Tag: Chelmsford City

Dartford are back in action against Chelmsford City on Tuesday night after a weekend break.

An early F.A Cup exit left the Darts without a fixture on Saturday and time to recover. Dartford’s last game was a week ago when they picked up maximum points against Weston-super-Mare. Another win this mid-week will make it five in a row at Princes Park in all competitions. Chelmsford City return to Kent after facing Tonbridge Angels on the weekend. The Clarets are on a drawing streak which could extend to five if the spoils are shared.

In the 4-2 win over Weston-super-Mare a week ago, Alan Dowson made a couple of changes. The Darts boss opted to go with two strikers. Lewis Manor made his first start in a month to partner Harvey Bradbury up front. Maxwell Statham was also selected replacing Sam Odaudu. Brandon Barzey was named on the substitutes bench.

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Mitchell Beeney played an important part in Dartford’s victory. At 1-0 down the goalkeeper saved a penalty. Luke Coulson also made important contributions by scoring from the spot and setting up the other three goals. The captain assisted Paul Rooney for the equaliser before putting the Darts in front. Alex Wall came on as a substitute and had an eventful evening. The striker netted a brace and was sent off, he will face suspension.

Victory continued Dartford’s positive run at Princes Park. If away form fails to improve then keeping their current home form will be crucial. Chelmsford City should pose a bigger challenge than their previous four visitors. The Clarets are right behind the Darts in eleventh place level on points.

Prior the triumph against Weston-super-Mare, the Darts beat bottom of the table Havant and Waterlooville. In the London Senior Cup they defeated a lower league side in Harrow Borough. Towards the end of September the Darts won a Kent derby against lowly Tonbridge Angels.

The Angels were Chelmsford City’s last opponents. Once again, Robbie Simpson’s side were unable to turn a draw into victory. The Clarets drew their seventh game of the season and fourth in a row. The Essex club found themselves a goal down in the opening ten minutes. Scott Wagstaff scored for Tonbridge Angels from close range. The hosts then had Ben Swift sent off with less than 15 minutes on the clock. Chelmsford City were level before the break when Luke Jenkins scored. However, the visitors were frustrated and couldn’t take full advantage of having an extra man.

A run of defeats and draws has seen the Clarets slip down the National South after a promising start. Their campaign opened with a seven match unbeaten run including four wins, finishing with a creditable draw at table toppers Yeovil Town. In September three consecutive losses saw Chelmsford City drop from fourth to tenth. Although the barren spell ended with a win at Weston-super-Mare, the Clarets have finished level against Slough Town, Dover Athletic, Taunton Town and now Tonbridge Angels.

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Two former Dartford players turned last season’s meeting around in the last seven minutes. Samir Carruthers, who left the Darts for the Clarets in the summer, was involved in Dartford’s goal. The midfielder linked up with Jack Smith, who set up Coulson to score. Ody Alfa equalised with an unstoppable shot and in injury time Giovanni McGregor curled in the winner.

Carruthers could be one of three former players against their old club. The 30-year-old played 47 times for the Darts scoring ten goals. Jazzi Barnum-Bobb made 19 appearances and is in second spell with Chelmsford City. For Dartford, Charlie Sheringham spent a loan spell and a season with the Clarets.

Current League Form

Dartford (WLWDLW)			Chelmsford City (LWDDDD)
Weston-super-Mare	H	4-2	Tonbridge Angels	A	1-1
Hemel Hempstead	A	1-2	Taunton Town	H	0-0
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-1	Dover Athletic	H	3-3
Havant & Waterlooville	H	2-0	Slough Town	A	0-0
Hampton & Richmond	A	3-4	Weston-super-Mare	A	3-0
Chippenham Town	A	4-1	St Albans City	H	0-2

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 41 / Chelmsford City wins: 57 / Draws: 23

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 2 Chelmsford City (25/03/2023 – National South)
Chelmsford City 1 – 0 Dartford (03/12/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Chelmsford City (15/03/2022 – National South)
Chelmsford City 0 – 0 Dartford (25/10/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City (06/10/2020 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Chelmsford City (14/03/2020 – National South)

Statistics

• Chelmsford City were one of three teams to complete a double over the Darts last season
• Dartford have won four of the last five league meetings at Princes Park (D0, L1)
• The Darts last won five in a row at home just under a year ago. Between 24 September 2022 and 26 November 2022, Dartford racked up nine consecutive home victories in all competitions.

