Tag: Slough Town

Slough Town v Dartford

Dartford will hope to gain momentum at Slough Town on Tuesday night and end the Rebels outstanding unbeaten home run in the National South.

The Darts earned a morale boosting victory on the weekend in their attempt to pull away from a relegation battle. Slough Town dropped points but still managed to preserve their recent run at home thanks to two late goals.

Dartford secured an important win in the Kent derby relegation six pointer versus Dover Athletic on Saturday. After a run of five straight league defeats, another against the division’s bottom side would have damaged the Darts morale even more. Instead Tony Burman’s held their nerve when it mattered and collected three potentially vital points.

Three changes were made to the starting lineup. Tommy Block and Sam Odaudu were out with injuries picked up in the loss at home to Chippenham Town. In came Tom Clifford to make his debut and Maxwell Statham. Meanwhile academy graduate Olly Box was preferred to the experience of Alex Wall, a decision that paid dividends. Tyrell Miller-Rodney was missing through suspension and Luke Allen has not been involved in a matchday squad since his injury against Welling United at the end of last year. Winger, Brandon Barzey is still recovering from a hamstring injury picked up in the defeat at home to Weymouth.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dartford created the better chances in the opening exchanges and weren’t threatened by the hosts in the first half. Box crowned his ever first league start for the club with his first league goal. The youngster scored from the edge of the area.

The second-half was a different story as Dover Athletic searched for an equaliser. After hitting the Dartford crossbar, the Whites levelled when Destiny Oladipo finished past. An evenly poised contest was finally settled from the spot. A handball led to the Darts winning a penalty. Luke Coulson held his nerve to score the winner and complete a league double over the Whites for a second year running.

Burman spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and was relieved his side bagged maximum points, he said: “I’m really pleased for the supporters. I’m pleased for the players as I think they have tried their hardest since I’ve been here. They’ve worked really hard and things just haven’t come off for them. I’m just pleased that for all their efforts over the last few games we’ve actually stopped the run that we were on”. The Dartford boss was also delighted at Box’s first league start, but confirmed he had to substitute the youngster to protect an ankle injury.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dartford’s first league win in 2024 has provided an eight point cushion over the bottom four. This weekend the Darts face another relegation threatened side in Taunton Town, but first they must focus on getting a positive result against playoff hopefuls Slough Town.

A task made harder by the fact the Rebels went 17 home games unbeaten in all competitions on the weekend. Despite what manager Scott Davies called a poor performance his side came away with a 2-2 draw against Chippenham Town to maintain their incredible run on their own patch. It’s an incredible turnaround for a team that lost six of the opening seven league matches and were bottom with three points when they played the Darts in September.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

A lacklustre performance last time against Slough Town left the Darts losing a lead. Baris Altintop scored his first and only goal in a Dartford shirt to put the hosts in front. However, the Rebels turned the game around when future Darts loanee George Alexander equalised in the twelfth minute. Tyrese Dyce scored the decisive goal which set the Berkshire club on their way to climbing the table. Since the loss to Davies’ side, the Rebels have moved up to tenth in the division and are now just three points away from a playoff place.

Last season the Darts completed a double over Slough Town which included a win at Arbour Park. The Rebels took the lead in the first-half through Josh Jackman and continued to be in front at the interval. In the second-half, Dowson tweaked the side with the introduction of Pierre Fonkeu and that proved pivotal later on. Charlie Sheringham scored to put Dartford on level terms, then Fonkeu won it for the Darts. That secured a fourth consecutive triumph at Arbour Park for Dartford to go with the 6-0 win in April 2022, the penalty shoot-out success in December 2020 and the 3-0 playoff victory in July 2020. At Princes Park just under a year ago, Keiran Murtagh made the difference with an early goal.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Slough Town have showed character to come back from a poor start to the season and on the weekend they had to dig in again. Finding themselves two down against Chippenham Town, the Rebels grabbed a draw after David Ogbonna and Nathan Minhas scored in the 84th and 87th minutes. In their previous outing they were involved in a seven goal thriller at Plainmoor where they beat Torquay United 4-3. Slough Town had to come from behind three times and could have settled for a draw when Dan Bayliss levelled with eight minutes to go. Instead, in injury time Leon Chambers-Parillon netted a winner. Both games featured former Dartford academy defender Temi Eweka, who made three appearances for the senior team. Eweka signed for Slough Town in August from Maidenhead United and was on loan with the Rebels last term.

