Tag: Chippenham Town

Dartford have the opportunity to close the gap on their opponents Chippenham Town on Tuesday night.

The Darts are just two places above the bottom four and four points behind the Bluebirds with a game in hand. However, Tony Burman’s side are also looking over their shoulder and hoping to put some distance between those below them in the table.

Dartford are on their worst league run in eight years and bottom of the form guide. Just six points above the relegation zone, the Darts need to turn recent improved performances into much needed points. Chippenham Town are not in the greatest form themselves. The Bluebirds have won one of their last eight and haven’t tasted victory on the road this year.

Tony Burman seems to be getting closer to his first points since returning to the dugout. In each of the three league games he has been in charge, the Darts have lost by a single goal. On the weekend it was Bath City’s turn to benefit. Burman made one change to his side that started the 2-1 reverse at Farnborough. In came new loan signing and familiar face Elliott Romain. The striker joins on loan from Isthmian Premier side Horsham to start his second spell with the Darts. Previously the 32-year-old scored 16 times in 45 appearances for Dartford before leaving in June 2020. The match was decided when goalkeeper, Billy Terrell made a mistake and despite Joash Nembhard’s effort to clear the ball off the line, Cody Cooke tucked home the ninth minute winner for Bath City.

Burman spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and said: “In the first half we wasn’t that great. We got caught on the ball trying to play out from the back. Bath should have increased their lead as we were not organised in the first half. We came out second half and had a great response from the players. I thought we put enough pressure on Bath to equalise”. The second-half provides optimism and with three struggling sides to play in the next their next four outings, the Darts will be hoping their luck will change. The Dartford boss added: “We need something to change and hopefully you can just believe and hope that things will go our way”.

After two difficult fixtures on the road, the Darts will be determined to make home advantage count and help them end their current run. At Princes Park they have drawn two and lost one of their previous three in the National South. Dartford’s last home win in the league was their joint biggest in the competition this season, against Torquay United in late November.

Victory on Tuesday night will complete a double over Chippenham Town. When the Darts travelled to Wiltshire in early October they beat the Bluebirds 4-1. Harvey Bradbury scored a couple of penalties to put Dartford in control at Hardenhuish Park. A third was added before half-time when Brandon Barzey was rewarded for his endeavour and his first goal for the club. Owen Windsor pulled a goal back, but Joshua Johnson sealed the win. Maxwell Statham was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.

Chippenham Town last visited Princes Park just over a year ago. Jack Smith scored and assisted for the hosts in a 2-0 win for the hosts. The midfielder opened the scoring in the second minute. Later on, Smith set up Luke Allen to put the game to bed.

The Bluebirds have failed to score in their last two outings. On the weekend they were beaten with a former Dart scoring the winner. Fifteen minutes from time Braintree Town grabbed the only goal of the game when Tom Blackwell’s corner was headed home by Baris Altintop.

Just over a week ago, Gary Horgan’s side were in Kent and went home with nothing to show. Kodi Lyons-Foster put Tonbridge Angels in front before Sean Shields added a second. Prior their two match losing streak, the Bluebirds beat Havant and Waterlooville and picked up creditable draws against Torquay United and Aveley.

Current League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Chippenham Town wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Last Six Meetings

Chippenham Town 1 – 4 Dartford (07/10/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Chippenham Town (11/02/2023 – National South)
Chippenham Town 2 – 1 Dartford (03/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 0 Chippenham Town (12/05/2022 – National South Playoff)*
Chippenham Town 4 – 2 Dartford (12/03/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 3 Chippenham Town (06/11/2021 – National South)
* Chippenham Town won 3-2 on penalties

Statistics

• Dartford’s clean sheet in the home fixture last season was their first against Chippenham Town since the first meeting in September 2017
• Dartford are unbeaten in three home league matches against the Bluebirds (W1, D2)
• In normal time the Darts have only lost once at Princes Park against the Wiltshire side (W2, D3). Chippenham Town added a penalty shoot-out win in May 2022 to their solitary league victory in April 2019
• Dartford last lost five league games in a row during the 2014/2015 National League campaign. The run started on Boxing Day 2014 until 17 January 2015.