On This Day

It’s a good job Jason Prior doesn’t play for Chelmsford City. In Dartford’s last two games on this day, the striker has haunted the Darts.

Prior scored a Princes Park hat-trick in 2009, for the opposition. Bognor Regis Town stunned high flying Darts in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Only Wealdstone had taken points from an unbeaten Dartford side in the opening 12 matches. The Rocks were sat at the foot of the table. A late Billy Burgess equaliser saved Dartford’s blushes, but it was Prior’s trio of headers that stole the show. After going two down, Danny Harris lobbed the goalkeeper and added a second to level. Bognor Regis Town went in front again through their future Dart, but Burgess maintained the hosts unbeaten record.

Three years ago, Prior scored a brace for Dorking Wanderers as the Darts lost 3-2 at home. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong tapped in an equaliser, then Prior was at it again. Jack Jebb levelled the score against his future employers with a brilliant free-kick. Then the visitors had time to find a winner when Matt Briggs grabbed Dorking’s third.

Dartford will test themselves against fellow playoff hopefuls Chelmsford City on Non-League Day when the pair meet at Princes Park in the National South this weekend.

The Darts had their fixture against bottom club Concord Rangers postponed last weekend which allowed teams behind them to apply some pressure. One of those clubs is Chelmsford City who took full advantage to move within five points of Alan Dowson’s side. Dartford will go into this weekend’s clash rested from their confidence boosting win last time out at Princes Park a fortnight ago. The Clarets on the other hand are eyeing up a double having won the reverse fixture back in December.   

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Dartford had scored in each of their first 21 league games before visiting the Melbourne Stadium just over three months ago. The Clarets were the first team in the National South this season to keep a clean sheet against the Darts attack and came away with a 1-0 victory. A late goal by Louis Dunne separated the two sides when his cross bypassed everyone to end up in Archie Mair’s net. With a minute to play plus stoppage time the Darts were unable to respond.

Unbeaten in their last four home matches in the league, Dartford will be hoping to keep that run going and record a fifth straight home victory over Chelmsford City. Just over a year ago, Jack Jebb’s set pieces made a difference putting the Darts two up. First, the midfielder scored directly from a free-kick with 16 minutes on the clock. Then approaching the half hour mark Jebb’s delivery was met by Danny Leonard. Chelmsford City did breach the hosts defence with a Tom Blackwell consolation, the Clarets’ first goal at Princes Park after three previous blanks.

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Over the years Chelmsford City has been seen as one of Dartford’s bogey teams, at one stage the Darts recorded just one win in 15 attempts between 2001 and 2018. Now the tide has turned, at least at home, and having won 11 and drawn two of their last 14 league fixtures this term on their own patch, Dowson’s side can be hopeful of a positive result. Farnborough were the latest victims at Princes Park a fortnight ago with winger, Luke Coulson running the show and Harvey Bradbury scoring on debut.

The Darts made a bright start and on six minutes Statham poked the ball over the line from a Carruthers corner, the defender’s first goal since the derby day win at Ebbsfleet United. Corners caused problems for the visitors with Murtagh hitting the bar on twenty minutes and later Statham had what would have been his second ruled out for a foul. Coulson came out in the second half confidently and doubled the lead within five minutes of the restart by rounding Jack Turner and slotting into an empty net. With the Darts two up Dowson introduced Bradbury for his debut and it wasn’t long before the striker got off the mark. Harry Parsons who squandered several chances in first half scored a consolation for the visitors to deny Dartford another home clean sheet.

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Sam Odaudu returned after a long-term injury that had kept the defender out since Boxing Day. However, Jordan Wynter has been out injured after missing the draw at Hungerford Town as well. Tommy Block is yet to feature since joining the club due to injury and Charlie Sheringham is also recovering. Defender, Isaac Ogundere has been recalled by League Two side AFC Wimbledon after making five appearances for the Darts. Jernade Meade has been called up to the Montserrat international squad.