Current League Form

Dartford (LLLLLW) Slough Town (DLLWWD)
Dover Athletic A 2-1 Chippenham Town H 2-2
Chippenham Town H 0-1 Torquay United A 4-3
Bath City A 0-1 Weston-super-Mare H 2-0
Farnborough A 1-2 Yeovil Town A 1-3
Weymouth H 0-1 Dover Athletic A 0-1
Maidstone United A 1-2 Worthing A 1-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 9 / Slough Town wins: 4 / Draws: 3

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 2 Slough Town (05/09/2023 – National South)
Slough Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/10/2022 – National South)
Slough Town 0 – 6 Dartford (30/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)*
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
* – Dartford won 6-5 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have lost just one in eight at Arbour Park (W5, D2)
  • The Darts have won the last two at Slough Town with an aggregate score of 8-1.
  • Slough Town’s 13 home games without defeat in the National South is the second longest streak currently in the division behind Yeovil Town’s 17 matches.

On This Day

Danny Harris made his 200th Dartford appearance and Andy Pugh scored against Eastbourne Borough on this day eight years ago. The Darts trailed when Nathaniel Pinney netted for the Sports, however Dartford responded at Priory Lane with Pugh’s strike. Tom Bradbrook was sent off leaving the Darts hanging on for a point, whilst Elliot Romain was featuring for the Sussex club. Dartford’s last win on this day was a hard thought 3-2 victory at Princes Park versus Ashford Town (Middlesex) in the Isthmian Premier League. An own goal set Dartford on their way, then Harris and Lee Burns added to the tally.

Dartford v Slough Town

Dartford will want to get back to winning ways when they host bottom of the table Slough Town on Tuesday night.

After securing their first victories over the Bank Holiday weekend, the Darts were beaten on Saturday by a single goal leaving them three points off the top seven. Slough Town prop up the National South with just a solitary win to their name. The Rebels have lost their last three and have the leakiest defence in the division.

The Darts have got the better of Slough Town over the last three years claiming maximum points in the last five National South meetings. Throwing in a playoff victory and a penalty shoot out triumph in the F.A Trophy, the Darts have had plenty of joy in this fixture. The Rebels did manage to defeat Dartford in the F.A Cup during that period, but their only ever victories in the league came in the 2019/20 campaign when they completed a double over the Darts.

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Kieran Murtagh scored the winning goal in last season’s fixture against the Rebels. Justifying Alan Dowson’s decision to select the midfielder in the starting lineup, Murtagh headed home Luke Coulson’s cross. Alex Wall also had an opportunity ruled out for offside, but Dartford went on to win 1-0.

Just under a year ago the Darts also won against the Berkshire side on their travels. Slough Town took the lead in the first-half through Josh Jackman, however Dartford showed character after going behind. Charlie Sheringham put the Darts on level terms in the second-half. Then the introduction of Pierre Fonkeu proved pivotal, the forward completed the turnaround with the match winner.

On the weekend Dartford suffered a narrow defeat down in Somerset ending an unbeaten run of four. In a close encounter with Taunton Town, Dave Sims-Burgess’ goal proved to be decisive for the hosts condemning the Darts to a second loss this season. Dowson made two changes to the side that beat Aveley 1-0 and Dover Athletic 2-0 over the Bank Holiday period.

Moussa Diarra made his debut after signing on loan from Barnet until January and Maxwell Statham returned to the starting eleven. Red carded against his former club Hampton and Richmond Borough last month, Brandon Barzey served the last of his three match ban. Tommy Block was unfit for Saturday, Sam Odaudu was out injured and Alex Wall is returning to fitness having yet to feature this season. Luke Allen was not involved in the squad despite coming back from injury against Dover Athletic, Lewis Manor was ill and Charlie Sheringham had been away all week.

Dowson reverted to playing one up front at Taunton Town, but has acknowledged he’d prefer an extra striker, he told Dartford FC TV after the game: “We had thirty balls in the box today. If Lewis Manor would have played it would have been a lot different because I think he would have had a hat-trick to be honest”, he added: “I know I’ve got too many players who are a bit of the same up front. I’m not daft, I am looking very hard to get a little nippy one because I wanted to go two up top”. The Dartford boss is hopeful new loan signing Archie Woods will add more creativity to help out the forwards, Dowson was impressed by the youngster and commented: “In the final third we didn’t create anything, but I thought when young Archie came on he created things and he looked lively”.

