Tag: Concord Rangers

Concord Rangers v Dartford

Dartford aim to make their game in hand count against bottom side Concord Rangers on Thursday night as they push to secure second place.

The Darts can extend their lead over Oxford City and Chelmsford City to five points going into the final two games of the season with a consecutive away victory. Dartford put their away day troubles behind them on a weekend that saw the chasing sides pile on the pressure with victories of their own. Dowson’s men have failed to win back to back fixtures on the road since the purple patch in December and into January when they beat Havant and Waterlooville, champions Ebbsfleet United and Cheshunt. Concord Rangers will be on their third game of the week and after Tuesday night’s result have given themselves a glimmer of hope.

Dartford are guaranteed a playoff spot after ending their run of six away games without a win in the league by beating Tonbridge Angels on the weekend. The Darts have now gone unbeaten in Kent derbies after inflicting doubles over champions Ebbsfleet United, Dover Athletic and now Tonbridge Angels, picking up an astonishing 22 points from a maximum of 24, only Welling United managed to take anything from the Darts in the league. However, inconsistent form has seen Dartford alternate between winning and losing for the last seven matches and since the start of February they have not recorded consecutive wins, draws or losses. Heading towards the playoffs now is the time for Dowson and company to find consistency and build momentum.

Malachai Napa was given his first league start in nearly a month and rewarded Alan Dowson’s decision with the only goal of the game. The winger was one of four changes from the side that lost to Taunton Town a week ago. With four games in eight days, the Dartford boss shuffled his side by bringing in Napa, Sam Odaudu, Keiran Murtagh and Jack Smith for Jernade Meade, who has now served his one match suspension, Jordan Wynter, Bobby Dunn and Marvin Herschel.

Tonbridge Angels enjoyed most of the possession throughout the Kent derby, but resolute Dartford defending restricted the hosts. The decisive moment came in the 24th minute when goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski sent a long ball forward which fell to Napa. Breaking through the Angels backline the 23-year- old made sure the Darts took an important lead. Keeping out Tonbridge Angels secured three points and earned Dartford their first away clean sheet since August, a third on the road this season and first in 19 matches in all competitions.

Christian Jolley spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and commented: “I thought the boys were outstanding, to a man they were brilliant, it was a real squad performance. After the week we’ve had and the miles we’ve covered in regard to pitch action we thought it was a really important game to try and get a result. We had to do it differently by being patient and using our energy reserves wisely”.

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

Match Highlights – Concord Rangers v Dartford (02/11/2021) – Dartford FC TV

Last time Dartford travelled across the River Thames to take on the Beachboys they lost 1-0 on a cold November evening. Lemar Reynolds scored the decisive goal to separate the two teams. It was just as tight two months later when a goalless draw was played out at Princes Park.

However, the Darts got the better of Concord Rangers earlier this season thanks to the influential Samir Carruthers. The midfielder stood out and opened the scoring in the first half with a deflected effort, but Mo Bettamer levelled the score from the spot just before the break. A neat move in the second-half saw Pierre Fonkeu swivel and shoot beyond goalkeeper Mitch Beeney to regain Dartford’s lead. Maximum points were secured when Dan Wilks’ drop kick found its way to the edge of the Concord Rangers box. A lack of communication between Beeney and Aron Pollock led to the defender passing the ball into his own goal.

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

Match Highlights – Dartford v Concord Rangers (26/11/2022) – Dartford FC TV

If fit Alex Wall could face his former club, a team he helped reached the F.A Trophy final in May 2021 scoring the winner in the semi-final. The striker had two spells with the Beachboys scoring 32 goals in 53 games. Wall has been back training this week and so has well as Charlie Sheringham, so they could play a part against Concord Rangers. Dowson is also confident midfielder Samir Carruthers can make a return, whilst Jernade Meade returns from suspension. Former Dart, Ricky Modeste could feature for Concord Rangers, the winger only made three appearances for Dartford in the 2020/2021 campaign.

Concord Rangers have lost every game against sides in the top six and have picked up just one point from those in the current top ten. However on Tuesday night they faced a struggling Dover Athletic side a grabbed a crucial three points. Nana Kyei’s cross was finished by Lewis Manor in the only goal of the game leaving the Beachboys nine points from safety with five matches to go.