Dowson has strengthened the squad for the final stretch the campaign signing three players ahead of this weekend’s fixture. Former Sheffield Wednesday under 21, Bobby Dunn will bolster the midfield and came through Charlton Athletic’s academy. The youngster has also gained experience with Ramsgate and Sevenoaks Town in the Isthmian League. Emmanuel Adebowale and Richard Chin will provide extra options in defence for the Darts. Adebowale signs from League Two side Crawley Town and has already played in the National South on loan at Havant and Waterlooville and with Eastbourne Borough. Chin also came through Charlton Athletic’s ranks and has made five appearances for the Addicks before arriving at Princes Park on loan.

At the beginning of the month Chelmsford City were clinging onto the last playoff place, but three wins in their last four has moved them up to fourth and six points clear of eighth. The Clarets won their last game on the road, an Essex derby against Concord Rangers in which they came from behind to win 2-1. The Beachboys took an early lead through Mo Bettamer’s header, but two former Darts helped Chelmsford City earn all three points. Ody Alfa set up Michael Folivi for a first-half equaliser and Giovanni McGregor scored a rebound from Folivi’s saved penalty. Both players had short spells with the Darts with Alfa scoring once in 15 appearances last season and McGregor making just two appearances in the 2019/2020 campaign. A third former Dart was involved in defence, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb signed for the Clarets from Dulwich Hamlet after playing 19 times in a Dartford shirt during the 2020/2021 season. 

New signing James Blanchfield could have lined up against Dartford last weekend for Concord Rangers, but on the eve of the postponed match switched allegiances and joined rivals Chelmsford City. The midfielder was on the bench in the Clarets 4-2 victory over Worthing in the vital playoff six pointer. Meanwhile Robbie Simpson’s side were without Dave Winfield through suspension, he will finish his ban by missing out on Saturday as well. Once more Chelmsford City had to come from behind, but this time they did it twice. Ollie Pearce gave the Rebels the lead in the 11^th minute and again in first-half stoppage time. However, the Clarets pegged the visitors back on both occasions when Liam Trotter and then Folivi netted for the hosts. With seven to play Chelmsford City went in front for the first time as Arjanit Krasniqi scored a penalty. In the final minute Freddie Hockey sealed the deal to clinch all three points.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 41 / Chelmsford City wins: 56 / Draws: 23

Current League Form

Dartford (DWDLDW)			Chelmsford City (LDWLWW)
Farnborough	H	3-1	Worthing	H	4-2
Hungerford Town	A	1-1	Concord Rangers	A	2-1
Weymouth	A	1-3	Hampton & Richmond	A	1-2
Oxford City	H	0-0	Dulwich Hamlet	H	5-1
Slough Town	H	1-0	Eastbourne Borough	A	2-2
Braintree Town	A	1-1	Ebbsfleet United	H	0-1

Last Six Meetings

Chelmsford City 1 – 0 Dartford (03/12/2022 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Chelmsford City (15/03/2022 – National South)
Chelmsford City 0 – 0 Dartford (25/10/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City (06/10/2020 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Chelmsford City (14/03/2020 – National South)
Chelmsford City 4 – 0 Dartford (12/08/2019 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford are looking for a record fifth home win against Chelmsford City in a row having drawn two and lost seven of the previous nine home meetings
• The Darts have kept three clean sheets in their last four home matches versus the Clarets
• Dartford have kept five cleans sheets in their last seven league games at Princes Park

On This Day

Dartford are unbeaten in seven home games on this day winning their last outing at Princes Park against Bishop’s Stortford in 2016. Danny Harris, Keaton Wood and Tom Bradbrook all scored on Good Friday to wrap up a deserved victory. Dartford have won six, drawn four and lost one on their own patch on this day.  Only Tunbridge Wells Rangers have visited the Darts and come away with a win and that was way back in 1939. The last time Dartford played on 25 March it ended in defeat at Clarence Park where St Albans City won 1-0 in 2017.

League leaders Dartford face a tough away day in Saturday’s early kick off when they face fourth place Chelmsford City in the National South.

The Darts returned to the top of the table in their last outing with a victory over Concord Rangers. Although Alan Dowson’s side have played more games than their closest rivals, they have a one point advantage of Havant and Waterlooville and are three ahead of Ebbsfleet United. Chasing the leading pack, Chelmsford City make up the top four in the division after winning last weekend at Worthing.