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Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Woods was named on the bench and came on to make his debut. The 19-year-old has been signed from West Ham United until the end of the season. The midfielder made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers under 21 side last season after securing a professional contract in the summer last year.

Slough Town have had a tough start to their campaign with one win in seven. Although the Rebels have scored in each game they have the worst defence in the National South, form highlighted by their 5-2 home defeat against Tonbridge Angels on the weekend.

It was the Rebels who went in front with player manager, Scott Davies leading by example by scoring. At the break the sides were level after an attempted clearance from a James Fielding header found the back of Slough Town’s net. Ibby Akanbi started the second-half scoring spree for the Angels, Kodi Lyons-Foster added a third and Ruben Soares-Junior a fourth. Slough Town’s Rohun Luthra saved a penalty before it became 5-1 when Nathan Wood scored with his first touch. In the final minute George Alexander netted a consolation for the hosts.

Former Dartford player Temi Eweka took part in the defeat versus Tonbridge Angels and could face his old side. The defender played for the Rebels on loan last season from Maidenhead United and signed for the Berkshire club in the summer. Coming through the Darts academy, Eweka made three appearances for Dartford during the 2017/2018 campaign before leaving for VCD Athletic.

Davies has led his side to one victory this term and that was against newly promoted Weston-super-Mare. Alexander, who scored against the Darts for Welling United last season netted a first-half hat-trick in a 3-0 win. Either side of that triumph the Rebels have lost three in a row, opening their campaign with a 2-1 loss at Maidstone United. Beaten by the same scoreline at home to Dover Athletic, Slough Town went on to get soundly defeated 4-1 by Worthing. Another pair of 2-1 losses to Torquay United and Chippenham Town followed the win in Weston, and their sixth defeat was recorded on the weekend.

Current Form

Dartford (LDDWWL) Slough Town (LLWLLL)
Taunton Town A 0-1 Tonbridge Angels H 2-5
Dover Athletic H 2-0 Chippenham Town A 1-2
Aveley A 1-0 Torquay United H 1-2
Farnborough H 1-1 Weston-super-Mare A 3-0
Hampton & Richmond Borough H 1-1 Worthing H 1-4
Weymouth A 0-1 Dover Athletic H 1-2

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 9 / Slough Town wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 0 Slough Town (21/02/2023 – National South)
Slough Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/10/2022 – National South)
Slough Town 0 – 6 Dartford (30/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)*
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
* – Dartford won 6-5 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have won five consecutive league games against Slough Town with an aggregate score of 14-1
  • The Darts have kept three clean sheets in a row against the Rebels in the league at Princes Park
  • Luke Coulson has now made 50 appearances for the Darts (42 starts, 8 sub, 9 goals)
  • Slough Town have lost all three games this season against Kent sides

On This Day

Dartford have not conceded a goal on this day in 36 years, scoring 18 without reply. Unbeaten in their last seven games on 5 September the last five fixtures have seen the Darts keep consecutive clean sheets. The most recent was the 4-0 victory at Whitehawk six years ago in which Alfie Pavey, Ryan Hayes, Elliot Bradbrook and Lyle Della-Verde all scored. The only team to hold the Darts to a draw in that spell was Bath City in 2015 at Twerton Park. Hendon were soundly beaten 5-0 in 2009, goals from Lee Burns, Rob Haworth, a brace from Jay May and Lee Noble secured three Isthmian Premier League points during the title winning campaign. The same score was recorded five years earlier in the F.A Cup preliminary round win over Horsham YMCA, and in the F.A Vase back in 1995 Steyning Town were beaten 4-0.

Season Preview 2023/2024

Slough Town

It was a patchy season for the Rebels last time recording their first win on the fourth game of the campaign. Slough Town went on to take sixteen points from their next seven outings and early signs pointed towards a playoff challenge, however the wheels fell off from October through to Christmas. The Berkshire side went twelve without victory which landed them in a relegation battle as they sunk down the standings to twentieth place. Slough Town had a better start to 2023 picking up three wins and four draws during an unbeaten spell that provided some comfort, which was needed as they reached the business end of the season. In the end the Rebels stayed up by three points to complete their fifth campaign in the National South. 

