Tag: Farnborough

Dartford have the chance to move above Farnborough this weekend in their National South fixture at Cherrywood Road.

A win will alleviate some of the recent pressure on the Darts who find themselves seven points clear of the relegation places. Tony Burman’s first league game back in charge last Saturday ended in defeat. However, his team responded in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night by booking a place in the semi-finals. Farnborough are two points and a place ahead of Dartford and were beaten for a fourth consecutive match in their previous outing.

Dartford were second best when they visited Cherrywood Road last season. Boro took the lead after Hisham Kasimu got the better of Jordan Wynter and finished a one on one with Joe Young in goal. Johnathon Page netted from close range to double the lead. Kristian Campbell scored a header to halve the deficit. However, Farnborough made sure of maximum points when Ollie Pendleberry scored a brilliant free-kick.

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In August the two sides met at Princes Park and the Darts came agonisingly close to victory. Former Dartford striker, Alfie Pavey converted a late penalty as the spoils were shared. The deadlock was broken in the 75^th minute with Maxwell Statham scoring at the far post. In stoppage time Brandon Barzey conceded a penalty and the composed Pavey levelled the match. This time Pavey will not be facing his former side as he has since left Farnborough.

Harvey Bradbury and Taylor Maloney featured six months ago and were lining up on opposite sides. Bradbury scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for the Darts before his move to Hampshire last month. Maloney made his debut in Dartford’s 1-0 defeat at home to Weymouth. The 25-year-old came on to replace Barzey, who picked up a hamstring injury. Maloney made his first start on Tuesday night in the 3-2 victory over Sevenoaks Town.

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Burman made seven changes for the Kent Senior Cup quarter-final in mid-week. Tommy Block made a return from a long-term absence that has kept him out since October. Having been on compassionate leave, Charlie Sheringham also made a start. Academy graduate, Olly Box was named in the starting eleven for the first time and celebrated with his first goal for the club. Another player to open his goalscoring account was Manny Adebowale, whilst Luke Coulson netted his eighth of the season.

Bromley’s recall of on loan striker George Alexander leaves Burman with two recognised strikers in the squad. Alexander scored two goals in ten games for the Darts. However, the Dartford boss was impressed by Sevenoaks Town’s Fumnaya Shomotun in the county cup tie on Tuesday and decided to sign the attacking midfielder. Shomotun came through the Brentford and then Barnet academies before moving around various non-league clubs. The 26-year-old settled at Sevenoaks Town making over 50 appearances for them since joining in the early part of the 2022/2023 campaign.

Farnborough have been on the slide recently tasting their last victory on Boxing Day. Spencer Day’s side beat bottom of the table Havant and Waterlooville 1-0 to end the day in eighth place and just a couple of points off the playoffs. Now Boro are searching for their first points of 2024 having fallen to a 4-2 defeat in the reverse fixture against the Hawks, then losing three consecutive games 2-1 at the hands of St Albans City, Hemel Hempstead Town and last weekend relegation threatened Eastbourne Borough.

Despite the slump in form, Farnborough have only lost twice in the league on home soil. Boro were unbeaten in their opening nine fixtures at Cherrywood Road picking up six wins and three draws until defeat against Worthing. Their last three games as hosts have seen the Hampshire side win, lose and draw.

Current League Form

Dartford (LWDDLL)			Farnborough (WWLLLL)
Weymouth	H	0-1	Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2
Maidstone United	A	1-2	Hemel Hempstead	A	1-2
Weston-super-Mare	A	2-2	St Albans City	A	1-2
Welling United	H	1-1	Havant & Waterlooville	H	2-4
Welling United	A	1-0	Havant & Waterlooville	A	1-0
St Albans City	H	0-3	Braintree Town	H	1-0

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Farnborough wins: 5 / Draws: 3

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 1 Farnborough (19/08/2023 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Farnborough (11/03/2023 – National South)
Farnborough 3 – 1 Dartford (12/11/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Farnborough (10/03/2012 – National South)
Farnborough 1 – 2 Dartford (17/09/2011 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Farnborough (22/01/2011 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford have won one of their last eight league fixtures (D3, L4)
• The Darts have won four of the last six league games against Farnborough. Last season’s away defeat their only loss in that time.
• Dartford’s only away league win against Farnborough came in 2011 (D1, L2)
• In this fixture, both sides have scored in ten of the 12 previous meetings. The Darts last kept a clean sheet against Boro in March 2012. Farnborough’s only clean sheet was in September 1995.