On This Day

Dartford have won their last three league games on this day with the last coming 14 years ago. During the Isthmian Premier League title winning campaign, the Darts brushed Tonbridge Angels aside at Longmead. Ryan Johnson, Danny Harris, Elliot Bradbrook and Rob Haworth scored in a 4-1 win. In another title chasing season the Darts beat Crockenhill 1-0 in 1996, but ended up runners up of the Kent League on goal difference. The same end of season fate happened to Dartford in 1988. The Darts beat Shepshed Charterhouse 5-1 that year on 13 February and went on to finish second by four goals. Hopefully goal difference won’t be a factor this term.

Dartford return to action in the National South with a visit to Chippenham Town this weekend hoping to build on recent positive results.

Mounting pressure was eased towards the end of the month with a pair of victories in league and cup. Remaining calm and with the backing of the board, Dowson led the Darts to consecutive wins over Tonbridge Angels and Harrow Borough. September was also tough for Chippenham Town, who were without a win in that time until victory down in Devon in their previous outing.

Early F.A Cup exits meant both sides brought forward fixtures last weekend and came away triumphant. Following up a much-needed league win in the Kent derby against Tonbridge Angels, the Darts hosted Isthmian Premier League side Harrow Borough in the London Senior Cup. A week earlier, Paul Rooney netted his first for the club to score the decisive goal against the Angels and end a four-game losing streak. The Dartford boss made seven changes to that winning team in the county cup.

Goalkeeper, Tom Wray, defender Manny Adebowale and academy graduate Jayden Boulton were all given their first starts of the campaign. Maxwell Statham, who has been out for three and half weeks with injury and Tommy Block, a month returned to the side. Block managed 35 minutes of the first half before making way as a precaution. Former Crystal Palace under 18 midfielder Kevin Gonzalez made his debut and Jordan Wynter returned to the starting eleven. A dominant display ensured the Darts progressed to the next round despite the 1-0 scoreline courtesy of Henry Lukombo’s own goal.

Up into eight place and two points behind the playoff places, Chippenham Town took maximum points last Saturday in their trip to Plymouth to face Truro City. The Bluebirds welcomed Luke Haines back from suspension, but Tom Owen-Evans was not up to full fitness following a spell out injured. Matt McClure pulled out of the 4-1 F.A Cup defeat against Hungerford Town in the warmup three weeks ago, but the striker has made an impact since returning to the starting eleven. He scored twice as the Bluebirds won 2-0 against Truro City to claim their fourth league win of the season. McClure, now on five league goals for the campaign, also grabbed the opener in Chippenham Town’s 1-1 draw at Weymouth seven days earlier.

Dartford have lost on their last two visits to Hardenhuish Park having dropped just two points there previously. It’s a game that often brings goals going back to Dartford’s first trip to face Chippenham Town in Wiltshire back in January 2018. Alfie Pavey scored twice in a 2-2 draw that day as the spoils were shared. Sandwiched between a pair of 2-1 victories, in which goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim famously scored the winner in the first of those fixtures, the Darts claimed their biggest ever win against the Bluebirds when they won 5-1 with all the goals coming in the first-half. After four unbeaten matches on the road versus Chippenham Town, the run ended in March last year when the home side put four past Dartford in a 4-2 win. Incredibly the reverse fixture that season finished 3-3 at Princes Park.

Last season’s visit resulted in another 2-1 scoreline, this time in favour of the Bluebirds. A last-minute Jordan Young free-kick clinched three points for this weekend’s opponents, however the talking point came when Chippenham Town equalised before the break. Three defenders combined to give Dartford the lead, Connor Essam’s cross was knocked down by Tom Bonner for Maxwell Statham to nod home. Then the Bluebirds won a dubious penalty. Alefe Santos took the spot kick and a goalkeeping error from Joe Young saw Santos’ effort spilt before the keeper scrambled back to make a save, unfortunately the match officials ruled the ball over the line.