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December and into the New Year will be a huge test to Dartford’s promotion credentials. After taking on Chelmsford City they will be up against Bath City before visiting second place Havant and Waterlooville, then the festive double header against league favourites and local rivals Ebbsfleet United. However, Robbie Simpson’s side stand in the way first and the Darts will be focused on this weekend’s game at the Melbourne Stadium where they picked up a point last season in a 0-0 draw. Dartford rarely return home with a victory and on previous trips to CM1 they have taken maximum points just once in their last eleven league outings there, back in 2015. Winless in their last five at Chelmsford City, the Darts have failed to score in four of those matches.

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Dartford put the disappointment of losing at Farnborough and Swindon Supermarine behind them by picking up four points from their last two matches. After conceding seven goals in those two away days, the trip to Oxford City tested the character of the side. Tom Bonner headed the Darts in front and Dowson’s men almost held on to all three points until Oxford City’s Canice Carroll equalised four minutes from time. Last weekend they hosted Concord Rangers with Dowson naming an unchanged side for the first time since August. The influential Samir Carruthers stood out again and opened the scoring in the first half to claim his ninth of the campaign. Prior the interval the visitors were level from the spot when Mo Bettamer made it 1-1. The Darts ran out winners in the second half with goals from Pierre Fonkeu and an own goal by Aron Pollock. The win also saw the return of midfielder, Luke Allen from off the bench who has been carrying an injury this season. Scorer of the second goal Fonkeu spoke to Dartford FC TV after the victory and said: “It was a really good performance from the team, we worked hard. After the last three games where we’ve struggled to get a win, it feels good to get back to winning ways”.

Assistant manager, Christian Jolley was also pleased with the performance and character the Dartford players showed, he added: “It was a great win, it was a good test. Concord Rangers came to Princes Park and made it difficult for us and had a lot of bodies behind the ball, so we had to be patient. The boys showed great character and good energy, especially off the back of Tuesday where we could have been a bit deflated after conceding after the 85^th minute, but we came into this game with good energy and the boys recovered well”. Looking towards this weekend’s clash with Chelmsford City, Jolley added: “They’re all big games, at the moment it’s so tight, especially the top end of the table. The league is not going to be dictated by one weekend, but it’s a big test. They are a good outfit and they are having a good spell at the moment. We’re going to have just focus and do our due diligence to make sure we know exactly what they are going to be doing and how we can set up and find a way to win at their place. 

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Only Ebbsfleet United and Havant and Waterlooville have lost fewer games in the National South than Chelmsford City making the Clarets difficult to beat. Robbie Simpson has steadily improved the Essex club’s fortunes since taking over in March last year. In the summer he signed former Dart, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb who will return to Princes Park after a spell with Dulwich Hamlet. Barnum-Bobb played 18 times for the Darts under Steve King. Another signing pre-season, Harry Lodovica scored the winner against Dartford last season for Braintree Town.

The Clarets began their campaign unbeaten in their opening six games providing a platform to build. They went another six without defeat following an entertaining 4-3 defeat at home to Havant and Waterlooville in September. On their own patch the Clarets won six out of eight before recently being held 0-0 by Dover Athletic and losing 2-0 to Hampton and Richmond Borough. However, they bounced back from defeat in their last game with an away victory over Worthing last weekend. Kai Yearn and Cameron James put Simpson’s side in command, but the deficit was halved before the break. The three points were wrapped up in the second half when Tom Blackwell tapped home a third.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 41 / Chelmsford City wins: 55 / Draws: 23

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWLDW)			Chelmsford City (LWWDLW)
Concord Rangers	H	3-1	Worthing	A	3-1
Oxford City	A	1-1	Hampton and Richmond	H	0-2
Farnborough	A	1-3	Dover Athletic	H	0-0
Braintree Town	H	4-1	Bath City	A	1-0
Welling United	H	5-1	Eastbourne Borough	H	5-0
Weymouth	H	3-0	Tonbridge Angels	A	0-1

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 2 – 1 Chelmsford City (15/03/2022 – National South)
Chelmsford City 0 – 0 Dartford (25/10/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City (06/10/2020 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Chelmsford City (14/03/2020 – National South)
Chelmsford City 4 – 0 Dartford (12/08/2019 – National South)
Chelmsford City 2 – 1 Dartford (09/01/2019 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford are on their best unbeaten run home and away (W3, D1) against Chelmsford City since a six game unbeaten spell between 2011 and 2016
• The Darts are winless in their last five trips to Chelmsford (D2, L3) and have only won twice in their last 13 away games against the Clarets (D4, L7)
• Keiran Murtagh made his 50th start for the Darts last weekend against Concord Rangers

