Title chasing Dartford host relegation threatened Hastings United in the Isthmian Premier this weekend.
Both sides have their eyes on maximum points for different reasons. The Darts aim to catch leaders Billericay Town. Dartford not only missed an opportunity to go top last weekend, but they were also fortunate not to lose ground after the top three in the division all lost. Meanwhile, Hastings United claimed a vital victory in their ‘six pointer’ last Saturday, but fell to defeat in midweek. The U’s need wins in their quest for survival.
Adrian Pennock’s side were beaten for a second time in three games last weekend. Samir Carruthers had to take his place on the bench in the 2-1 victory over Horsham because he was caught up in traffic. The midfielder was back in the starting lineup for Dartford’s trip to Lewes in the only change to the side, Louis Dunne moved to the bench.
Once again the Darts went behind and this time it was a deflected Danny Bassett shot which beat Jacob Marsden in the Dartford goal. However the visitors were back level early in the second half when Hayden Bullas took a shot that broke for defender Michael Olarewaju for his first Dartford goal. With ten minutes remaining Marcus Sablier put away a second for the hosts. The same player wrapped things up for the Rooks in injury time as the Darts pushed for an equaliser and were caught out.
During their long unbeaten run Dartford were close to equalling the club record of consecutive away wins. Now they have lost two in a row on their travels for the first time since October.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Sam Okoye came off injured just moments before Lewes went back in front and was replaced by Tyler Christian-Law. It remains to be seen if the pair will face their former club this weekend.
Dunne made his debut in the reverse fixture against Hastings United and the midfielder tasted a 3-0 win. Olly Box earned a penalty, which Carruthers scored. The midfielder was replaced by Jez Pinder just past the hour mark. The substitute made an impact ten minutes later slotting home a pass from Box. Eddie Dsane was introduced and then he added a third.
It’s been 15 years since Princes Park hosted this fixture and last time it was a seven goal thriller. Ryan Hayes scored directly from a corner to get Dartford’s 100th competitive goal of the 2009/2010 season. Ade Olorunda equalised, but Danny Harris nodded the hosts back in front. In the second half, Hastings United went in front when Liam Bellamy and Olorunda scored. Tony Burman’s side fought back after Harris made it all square again. Then late on Elliot Bradbrook grabbed a dramatic winner. The Darts went on to claim the Isthmian Premier League title.
Match Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino
In October Hastings United parted with manager Danny Bloor and two months later appointed former Braintree Town, Aldershot Town and Ebbsfleet United manager, Danny Searle. Fortunes have yet to turn around as the U’s have not beaten anyone outside of the bottom four since early December. That victory against Chichester City came a week after the defeat to Dartford. Since then the U’s have only managed to win at Bognor Regis Town at the end of December and last weekend against Hendon.
In a crucial fixture between two sides down in the relegation zone, Hastings United came out on top with a 2-0 triumph over Hendon. Former Dartford forward, Davide Rodari scored eleven minutes into the game. The 25 year old made 21 appearances for the Darts in 2022/2023 scoring three times. Just before the hour Reece Grant put more daylight between the two and sealed victory. Maximum points meant the U’s capitalised on results elsewhere as seven of the bottom nine lost last weekend, the Sussex side were the only team to win.
On Tuesday night Hastings United tried to close the gap and make one of their games in hand count. Seven points adrift of safety and three behind Hendon, the U’s hosted Wingate and Finchley. Searle made no changes to the side that beat Hendon in their Tuesday night fixture against Wingate and Finchley. Captained by former Dartford loanee, Adam Lovatt who played just five times for the Darts, the U’s found themselves one down at the interval after Zack Newton’s goal half way through the first half. It took until the last minute for Ore Bello to seal the deal for the Blues condemning Hastings United to defeat.
Hastings United still have a chance to stay up with nine games remaining. The Sussex club are three points behind Hendon with a game and hand and seven behind Canvey Island, who are above the relegation places. The U’s face the Essex side twice in the final stretch.
|
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
Billericay Town |
34 |
69 |
+29 |
|
DARTFORD |
34 |
67 |
+21 |
|
Horsham |
34 |
63 |
+26 |
|
Cray Valley (PM) |
34 |
62 |
+17 |
|
Dover Athletic |
33 |
60 |
+32 |
| Dartford (WDWLWL) | Hastings United (LDDLWL) | ||||
| Lewes | A | 1-3 | Wingate & Finchley | H | 0-2 |
| Horsham | H | 2-1 | Hendon | H | 2-0 |
| Cheshunt | A | 0-3 | Chatham Town | A | 0-2 |
| Hendon | A | 3-2 | Cray Valley (PM) | A | 1-1 |
| Chichester City | H | 0-0 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 0-0 |
| Hashtag United | H | 2-0 | Cheshunt | A | 1-2 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 39 / Hastings United wins: 29 / Draws: 20
Previous Meetings
Hastings United 0 – 3 Dartford (30/11/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 4 – 3 Hastings United (27/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 1 – 3 Dartford (22/08/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 0 – 0 Dartford (03/03/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 2 Hastings United (13/09/2008 – F.A Cup)
Dartford 0 – 2 Hastings United (23/08/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
- Dartford have won four of the last five games against Hastings United in all competitions (D1)
- The Darts have won the last two at home against Hastings United. Those two matches have produced an average of six goals per game
- Dartford have conceded the first goal in each of the last four matches
On This Day
Jack Jebb was involved in both goals as the Darts beat Chelmsford City 2-1 on this day in 2022. The midfielder scored direct from a free kick, then set up Danny Leonard from another set piece. The Clarets pulled one back through Tom Blackwell. Dartford reached the Kent Senior Cup Final on this day in 1988 with a 2-0 semi-final win over Welling United. The Darts went on to lift the county cup to defend their title. Eleven years earlier the Darts won another semi-final in the Southern League Cup to reach the final of the competition for the first time. With the tie against Kettering Town evenly poised from the first leg, Dartford went on to win 4-2 to secure a 5-3 aggregate victory. The Darts won the final against Yeovil Town.