The heavy end of season schedule could play a huge part in whether the Essex club remain in the division. Last weekend they were comprehensively beaten away at Bath City losing 4-0. That defeat came after a relegation scrap with Hungerford Town in which Concord Rangers won 1-0, and victory over Dover Athletic was just their second in nine outings. The Beachboys need to cram in their final fixtures over the nine days remaining of the season and by the time they take on Dulwich Hamlet it could be a vital six pointer.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Concord Rangers wins: 4 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Dartford
(LWLWLW)
    Concord Rangers
(LLLWLW)
   
Tonbridge Angels A 1-0 Dover Athletic H 1-0
Taunton Town H 0-1 Bath City A 0-4
Dover Athletic H 2-1 Hungerford Town H 1-0
Eastbourne Borough A 1-2 St Albans City H 1-2
Dulwich Hamlet H 3-0 Worthing A 0-7
Chelmsford City H 1-2 Taunton Town  A 0-1

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/11/2022 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 0 Concord Rangers (25/01/2022 – National South)
Concord Rangers 1 – 0 Dartford (02/11/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Concord Rangers (21/12/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 0 – 2 Dartford (14/09/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/01/2019 – National South)

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just one of their last five trips to Concord Rangers (D2, L2).
  • The Darts have scored once in each of their last five away games.
  • Tom Bonner made his 450th start for Dartford in the win at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

On This Day

Dartford were defeated in the first leg of the Southern League Cup final on this day in 1988. The reliable Peter Taylor missed a penalty as Bromsgrove Rovers won 3-1 giving the Darts a mammoth task, only two teams had ever overturned a two goal deficit in the Southern League Cup final before. Six days later and despite another miss from the spot, Dartford won 3-0 in the second leg with goals from Garry Britnell, Kurt Davidson and Colin Johnson handing the cup to the Darts. It wasn’t so glorious in Dartford’s last away trip on 20 April, they lost 6-0 down in Eastbourne four years ago.

Dartford v Concord Rangers

Dartford a back in action at Princes Park this weekend when they host Concord Rangers in the National South.

It’s been three weeks since a home game for the Darts and after losing in their last league outing they picked up a draw on Tuesday night. Under a new manager Concord Rangers have started to pick up crucial points as they begin to move up the table.

Dartford went into the Oxford City game on Tuesday on the back of two defeats, in which they conceded seven goals. A 3-1 loss on the road at Farnborough was followed up by a cup upset against Swindon Supermarine in the F.A Trophy. After that 4-0 reverse to the Southern Premier South side, Alan Dowson and company travelled to Marsh Lane to face a team who had only lost once in the league at home.

The central defensive partnership of Connor Essam and Tom Bonner was reunited after a two game absence. It was the captain Bonner who headed the Darts in front in a well earned 1-1 draw. Dartford came close to returning home with all three points but were denied by Canice Carroll’s late equaliser three minutes from time. Dowson made five changes in total from the team that exited the F.A Trophy bringing in goalkeeper, Archie Mair on a months loan from Norwich City’s under 21 team. As well as Essam returning to the starting eleven, Keiran Murtagh, Samir Carruthers and Davide Rodari were back in the side. There was no Josh Johnson after completing a month of his loan and Joe Young who missed the Swindon Supermarine game on the weekend.

Dartford picked up just one point against Concord Rangers last term and that was at Princes Park in January. Despite Jake Robinson hitting the crossbar late on, the game ended 0-0 in Ronnie Vint’s last appearance for the Darts. Both meetings in 2021/2022 were close encounters and it was the Beachboys who came out on top at Thames Road just over a year ago. The match was settled when Lamar Reynolds scored the only goal just past the hour mark.

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

Match Highlights – Dartford v Concord Rangers (25/01/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Concord Rangers have improved over the last month since a change of manager. The Beachboys were down in 22nd when Chris Search departed having won only twice in the opening 14 fixtures. With eight points on the board, the Essex club felt it was time to make a change in the dugout. In came Rob Small who took Bowers and Pitsea from the Essex Senior League to the Isthmian Premier division and after losing his opener, the Beachboys have since gone unbeaten in the National South. Small had success in his eight years at Bowers and Pitsea and also took then to the F.A Cup first round for the first time ever losing narrowly to Lincoln City 1-0 at Sincil Bank. Small also took the Essex club to the semi-final of the F.A Vase in 2016.

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

Match Highlights – Concord Rangers v Dartford (02/11/2021) – Dartford FC TV

Unbeaten in the National South in their last four games, the Beachboys strung three consecutive wins together since a 3-0 defeat at Hampton and Richmond Borough. Concord Rangers won by the same score in the following match defeating Dover Athletic with goals from Ryan Blackman, Nana Kyei and Aron Pollock. Another three were netted at home versus Chippenham Town after falling behind at Thames Road. Alex Bray, Saleem Akanbi and Blackman were all on the scoresheet to pick up maximum points.