On This Day

Dartford beat rivals Dover Athletic at Princes Park on this day in 2011. Adam Green’s first-half penalty was cancelled out by Augustin Battipiedi before Ryan Hayes and Elliot Bradbrook’s second-half goals earned the Darts bragging rights. Six years ago, two goals in four first-half minutes by Duane Ofori-Acheampong and Luke Wanadio helped the Darts to a 2-1 home win over Poole Town. On the road Dartford lost their last fixture on this day getting knocked out by Forest Green Rovers in a F.A Trophy replay in 2013. The last victory away from home came in 2002 when Dartford defeated Chatham Town 1-0 in the Southern League Division One East.

The Darts hope to return to winning ways against Chelmsford City at Princes Park on Tuesday night in the National South.

Dartford’s title aspirations took a massive blow on the weekend losing 4-2 at Chippenham Town. Although there is still a quarter of the season to go, the ten point deficit from top spot will be difficult to overturn, especially now the Darts have dropped to fifth place.

Steve King made another five changes to the line up that beat Dover Athletic 2-1 in the Kent Senior Cup a week ago. Jordan Wynter was selected for his 100th appearance in place of Kory Roberts. Whilst Ody Alfa, Kalvin Kalala, Jack Jebb and George Porter were also restored to the side having played in the 3-2 victory against Dorking Wanderers.

New striker, Jordan Greenidge had already made an impression with a brace in the the Kent Senior Cup win. He scored his third goal in just his second appearance to get the Darts off to a great start on seven minutes. Then four minutes after Kieran Murtagh was cautioned, the hosts equalised through Jordan Young. Before the interval Murtagh received a second yellow card and was sent off, the second red card in as many away games for the Darts.

Chippenham Town made the man advantage count in the second period. First, Young put the Bluebirds ahead, then Alefe Santos D’Abadia stretched the hosts lead. Ade Azeez gave Dartford hope by netting his first goal in 20 appearances, his last goals against the same opposition in November. However, Chippenham Town secured maximum points with a fourth scored by Joe Hanks.

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It’s a good job Steve King’s side remain unbeaten at Princes Park in the National South this term. If the title and automatic promotion remains out of reach then finishing second will guarantee home advantage in the playoffs. King will need to keep his team focussed on booking a playoff spot first, then aim for that runners up position to aid their attempt at promotion.

Standing in Dartford’s way this weekend is Chelmsford City and possibly two former players. Charlie Sheringham and Chez Isaac both had spells at Princes Park with different degrees of success. Sheringham had three spells with the Darts scoring 54 goals in 119 appearances, before joining the Clarets after an impressive loan spell. Chez Isaac spent just two months at Dartford in 2018 and made 12 appearances in that time, the midfielder moved to Chelmsford City where he has been ever since.

Since his appointment as Dartford boss, Steve King is unbeaten in his three previous matches against Chelmsford City, two of those games were at Princes Park. The first time King led the Darts out to take on the Clarets was almost two years to the day, the last fixture of the 2019/2020 campaign before the season was cut short. Dartford won 3-0 that day with goals from Josh Hill, Elliott Romain and Noor Husin. The two sides didn’t have to wait long for the next meeting as the fixture list threw the pair together on the opening day of the following season. This time the Darts won 1-0 with Ky Marsh-Brown scoring the only goal of the game. The reverse fixture this term ended 0-0 in Essex.

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The schedule hasn’t been kind to the Clarets over the last month. Dartford will be the fourth side in the top six to have faced Chelmsford City. In fact Robbie Simpson’s side has yet to taste a win against any team in the top seven with five draws, four one goal defeats and a 2-0 loss at Dorking Wanderers. Despite the number of losses and their current position, Chelmsford City are often competitive and difficult to overcome.

The Clarets under Simpson are down in the bottom five, but have one of the better goal differences in the lower half of the table. Victory for Chelmsford City could propel them up a few positions in the standings, however they have lost four on the bounce. On the weekend their latest reverse was against playoff contenders Eastbourne Borough. With the match heading for a goalless draw, goalkeeper Jacob Marsden put the ball in his own net whilst under pressure from Borough’s Charley Kendall.

