Tag: Dulwich Hamlet (Page 1 of 2)

Dartford have eight games remaining to secure a playoff place and they can edge closer to their target when they host relegation threatened Dulwich Hamlet this weekend.

Although the Darts are looking for more consistency they are still in a strong position. Occupying second place in the National South with games in hand over the chasing pack, Dartford have recorded just three victories in their last eleven league outings. Under their third manager of the season, Dulwich Hamlet slipped into the drop zone on the weekend even though they picked up a vital point.

In March the Darts dropped points against teams battling for survival, losing at Weymouth and drawing against Hungerford Town. This time they will want to get back to winning ways after defeat a week ago. Dartford will be hoping for a repeat of the reverse fixture at Champion Hill in October when they came from behind to win 2-1. Samir Carruthers returned to the team after serving a one match ban that day and made an impact. After Nana Owusu opened the scoring, Dartford managed to find themselves level by the break. Marvin Herschel won a penalty and up stepped Carruthers to equalise. A draw was looming until Charlie Sheringham was introduced, the striker netted a header six minutes from time to win it for the Darts.

Last time Dartford hosted Hamlet it ended in a 1-1 draw, and it was a returning player that put the London side in front. The Darts failed to defend a corner that was headed towards Tyrone Sterling, who shot past Dan Wilks.  The instinctive Jake Robinson rescued a point when he found himself unmarked at the far post, the striker’s initial shot was saved but he headed home the rebound.

Alan Dowson’s side have had a two week break after beating Farnborough at Princes Park, but they were unable to replicate that result against fellow playoff contenders Chelmsford City on Non-League Day. The Clarets left it late to gain ground on the Darts and move level with Oxford City, who drew at Dulwich Hamlet last weekend.

Connor Essam returned to the lineup in place of Keiran Murtagh and Sam Odaudu made his first start since Boxing Day, taking Jernade Meade’s place. Meade will be available again this weekend after his call up to the Montserrat national team. The new signings didn’t feature with Richard Chin being named on the substitute’s bench, whilst Bobby Dunn and Emmanuel Adebowale were not included in the matchday squad. However, Dowson told Dartford FC TV after the 2-1 loss that Chin and Dunn are likely to be involved against Dulwich Hamlet and Adebowale considered. Dartford were still without Jordan Wynter and Charlie Sheringham, whilst Essam was taken off in the second-half with cramp so should recover in time. Dowson also revealed this week that Tommy Block is not likely to feature this season after suffering a groin injury.

Dartford were undone by two former players and let a lead slip in the final seven minutes. Dowson felt his side created enough chances to win, but acknowledged the midfield needed to do better in possession. Two of those chances fell to Alex Wall in the first half, but the striker was unable to open the scoring. Likewise, Michael Folivi should have had the visitors in front afterwards. Moments later neat play by Carruthers and Jack Smith set up Luke Coulson who scored for a consecutive game. Chelmsford City applied plenty of pressure in the second-half and although Coulson hit the post, the Clarets made that pressure count late on. Ody Alfa hit an unstoppable strike to level and in injury time Giovanni McGregor curled in the winner.

The Darts will be hoping former players stay out of the headlines on Saturday. Six of Hamlet’s squad have played for Dartford in the past. Kristian Campbell, Sanchez Ming, Danny Mills and George Porter all started in the 2-2 draw against Oxford City, Ronnie Vint was a substitute, whilst Kalvin Kalala has a long-term injury after damaging his cruciate ligament earlier in the season.

Dulwich Hamlet sold out their home fixture on Non-League Day and rewarded their fans with a point against Oxford City. Manager, Hakan Hayrettin made five changes to the side that lost to champions elect Ebbsfleet United in the previous game. Debuts were handed to loanee David Stephens, who was signed from Boreham Wood and Deon Woodman who has joined on loan from Queens Park Rangers. Goalkeeper Aaron Jones, Andre Blackman and Michael Phillips also returned to the lineup. The first half may have ended goalless, but four goals arrived in an entertaining second-half. Oxford City took the lead through Olly Sanderson with a low shot into the corner. Former Dartford striker, Mills headed in the equaliser before Giovanni Crichlow’s long-range effort deceived the Oxford City goalkeeper. A clever turn and shot from Klaidi Lolos made sure the match ended all square with three minutes remaining.

