Tag: Maidstone United

Dartford slipped into the relegation zone this week and will be desperate to pick up points against Kent rivals Maidstone United.

The Darts are searching for a first home win in the league since November and will be up against a Stones side looking to move into a playoff place. Ady Pennock has lost both games since taking charge at Princes Park and has a big challenge on his hands to guide Dartford to safety. Maidstone United have enjoyed a tremendous F.A Cup run to the fifth round this season and are now concentrating on finishing in the top seven. Three days later the Darts will be hosting the Stones again in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final.

Pennock made his second signing just ahead of Tuesday night’s fixture at Braintree Town. Ronny Nelson was part of Torquay United’s squad last weekend and was an unused substitute against the Darts. Now the central defender will be wearing a Dartford shirt after signing for a month from League Two side Colchester United. The 20-year-old joined the Essex club from Leicester City’s academy.

Dartford’s boss made one change to the side that tasted defeat in Devon. Nelson was put straight into the lineup to replace Joash Nembhard, who was on the bench. Midfielder, Jack Smith made his 50th appearance for the club. Jordan Wynter served the last of his two-match suspension and could face his former side this weekend. Sam Odaudu is still recovering from injury and Elliott Romain’s loan spell has come to an end.

Dartford slipped into the bottom four with a 2-0 defeat in Essex, an eighth loss in their last ten league games. Early bouts of pressure from Braintree Town and a series of corners were too much to handle for the Darts, the hosts finally took advantage through Shaq Coulthirst twenty minutes in. In the second-half Dartford stayed in the game, but a late red card to Jordan Greenidge dashed hopes for an equaliser. That hope was extinguished in stoppage time when Tom Blackwell clinched a second for Braintree Town.

Since Dartford’s last home victory in the National South, at Princes Park they have drawn three and lost four and are currently on a three-game losing streak in the league on their own patch. Four points from the last 33 available home and away has seen the Darts slide into a relegation battle. The situation was worsened on Tuesday night with Taunton Town winning against Torquay United to put Pennock’s side beneath the relegation line.

Next up is the tricky prospect of Maidstone United who Dartford lost to in January at the Gallagher Stadium. Goalkeeper, Billy Terrell made his debut between the sticks in Alan Dowson’s final game as boss, but the loanee from AFC Bournemouth was unable to stop the Darts falling to defeat despite taking the lead. Luke Coulson gave Dartford the lead from the penalty spot. However, the Kent derby turned in the space of five second-half minutes. Harry Kyprianou and Matt Rush scored for the Stones to hand the hosts the three points. Terrell is still waiting for his first clean sheet after making ten appearances so far.

Saturday’s clash will be the third time the Darts have taken on their Kent rivals this season. The pair were drawn together in the F.A Trophy second round back in November Dartford fell to a last gasp goal to Kent rivals Maidstone United in the second round. Another goalkeeper made his debut in this game when Ryan Sandford lined up against his former club. Moussa Diarra came the closest for Dartford in the first half by hitting the woodwork. The hosts had opportunities in the second-half often missing the target. Both goalkeepers were not really troubled until a stoppage time winner from Maidstone United striker Levi Amantchi, who has since made a move to Bromley.

The Stones have got the better of Dartford in recent times winning the previous four meetings. Another triumph will secure a league double over the Darts, which they also achieved last time the two sides were in the same division in 2021/2022. Maidstone United went up as champions in that campaign but made a swift return to the National South after relegation last term. In that title winning season, the Stones came to Princes Park and won 1-0. The main protagonist that day was former Dart, Jack Barham who netted the only goal of the game to end Dartford’s unbeaten home run of 17 games. The striker also claimed the match ball in the reverse fixture with a hat-trick in a 4-0 Maidstone United victory.

George Elokobi’s side hit the headlines this season in the F.A Cup. The Stones went on an historic run to the fifth round to record their best performance in the competition and the best by a tier six team since Blyth Spartans in 1978. In total Maidstone United played eight ties beating Steyning Town, Winchester City and Torquay United to qualify for the first round proper. They went on to knock out Chesham United before defeating three Football League sides Barrow, Stevenage, Ipswich Town. Eventually their run came to an end with a 5-0 loss at Championship club Coventry City.