2022/2023 Season
National South: 18th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rdRound
County Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: John Goddard & George Alexander (6 goals)

Manager – Scott Davies

Following in the footsteps of a management duo that lasted a decade at Slough Town is always going to be a challenge. Step forward former Rebels captain who made over 100 appearances in two spells for the club. Davies started his senior playing career in 2006 and moved around Football League clubs frequently. After leaving Oxford United almost ten years ago, Davies embarked on a non-league career taking him to Dunstable Town, Wealdstone, Oxford City and Chelmsford City before his first stint with the Rebels. Short periods with Kingstonian and Harlow Town followed until he returned to Arbour Park.

Summer Transfers

Slough Town have made a trio of signings from Bracknell Town by bringing in Mickel Platt, Gary Abisogun and Dan Bayliss. The Rebels have also taken Nathan Minhas from one of their previous bosses Jon Underwood at Beaconsfield Town. Isthmian Premier League winner Jonny Giles arrives from Bishop’s Stortford, National South playoff finalist Munashire Sundire joins from St Albans City and Jeanmal Prosper from Chesham United. Scott Davies has persuaded former Sunderland youngster Tyrese Dyce to sign and has also promoted academy graduates Kai Allsopp and Oscar Lucey. Goalkeeper, Hubert Graczyk signs on loan from Arsenal.

Transfers In Transfers Out
Mickel Platt (Bracknell Town) George Hunt (Hampton and Richmond Borough)
Gary Abisogun (Bracknell Town) James Dobson (Beaconsfield Town)
Dan Bayliss (Bracknell Town) Rhys Forster (Enfield Town)
Nathan Minhas (Beaconsfield Town) Shane Bush (Bedford Town)
Munashire Sundire (St Albans City) Tyrese Owen (Haverfordwest)
Jonny Giles (Bishop’s Stortford) Imran Kayani (Dover Athletic)
Jeanmal Prosper (Chesham United) Ogo Obi (Maidstone United)
Tyrese Dyce (Gosport Borough) Lee Togwell
Hubert Graczyk (Arsenal)  
Oscar Lucey (academy)  
Kai Allsopp  (academy)  

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 9 / Slough Town wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Previous Matches

Dartford 1 – 0 Slough Town (21/02/2023 – National South)
Slough Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/10/2022 – National South)
Slough Town 0 – 6 Dartford (30/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)*
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
* – Dartford won 6-5 on penalties

Next Meetings

Dartford v Slough Town – Tuesday 5th September 2023
Slough Town v Dartford – Tuesday 20th February 2024

Statistics

  • Dartford have won five consecutive league games against Slough Town with an aggregate score of 14-1
  • The Darts have kept three clean sheets in a row against the Rebels in the league at Princes Park
  • Dartford’s last two league games at Arbour Park have ended in victories with a combined score of 8-1

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

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Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dartford v Slough Town

The first of three consecutive home games takes place on Tuesday night with Dartford hosting Slough Town in the National South.

Two league games and the London Senior Cup quarter-final will bring February to a closure for the Darts. Alan Dowson’s side will be hopeful they can extend their unbeaten run in the league to three and close the gap at the top of the table. Slough Town will be trying to end a run of two straight defeats and put more distance between them and the bottom four.

After fighting back twice in the Kent derby draw with Welling United and beating Chippenham Town, the Darts claimed another useful point at Cressing Road on the weekend. Once again Dartford found themselves behind but managed to find the equaliser at Braintree Town, who themselves kept their unbeaten home run intact. Dowson was forced in to making one change due to the rib injury to Charlie Sheringham, meaning Pierre Fonkeu led the attack. New loan signing from AFC Wimbledon, Isaac Ogunbere took his place on the bench but awaits a debut after not being called upon. There was still no sign of Tommy Block and Sam Oduadu in the squad, the pair have been out with injuries. The good news is Alex Wall has served his three match ban and will be available against Slough Town, bringing a much needed option up front. Midfielder, Cameron Brodie has been recalled from his loan spell with Margate.

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Match Highlights – Braintree Town v Dartford (18/02/2023) – Dartford FC TV

The hosts took the lead in the first-half after Ben Dudzinski in his second start for Dartford made a crucial mistake in goal. Braintree Town’s Baris Altintop set up Aaron Blair, who cut inside and drilled a low shot at Dudzinski. The Darts keeper watched as the ball slide underneath him out of his grasp and into the net. Slick football led to the equaliser just past the hour with Keiran Murtagh, Luke Coulson, Samir Carruthers and Maxwell Statham combining before Jernade Meade finished off the move with his first ever goal for the club.