Current League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Chippenham Town wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 2 – 0 Chippenham Town (11/02/2023 – National South)
Chippenham Town 2 – 1 Dartford (03/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 0 Chippenham Town (12/05/2022 – National South Playoff)*
Chippenham Town 4 – 2 Dartford (12/03/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 3 Chippenham Town (06/11/2021 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (27/10/2020 – National South)
* Chippenham Town won 3-2 on penalties

Statistics

• Dartford have kept a clean sheet in each of their three victories this season
• The Darts have lost their last two visits to Chippenham Town, but were unbeaten in the previous four (W3, D1)
• This fixture at Hardenhuish Park has average 4.16 goals a game and no clean sheets. Dartford have netted 14 goals to Chippenham Town’s 11.
• Dartford’s clean sheet in the home fixture last season was their first against Chippenham Town since the first meeting in September 2017
• If featured, Maxwell Statham will make his 50th appearance for the Darts (46 starts, 3 substitute)

On This Day

Alfie Pavey, Elliot Bradbrook and Andy Pugh helped Dartford to victory on this day in 2017. The Darts beat Bognor Regis Town 3-1 at Princes Park to claim all three points. A crowd of over 5000 witnessed Dartford’s defeat at Bristol Rovers in the National League nine years ago, Matty Taylor scoring the only goal. In 2006, Dartford strolled to a comfortable 4-1 victory in the F.A Trophy preliminary round against Ilford. The last win on this day away from home came in 1989 when Dartford beat Cambridge City 2-1 in the Southern Premier League. Since then the Darts have drawn one and lost three in away games on 7 October.

Dartford are up against a recent bogey side when they host relegation threatened Chippenham Town in the National South this weekend.

The Darts have failed to beat the Bluebirds in their previous four attempts and have only won two of the last eight meetings. Dowson’s side ended a two-game losing streak in the league in their last National South outing by drawing in the Kent derby with Welling United. Chippenham Town are in the bottom four but have seen improved results since Boxing Day until defeat at home to Braintree Town last weekend.

When the two sides played earlier in the season, the Bluebirds recorded their second victory of the campaign at Hardenhuish Park. Three defenders combined for Dartford’s opener with Connor Essam sending in a cross to Tom Bonner who headed across goal for Maxwell Statham to nod in his first for the club. Just before the interval Alefe Santos won a penalty, then just about scored it. Goalkeeper, Joe Young spilt the ball before scrambling back to make a save, the match official decided the ball had crossed the line despite protests from the Dartford players. With the points looking like they will be shared the hosts won a free-kick in the final minute, Jordan Young scored to hand Chippenham Town all three points.

The Wiltshire club visited Princes Park on two occasions last term claiming a 3-3 draw in November 2021 before knocking the Darts out of the playoffs on penalties. Dartford came from behind to lead at the break, then twice gave up their advantage fifteen months ago. Dan Griffiths had the visitors in front until Ade Azeez equalised and Noor Husin put Dartford ahead. Ricky Aguiar hit back for the Bluebirds, but Azeez added his second. In the final minute Luke Russe levelled once more in an entertaining fixture. After a 4-2 away defeat four months later, the Darts faced Chippenham Town for a third time during the 2021/2022 campaign. The deadlock could not be broken in the playoff eliminator with neither side finding the back of the net. The tie went to penalties, which the Bluebirds won 3-2.

Azeez was heavily involved during Dartford’s last league match albeit for the opposition. The former striker hit the post in the first half before Welling United went in front through George Alexander. It took a while for the Darts to get going in the local derby and they were level when Charlie Sheringham scored. Azeez putt the hosts in front when his shot crashed down from the underside of the crossbar, the referee deciding the ball crossed the line. Dartford showed character to fight back again, this time Malachi Napa confidently finishing from a Samir Carruthers through ball. The draw ended a run of two consecutive league defeats for Dartford.

Dartford’s defence of the Kent Senior Cup ended on Tuesday night with a 2-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet United. The Darts were unable to make it three victories over their local rivals this season losing their first Kent Senior Cup match for four years, a run of eight games. Former Dart, Darren McQueen set up Shaq Coulthirst for the first and scored Fleet’s second before Jack Smith finished a well worked Dartford move. Dowson made many changes to give opportunities to academy players and those on the fringes of the first eleven.