Marsden has had two tough moments in his last two games, also conceding a penalty in the 2-1 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville. At home to Oxford City, the Clarets had Dara Dada sent off as they went on to lose 2-1 and before that Chelmsford City fell to Dorking Wanderers. The Clarets will visit Princes Park hoping to break their current poor run.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 40 / Chelmsford City wins: 55 / Draws: 23

Current League Form

Dartford (WWWLWL)			Chelmsford City (DWLLLL)
Chippenham Town	A	2-4	Eastbourne Borough	H	0-1
Dorking Wanderers	H	3-2	Havant and Waterlooville	A	1-2
Hungerford Town	A	1-2	Oxford City	H	1-2
Bath City	H	2-0	Dorking Wanderers	A	0-2
Havant and Waterlooville	A	1-0	Hampton & Richmond Borough	H	1-0
Welling United	H	4-2	Braintree Town	A	2-2

Previous Meetings (last six)

Chelmsford City 0 – 0 Dartford (25/10/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City (06/10/2020 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Chelmsford City (14/03/2020 – National South)
Chelmsford City 4 – 0 Dartford (12/08/2019 – National South)
Chelmsford City 2 – 1 Dartford (09/01/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City (07/08/2018 – National South)

Stats

• Dartford are 14 home league games unbeaten, the best from the beginning of a season since the 16 set in 1988/89 Southern Premier League.
• The Darts current unbeaten home league run is also the best run since the 15 at the end of 1995/96 Kent League season and into the start of 1996/97 Southern League South campaign.
• Dartford have won the last three home games against Chelmsford City. The Darts last won four home fixtures in a row against the Clarets between 1960 and 1965.
• The Darts have kept three consecutive clean sheets against Chelmsford City. A fourth match without conceding will be a record versus the Clarets.

On This Day

It was a great day for defenders on this day in 2008 when Dartford beat Enfield Town. Not only did the defence keep a clean sheet they were responsible for all three goals. John Guest, Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle all found the back of the net to claim Dartford’s last win on this day. Since then a 0-0 draw with Eastleigh (2011), a 1-1 draw with Cambridge United thanks to a last minute Alex Wall equaliser (2014) and a 2-1 loss against Maidenhead United (2016) means the Darts are winless in three on the 15 March. A 2-0 away victory over Welling United on this day in 1988 set up a Kent Senior Cup final with Maidstone United, the Darts claimed the cup beating the Stones 2-1.

Dartford return to a venue they haven’t visited in just over two years in a rare Monday night fixture at Chelmsford City.

Unbeaten in the National South so far with only two points dropped, the Darts will be determined to bounce back after their shock F.A Cup exit. On that same day, the Clarets were also knocked out of the competition to lower league opposition and have since been in league action against Oxford City just two days ago.

Steve King’s side have had longer to recover from the 3-1 loss at AFC Sudbury, but they arranged a friendly mid-week against Brentwood Town which ended 1-1. As well as a couple of triallists, academy player Gabriel Duo started, and latest signing Emmanuel Sonupe found the back of the net to add to his two London Senior Cup goals.

After a bit of time to reflect and being ‘hit hard’ by the cup defeat, King spoke to Dartford FC TV before the friendly and was pleased with the way his side dominated until key decisions went against the Darts. Captain Tom Bonner was sent off for a second caution despite appearing to win a clean header and AFC Sudbury’s equaliser didn’t appear to cross the line, he said: “It’s hit me hard, it’s hit me as hard as the playoff final to be honest because I hate unjust in life, some of the decisions contributed to us losing a football match. We were dominant in the first half; they didn’t really come out of their own half”. The Darts were unable to make their domination count and King recognised this, he commented: “A little bit of our play, the final bit wasn’t quite there, but we were dominant”.

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Craig King was selected in goal for the cup tie and so far, he has been restricted to cup matches this season. To get more game time he has joined up with Tyrique Hyde on loan at Hemel Hempstead Town until January, although Dartford do have a 24-hour call back option should they need to call upon the goalkeeper.

As Dartford boss, Steve King has yet to visit Chelmsford City so the last time the side travelled over the Thames to take on the Clarets, Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle were at the helm. It was not a day to remember for the Darts in August 2019 as they crashed to a 4-0 defeat. All the goals came in the second half with Chris Whelpdale scoring the opener before Jordan Wynter was sent off. Chelmsford City took full advantage of the extra man and goals from Sam Higgins, Jonny Giles and an own goal by former Claret, Josh Hill finished off the rout.