On This Day

Dartford do not travel well on 3 February having lost six out of eight on this day. The only times the Darts avoided defeat was a 1-1 draw at Burton Albion 34 years ago in the Southern Premier League. The other was an abandoned game at Barry Town in 1962. Dartford’s last humbling on 3 February was in 2018 when they lost 4-0 to St Albans City, still that was better than the 10-0 defeat to New Brompton (now Gillingham) in 1897. It’s not all bad though, Dartford have only lost twice in their previous nine outings on this day with the last victory coming in 1996 at home against Herne Bay. Nine years on from the heavy loss to New Brompton, the Darts also hit double figures in a 10-0 win versus Prices Athletic in the Dartford and District League First Division.

Dartford hope to claim their first win of the season when they host Farnborough this weekend.

The Darts have drawn both of their home games so far picking up just two points from the opening three fixtures. Whilst Farnborough recorded their first victory of the campaign on Tuesday night.

Last season’s fixture at Princes Park saw Harvey Bradbury score on his debut in a 3-1 win back in March. Maxwell Statham got Dartford off to a great start by poking the ball over the line for the opener. The defender almost added a second later on, however his effort was ruled out for offside. Coulson started to run the show and in the second-half doubled the lead. After Bradbury was introduced as a substitute, the striker added a third. Farnborough managed a consolation when Harry Parsons pulled a goal back.

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The Darts were involved in an entertaining six goal thriller on the opening day. Squandering the lead twice against Bath City left Alan Dowson disappointed with just a point, but pleased with his side’s attacking intent. However, defensively the Dartford boss has been unhappy with individual errors. That led to a 3-3 draw and goalkeeper Mitch Beeney being dropped for new loan signing Jack McIntyre. Central defence was also strenghtened with James Golding arriving from Oxford United. Although goals were at a premium against Weymouth, the Darts still fell to a 1-0 defeat, another mistake proving costly.

On Tuesday night Bradbury found the back of the net again. His goal wasn’t enough as a late Hampton and Richmond Borough equaliser denied the Darts maximum points. Dowson made one change to the starting lineup bringing back Baris Altintop. Jordan Wynter dropped to the bench, but it wasn’t long before he made his 150th appearance for the club. Sam Odaudu was substituted with an injury in the first half and replaced by Wynter. Despite the setback the hosts were ahead after Tommy Block’s cross was headed home by Bradbury. The striker has now scored seven goals in 13 appearances for the club. With eight minutes remaining Dean Inman levelled for the Beavers. Dartford were reduced to ten men when former Hampton and Richmond Borough winger Brandon Barzey was sent off.

Summer signing Paul Rooney has yet to make his debut after serving a three match ban. The former Havant and Waterlooville man picked up a suspension after an incident at his former club. He was shown a red card in Dartford’s first pre-season friendly against Charlton Athletic. Dowson will have to assess the extent of Odaudu’s injury ahead of this weekend’s fixture.

Farnborough finished in a respectable 12th place last term after winning promotion back to the National South. Although they have lost last season’s top scorer Mason Bloomfield they signed former Dart, Alfie Pavey. Boro’s new striker scored the club’s first of the campaign when he nodded in the opener against Eastbourne Borough. Pavey’s goal was cancelled out by Stefan Vukoje in a 1-1 draw. Spencer Day’s side earned their first point after losing 1-0 on the opening day versus Chelmsford City. Pavey scored 29 times in 58 appearances for the Darts winning the golden boot in 2017/2018.

On Tuesday night Pavey scored another making it two for the season. He gave Boro the lead against Hemel Hempstead Town. The hosts were pegged back before the interval after Arnit Krasniqi scored from long range. Manager Spencer Day decided to start with Connor Cullen. His selection was justified when the forward won the game with a header.

Current Form

Dartford (DLD)			Farnborough (LDW)
Hampton & Richmond Borough	H	1-1	Hemel Hempstead Town	H	2-1
Weymouth	A	0-1	Eastbourne Borough	H	1-1
Bath City	H	3-3	Chelmsford City	A	0-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Farnborough wins: 5 / Draws: 2

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 1 Farnborough (11/03/2023 – National South)
Farnborough 3 – 1 Dartford (12/11/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Farnborough (10/03/2012 – National South)
Farnborough 1 – 2 Dartford (17/09/2011 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Farnborough (22/01/2011 – National South)
Farnborough 2 – 1 Dartford (21/08/2010 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford have won four of the last five league games against Farnborough. Last season’s away defeat their only loss in that time.
• The Darts are on a three match winning streak at Princes Park in the league versus Borough
• Jordan Wynter has made 150 appearances for the Darts (140 starts + 10 sub)
• Charlie Sheringham could make his 150th appearance if selected (116 starts + 33 sub)