Since the last meeting between Dartford and Maidstone United, the Stones have been inconsistent in the National South, perhaps down to the distraction of their cup run. After winning at Princes Park two months ago they occupied third spot, but four wins and defeats plus three draws have seen Elokobi’s side fall out of a top seven place.

Maidstone United aim to get back on track and on Tuesday night they picked up an eleventh home win of the season by beating second place Chelmsford City. Two goals in the final ten minutes from Sam Corne and Matt Rush made the difference. Corne scored from the spot, whilst Rush added his 14^th National South goal of the campaign, for Aveley and the Stones. Victory has put the Maidstone United level on points with Bath City, who are in seventh place and was just the tonic after suffering only their third home league defeat of the season on the weekend against St Albans City.

Current Standings

Current League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 46 / Maidstone United wins: 49 / Draws: 19

Last Six Meetings

Maidstone United 2 – 1 Dartford (09/01/2024 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (18/11/2023 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (18/04/2022 – National South)
Maidstone United 4 – 0 Dartford (11/12/2021 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 3 Dartford (02/10/2021 – F.A Cup)
Maidstone United 0 – 2 Dartford (14/11/2020 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford are on their longest winless home run in all competitions against Maidstone United, three draws followed by three defeats. One of those draws ended in a penalty shoot-out loss.
• In the league, Dartford’s current streak of three without a home victory against the Stones (D2, L1) is their longest since 1922 to 1923 (D2, L1)
• The Darts set an unbeaten record by either side of eight league games in this fixture between 2008 and 2020 (W6, D2). Since then, Dartford have lost three in a row, a fourth would equal a losing league streak set 122 years ago.

On This Day

Dartford have been beaten on this day on the last three occasions with the most recent against Torquay United in 2019, Jamie Reid scored both goals. In the National League six years earlier, the Darts lost 1-0 at Hyde. The last home match on this day was back in 2010 when Boreham Wood won 2-1, Lee Burns the Dartford goalscorer. Prior those three losses, the Darts had lost just one in ten on 16 March. In 1972 they reached the Kent Senior Cup final with a 2-0 victory against Sheppey United.

Dartford are in action against local rivals and giantkillers Maidstone United on Tuesday night in the National South.

The Darts are unbeaten in their last three games, but it could have been so much more without the concession of late goals. Victory on Boxing Day at Welling United was followed by consecutive draws to start the New Year. The Stones could move up to second with a win, which would cap off an excellent few days after creating history in the F.A Cup on the weekend.

Alan Dowson will have to work out a way to make his side last the distance. In consecutive matches the Darts have let a lead slip deep into injury time to be denied crucial victories. Just days before the new year, Dartford looked set for a Kent derby league double over Welling United. Luke Coulson put the hosts ahead, but in the 97^th minute the Wings levelled. Then on the weekend, the Darts took the lead twice in a 2-2 draw at Weston-super-Mare. New loan signing Matty MacArthur scored on debut and Alex Wall put Dartford ahead again. This time in the final minute of injury time the Seagulls equalised. The Darts have now dropped 18 points from winning positions this season.

MacArthur made a positive impact on the side on Saturday. The midfielder from Gillingham not only scored the opener, but he also hit the post. The teenager came straight into the side as well as Jordan Wynter to replace the injured Luke Allen and Richard Chin, who has returned to Charlton Athletic to aid his recovery. If selected Wynter will be facing his former club as well as goalkeeper Ryan Sandford. Defender, Sam Odaudu could be making his 50^th Dartford appearance on Tuesday night.

A last-minute goal knocked Dartford out of the F.A Trophy last time they faced Maidstone United almost two months ago. The second round tie finished 1-0 to the Stones with their goal coming from the now departed Levi Amantchi. That was the third consecutive win for Maidstone United in this fixture without conceding a goal.

During their championship winning season a former Dart came back to haunt his former club. Jack Barham scored a hat-trick at the Gallagher Stadium to humble Dartford. The Stones went on to win 4-0. The striker also netted the winner at Princes Park in a 1-0 win ending a 17-match unbeaten home run in the league for the Darts. Maidstone United went on to lift the National South title in 2021/2022. However, Dartford did prevent the Stones from progressing in the F.A Cup that season with their last victory against them. Noor Husin, Danny Leonard and Ade Azeez all scored on the road to send the Darts into the fourth qualifying round.