Dowson was content with the 1-1 away draw, he explained to Dartford FC TV: “It’s a tough place to come and they have got a decent side, their home record speaks for itself. The first half I though we were poor, the second half brilliant. We had enough chances and enough possession to win it”. Midfielder, Carruthers picked up a caution and he will face a two match ban starting next weekend making him available for Tuesday. However the Dartford boss feels some ‘tweaks’ will be needed against Slough Town so he can make use of the squad, he added: “A couple of people need a little rest, they have played every week in the last six weeks. So I think a couple of people need a rest on Tuesday night”.

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Match Highlights – Slough Town v Dartford (25/10/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Dartford are on good form in games against Slough Town and earlier in the campaign they came from behind to win 2-1 at Arbour Park. The Rebels took the lead through Josh Jackman and continued to be in front at the interval. In the second-half, Dowson tweaked the side with the introduction of Fonkeu and that proved pivotal later on. Sheringham scored to put Dartford on level terms, then Fonkeu won it for the Darts.

Last season at Princes Park, saw the first competitive fans back in front of fans since March 2020 and Dartford celebrated with a 3-0 win. Noor Husin gave a masterclass in midfield and his man of the match performance was rewarded with a goal. Ade Azeez scored the second and George Porter scored his first goal for the club. The return fixture last term went even better as the Darts claimed their second 6-0 away win of the season. Marcus Dinanga got the goals flowing early on before Murtagh doubled the lead, then Dinanga added a third by half-time. Kalvin Kalala, Jordan Greenidge and Olumide Durojaiye netted in the second-half to wrap up a comprehensive win.

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Match Highlights – Dartford v Slough Town (21/08/2021) – Dartford FC TV

Since promotion to the National South in 2018, Slough Town have been steady. Led by Jon Underwood and Neil Baker, the duo began this season in their tenth year with the Rebels, but in November with the club in twelfth the club felt it was time for a change. Now Scott Davies is in charge as player-manager and after a run of seven matches unbeaten from Boxing Day steadied the Rebels once again. Davies took over during a spell which saw the Berkshire winless in 12 picking up just three draws, and his league management debut was humbling to say the least, the Rebels lost 5-1 at home to Eastbourne Borough. Defeat at Ebbsfleet United followed, but Davies picked up his fist point with a goalless draw versus Concord Rangers. Then after a loss to Havant and Waterlooville, Slough Town went on to claim three victories and four draws to move up the standings.

The Rebels have lost their last fixtures without scoring, first against Chelmsford City, then on the weekend versus a George Alexander inspired Welling United. The Wings loanee netted a first half hat-trick as Slough Town fell to a 3-0 defeat. Alexander started his scoring spree in the fourth minute firing a low shot beyond goalkeeper Will Dennis. Half an hour later he added a second and completed his treble within the next three minutes. In Slough Town’s starting eleven was Temi Eweka, who started out at Dartford’s academy. The 23-year-old defender made three appearances for the Darts before moving on. After impressing at Bracknell Town he was signed by Maidenhead United in the summer and is now on loan with the Rebels.

On the road, Slough Town have only beaten Oxford City of the sides above them in the table. However they have consistently beaten those below them home and away helping them stay six points clear of the drop zone in sixteenth place.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 8 / Slough Town wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Dartford
(WLLDWD)
    Slough Town
(WDDWLL)
   
Braintree Town A 1-1 Welling United H 0-3
Chippenham Town H 2-0 Chelmsford City A 0-2
Welling United A 2-2 Hampton & Richmond A 1-0
Worthing A 0-3 Dover Athletic H 1-1
Hemel Hempstead Town H 1-3 Cheshunt A 1-1
Cheshunt A 3-1 Dulwich Hamlet H 4-3

Last Six Meetings

Slough Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/10/2022 – National South)
Slough Town 0 – 6 Dartford (30/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)*
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Slough Town (03/10/2020 – F.A Cup)
* – Dartford won 6-5 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford are unbeaten in five games against Slough Town in normal time (W4, D1)
  • The Darts have won the last two meetings at Princes Park with an aggregate score of 5-0
  • Dartford completed a double over the Rebels last term with an aggregate score of 9-0

On This Day

It’s been 25 years since Dartford won on 21 February back when Havant and Waterlooville had not yet merged. The Darts travelled to Hampshire in 1998 to take on Havant Town and came home with a 1-0 Southern League South victory. That was the last of an unbeaten run of 13 games on this day in which the Darts won ten and drew three. The biggest victory came in 1914 when Dartford beat Rochester 8-0 in the Kent League. In 1931, the Darts won 5-0 against Chatham in the Kent Senior Cup quarter-final. On the way to winning the 1989 Southern League Cup, Dartford beat rivals Dover Athletic 4-1 in the last eight. Dartford are currently on a run of three consecutive losses after defeats to Tonbridge Angels in 2004, Ashford Town (Middlesex) five years later and Wealdstone in a F.A Trophy replay in 2012.