The last two league games for the Beachboys involved Kent sides Tonbridge Angels and Welling United. Ben Williamson scored the winning goal against the Angels in a 1-0 victory and four days later Concord Rangers drew with the Wings. With home advantage and playing 70 minutes with an extra man, the Beachboys were unable to take advantage of Welling United’s Sid Nelson’s sending off. Instead the visitors took the lead when Taylor Mahoney netted for the Kent side. Concord Rangers managed to get a grip on the game and were rewarded with an equaliser by Louis Ramsey.

Since then, Small’s side have been in cup action losing to lower league opposition Harrow Borough 4-2 in the F.A Trophy. The Southern Premier League South side caused an upset going three up inside the opening 35 minutes. Blackman scored in first-half stoppage time and when Harrison Day grabbed another for the Beachboys the comeback was on. However in the last minute Harrow Borough regained a two goal lead to send the Essex club out.

On Tuesday night they took on Aveley in the Essex Senior Cup, a team representing the Isthmian Premier League and were taken to penalties. After a 1-1 draw the Beachboys won the shootout 4-2. Former Dart midfielder D’Sean Theobalds was named on the bench, but ex Dartford winger Ricky Modeste was not included, the pair could return to Princes Park on the weekend. Theobalds played seven games under Steve King during last season and scored one goal, whilst Modeste signed in August 2020 and made only three appearances for the club.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Concord Rangers wins: 4 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Dartford
(DWWWLD)
    Concord Rangers
(LLWWWD)
   
Oxford City A 1-1 Welling United H 1-1
Farnborough A 1-3 Tonbridge Angels H 1-0
Braintree Town H 4-1 Chippenham Town H 3-1
Welling United H 5-1 Dover Athletic A 3-0
Weymouth H 3-0 Hampton and Richmond A 0-3
Slough Town A 2-1 Bath City H 0-2

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 0 – 0 Concord Rangers (25/01/2022 – National South)
Concord Rangers 1 – 0 Dartford (02/11/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Concord Rangers (21/12/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 0 – 2 Dartford (14/09/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/01/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 2 – 0 Dartford (14/08/2018 – National South)

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just one of their last seven games against Concord Rangers (D3, L3)
  • The Darts are winless in three at home versus the Beachboys (D2, L1)
  • Dartford have failed to score in their last three matches against Concord Rangers

On This Day

Elliot Bradbrook scored a F.A Trophy hat-trick on this day to send Dartford into round one. Weston-super-Mare took the lead through Bradley Ash, but before the break Andy Pugh levelled. Bradbrook put the Darts back in front and the tie could have turned after Tom Bonner was sent off. Ash converted the subsequent penalty equalising for the hosts. A replay would have been a good result with ten men, however Bradbrook had other ideas scoring twice to claim the match ball and a 4-2 victory. That win is Dartford’s only triumph on this day in the last six outings. Three years ago they went out at the same stage of the competition to local rivals Maidstone United in a replay. In the twelve home matches on 26 November, the Darts have won just three, 4-0 against Faversham in 1898, 3-2 versus Chelmsford City in 1960 and the last win at home came in 1988 when Dartford beat Worcester City 2-0.

Season Preview 2022/2023

Concord Rangers

It was always going to be difficult following the Concord Rangers side that finished in the playoffs in 2018/2019 or the team that reached the F.A Trophy final in the following campaign. Last season the Essex club returned to par compared to the seven years they have been in the National South. An inconsistent start, a barren spell then an upturn in form over March just about kept the Beachboys out of trouble. Home form was key last term with the best record of the teams outside the top seven. However, only Welling United had the worst defence and away record.

2021/2022 Season
National South: 14th
F.A Cup: 3rd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: Semi-Final
Top League Scorer: Danny Green (13 goals)

Manager – Chris Search

Concord Rangers promoted from within when they appointed Search as manager. Having worked closely with the first team when he oversaw the under 18’s side, the Beachboys decided he was the perfect fit for the club that had just seen their chairman step down. Search’s success at youth level was seen as a positive towards maintaining an identity for the club. It isn’t easy following in the footsteps of the Cowley brothers and Danny Scopes, who guided Concord Rangers to the F.A Trophy final. Yet in his first full season, Search was pretty much on course with the club’s previous finishes in the National South.