The first draw under Hayrettin ended a losing streak of two matches. The latest Dulwich Hamlet boss won the National South title with Maidstone United last term, this time he’s attempting to keep Hamlet in the division. It’s been a difficult campaign for Dartford’s opponents with plenty of change in the dugout. In September, Gavin Rose left the club after 14 years in charge, the longest serving manager in Hamlets’ history. One win in the opening seven fixtures and four straight defeats later brought his tenure to an end. In stepped Paul Barnes and despite losing four of his first six league fixtures, Dulwich Hamlet’s improved form towards the tail end of 2022 put them in a better position. However, one point over a ten-game spell left Hamlet looking for another replacement. Hayrettin took charge a month ago and has picked up two wins and a draw in his first six league games in charge.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Last Six Meetings

Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 2 Dartford (08/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (08/01/2022 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 0 – 2 Dartford (28/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (25/01/2020 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 1 Dartford (07/12/2019 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 2 – 0 Dartford (02/03/2019 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten at home against Dulwich Hamlet (W3, D3)
• The Darts have lost just one of the last eight meetings versus the Hamlet (W4, D3)
• Dartford have won all eight homes games against sides currently in the bottom eleven

On This Day

Lee Noble scored twice as Dartford thrashed Woking 4-1 at Princes Park on this day in 2013. Nathan Collier broke the deadlock from 12 yards but Woking levelled as Jayden Stockley headed in. On the stroke of half-time Noble had the Darts in front and Sheringham added a third in the second-half. Noble completed the rout with an excellent long range free-kick. Famously that season the Darts beat Luton Town at Kenilworth Road. However, Dartford were unable to replicate that result against the Hatters at home just over 12 months later. On April Fools Day in 2014, Mikel Suarez opened the scoring for the Darts and after Kenny Clark was red carded, Luton Town scored twice in the final seven minutes through Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Andre Gray. Dartford’s last outing on this day was six years ago against Hemel Hempstead Town. Despite having a man advantage for the majority of the game the Darts let a lead slip twice in a 2-2 draw, Elliot Bradbrook and Luke Wanadio the goalscorers.

Dartford go back on the road to face some familiar faces this weekend when they make the short journey to Dulwich Hamlet.

The Darts moved into third place last Saturday after collecting a fourth consecutive league victory, their fifth in six outings. Hamlet are transitioning after a change in manager and just two wins in ten National South games.

After an inconsistent start to the campaign, which included five defeats in all competitions, manager Alan Dowson has turned Dartford’s form around to get his side into the playoff places. The latest triumph came at home against a difficult yet struggling Hungerford Town. Marvin Herschel scored his second in three league starts for the club, charging down a clearance from the goalkeeper and passing the ball into an empty net. Alex Wall silenced any critics with his first since re-joining the Darts to seal a 2-0 win with his well struck shot. The third straight home victory means Dartford have maximum points in their last four National South fixtures having also beaten Eastbourne Borough, Hampton and Richmond Borough and Kent rivals Dover Athletic.

Dartford coach, Martin Tyler was delighted with the reaction of his players to exiting the F.A Cup early, he spoke to Dartford FC TV and said: “After the Beckenham game we’ve had a few heart to hearts with the players and we’ve won three games. Admittedly all of them have been at home and not by extravagant margins, but it’s been a great response”. The Darts kept a first clean sheet at Princes Park this term and Tyler was keen to single out Jordan Wynter’s move from full back to defensive midfield as the cornerstone to Dartford’s improved defending.

Looking ahead to this weekend Tyler expects a tough challenge at Champion Hill when they face Dulwich Hamlet, he commented: “They are always competitive, they’ve had a change this season after a long period of stability. They’ve always put out competitive teams against us, so we will see what it’s now like. I would expect the same under the new regime, it’s a fine football club”. Midfielder, Samir Carruthers will be available after serving his one match ban for five cautions this season. Charlie Sheringham missed last weekend because of personal matters, so should be available on Saturday. Dan Wilks is recovering from his ankle injury, Sam Odaudu is getting closer to a return, whilst Luke Coulson was substituted against Hungerford Town after picking up an injury.