Only Smith and Jamar Loza were retained in the starting lineup from the draw with Welling United. Luke Allen and Pierre Fonkeu both made appearances from the bench on Saturday and along with Keiran Murtagh started in the London Senior Cup a week earlier. Youngsters Tom Wray, Jude Russell and George Whitefield were also involved against Metropolitan Police and they were chosen by Dowson again. Obi Onyeagwara made his Dartford debut, the teenager has had previous experience with Stevenage and Biggleswade Town. Kristian Campbell and Alex Wall returned to starting eleven, the latter will miss the game against Chippenham Town as he serves the second of his three-match ban.

Dartford have used four goalkeepers in all competitions this term and welcome new signing Ben Dudzinski. The former Oxford City keeper was released by the club after making 80 appearances over three campaigns. Selected in the National South Team of the Year last season, the 27-year-old has also represented Hartlepool United, Havant and Waterlooville ad Sutton United. Dan Wilks has held down the number one jersey, but a spell out with injury saw Dowson use the loan market and bring in first, Joe Young then Archie Mair. Whilst Tom Wray has been preferred to start in the county cups as well as the F.A Trophy. Wilks has featured in the last six league games, but Dudzinski, who kept 13 clean sheets last season will provide competition.

Chippenham Town have lost just one of their last six, although half of those have been draws. Prior their current run they only picked up two points from a possible 30 and in that time they slipped from tenth to 22nd in the standings. Despite defeat to Braintree Town in their last outing, the Bluebirds have seen results improve. Former Dart, Alfie Pavey was involved in both of Jo Boachie’s goals as Braintree Town went in at half-time two up. The Bluebirds pulled a goal back when on his debut Owen Windsor scored two minutes from time.

Scoring goals has been an issue for Chippenham Town with just 23 in 25 games. Despite their lowly league position they have only conceded two more than the Darts. So it’s no wonder manager, Gary Horgan has recently signed two strikers. Windsor signed from West Bromwich Albion having had spells with Carlisle United, Newport County and Grimsby Town. The 21-year-old has also been loaned out to Taunton Town and Cirencester Town. Matt McClure won the National North golden boot two years ago, the former Maidstone United, Aldershot Town and Wycombe Wanderers striker joined from Gloucester City and made his home debut last weekend.

Leading up to the loss against the Iron, Chippenham Town earned away wins at Chelmsford City, a month ago and at Bath City on Boxing Day. They drew two more on their travels against Braintree Town and bottom of the table Hungerford Town. Saturday’s game was Chippenham Town’s first home match since New Year’s Day, in which they drew 0-0 with Bath City to begin the year. Home postponements during January means the Bluebirds have games in hand to try and gain enough points to get out of the relegation zone.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Chippenham Town wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Last Six Meetings

Chippenham Town 2 – 1 Dartford (03/09/2022 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 0 Chippenham Town (12/05/2022 – National South Playoff)*
Chippenham Town 4 – 2 Dartford (12/03/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 3 Chippenham Town (06/11/2021 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (27/10/2020 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 5 Dartford (01/02/2020 – National South)
* Chippenham Town won 3-2 on penalties

Statistics

• Dartford have drawn their last three home games with Chippenham Town in regular time and are winless in four.
• The Darts have only one once at Princes Park in this fixture, which was in the first ever meeting between the two sides.

On This Day

Dartford scored four times without reply down at Gosport Borough six years ago. Andy Pugh, Luke Wanadio, Keaton Wood and Kaka Dembele all scored in the National South fixture. The Darts have only won once on this day at home back in 1933 when they beat Aldershot Reserves 1-0 in the Southern League Eastern Section. Since then, Dartford have drawn one and lost three on their own patch with the last defeat coming in 2006 to Rothwell Town in the Southern League Division One East.

Dartford can make it back-to-back away wins when they go west again to face Chippenham Town this weekend in the National South.

The Darts have already beaten Bath City and lost to Taunton Town on their travels and now face the side that beat them in last season’s playoff eliminator. Chippenham Town took until the Bank Holiday weekend to score their first goal and have five points from as many games.