Summer Transfers

Transfers In Transfers Out
Melvin Minter (Chesterfield) Odei Martin (Canvey Island)
Ricky Modeste (Tonbridge Angels) Joe Payne (Cheshunt)
Teddy Perkins (Tonbridge Angels) Temi Babalola (Hampton & Richmond)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Concord Rangers wins: 4 / Draws: 4

Previous Matches (last six)

Dartford 0 – 0 Concord Rangers (25/01/2022 – National South)
Concord Rangers 1 – 0 Dartford (02/11/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Concord Rangers (21/12/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 0 – 2 Dartford (14/09/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/01/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 2 – 0 Dartford (14/08/2018 – National South)

Next Meetings

Dartford v Concord Rangers – 26/11/2022
Concord Rangers v Dartford – 18/03/2023

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just one of their last seven games against Concord Rangers (D3, L3)
  • The Darts are winless in three at home versus the Beachboys (D2, L1)
  • Dartford have failed to score in their last three matches against Concord Rangers

Match Highlights – 2021/2022

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

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

Dartford v Concord Rangers

Dartford are back in action under the Princes Park floodlights on Tuesday night when they host Concord Rangers in the National South.

Earlier in the season Dartford were beaten by the Beachboys, Lamar Reynolds scoring the decisive goal for the Essex side. It was the second straight 1-0 defeat against Concord Rangers after losing the last meeting between the two sides at Princes Park in December 2019. Joel Nouble netted from the spot and earlier in the match Dartford’s Elliott Romain missed a penalty. In their first seven matches against Concord Rangers, the Darts only once tasted defeat. In recent years the tables have turned, Dartford have won just one of the last five.

The Darts are five league games without victory matching the run towards the end of October through to mid November. With three points from the last 15 available, Dartford have slipped to fifth in the division and will be determined to pick up maximum points on Tuesday night. Concord Rangers made a steady start to their campaign, but the Essex club have won once in their last eight league outings picking up just one point in the last four matches.

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

Highlights of Dartford’s previous meeting against Concord Rangers this season – Dartford FC TV

Positively, Steve King’s side remain unbeaten at home with four victories and five draws, but they will be looking to turn single points into three, something they have failed to do in their last two league fixtures at home. The Darts came from behind against Dulwich Hamlet to rescue a draw just over a fortnight ago and on the weekend they went in front twice in the 2-2 draw with Hampton and Richmond Borough. Those stalemates sandwiched the F.A Trophy victory over National League side Weymouth to extend Dartford’s unbeaten run to three in all competitions.

Jake Robinson is the man in form at the moment with five goals in his last five league outings. His brace on Saturday took the striker to an impressive 14 goals in 15 appearances for the Darts this season, eight goals in nine in the National South. Despite his impressive tally, King commented in the local press last week his desire to bring in another forward. Ade Azeez is looking to break a run of eight games without a goal and Dan Roberts has managed only two league goals so far this season. Whilst Luke Wanadio has gone out on loan to Folkestone Invicta for a month, one appearance shy of a century for the Darts.

The departure of creative midfielder Noor Husin to Southend United prior the weekend allowed Luke Allen to return to action after a two month absence through injury. Danny Leonard also rejoined the starting eleven, the winger had missed four games last appearing in the F.A Trophy win over Cray Wanderers in which he scored. Dartford got off to a great start scoring after five minutes, Connor Essam headed the ball for Robinson to score. The Beavers equalised through Sam Deadfield, but Dartford were back in front with a carbon copy of the first goal, Essam to Robinson made it 2-1. Hampton and Richmond Borough were level again ten minutes into the second half, Jack McKnight converted a penalty, his second from the spot against the Darts after his winner for previous club Slough Town in October 2020.

Concord Rangers have lost their last two on the road and whilst they scored in both games they shipped in six. On the weekend they were beaten by Dulwich Hamlet with two late goals making the final score 4-1. Up until the final minute, the Beachboys were only a goal down after Danny Green scored from the spot, the winger’s seventh league goal of the campaign. Two former Darts, Giovanni McGregor and Danny Mills had earlier put Dulwich Hamlet in command and to secure victory for the Londoners, Ibra Sekajja grabbed an injury time brace at the end.