On This Day

Warren Mfula scored a second-half hat-trick in a 7-1 victory over Oxford City on this day. The striker netted three times in a 19 minute spell after the Darts had already bagged four. Richard Sho-Silva, Lyle Della-Verde, Alfie Pavey and Lee Noble were the other goalscorers. Dartford opened their 2006/2007 season in style on 19 August with a 6-1 win. An away trip to Burgess Hill Town posed no problems as Brendon Cass claimed the match ball with a hat-trick. Jon Farley and a Jay May brace also featured in the convincing triumph. The Darts have won six of their last nine on this day. Other notable results include the 5-2 Southern League Cup first round win over Corinthian in 1981 and a 6-2 victory 20 years earlier against Trowbridge Town in the Southern League First Division.

Dartford are in action this weekend when they welcome Farnborough to Princes Park in the National South.

Title ambitions are realistically out of reach for the Darts, so securing second place has become the main aim in the closing stages of the campaign. An away point on Tuesday night at Hungerford Town and draws between two of the chasing pack, Oxford City and Braintree Town, leave Alan Dowson’s side five points clear of third. Farnborough are close to the top seven with games in hand and are hoping to work their way into the end of season playoffs.

Princes Park last hosted this fixture almost eleven years to the day and on that occasion the Darts strolled to a 3-0 win. Jacob Erskine used his strength to shrug off a Boro defender in the first half and slot the ball beyond the visiting keeper for the opener. The striker completed his brace in the second-half when he latched onto Richard Graham’s through ball, rounded the goalkeeper and tucked the ball into an empty net. Substitute Tony Garrod was introduced late on, and his first involvement saw him add number three.

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It was Farnborough who ended Dartford’s most successful spell this season when they won 3-1 in the reverse fixture back in November. The Darts had won ten of their previous eleven league outings before the trip to Cherrywood Road dropping just two points in that period. Boro exposed Dartford’s defence and after nineteen minutes were ahead when Hisham Kasimu got the better of Jordan Wynter then finished a one on one with Joe Young in goal. The lead was doubled when the Darts failed to clear the ball and Johnathon Page netted from close range. Kristian Campbell scored his only goal in the black and white shirt with a header to give the visitors a lifeline. The full back left Princes Park to join a clan of former Dartford players at Dulwich Hamlet this week after making 32 appearances for the Darts. However, Farnborough made sure of maximum points when Ollie Pendleberry scored a brilliant free-kick.

Since the loss in Hampshire, barring a four-match winning run over the festive period, the Darts have been inconsistent. Current form has contributed to losing ground on league leaders Ebbsfleet United who are now well clear at the top. Dartford remain in second place as others have been unable to take advantage, however the chasing pack seems to have increased with the insurgence of Braintree Town.

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Dowson was looking for a reaction on Tuesday night to last weekend’s defeat at lowly Weymouth. For the trip to Hungerford Town, the Dartford boss made four changes to the starting eleven and handed Connor Essam his 100^th start for the club. Samir Carruthers returned from suspension, Maxwell Statham recovered from a calf strain, Luke Allen was back in the side and Dan Wilks made his first league start in goal since Ben Dudzinski signed last month. Jernade Meade and Luke Coulson were named as substitutes whilst Jordan Wynter wasn’t included in the matchday squad through injury. Tommy Block, Sam Odaudu and Charlie Sheringham have also been on the injury list, but Dowson says they are not too far away from being fit again.

Harvey Bradbury will provide an extra option up front having been signed from Southern League Premier South side Dorchester Town on loan until the end of the season. The striker worked with Dowson during his time at Woking and enjoyed a decent spell in the National South at Oxford City, where he scored 15 goals in 38 appearances. The 24 year old has also spent time in this division with Welling United and on loan at Havant and Waterlooville, St Albans City and Hungerford Town

The Darts created very little in the first forty-five minutes but looked to be going in at the break goalless, until the hosts won a corner. Dylan Adjei-Hersey took full advantage and put the Crusaders in front with virtually the last kick of the half. Another set piece had Dartford level in the second-half when Carruthers whipped in a corner for Alex Wall to guide home. The Darts rode their luck and it looked like they fell behind when Joe Boachie had the ball in the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Wilks was later called into action tipping Ryan Jones’ shot onto the crossbar and George Smith missed an open goal. A point on the road means the Darts are now five without an away win in the National South.