After a third consecutive 2-1 defeat on the weekend, at the hands of Worthing, the Darts bounced back on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Hemel Hempstead Town, the only time Dartford haven’t travelled over to the west side of the country for an away game this term. Dowson made two changes to the side that threw away a goal lead at home to Worthing, opting to bring Jordan Wynter and Keiran Murtagh back into the starting eleven.

Samir Carruthers has been an important player in midfield for the Darts this season and he scored twice against his previous club. Former Dartford goalkeeper, Craig King couldn’t stop the midfielder’s second-half double as the Darts picked up their third victory of the campaign. Early in the second-half, Carruthers delicately curled the ball into the top corner from just inside the box. Another followed, this time the 29-year-old scored directly from a free-kick bending the ball over the wall and in.

Speaking to Dartford FC TV after Monday’s game, Carruthers is confident in the side’s ability, he commented: “As long as we kept in the game in the first half, we knew our quality would come out in the second-half”, he continued: “We just need to have a bit more belief in ourselves. When we believe in ourselves and play football in the right way, defend, and work hard together we’re a good side. It will be difficult for a lot of teams to stop us”.

In both Bank Holiday weekend fixtures goalkeeper, Dan Wilks, Davide Rodari and Charlie Sheringham, who is yet to feature since his injury in pre-season have been sidelined. Dowson is confident Rodari and Sheringham could be ready as well as Alex Wall, who only played in the Worthing defeat. Sam Odaudu will be out for a couple of weeks; the midfielder is due an operation on his mouth.

Last season’s meetings provided 12 goals in the league before the 0-0 playoff tie, which ended in Chippenham Town winning on penalties at Princes Park. A Hardenhuish Park last time out, the Bluebirds ran out 4-2 winners. On loan Jordan Greenidge scored his first league goal for the Darts, but Jordan Young equalised. Just before the interval Kieran Murtagh received a second yellow card and was sent off. Young, then Alefe Santos D’Abadia stretched the hosts lead and whilst Ade Azeez gave Dartford hope, Joe Hanks sealed a home win for the Wiltshire side.

The reverse fixture at Princes Park earlier in the campaign saw the two sides shared the points in an entertaining 3-3 draw. Dan Griffiths put Chippenham Town in front, but his goal was cancelled out by Azeez and then Noor Husin added a second. Ricky Aguiar equalised for the Bluebirds, and it stayed level until Azeez looked like he’d won the match for the Darts, but in the final minute Luke Russe scored the leveller.

Chippenham Town started the season against the side who ended their last campaign. After beating the Darts in the playoff eliminator, the Bluebirds lost to Ebbsfleet United after extra time in May. Fast forward three months and they returned to Stonebridge Road and lost 3-0 in their opening game of the 2022/2023 season. After a couple of postponements, the Bluebirds waited a fortnight for their next game which ended 0-0 at Isthmian Premier League champions Worthing. A consecutive goalless draw in the rescheduled home game against Chelmsford City followed meaning Gary Horgan’s side had failed to score in a third match in a row.  

Finally, the Bluebirds found the back of the net after 347 minutes without a goal. Russe’s winner in the 77^th minute was enough to earn victory against Hungerford Town as Chippenham Town kept another home clean sheet. Back on the road on Monday, Chippenham Town were beaten 3-1 by Southern Premier South champions Taunton Town. This time Russe scored in his own net to give the Peacocks an advantage. Chippenham Town’s Caine Bradbury was introduced at half-time and after five minutes he made an impact with an equaliser. Parity didn’t last long because two minutes later, Taunton Town scored again through Jake Wannell, then Ollie Chamberlain put the game out of Chippenham Town’s reach.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Chippenham Town wins: 2 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 0 – 0 Chippenham Town (12/05/2022 – National South Playoff)*
Chippenham Town 4 – 2 Dartford (12/03/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 3 Chippenham Town (06/11/2021 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (27/10/2020 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 5 Dartford (01/02/2020 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Chippenham Town (26/10/2019 – National South)
* – Chippenham Town won 3-2 on penalties