The Beachboys are now down in fifteenth place as one of four Essex clubs in the bottom six. Aside from the defeat at home to Chelmsford City, they did manage to earn five points over the festive period with a win and draw over Billericay Town and at the beginning of December they picked up a point at home to Braintree Town. However, the Beachboys have lost their last four in the league against sides outside of Essex going back two months. Since consecutive victories versus the Darts and Eastbourne Borough in November, they have been beaten by Bath City, Ebbsfleet United, Hampton and Richmond Borough and Dulwich Hamlet.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Concord Rangers wins: 4 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Dartford
(WLDLDD)
    Concord Rangers
(LWLDLL)
   
Hampton & Richmond H 2-2 Dulwich Hamlet A 1-4
Dulwich Hamlet H 1-1 Hampton & Richmond A 1-2
Ebbsfleet United A 0-1 Billericay Town H 0-0
Braintree Town A 2-2 Chelmsford City H 1-3
Maidstone United A 0-4 Billericay Town A 3-1
Billericay Town H 1-0 Ebbsfleet United A 1-2

Previous Meetings (last six)

Concord Rangers 1 – 0 Dartford (02/11/2021 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Concord Rangers (21/12/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 0 – 2 Dartford (14/09/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/01/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 2 – 0 Dartford (14/08/2018 – National South)
Concord Rangers 1 – 1 Dartford (06/01/2018 – National South)

Stats

  • Dartford are unbeaten in nine home league games (W5, D4), their best run since ten unbeaten from December 2018 to March 2019 (W6, D4)
  • In the last five matches that resulted in a win in this fixture, the victorious team has kept a clean sheet
  • Since being appointed Dartford boss, Steve King has never gone six league games without victory or drawn three consecutive games in the National South

On This Day

Unbeaten in their last three games on 25 January, all at home, Dartford beat Dulwich Hamlet 1-0 two years ago with a goal from Darren McQueen. In recent times the stand out game was a classic 3-3 draw with Cambridge United in 2014. The Darts found themselves two down after 16 minutes when Ryan Bird scored a brace on his debut. However, the hosts turned the match around and went in front after Elliot Brabrook netted a penalty then Max Cornhill equalised in first half stoppage time. The Darts took the lead through Danny Harris and were left hanging on towards the end. Ashley Chambers had his penalty saved by Dartford goalkeeper Alan Julian before Luke Berry levelled. Three years earlier the Darts won 2-0 in the Kent Senior Cup first round, on the way to winning the competition. Harris and Charlie Sheringham scored the goals to take the hosts through against Tonbridge Angels.

Concord Rangers v Dartford

A lot has changed since Dartford last played Concord Rangers at Thames Road just over two years ago. On Tuesday night Steve King’s side are back across the bridge to take on the Beachboys. 

With last season unfinished and declared null and void, the two sides were unable to fulfill this fixture which was due to take place in March and May respectively. Since their previous meeting Steve King has turned Dartford’s fortunes around, whilst Danny Scopes led Concord Rangers to a F.A Trophy final before leaving the club. Now the Beachboys have Chris Search in charge of chasing a playoff place.

The Darts will be looking to recover after seeing their unbeaten league record come to an end on the weekend. Dartford were beaten by Dorking Wanderers which saw the advantage at the top reduced to just one point. After scoring 21 goals in the opening seven league games, Dartford have mustered just one in their last three, failing to score in their last two. It’s the first time in King’s era that the Darts have failed to score in consecutive league games.

A major talking point in the loss was whether Stuart Nelson should have stayed on the pitch, the Wanderers goalkeeper went wandering, handling the ball outside of his penalty area. Denying a goal scoring opportunity Nelson was fortunate to continue, which left King bemused, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and said: “When there is not a lot in it you need the big decisions to go your way. Their keeper should have been sent off midway through the first half. He comes out, handballs it, Michael (Kedman) is going to put it into an empty net”. As well as that decision, Ade Azeez had the best chance of the game, the Dartford striker hitting the post. Instead, as the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, Keiran Murtagh’s attempted clearance hit the unlucky Jordan Wynter to hand the home team victory.

Over the last three games a number of calls have gone against the Darts, Tom Bonner’s red card at AFC Sudbury and their free-kick that didn’t cross the line, Azeez’s disallowed goal at Chelmsford City and the incident at Dorking Wanderers. Despite the decisions, the Darts have found it difficult to breakdown these teams in recent weeks, but they are still top of the table with the fourth best average goals per game and have the tightest defence in the division. King commented: “It’s still a great start, but we have to pick ourselves back up”.