Since King has been in charge, Dartford have won both meetings at Princes Park without conceding a goal. On the opening day of last season Ky Marsh-Brown scored the only goal of the game to clinch victory, whilst in the previous campaign the Darts were a little more convincing. After a 3-0 win secured by goals from Hill, Elliott Romain and Noor Husin the regular season was halted due to the pandemic. The three-goal triumph highlighted how far Dartford had progressed under King in such a short space of time. As previously mentioned, the Darts lost the reverse fixture that season under King’s predecessors.

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Open “Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City | DFCTV Highlights 06/10/20” directly

Chelmsford City enter Monday night’s game having played on the weekend against Oxford City. Former Dartford striker, Charlie Sheringham was involved for the Clarets in their 1-1 draw. A last gasp equaliser from Adam Morgan rescued a point for the Essex club after falling behind mid-way through the first-half. This term Sheringham has been forming a partnership with the experienced Simeon Jackson, the former Gillingham and Norwich City forward made around 300 football league appearances. Sheringham enjoyed a loan spell with the Clarets whilst with the Darts and impressed enough for the Essex club to come calling again, this term he has netted seven times for his new club. As a former Dart, the striker scored a total of 54 goals in 119 appearances over a few spells with the club. Another former Dartford player in the Chelmsford City squad is midfielder Chez Isaac, he made 12 appearances for the Darts and has had limited game time this season with the Clarets.

Like Dartford, a managerial change has taken place at Chelmsford City since they last hosted the Darts. Rod Stringer was replaced by Robbie Simpson, who has the Clarets in sixteenth position, but without a home win in the National South this term. Defeats to Maidstone United and Dulwich Hamlet sandwiched draws with Ebbsfleet United and Dorking Wanderers leaving them waiting for their maiden home league victory. On the road, the Essex club have earned two wins and a draw as well as two defeats to leave them with nine from their opening nine games.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 40 / Chelmsford City wins: 55 / Draws: 22

Current League Form

Dartford (WWDWWW)			Chelmsford City (DLLWDD)
Hungerford Town	H	1-0	Oxford City	A	1-1
Welling United	A	6-0	Hampton & Richmond	A	2-4
Tonbridge Angels	H	1-1	Dulwich Hamlet	H	0-2
Bath City	A	3-1	Chippenham Town	A	3-2
Eastbourne Borough	H	3-1	Dorking Wanderers	H	2-2
Dulwich Hamlet	A	2-0	Ebbsfleet United	H	0-0

Previous Meetings

Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City (06/10/2020 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Chelmsford City (14/03/2020 – National South)
Chelmsford City 4 – 0 Dartford (12/08/2019 – National South)
Chelmsford City 2 – 1 Dartford (09/01/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Chelmsford City (07/08/2018 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Chelmsford City (10/02/2018 – National South)

Stats

• The Darts have won the last two meetings without conceding, both at home. The last time Dartford won three in a row against Chelmsford City was between 1992 and 1998.
• Dartford are winless in their last four visits to Chelmsford City and have won just two of their last 12 away from home against the Clarets in all competitions
• Chelmsford City have won seven of the last eleven meetings home and away

On This Day

It’s been 39 years since Dartford’s last victory on this day, a convincing 4-0 home win against Gosport Borough in the Southern Premier League. Three draws and three losses later and the Darts are still waiting to notch another triumph on 23 October. The last three outings have all been cup ties, a 4-1 defeat versus Forest Green Rovers in a F.A Cup fourth qualifying replay in 2012, a goaless draw in the 2010 F.A Cup run against Leiston and a 3-0 F.A Trophy loss to AFC Hornchurch in a first qualifying round replay back in 2007.

In the league, the last fixture on this day in 2004 ended with the Darts being held to a 1-1 draw with local rivals Erith and Belvedere in the Southern League Division One East. Five years earlier Bashley won 3-1 in the Southern League South and in 1993, Dartford recorded another 0-0 draw in the Kent League against Folkestone Invicta. Perhaps the most entertaining game came in 1926, Dartford drew 5-5 with Reading Reserves in the Southern League Eastern Section.