Statistics

• The Darts have gone three games without victory against Chippenham Town
• Dartford were unbeaten in their first four visits to Hardenhuish Park (W3, D1), but lost away from home for the first time against the Bluebirds in their last trip there last season

On This Day

Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle suffered defeat in their last game in charge with the Darts three years ago. Dartford went to Tonbridge Angels and lost 3-2 despite equalising twice in the game. Josh Hill and Charlie Sheringham scored for the Darts, but two goals from Joe Turner and another by Tom Derry gave the Angels victory. The last league win on this day came in 1997 when Dartford beat Baldock Town 3-1 in the Southern League South. Since then the Darts have lost 3-1 to Boreham Wood in 2005, were beaten 3-2 at Basingstoke Town in 2011 and drew 0-0 with Maidenhead United in 2016. It’s not been a good day to travel for the Darts as they have won one (Wealdstone 2-0 in 1977), drawn one and lost eight of their away games on 3 September.

Dartford return to league action this weekend and are back on the road to face Chippenham Town in the National South.

The Darts are in a good position to challenge for promotion and after an outstanding display against league leaders Dorking Wanderers last weekend, Steve King has challenged his squad to maintain the levels of performance going into the last quarter of the campaign. Chippenham Town, just outside the playoff places are looking to pick up points to get themselves into the top seven.

King praised his whole team after beating Dorking Wanderers last Saturday and after George Porter grabbed a brace, the Darts boss claimed it was the midfielder’s best game in a Dartford shirt deserving of the man of the match award. Porter scored the first and last goal in the 3-2 victory, whilst the National South’s February Player of the Month, Marcus Dinanga scored the other. Dartford have a game in hand over last weekend’s opponents and rivals Maidstone United in second place and are currently seven points adrift leading into the last few months of the season.

Injury to loanee Junior Tiensia meant a debut for new loan signing Jayden Sweeney, who arrived from Leyton Orient before the Dorking Wanderers match. King was impressed with Sweeney on the weekend and the full back started again on Tuesday night against Dover Athletic in Kent Senior Cup. However, the headlines were written by Jordan Greenidge who scored twice on his debut to help the Darts into the next round to face Margate. The striker was released in January by Newport County and signed by Weymouth; his debut was against the Darts in the F.A Trophy. Greenidge opened his account after eighteen minutes and added a second with fifteen minutes to go. Midfielder, David Ijaha came off the bench to make an appearance after being out injured for the last eight months. Dover Athletic pulled a goal back, but it wasn’t enough for the National League’s bottom side and so it’s Dartford who progress in the competition they won in November.

This weekend, if the Darts can pick up maximum points, they could either pull away from Ebbsfleet United in fifth or move above Oxford City into third as the pair also play each other on Saturday. King’s side have clawed their way back in contention after five consecutive victories stretched an unbeaten run in the league to eight. However, the last away day put an end to their excellent form as the Darts fell to a 2-1 defeat at Hungerford Town, putting more pressure on the proceeding match against Dorking Wanderers. But once again Dartford proved they can bounce back and after two straight home wins in league and cup, the Darts face a tough away trip to Chippenham Town.

Four months ago, the sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Princes Park. Dartford came from behind to lead at the break, then twice gave up their advantage. Dan Griffiths put the visitors in front, but his goal was cancelled out by Ade Azeez. The now departed Noor Husin put Dartford in front before the interval and in the second-half Ricky Aguiar equalised again for the visitors. Azeez looked like he’d won the match for the Darts with thirteen to go, but in the final minute Luke Russe rescued a point for the Wiltshire club.

Dartford have always come away with something when visiting Hardenhuish Park. Their first trip to play Chippenham Town in January 2018 ended 2-2. Since then, the Darts have won all three visits scoring nine but have yet to keep a clean sheet. Last time out in Wiltshire, Moussa Bakayoko scored nine minutes into his Dartford debut and after Joe Hanks equalised, Tom Bonner netted the winner late in the second half. Just over two years ago the Darts ran out 5-1 winners with all the goals coming in the first half. Darren McQueen opened and closed the rout with goals in between from Liam Nash, Amrit Bansal-McNulty and an own goal. The first of the three victories in a row came in October 2018 when goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 triumph.