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

Steve King’s post match interview after the Dorking Wanderers defeat is available on Dartford FC TV

Concord Rangers started their campaign brightly with three victories in their first five games and King expects Tuesday night’s match to be challenging, he explained: “It’s a good opportunity, but we have to mindful as they are a good side. They beat Dorking already, they’ve beaten some good sides. They are top half of the table this year, so we’re in for another tough game”.

Since then the Beachboys form has dipped with just one league win in six. The goals against column has also been racking up with heavy defeats against Hungerford Town and Havant and Waterlooville, but on the weekend the Beachboys managed to stop the rot with a 1-1 draw versus Slough Town. A last minute equaliser from Danny Green rescued a point for the Essex club after they fell behind to a first-half goal. Manager, Chris Search was pleased with the character shown by his players and felt his side dominated the second-half to deserve at least a point.

Less than half of the current squad made an appearance in Dartford’s last trip to Concord Rangers. Jordan Wynter, Josh Hill, Luke Allen all started as well as Ronnie Vint, who is currently out on loan at Dulwich Hamlet and Luke Wanadio came off the bench in the 2-0 victory. Last week, Charlie Sheringham was lining up against the Darts for Chelmsford City, the striker opened the scoring against Concord Rangers in that win and Alex Flisher added a second. The away triumph in November 2019 was the first at Thames Road since 2015, when the Darts came from two goals down to win 3-2. Andy Pugh pulled a goal back in the second half and went on to equalise with five minutes to go, then Tom Bradbrook scored a last-minute winner on a dramatic night. In the three trips to Concord Rangers between the pair of wins, the Darts drew 1-1 twice and lost 2-0.

The Essex club did claim victory the last time the two met back in December 2019, coming away from Princes Park with a 1-0 win. The National South fixture was defined by two penalties, first Elliott Romain missed for the Darts and in second half, Joel Nouble scored from the spot for Concord Rangers. The Beachboys claiming only their third triumph over the Darts in eleven attempts. 

Over recent years various personnel have represented both the Darts and Concord Rangers and at the start of the 2018/2019 campaign two current players were donning the oppositions shirt. Dartford defender, Connor Essam spent a loan spell with the Beachboys whilst at Dover Athletic and made 24 appearances for the Essex club. In that same campaign Billy Roast started with Dartford and made just four starts and three substitute appearances before leaving in September 2019, the defender re-joined Concord Rangers in June 2019.

A win for Dartford will extend their lead to four points ahead of the home fixture against Chippenham Town on Saturday.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Concord Rangers wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Dartford
(LDWWDW)
    Concord Rangers
(DLLWLD)
   
Dorking Wanderers A 0-1 Slough Town A 1-1
Chelmsford City A 0-0 Hungerford Town H 1-4
Hungerford Town H 1-0 Havant and Waterlooville A 2-5
Welling United A 6-0 Tonbridge Angels A 3-2
Tonbridge Angels H 1-1 Chippenham Town H 0-3
Bath City A 3-1 Maidstone United A 2-2

Previous Meetings

Dartford 0 – 1 Concord Rangers (21/12/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 0 – 2 Dartford (14/09/2019 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Concord Rangers (26/01/2019 – National South)
Concord Rangers 2 – 0 Dartford (14/08/2018 – National South)
Concord Rangers 1 – 1 Dartford (06/01/2018 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Concord Rangers (15/08/2017 – National South)

Stats

  • Dartford have won just one of the last five against Concord Rangers, drawing two and losing the other two
  • In the last four matches that resulted in a win, the victorious team has kept a clean sheet
  • The Darts won the first two meetings versus the Beachboys, since then the honours have been shared with three wins each and three draws
  • Dartford last failed to score in three consecutive league games in August 2018 when they didn’t score for four matches.

On This Day

Steve King recorded his first victory as Dartford boss two years ago. After a F.A Cup loss to Kingstonian and a draw with Chippenham Town, King got off the mark with a 2-0 away win at Eastbourne Borough. Goals from Norman Wabo and Elliott Romain made sure of King’s maiden victory in the National South fixture. Eight of Dartford’s last ten games on this day have been away from home with the most recent a 1-0 defeat against Forest Green Rovers in the National League back in 2013. On two occasions, the Darts progressed to the first round of the F.A Cup by beating Boreham Wood at home 2-1 in a replay in 1982 and defeating Guildford 1-0 in 1968. In 1996, the Darts recorded their second biggest win on this day when they won 4-0 against Fleet Town in a Southern League Southern Division fixture. The Darts’ biggest victory on 2 November was a 6-1 triumph over Northampton Town Reserves during the 1929 Southern League East campaign.