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Farnborough were in fantastic form approaching the last time the two sides met in November. Spencer Day’s team went six unbeaten after beating the Darts then went on to go a further seven without loss. Hemel Hempstead Town ended that run at the end of January, but Boro bounced back with three straight victories resulting in one loss in 17 matches in the National South. Those results have put the Hampshire club on the fringes of the playoff places and with three games in hand they can potentially make up the six points they are behind seventh place Chelmsford City. Closing out February, Farnborough lost two of their last four in that month but picked up an excellent 2-2 draw with Ebbsfleet United. Spencer Day’s side began March by ending Oxford City’s ten match unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory.

Farnborough named just three substitutes in their Tuesday night 0-0 draw against Welling United and made as many changes to their team. CJ Fearn, Ricky Holmes and Ronan Silva came in for Ollie Robinson, Reggie Young and Conor Lawless. Farnborough waited until nearly ten minutes from time for the best chance of the game after Jordan Norville-Williams won a penalty. Farnborough have made a habit of missing their spot kicks and added another to the list as the defender stepped up and saw his shot saved. In the first-half Kevin Lokko came closest when he hit the woodwork with an acrobatic effort.

Day explained after the game that it had been difficult week losing four key players and being left with only thirteen fully fit players in the squad. Mason Bloomfield, John Oyenuga and Reggie Young will be unavailable this weekend. Ollie Robinson missed the draw at Welling United through illness and is hopeful of a return.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Farnborough wins: 5 / Draws: 2

Current League Form

Dartford (WDWDLD)			Farnborough (LWLDWD)
Hungerford Town	A	1-1	Welling United	H	0-0
Weymouth	A	1-3	Oxford City	A	2-1
Oxford City	H	0-0	Ebbsfleet United	H	2-2
Slough Town	H	1-0	Braintree Town	H	0-1
Braintree Town	A	1-1	Weymouth	H	3-1
Chippenham Town	H	2-0	Eastbourne Borough	A	0-2

Last Six Meetings

Farnborough 3 – 1 Dartford (12/11/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Farnborough (10/03/2012 – National South)
Farnborough 1 – 2 Dartford (17/09/2011 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Farnborough (22/01/2011 – National South)
Farnborough 2 – 1 Dartford (21/08/2010 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Farnborough Town (23/11/1998 – F.A Trophy)

Statistics

• Dartford have picked up 32 points out of the last 39 available at home in the National South (W10, D2, L1)
• The Darts have kept three consecutibe home clean sheets in the league and five in their last six
• Dartford have won both matches against Farnborough at Princes Park having lost both previous home meetings before the stadium opened

On This Day

Ryan Hayes scored his 100th Dartford goal on this day five years ago netting in a 1-1 draw with Concord Rangers. Steve Robinson scored the winer in 1989 when the Darts beat Altrincham 1-0 in the F.A Trophy quarter final. Dartford went on to lose in a two legged semi-final against eventual runners up Macclesfield Town. Dartford’s last home game on this day ended in defeat when they were beaten 2-1 by Potters Bar Town in the Southern League Eastern Division back in 2006.

Dartford can extend their unbeaten run to a dozen matches when they visit Southern Premier South playoff winners Farnborough this weekend.

The Darts have won ten and drawn one of their last 11 games and have the potential to top the National South standings when the full-time scores roll in on Saturday. Farnborough may have taken a while settling in on their return to the division but are enjoying an unbeaten streak of their own.

Dartford were in pole position come the end of last weekend’s results and they have found their scoring boots of late. Only once had the Darts scored more than twice, in the Kent derby win over Dover Athletic two months ago, now they have scored twelve in three games hitting Weymouth for three, Welling United for five and most recently Braintree Town for four. Alan Dowson made one change to the side that thrashed local rivals Welling United for the game against Braintree Town, Charlie Sheringham was back in attack replacing Davide Rodari. The Dartford boss will need to reshuffle again this weekend, this time in defence due to the one game suspension picked up by captain Tom Bonner.

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Dowson’s side have showed character this season, firstly overcoming a spell of five defeats in seven earlier in the campaign, then with comeback wins over Eastbourne Borough, Dulwich Hamlet and Slough Town and on Saturday they had to play out half an hour with ten men. The Darts often struggled against Braintree Town in the past, but this time they won 4-1 with an outstanding second-half display. Sheringham netted from the spot five minutes after the break and the game could have turned after Bonner was sent off for a second caution. However, Dartford stretched their lead when Luke Coulson scored potentially the goal of the season. His second in as many games since coming back from injury was a spectacular volley from outside the box. Braintree Town pulled a goal back with just over ten minutes to play, the header from Kyran Clements testing Dartford’s resolve. Dowson introduced Samir Carruthers and Keiran Murtagh and the pair combined for a third in the last minute, Carruthers finishing off a fine move. Then there was time for Carruthers to score the second penalty of the afternoon for his eighth of the campaign.