Over the last few years there have been plenty of connections between Dartford and Dulwich Hamlet. In fact, one of those connections scored in the corresponding fixture last season. Josh Hill smashed in the opening goal at Champion Hill in Dartford’s last visit there, the defender is now part of Hamlet’s squad. The 31-year-old made 66 appearances for the Darts scoring seven goals before moving to SE22. In that 2-0 win for Dartford, Tyrique Hyde scored the other, he also spent time at both clubs during his career to date. At Princes Park last season it was Tyrone Sterling, a former Dart who put Dulwich Hamlet in front. However, the match ended all square after Jake Robinson equalised.

As well as Hill, former Dartford academy graduate Ronnie Vint has been impressing at Champion Hill. The central defender spent nine years with Dartford’s senior team turning out 202 times, scoring 11 goals. George Porter made 37 appearances over two years contributing to six goals, Kalvin Kalala was also part of last season’s squad netting five goals in 26 appearances. Whilst Danny Mills has been with Hamlet for longer, joining the London based club in 2019 after a loan spell with Dartford in which he scored seven times in 26 appearances. Sanchez Ming takes the list of former players to six, the defender played 13 times under Steve King.

Since the former Dartford contingent signing in the summer, the boss that brought them to Dulwich has left. Gavin Rose’s contract wasn’t extended last month after taking charge of more than 550 games and winning two promotions in his 13 years with the club. His departure came with the club in 21^st place after a 3-1 defeat against Tonbridge Angels and fourth loss in a row. After winning on the opening day of the season and drawing the next two, Dulwich Hamlet lost six consecutive matches. The last of those losses saw new interim Head Coach, Paul Barnes take charge of his first league match for the club. Leading up to the defeat at Chippenham Town, Barnes had won two out of two in cup competitions.

Athletic Newham were beaten 5-2 in the London Senior Cup and a 2-1 F.A Cup win over Margate saw Hamlet into the third qualifying round which took place last weekend. Ahead of the cup tie versus Folkestone Invicta, Barnes did manage to record his first league win since taking over by beating newly promoted strugglers Cheshunt. However, his side ended up suffering a F.A Cup exit to the Isthmian Premier League side and last season’s Kent Senior Cup runners up. Former Hamlet man, Ade Yussuf scored the only goal of the game for Folkestone Invicta three minutes into the second half. That came after another ex-Dulwich player Nathan Green was sent off in the first half.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Current League Form

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (08/01/2022 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 0 – 2 Dartford (28/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (25/01/2020 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 1 Dartford (07/12/2019 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 2 – 0 Dartford (02/03/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (20/10/2018 – National South)

Statistics

• The Darts have lost just one of the last six meetings with the Hamlet (W3, D3)
• After losing on each of their first three visits to Champion Hill, Dartford are unbeaten in their last two there (W1, D1)
• Dartford have managed a four game winning streak in the league for a second time this calendar year. The Darts recorded five consecutive victories from 29 January to 19 February last season
• The Darts are on the longest current winning steak in the division, but need another five consecutive victories to match rivals Ebbsfleet United’s nine wins in a row from the start of the campaign.

On This Day

A brace from Duane Ofori-Acheampong rewarded the long travelling Dartford fans who witnessed a 5-0 victory on this day. The Darts beat Truro City down in Cornwall with Keaton Wood, Andy Pugh and Alex Brown also geting their names on the scoresheet. Matthew Godden scored five goals in nine appearances whilst on loan in 2013/14, one of his goals came in the 1-1 draw with Salisbury on this day in 2013. Godden went on to make it in the Football League with Peterborough United and is currently at Coventry City.

Dartford will want to extend their unbeaten home start in the National South to eight games on the weekend when they host Dulwich Hamlet.

The Darts have the only unbeaten home record in the division and will welcome valuable points after two disappointing Kent derby defeats and a draw against second from bottom Braintree Town on the road. Dulwich Hamlet on the other hand know victory will draw them level with Dartford in the league and a game in hand still to play, as fifth place takes on sixth.

Steve King’s side won the reverse fixture back in August with goals from Josh Hill and former Hamlet midfielder Tyrique Hyde. The 2-0 victory kept Dartford’s perfect start to the campaign with maximum points from their opening three games. The Hamlet included four former Darts in their starting eleven, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Tyrone Sterling, Giovanni McGregor and Darren McQueen, whilst Danny Mills was on the bench.