Maidstone United were headline makers on the weekend with a 1-0 cupset against League One side Stevenage. For the first time in the club’s history, they have reached round four of the F.A Cup. George Elokobi’s side won a penalty when former Dartford man Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong was fouled. The midfielder made 26 appearances for the Darts scoring eight goals. Sam Corne stepped up and scored the spot kick, then later he cleared a Stevenage effort off the line.

The Stones are in the hunt to return to the National League at the first time of asking. Whilst Yeovil Town seem to be running away at the top, victory for the Stones could move them up into second place. At home, Maidstone United have the third best record in the division in terms of points per game. Tonbridge Angels were the last side to visit the Gallagher Stadium and were beaten 2-0, Corne again on target five minutes after Kodi Lyons-Foster put through his own net. Victory over the Angels was their seventh at home this season in the National South and ended a three-game winless run. During that run, the Stones suffered just their second league defeat as hosts this term. The 1-0 loss versus Chippenham Town came after a 5-1 away reverse at Worthing.

League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 46 / Maidstone United wins: 48 / Draws: 19

Previous Meetings

Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (18/11/2023 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (18/04/2022 – National South)
Maidstone United 4 – 0 Dartford (11/12/2021 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 3 Dartford (02/10/2021 – F.A Cup)
Maidstone United 0 – 2 Dartford (14/11/2020 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 1 Dartford (21/01/2020 – Kent Senior Cup)

Statistics

• Dartford are on their longest streak without scoring against Maidstone United since the 1920’s. Another blank will set a record of four games without a goal against the Stones.
• The Darts were unbeaten in seven away games in all competitions against the Stones (W6, D1) until last season’s defeat
• Dartford have won four, drawn one, lost one at the Gallagher Stadium since it opened in 2012

On This Day

Dartford have won one of their last seven games on this day and that was 36 years ago. The Darts travelled to Leicester United in the Southern Premier League and come home with a 1-0 win. The last two matches on 9 January were also on the road but ended in defeat. In 1999, Dartford were beaten 1-0 by Yate Town in the Southern League South. Three years ago, Chris Dickson scored a penalty against Braintree Town in a 2-1 loss.

Dartford can have a say in the National South title race on Easter Monday when they host rivals Maidstone United.

A bumper crowd is expected for this Kent derby and with the Darts protecting their unbeaten home run and the Stones top of the table there is plenty up for grabs. Dartford secured a playoff place on Good Friday and they will want to derail their rivals bid for the title and promotion back to the National League after a three year absence.

Steve King has led the Darts to 17 home games in the National South without defeat and are currently on a seven match unbeaten league run home and away. However, with five fixtures remaining they are ten points adrift from the Stones and six behind second place Dorking Wanderers. Dartford warmed up ahead of the Kent derby with an away day at Billericay Town in which former Maidstone United defender started for the first time in over a month. Midfielder’s Luke Allen and Keiran Murtagh were back in the starting eleven and Jake Robinson was preferred to Ade Azeez up front. Two second-half strikes from Jack Jebb and Marcus Dinanga earned the Darts a 2-0 victory. Dinanga has now scored in four consecutive league games and has eight in just ten appearances since joining Dartford.

The Darts will want to put behind them and avenge the defeat suffered at the Gallagher Stadium back in December. Maidstone United won 4-0 that day and to rub salt into Dartford’s wound, former striker Jack Barham scored a hat-trick and he has three of those this term. Defeat ended a run of seven unbeaten at the time and displaced the Darts from the top of the table. Instead, the Darts will want to reproduce the kind of performance that earned them a 3-0 victory at the same venue in the F.A Cup two months earlier. Goals from Noor Husin, Danny Leonard and Ade Azeez ensured King’s men had the bragging rights back then and a foot in the next round.

