Dartford will want to put the previous week behind them when they host Chichester City this weekend.
Away Day Discipline Costs Darts
The game took a turn before half-time when full back Sam Okoye was sent off for a second yellow card, his second dismissal this season and Dartford’s seventh. Then Matt Johnson put Billericay Town on level terms.
Billericay Town went in front through Elliot Long in the second half and with a man advantage the home side looked on course to inflict defeat on the Darts. However, former Dartford defender Jazzi Barnum-Bobb picked up his second caution of the evening and received his marching orders as well. The Blues sealed victory with a third when Long grabbed another in the closing stages.
In the Mix
At the top of the table daylight has appeared between the two frontrunners and the chasing pack. On Saturday, Dartford began the day in fourth and dropped to sixth. By Tuesday evening, the Darts climbed back into the playoffs even though they lost.
Not only did Dartford lose in midweek, but so did Chatham Town, Dulwich Hamlet and Cray Wanderers leaving those four sides and Aveley separated by three points. Whilst victories for teams in mid-table means there are just six points between third and twelfth.
Darts Denied Record
Last time Dartford hosted Chichester City they were bidding to set a new club record of 11 straight league wins. The Lillywhites were themselves in good form having won seven in a row during their debut Isthmian Premier campaign. So there was little surprise when this fixture finished level and the points were shared. With no goals to show, the Darts continued their unbeaten run. Chichester City were only one of two teams to have not been beaten by Pennock’s side in the league last term.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Debut Draw
In the first ever meeting between the two sides just over a year ago Dartford let a two goal lead slip. Olly Box opened the scoring, then an own goal from Ben Pashley doubled Dartford’s lead. In the second half the hosts fought back to earn a 2-2 draw. First, Ethan Prichard started the comeback, then Isaac Bello equalised.
A Difficult Time
It’s been emotional for Chichester City this season with the tragic loss of Billy Vigar in October. The striker will always be in the club’s thoughts and first team coach Danny Potter wants his side to draw inspiration from the time Vigar was at the club. The Chi boss has seen football as an outlet, rather than applying pressure to the players he is letting them play and allowing them to take things slowly.
False Position
A combination of time off and other opponents still in cup competitions means the Sussex club have played the fewest games in the league. Although Chichester City are down in 13th they have only lost twice in the Isthmian Premier. Based on their current record and if they make their games in hand count they can certainly be chasing a playoff place like last season.
City Comeback
Chichester City went into the break on Tuesday night a goal down against Whitehawk in a Sussex derby. The hosts conceded right before half-time when Charlie Lambert put the Hawks in front. However, the game changed momentum in six second half minutes. Potter’s side levelled through Emmett Dunn, Whitehawk’s Nathan Cooper was sent off, then Prichard scored what turned out to be the winner.
Trio of Draws
Prior Tuesday night’s game Chichester City were on a run of three consecutive draws. They fought back from two down at home versus Billericay Town with second half goals from Olly Munt and Lloyd Rowlatt. Ricay had led at the interval after Johnson scored the first and Pashley put through his own net. The next two outings resulted in 0-0 draws against playoff pushing sides Dulwich Hamlet and Cray Wanderers.
Assistant Manager’s View
Roland Edge was disappointed when Dartford were reduced to ten men on Tuesday night. He felt the game had been ‘a really good contest’ prior Okoye’s second yellow card. The assistant manager spoke to Dartford FC TV after the loss and said: “I think the referee’s decisions probably turn the game”. Despite the disadvantage Edge was pleased with the attitude of the players, he added: “The boys dug in. They worked really, really hard”.
Looking towards the weekend Edge expresses his sympathy for this Saturday’s visitors, but expects another tough match, he commented: “Chichester are a very good side, we drew with them twice last year. They have started fantastically this year and they had a really bad thing happen at Wingate. We all feel sorry for the club and the family”, he continued: “We know what’s coming to us on Saturday, a really good side. We just got to dust ourselves off, get our minds on that game and turn up and do our best”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
Sam Odaudu has been out of action for almost a month, but Pennock believes the full back is not far from a return. Sammie McLeod returned to training this week after his long term injury. Ben Frempah has not been named in the last few squads. Dean Nayler has been sidelined after a pre-season injury. Sam Okoye will be available this weekend before his suspension next week against Cray Valley Paper Mills.
Current League Form
| Dartford (WWWWLL) | Chichester City (LWDDDW) | ||||
| Billericay Town | A | 1-2 | Whitehawk | H | 2-1 |
| Wingate & Finchley | H | 1-2 | Cray Wanderers | A | 0-0 |
| Welling United | H | 3-1 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 0-0 |
| Cray Wanderers | A | 2-0 | Billericay Town | H | 2-2 |
| Potters Bar Town | H | 4-1 | Lewes | H | 3-0 |
| Whitehawk | H | 3-0 | Farnham Town (FAT) | H | 2-4 |
FAT – F.A Trophy
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 0 / Chichester City wins: 0 / Draws: 2
Previous Meetings
Dartford 0 – 0 Chichester City (11/02/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Chichester City 2 – 2 Dartford (26/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
- Dartford have scored in all 9 league games at Princes Park this season. On five occasions they have scored three or more.
- There have been 13 red cards involving Dartford games this season (7 for the Darts and 6 for their opponents). In three of those matches both sides have received a red card.
- The Darts have picked up six red cards from their seven away games in the league this term
- Dartford have gained 11 points from losing positions this season and dropped 14 points from winning positions (dropped six points in the previous two matches)
On This Day
Dartford’s last win on this day was against Burnham in 2003. The Southern League Division One East fixture finished 3-0 to the Darts. Since then, Dartford were beaten 3-2 by Sutton United in the Isthmian Premier. Danny Dafter and Rob Haworth scored in that meeting 17 years ago. In 2014, Harry Crawford struck an injury time equaliser at Princes Park versus Southport in the National League. The last home victory came way back in 1977 when the Darts defeated Medway 3-0 in the Kent Senior Cup first round.