Slough Town v Dartford

Dartford could climb to second in the National South if they manage to beat Slough Town at Arbour Park on Tuesday night.

Alan Dowson’s side closed the gap on Havant and Waterlooville on the weekend and with the Hawks playing on Wednesday, the Darts can overtake the Hampshire club. First, Slough Town stand in their way looking to bounce back from three straight defeats in the league.

Dartford completed a double over Slough Town last season scoring nine goals without reply. The previous visit to Arbour Park ended 6-0 to the Darts. Marcus Dinanga took barely any time at all to open the scoring and the advantage was doubled when Keiran Murtagh flicked in Jack Jebb’s corner. By half-time the Darts were three up through Dinanga and on cruise control. Kalvin Kalala got in on the act, Jordan Greenidge added a fifth and Olumide Durojaiye scored to wrap up the comprehensive victory.

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Highlights – Slough Town v Dartford (30/04/2022) – Dartford FC TV

In August, the Darts faced Slough Town at Princes Park and claimed a comfortable 3-0 win in the first competitive game in front of home fans since March 2020. Noor Husin’s performance was rewarded with a composed finish for the opening goal. Ade Azeez and George Porter added the other two.

Dowson made nine changes to the team that beat Tooting and Mitcham United in the London Senior Cup, only Sam Oduadu and Jack Smith remained in the starting line up. It was Smith who opened the scoring on Saturday in the 1-1 draw at St Albans City, his first goal for the Darts during his loan spell. However, the Saints equalised through the prolific Shaun Jeffers. The result stretched Dartford’s unbeaten run to seven in the National League keeping them in third place.

Dartford coach, Steve Haughney spoke to Dartford FC TV after the draw at his former club St Albans City and said: “The first forty five minutes were a bit of a basketball match as in end to end, both sides looked dangerous going forward and opportunities were created both ends”. Once again, Dowson made use of the interval and in the second-half Haughney thought the Darts were “good value, but without creating too much”.

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Highlights – St Albans City v Dartford (22/10/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Signed on loan from Oxford United, Josh Johnson was given his debut at Clarence Park, he was the only change to the team that won Dartford’s last league game 2-0 against Tonbridge Angels. Haughney was pleased with his debut, he commented: “He brings energy, he brings enthusiasm. I don’t think he’s played competitively for a while but you can see what’s coming, I think he’s a good player”.

Looking ahead to Tuesday night Haughney trusts the Dartford players to put in a shift, he added: “We know it’s opportunity knocks again, another ninety minutes and I know for a fact that group have worked so hard and they’ll go to Slough on Tuesday and work hard again. It’s in their make up, it’s in their DNA and they are buying in to what the management team are doing”.

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HIghlights – Dartford v Slough Town (21/08/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Slough Town suffered a disappointing result on Saturday losing 3-2 to bottom side Weymouth. Their opponents were also reduced to ten men before grabbing a winner late in the games. The Terras took the lead when Bradley Ash converted a spot kick and in the second-half Teddy Howe made it two for the visitors. Slough Town fought back from two down with Arnold Matshazi scoring first before Nathan Carlyle was sent off for Weymouth. Scott Davies made the man advantage count equalising direct from a free-kick. However with two minutes left on the clock Cam Murray won it for the Terras.

Dan Roberts made his third league appearance for the Rebels in his one month loan spell. The forward was a favourite in his first spell at Arbour Park making 58 appearances scoring 13 goals. His hard work and pace earned him a move to the Darts in the summer of 2021 and so far he has started just 11 games under Steve King and now Dowson. The 24-year-old has the highest substitute appearances in the current Dartford squad with 26 and has scored six times for the Darts.