It was the second consecutive game in which Dartford beat this weekend’s opponents without conceding. The last time the two sides met at Princes Park, just over two years ago, McQueen scored the only goal of the game against his future employers. Previous home ties include a 2-1 win in October 2018, Jamie Philpot and Charlie Sheringham found the back of the net, and a 1-1 draw back in 2007 with Jay May scoring for the Darts. In the two other meetings, the 1996 F.A Trophy third qualifying round tie ended 0-0 and almost a century ago a friendly was won 3-1 by Dartford. Fortunes reverse when the Darts travel to SE22 with the victory in August their only one.

Dartford began 2022 with a 1-0 defeat at North Kent rivals Ebbsfleet United, leaving the Darts five points off the top with a game in hand. King opted to recall Ronnie Vint for his 200th game for the club, whilst Jordan Wynter and Michael Kedman made way for Josh Clarke and Jernade Meade. Also returning to the starting line up was Jack Jebb after his stunning last minute free-kick against Braintree Town, which earned a 2-2 draw. Danny Leonard was missing with Covid, whilst Josh Hill and Luke Allen remain long term absences through injury.

A second Kent derby loss in a row to start the New Year, after the 4-0 reverse at Maidstone United, left the Darts disappointed, King spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and commented: “We were the better side in terms of the chances we had, I thought we had the clear cut chances. Ebbsfleet looked pleasing on the eye, good on the ball, their rotations were good, their movement was good, they had good energy, but we didn’t deserve to lose that football match”.

King pointed out that one of the factors between the two sides was the difference in professional status giving their opponents a slight edge, he commented: “We only train for two to three hours a week, it showed for me in athleticism. We defended brilliantly, we changed the shape and to a man we were fantastic. The only real time they cut us open was when they scored”.

Dartford can now look forward to a run of home games starting with Dulwich Hamlet. King added: “We haven’t lost at home this season so it will be nice to try and get some points on the board. But, again you look at the games we have got, Ebbsfleet, Dulwich, Weymouth (in the F.A Trophy), it’s an unforgiving division”.

Dulwich Hamlet have recorded the same scores as the Darts over the last two games both against teams in a relegation battle, a 2-2 away draw with Tonbridge Angels was followed up by a 1-0 defeat at home to Welling United. A former Hamlet player came back to haunt his old side by netting the decisive goal, Dipo Akinyemi’s 56th minute strike was enough for the Wings. Those setbacks followed Hamlets excellent 5-2 victory over title chasing Ebbsfleet United in which Dulwich Hamlet came from behind twice. Sterling, McQueen and McGregor all scored and Mills grabbed an assist.

Gavin Rose’s side have only lost one game on the road in the National South and that was to Oxford City towards the end of November. The Hamlet have also scored the third most amount of goals in the division so certainly have enough firepower to challenge the Dartford defence. The London based club have had a steady campaign so far with notable wins against Hemel Hempstead Town which ended 6-0 and a pair of 4-3 victories over Hampton and Richmond Borough and St Albans City.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Previous Meetings (last six)

Dulwich Hamlet 0 – 2 Dartford (28/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (25/01/2020 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 1 Dartford (07/12/2019 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 2 – 0 Dartford (02/03/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (20/10/2018 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (31/03/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)

Stats

• Dartford are unbeaten in all five home games against Dulwich Hamlet (W3, D2)
• The Darts have conceded five at home this season in the National South, the fewest in the division
• Over the last eight league games Dartford are 15th in the form table and Dulwich Hamlet are fourth

On This Day

Dartford have played just once in the Princes Park era and that was at home against Thurrock in 2011. Lee Noble was welcomed back from his loan spell, but it was former Dart, Matt Bodkin who scored the winner. In the nine post World War two matches on this day, before that 1-0 loss, the Darts had won seven, drew one and lost one. In half of those games the Darts have scored four goals beating Lloyds Sittingbourne (1949), Tonbridge (1966), Worcester City (1972), Redditch United (1977) and an entertaining 4-4 draw with Tunbridge Wells in the Kent League back in 1996.