Since Dartford’s cup victory the tables have turned as Maidstone United’s form since late November propelled them to the summit. The Stones have won 18 of their last 22 league games, drawing twice and losing twice. A sticky patch for the Darts from October to January saw them playing catch up, but an excellent win against title challengers Dorking Wanderers got them back in with a shout a month ago. However, a loss at Chippenham Town and few more draws mean they are likely to finish in the playoffs.

In this fixture the Darts are unbeaten at home in the league since 1978 and a former Maidstone United player could help them maintain that record on Monday. Jake Robinson could potentially make an impact in front of goal if selected against the Stones, the striker had a brief spell with Maidstone United between December 2018 and March 2019 scoring just twice in eleven appearances.

Prior the heavy reverse four months ago, the Darts had completed a three game winning streak against their rivals in all competitions without conceding. What is more impressive is all those matches came on the road. The aforementioned F.A Cup triumph came after a 2-0 victory at the Gallagher Stadium last season in which Tom Bonner and Charlie Sheringham scored in the final twelve minutes. In January 2020, the Darts progressed in a Kent Senior Cup tie with a 1-0 win, Ky Marsh-Brown scored the decisive goal. Dartford went on to lift the cup with the final being played this season. It was the fourth time the two teams faced each other in that campaign, the previous three came within a space of ten days.

A pair of 2-2 draws, firstly in the National South then in the F.A Trophy proved it was difficult to separate the two rivals. In the league game, Dartford made a dramatic late comeback at home after Dan Wishart and Ibby Akanbi scored in three second-half minutes. However, Bonner scored with just three minutes on the clock and Darren McQueen levelled with a minute to go in the last league meeting played between the two at Princes Park.

In the F.A Trophy, Elliott Romain scored twice against his former club as Dartford came from behind twice. Maidstone United took the lead through Wishart and again when Justin Amaluzor scored. The replay back at Princes Park was decided when Iffy Allen netted the winner.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 46 / Maidstone United wins: 46 / Draws: 19

Current League Form

Previous Meetings (last six)

Maidstone United 4 – 0 Dartford (11/12/2021 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 3 Dartford (02/10/2021 – F.A Cup)
Maidstone United 0 – 2 Dartford (14/11/2020 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 1 Dartford (21/01/2020- Kent Senior Cup)
Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (26/11/2019 – F.A Trophy)
Maidstone United 2 – 2 Dartford (23/11/2019 – F.A Trophy)

Stats

• Dartford are unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Maidstone United (W4, D4)
• The Darts can equal their unbeaten home run of 18 back in April 1979 to February 1980 if they avoid defeat on Easter Monday.
• Dartford last went 18 home league games unbeaten from the start of a campaign in 1925/26 when they finished the Kent League First Division without defeat at home (W15, D3).

On This Day

Dartford have beaten Maidstone United twice on this day, 1-0 in the Southern Premier League back in 1977 and 3-0 in a Kent League fixture in 1913. The Stones won the other fixture also in the Southern Premier League winning 3-1 in 1974. That home defeat 48 years ago was the last time the Darts lost on their own patch on 18 April. Since then they beat Nuneaton Borough 1-0 in 1978 and drew 1-1 in the Southern League Cup Final first leg against Burton Albion. Under Peter Taylor, Dartford went on to win 2-0 in the second leg to lift the cup. Newport AFC were beaten 4-2 in the Southern League South (1998) and the Darts hit four again in 2009 against Ramsgate. A Rob Haworth brace as well as goals from Ryan Hayes and Lee Noble gave Dartford three Isthmian Premier League points.

Dartford lead the National South table and head into Saturday’s fixture against rivals Maidstone United hoping to maintain their position.

In a very competitive campaign, the Darts have a one point advantage at the summit. The Stones are just six points behind down in fifth place. A Kent derby that has already been played out earlier in the season, former players facing their old club, a top of the table clash and a healthy rivalry should make for an atmospheric afternoon.

Dartford came out on top in the F.A Cup tie back in October winning 3-0. Noor Husin’s free-kick, a Danny Leonard strike and a third from Ade Azeez made sure Steve King’s side moved into the next round. On that day King was impressed with Dartford’s commitment and ‘dogged determination’ as his players executed the ‘perfect gameplan’.