Martin Tyler spoke to Dartford FC TV afterwards and said: “No one could have written the scenario like this to be honest and we’ve ended up singing in the Dartford rain, but the scoreline doesn’t in any way reflect what a tight game it was and what Braintree brought to the match”, he added: “The reason we’ve had a recent run of good results is the competition for places has been that much hotter, so even someone like Samir (Carruthers) who has played in the Premier League cannot be guaranteed a start”.

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The last time Dartford won 4-1 and were reduced to ten men was 11 years ago against Farnborough. On that day Sheringham scored twice including one from a penalty. Tom Champion and Danny Harris were the other scorers, Lee Noble was sent off when the scores were level at 1-1. In the reverse fixture five months earlier Noble scored a last-minute consolation in a 2-1 defeat. The next season Dartford won promotion to the National League via the playoffs and completed a double over Boro winning 2-1 at Cherrywood Road thanks to goals from Sheringham and Lee Burns, then at Princes Park Jacob Erskine netted twice and Tony Garrod sealed a 3-0 victory.

Farnborough are on a nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and wrote some F.A Cup headlines last weekend by upsetting League Two Sutton United. Last term, Dartford signed Michael Fernandes on loan from Colchester United before the campaign had started, however he didn’t manage a competitive game before moving to Farnborough. The winger scored with three minutes to go in the F.A Cup tie and a second was added by Francis Amarty in injury time. Confidence has been growing at Boro since their promotion and slow start to this season. In cup games they have beaten last season’s promotion rivals Hayes and Yeading United, brushed aside Dartford’s F.A Trophy opponents Swindon Supermarine in a 5-1 win, hit Biggleswade Town for seven and in the Hampshire Senior Cup defeated Cove 7-2 as well.

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In the National South, Farnborough lost seven of their opening ten games ending September down in the relegation zone. Spencer Day’s side have climbed five places over the last month picking up 11 points out of a possible 15, their latest a 0-0 draw at home to Eastbourne Borough. Day spoke to Farnborough TV after the Tuesday night’s game, he commented: “I think it was a fair result, it was a very poor performance from us, very much the cliché after the lord mayor’s show at the weekend”. Attention now turns to hosting the Darts and Day said: “It’s a massive game, it’s a hell of a challenge, it’s the first team right at the top of the table that we’ve faced at home, it’s a massive challenge. Dowse is doing a great job there and it’s going to be a very difficult game”.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Farnborough wins: 4 / Draws: 2

Current League Form

Dartford (WWDWWW)			Farnborough (LWDWWD)
Braintree Town	H	4-1	Eastbourne Borough	A	0-0
Welling United	H	5-1	Oxford City	H	2-1
Weymouth	H	3-0	Weymouth	A	1-0
Slough Town	A	2-1	Dover Athletic	A	1-1
St Albans City	A	1-1	Worthing	A	2-1
Tonbridge Angels	H	2-0	Chelmsford City	H	0-1

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 0 Farnborough (10/03/2012 – National South)
Farnborough 1 – 2 Dartford (17/09/2011 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Farnborough (22/01/2011 – National South)
Farnborough 2 – 1 Dartford (21/08/2010 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 2 Farnborough Town (23/11/1998 – F.A Trophy)
Farnborough Town 1 – 1 Dartford (21/11/1998 – F.A Trophy)

Statistics

• The Darts have never won at Farnborough in five attempts (D2, L3)
• Half of Dartford’s games this season have ended 2-1 (W5, L5)
• Farnborough have won four times in this fixture, three of them were 2-1 victories.

On This Day

Danny Harris and Luke Wanadio scored the goals to claim a 2-0 win over Hemel Hempstead Town on this day six years ago. The last away day on 12 November came in 2013 with the Darts being humbled by Woking 3-0 in the National League. Dartford’s last victory on their travels on this day was in 2005 when they beat Margate in the F.A Trophy 1-0. The Darts have only tasted victory two other times away from home on 12 November. In 1996 they beat Tooting and Mitcham United 3-2 also in the F.A Trophy and in 1921 they defeated Bexley Heath 3-1 in the Kent Senior Cup.