Chippenham Town’s playoff aspirations have faltered lately, and they have been consistent in their inconsistency this season with ten wins, draws and defeats. The Bluebirds are only four points away from seventh place, but winless in four National South games. During that spell the Wiltshire club have lost both away fixtures 1-0, first against Welling United at the beginning of the run and then on the weekend at Braintree Town. Their two outings between those defeats ended in 1-1 home draws against Eastbourne Borough then versus Hampton and Richmond Borough. On both occasions Chippenham Town took the lead only to concede late equalisers.

After defeat at Braintree Town, Cook called on his team to be more ruthless in front of goal, but he was pleased with the overall performance and the opportunities they created. Since the start of the year Chippenham Town have failed to score in half of their league games and when they have found the net on the three occasions in their last six outings, they have not scored more than once. Cook has added to his striking options to address the lack of goals. Mohammad Dabre has come in from Swindon Town on loan and Jordan Young has turned his loan into a permanent deal, signing from Gloucester City.

The Bluebirds have been difficult to beat against the top sides this term, picking up home wins against St Albans City and Dorking Wanderers. They have only lost twice to the current sides above them in the National South, but six of those eleven matches have ended in the points being shared including the draw at Princes Park in November.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Chippenham Town wins: 1 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Previous Meetings (last six)

Dartford 3 – 3 Chippenham Town (06/11/2021 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (27/10/2020 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 5 Dartford (01/02/2020 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Chippenham Town (26/10/2019 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Chippenham Town (13/04/2019 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (13/10/2018 – National South)

Stats

• The Darts are unbeaten in all four visits to Chippenham Town (W3, D1)
• In this fixture both teams have scored in six of the eight meetings. Both teams have only failed to net in one game each.
• This match as produced 16 goals in four games at Hardenhuish Park averaging four goals a game
• David Ijaha’s appearance on Tuesday night means Dartford have used 40 players in all competitions this season
• Jordan Wynter can make his 100th appearance for the Darts if selected. The versatile defender has made 90 starts and 9 substitute appearances scoring twice.

On This Day

It has been 25 years since Dartford last won on 12 March and that was a 1-0 victory against Buckingham Town in the Southern League South. That was the last triumph of five in a row on this day stretching back to 1983. The last two away wins on 8 March were both against Slade Green in the Kent League, the Darts won 1-0 in 1994 and 2-0 a year later. Dartford’s last outing on this day came moments after Steve King lost his job at Whitehawk six years ago. Interim manager Pablo Asensio had taken two games in charge before coming up against Dartford, but Burman’s side threw away a two goal lead courtesy of an Andy Pugh brace. Future Dart, Danny Mills scored a hat-trick as the Hawks came back to win 4-2. In 2011, Dartford drew 2-2 with Basingstoke Town at the Camrose, Ryan Hayes and Danny Harris scored the goals. One game to forget was in 2005 when Dartford lost 6-1 at home to Barking and East Ham United in the Southern League Division One East.

Dartford are back at home for the first time in almost a month when they host Chippenham Town on the weekend in the National South.

After starting the campaign on an eleven-game unbeaten run, which included ten wins, the Darts are four games without victory and have failed to score in their last three outings. It’s certainly Steve King’s biggest challenge this season as he aims to begin another positive sequence, starting against a team he faced in his first league game as a Dartford manager. 

King started league life with the Darts against Chippenham Town earning his first point as Dartford boss just over two years ago. A superb late Josh Hill goal rescued a point for the Darts against ten men. The defender was moved up front to try and impact the game and with three minutes remaining he cut inside and unleashed a curling shot into the top corner. The strike came a couple of minutes after Kieran Parselle was red carded for the visitors, the defender had given Chippenham Town a first-half lead.