Slough Town have had a patchy start to their campaign highlighted by the fact they are mid-table with almost identical home and away records. Opening the season with one point from a possible nine, the Rebels went on to lose just once in the next seven, a 5-1 hammering at Bath City. In that spell they managed to pick up five wins and a draw and by the end of September were ninth and just a point behind Dartford in seventh. However, three losses in a row has seen the Berkshire club lose ground, but Neal Baker and Jon Underwood will be determined to get the Rebels back on track.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / St Albans City wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Dartford
(WWWWWD)
    Slough Town
(WDWLLL)
   
St Albans City A 1-1 Weymouth H 2-3
Tonbridge Angels H 2-0 Dover Athletic A 0-3
Dulwich Hamlet A 2-1 Hemel Hempstead Town H 0-2
Hungerford Town H 2-0 Chippenham Town A 1-0
Eastbourne Borough H 2-1 Braintree Town A 1-1
Hampton & Richmond H 2-1 Taunton Town H 1-0

Last Six Meetings

Slough Town 0 – 6 Dartford (30/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)*
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Slough Town (03/10/2020 – F.A Cup)
Slough Town 0 – 3 Dartford (19/07/2020 – National South Playoff)
* – Dartford won 6-5 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have won the last three league games scoring 11 without reply
  • The Darts have gone four games unbeaten in all competitions against the Rebels, winning three and going through on penalties in the F.A Trophy
  • Dartford are unbeaten in three away games against the Rebels

On This Day

Dartford are unbeaten in their last eight games on this day, but five of those have been draws. The last outing on 25 October ended without a goal as the Darts drew 0-0 at Chelmsford City a year ago. Harry Crawford scored twice and Elliot Bradbrook netted from the spot in 2014 to help Dartford qualify for the F.A Cup first round by beating Burgess Hill Town 3-1. That victory was the last in a sequence of three straight victories on this day. In 2011, Jacob Erskine, James Rogers and Jack Pallen scored in a 3-0 win across the River Thames against Thurrock. Three years earlier, the Darts beat Tooting and Mitcham United 2-0 thanks to Cody McDonald and Rob Haworth finding the back of the net. Prior the run of three consecutive wins, Dartford drew four in a row versus Barking and East Ham United (2-2 in 2005), Fleet Town (0-0 in 2003), Newport Isle of Wight (1-1 in 2000) and Bashley (2-2 in 1997). The last defeat on this day came back in 1988 against Sutton United in the first round of the Club Call Cup. The same season the U’s recorded that famous F.A Cup win against Coventry City in the third round.

Season Preview 2022/2023

Slough Town

Only their second full season in the National South since winning promotion four years ago. The Rebels impressed in their first campaign missing out on the top ten. That was followed by a playoff campaign ended by Dartford. Last term Slough Town took a while to get going, after an opening day win, they went seven without victory. A spell of four wins in five in October and November was as good as it got, but they never looked trouble. Although Slough Town took a few hammerings they completed a double over champions Maidstone United and had a decent enough home record.

2021/2022 Season
National South: 13th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 4th Round
County Cup: 1st Round
Top League Scorer: Alfonso Tenconi (9 goals)

Manager – Neil Baker and Jon Underwood

The only joint management team in the National South proves it can be done, especially as this duo are entering their tenth year together at Slough Town. Baker joined Underwood in May 2013 after the pair had already worked together at Godalming Town in the Southern League Division One Central. When they managing solo Baker was in charge at Fleet Spurs and Underwood was the boss at Sandhurst Town. Since being appointed they have taken Slough Town up two divisions twice through the playoffs, twice reached the second round of the F.A Cup and once participated in the National South playoffs.

Summer Transfers

Transfers In Transfers Out
James Dobson (Hemel Hempstead Town) Freddie Grant (Farnborough)
Elliot Benyon (Oxford City) Alfonso Tenconi (Stanford Cardinal)
Guy Hollis (Havant and Waterlooville)  
Johnny Goddard (St Albans City)  
George Wells (Maidenhead United)  
Fabio Sole (Oxford United)  

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Slough Town wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Previous Matches (last six)

Slough Town 0 – 6 Dartford (30/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)*
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Slough Town (03/10/2020 – F.A Cup)
Slough Town 0 – 3 Dartford (19/07/2020 – National South Playoff)
* – Dartford won 6-5 on penalties

Next Meetings

Slough Town v Dartford – 25/10/2022
Dartford v Slough Town – 21/03/2023

Statistics

  • Dartford have won the last three league games scoring 11 without reply
  • The Darts have gone four games unbeaten in all competitions against the Rebels, winning three and going through on penalties in the F.A Trophy
  • Dartford have won their last two at Princes Park against Slough Town and are unbeaten in three away from home

Match Highlights – 2021/2022

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Slough Town v Dartford

Dartford aim to build momentum ahead of the playoffs and next up is an away trip to Slough Town on the weekend.

