt. A couple of years later the Darts were Isthmian Premier champions. After two more campaigns they were up from the National South to the National League via the playoffs. In that same period Chatham Town remained in Isthmian Division One bouncing between the South and North divisions until relegation to the South Counties East in 2017.

Fortunes have changed with Dartford now back in step three joining Chatham Town. The catalyst for the Chats seems to be chairman and now manager Kevin Hake, who took over the club seven years ago following the drop to step five. Hake became manager after the Covid years and won consecutive promotions before almost making it three in a row last term.

Labelled as one of the favourites for the title prior to the start of the season, Chatham Town lost their opening day fixture at Lewes. At a goal down, Jamie Yila missed a late penalty for the Chats before the Rooks went on to score another. Their first home match of the season ended in a draw with another side expecting to be challenging for promotion in Billericay Town. With Chatham Town a goal down two minutes into second-half stoppage time, a point was rescued when Kofi Anokye-Boadi equalised.

Four days later two former Dartford players found the back of the net as the Chats recorded their first win of the season. Jack Evans and Rowan Liburd scored in a 2-0 victory over Bowers and Pitsea. Evans made 16 appearances for the Darts in the 2012/2013 season scoring twice. Liburd featured just three times whilst on loan in 2019/2020.

On the weekend Chatham Town hosted Dulwich Hamlet and secured a second win in a row. Yila scored his first of the season to make sure the home side went into the interval with an advantage. Three minutes into the second half former Dartford winger Luke Wanadio levelled, but the hosts restored their lead through former West Ham United striker Freddie Sears. A two goal cushion was assured when Sam Sene Richardson added a third. Maxwell Statham made his Chatham Town debut on loan from Hemel Hempstead Town and could face his former side. The ex-Dart left this summer after making 78 appearances for the club.

Current League Form

Dartford (WLWW)			Chatham Town (LDWW)
Carshalton Athletic	A	1-0	Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-1
Canvey Island	H	2-0	Bowers and Pitsea	A	2-0
Potters Bar Town	H	0-1	Billericay Town	H	1-1
Cray Valley Paper Mills	A	2-1	Lewes	A	0-2

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 30 / Chatham Town wins: 40 / Draws: 11

Previous Meetings

Dartford 1 – 3 Chatham Town (09/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)
Chatham Town 2 – 3 Dartford (26/12/2006 – Isthmian Division One South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (15/04/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (27/09/2005 – Southern League Cup)
Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (20/09/2005 – Southern League Div One East)
Chatham Town 1 – 1 Dartford (16/11/2004 – Southern League Div One East)

Statistics

• Dartford have won just two of the last 10 league meetings against Chatham Town (D2, L6)
• The Darts have won one of their last five in the league at home versus the Chats (D1, L3)
• An average of 4.33 goals per game have been scored in the last three meetings with the winning side scoring three on each occasion (W2, L1)

On This Day

Dartford are unbeaten in their last five games on 26 August winning four of them. Last season, Harvey Bradbury’s injury time winner against Aveley earned the Darts their first victory of the campaign. Hungerford Town are the only side to take points from Dartford in the unbeaten sequence. The Darts let a 2-1 lead slip with two minutes to go after Darren McQueen and Luke Wanadio both scored in the first-half at Bulpit Lane. Two Elliot Bradbrook penalties helped Dartford beat Hemel Hempstead Town 3-0 on the road in 2019, Alfie Pavey chipped in with the third. In the National League 11 years ago, Danny Harris and Kenny Clark scored in a 2-0 away win at Tamworth. In 2006, Jay May scored the only goal in a home win over Kingstonian in the Isthmian Division One South.