Dartford also won the subsequent two meetings, both on their travels so are unbeaten against the Bluebirds under King. In the last meeting Moussa Bakayoko scored nine minutes into his Dartford debut with one of the best team goals scored by the Darts under Steve King, but Chippenham Town equalised through Joe Hanks. Another late goal settled the game, this time Tom Bonner sent the ball into the back of the net to earn a 2-1 victory. The previous trip to Hardenhuish Park was more comfortable for the Darts as they ran out 5-1 winners with all the goals coming in the first half. Darren McQueen opened and closed the rout with goals in between scored by Liam Nash, Amrit Bansal-McNulty before the midfielder was sent off in the second half and an own goal.

The Darts have good form over the Wiltshire club losing just once out of seven back in April 2019, when Chippenham Town came to Princes Park and won 1-0 thanks to an Adriel George tap in. It turned out to be Elliot Bradbrook’s final game for the Darts after a superb career with the club.

Over a month ago, the Darts would be quietly confident facing a mid-table side, but current form has resulted in their unbeaten league start ending with consecutive 1-0 losses to Dorking Wanderers on the weekend then Concord Rangers on Tuesday night. Prior the pair of defeats, the Darts were held 0-0 by ten men Chelmsford and went out to lower league side AFC Sudbury in the F.A Cup. Dartford’s last win was in fact in their last home fixture, a 1-0 triumph over Hungerford Town. But the goals have dried up, after 34 goals in their opening ten outings they have yielded just two in the last five.

Chippenham Town have been consistent in their results since promotion to the National South four years ago. Consecutive thirteenth place finishes followed by fourteenth, the Bluebirds were sixteenth when last season was halted and were matching their points per game from those previous three campaigns. Unsurprisingly the Wiltshire club are at it again in mid-table, clear from a battle at the bottom but not quite close enough to the playoffs.

However, Mike Cook’s side are winless in their last seven outings in all competitions after a bright start to their season. Chippenham Town won three, drew two and lost one of their opening six National South matches, since then they have picked up just three points from draws in their last six and lost to Isthmian South East side Hastings United in the third qualifying round of the F.A Cup.

Last weekend, Chippenham Town picked up a point at home to bottom of the table Braintree Town. Parselle put the Bluebirds ahead, but they were on the back foot in the second half and almost held out for a win until stoppage time when the Iron equalised. It was a second time in a week that Chippenham Town failed to beat a team at the bottom of the league on their own patch. The Bluebirds were beaten 2-1 by Hemel Hempstead Town, who had Dartford’s Tyrique Hyde in their starting eleven.

On their travels they have picked up points against Dulwich Hamlet, St Albans City, Eastbourne Borough and Hampton and Richmond Borough as well as victories over Concord Rangers and Slough Town. Out of the sixteen league goals scored this season they have been shared out with the experienced Marlon Jackson leading the way with three.

Both sides will be hoping to keep unbeaten runs alive with Dartford yet to taste defeat at Princes Park this season and Chippenham Town yet to lose on the road.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Chippenham Town wins: 1 / Draws: 2

Current League Form

Previous Meetings

Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (27/10/2020 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 5 Dartford (01/02/2020 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Chippenham Town (26/10/2019 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Chippenham Town (13/04/2019 – National South)
Chippenham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (13/10/2018 – National South)
Chippenham Town 2 – 2 Dartford (20/01/2018 – National South)

Stats

• Dartford’s only defeat against the Bluebirds was also the only time the Darts have failed to score in this fixture
• Both teams have kept just one clean sheet against each other in seven meetings
• Under Steve King, Dartford are on their longest streak without a goal. The Darts last failed to score in four consecutive matches in August 2018
• The Darts have never lost three consecutive games under King.

On This Day

Dartford were six minutes away from causing a memorable F.A Cup upset eleven years ago. Elliot Bradbrook headed the Darts ahead against League Two opposition Port Vale in the 39th minute. Tony Burman’s side were hanging on towards the end and when John McCombe equalised the tie needed a replay back at Vale Park, which the Darts lost 4-0. Three years earlier Dartford drew 0-0 with Edgware Town in the Isthmian Division One North, the only other time the Darts have not lost in their last six matches on 6 November. The last victory on this day was way back in 1984 when Dartford beat AP Leamington 2-0 in the Southern League Challenge Match.