Since the F.A Cup victory, sandwiched between beating Hungerford Town and Hemel Hempstead Town, the Darts went on a five match winless streak picking up just three points. The gap at the top closed, but others in the league have been unable to take advantage from their games in hand leaving Dartford in a strong position. On Saturday they secured top spot with a 1-0 win over bottom of the table Billericay Town. The Essex side were reduced to ten men late on when their goalkeeper was sent off and an outfield player was forced to go in goal.

King named an unchanged side to the one that knocked Bath City out of the F.A Trophy, but the performance was less than impressive, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and commented: “I thought we was poor today. Told the boys that and the team talk at the end lasted ten seconds. I was disappointed”. Now seven games unbeaten in all competitions, King is just happy to bag another three points despite the performance, he explained: “You can’t play well every week, but I just know the players have got a standard in there that they have set. There have been games in the last seven where we have been back playing some fantastic football, but today we were awful”.

Jake Robinson scored the winning goal against his former side and he will be one of a few players who have played for Maidstone United in the past. The striker had a short stay at the Gallagher Stadium scoring just once before re-joining Billericay Town. For Dartford he now has five league goals in as many starts. George Porter scored four goals in twelve games for the Stones last season before switching allegiances and Jordan Wynter also had a spell there but has been recently out injured for the Darts.

Since Maidstone United’s F.A Cup exit to the Darts, their seven game unbeaten league run from the start of the campaign ended. The Stones picked up just two points in the next six games dropping off the pace at the top but have managed to keep in touch with victories over Chippenham Town and Ebbsfleet United. Like the Darts they also progressed in the F.A Trophy with a penalty shoot-out triumph over Billericay Town.

After a weekend break, Maidstone United have had time to recharge after their 3-2 Kent derby win over Ebbsfleet United, denying the Fleet a chance to move above Dartford. The Stones twice came from behind helped by goals from Joan Luque and a brace by Sam Corne. Out of the former Darts at the club only Elliott Romain made an appearance from off the bench. Jack Barham was last involved as a substitute in the F.A Trophy tie and although Alfie Pavey is part of the squad, he is out on loan at Dover Athletic.

In last season’s league fixture Dartford won 2-0 but had to wait for two late goals from Tom Bonner and Charlie Sheringham. The Darts also won a Kent Senior Cup tie 1-0 in January with Ky Marsh-Brown netting the decisive goal. Dartford went on to belatedly lift the cup beating Whitstable Town 6-1 just last month.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 46 / Maidstone United wins: 45 / Draws: 19

Current League Form

Previous Meetings (last six)

Maidstone United 0 – 3 Dartford (02/10/2021 – F.A Cup)
Maidstone United 0 – 2 Dartford (14/11/2020 – National South)
Maidstone United 0 – 1 Dartford (21/01/2020- Kent Senior Cup)
Dartford 0 – 1 Maidstone United (26/11/2019 – F.A Trophy)
Maidstone United 2 – 2 Dartford (23/11/2019 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 2 – 2 Maidstone United (16/11/2019 – National South)

Stats

• Dartford have won their last three visits to the Gallagher Stadium without conceding a goal
• The Darts are eight league games unbeaten against Maidstone United (W6, D2)
• Maidstone United’s last league victory over Dartford was 4-1 on 3 March 2007 in the Isthmian Division One South
• Since both sides have reformed, the Darts have won seven, drawn two and lost one in the league against the Stones

On This Day

Dartford took on big spending Crawley Town in the F.A Trophy in a memorable encounter that ended 3-3. The Red Devils were topping the National League table and won promotion to the Football League that season with a staggering 105 points, but the Darts earned a replay eventually going through. A stoppage time equaliser delayed Crawley Town’s blushes after Dartford led by two, twice in the game. Charlie Sheringham and Ryan Hayes scored, then Richard Brodie halved the deficit. Sheringham restored the two goal advantage, but the Sussex club came back with late goals from Craig McAllister and Dean Howells. In the replay three days later, Tom Champion scored the winner in a famous victory.

One game away from a prestigious F.A Cup tie with Manchester United in the F.A Cup third round, Dartford hosted a second round replay with AFC Bournemouth after a 1-1 draw. The return fixture ended 4-1 to the Cherries and the Darts were left to reflect on what could have been.