A runner up spot is out of reach for the Darts and so their attention turns to moving into third and receiving a bye into the semi-finals of the playoffs. Although mathematically they can still draw level on points with second place Dorking Wanderers, the Darts will need a massive goal swing. After victory in their last league outing, Steve King’s side are sitting in fourth just a point behind rivals Ebbsfleet United and level on goal difference.

Slough Town can still make the playoff places but were hindered by Tuesday night’s result at Concord Rangers. The Rebels are four points from a top seven finish with two games remaining. The Berkshire club enter this weekend’s game unbeaten in their last five league matches drawing their last two.

The Darts can go into Saturday’s fixture with confidence after beating St Albans City last weekend and then reaching a second Kent Senior Cup final in a row. In their penultimate home game of the regular National South season, Steve King’s side put their derby day defeat against Maidstone United behind them. Four changes were made to the starting eleven with goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook making his third appearance. Kristian Campbell, Ade Azeez and Keiran Murtagh all returned to the line-up with Murtagh making an important contribution to the game. The midfielder scored twice and set up Marcus Dinanga in a 3-1 victory which saw the Darts pass 100 goals in all competitions since the start of the campaign. Dinanga will be hoping to maintain his scoring streak having scored in five of his last six appearance, taking his tally to nine in 12 appearances for the season.

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Dartford make it into the Kent Senior Cup Final – Dartford FC TV

A further eight changes were made in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final against Welling United on Tuesday night in a tie that went to penalties. Former Slough Town forward, Dan Roberts returned to the squad on the bench and made an impact in a dramatic twist at the end of the game. The Darts found themselves two goals down by half-time when Henry Burnett scored twice. Dartford rallied in the second-half and Jordan Greenidge scored his 4th for the club in seven appearances to provide hope. Deep into stoppage time, Dan Roberts won a penalty, up stepped Jake Robinson to net his 17th of the campaign. Dartford scored all five penalties and Charles-Cook made a crucial save to secure a 5-3 shoot-out victory.

The reverse fixture against Slough Town in August ended with Dartford earning a comfortable 3-0 triumph. In the first competitive game in front of home fans since March 2020, Noor Husin gave a masterclass in midfield and his man of the match performance was rewarded with a goal. Against his old club, Dan Roberts impressed with a key pass for the opening goal and a couple of assists, whilst Ade Azeez and George Porter netted the other two goals.

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Dartford’s win against Slough Town earlier in the season – Dartford FC TV

Dartford’s last visit to Arbour Park came in December 2020 when they drew Slough Town in the F.A Trophy second round. Like Tuesday night’s county cup win, Dartford came from two goals down to take the game to penalties. Josh Jackson and Warren Harris put the hosts in command, but goals from Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong and Moussa Bakayoko within three minutes of each other forced spot-kicks, Dartford won 6-5 in the shoot-out. That was the third time the two sides met in that campaign over a two-month period. The Rebels won a F.A Cup tie 1-0 at Princes Park and in the league, Dartford triumphed at home with both goals from Chris Dickson.

The Darts last visited the Rebels in a National South fixture back in January 2020. On the scoresheet that day for Slough Town was Dan Roberts, he also netted in the reverse fixture that season as his former club completed a league double. However, the two sides were to meet again in the playoffs and this time the Darts won 3-0 thanks to Charlie Sheringham’s brace and Luke Wanadio’s strike. 

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Dartford’s last visit to Arbour Park courtesy of Slough Town FC

Slough Town have put a positive run together to try and gatecrash the playoffs, however in their current sequence of five without defeat they have drawn three and those dropped points could be decisive. On Tuesday night they went to Concord Rangers knowing victory will give them a better chance of a top seven finish. It looked good for the Rebels just past the hour mark when Ben Harris scored, but the Beachboys were level when Mamadou Jobe netted in the 1-1 draw. The result was a repeat of their weekend game against Chelmsford City in which Slough Town threw away a lead, this time whilst the Clarets were down to ten men. Prior the two draws, the Rebels put back-to-back wins together beating Tonbridge Angels 1-0 and Hemel Hempstead Town 2-0.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Slough Town wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Dartford
(WDDWLW)
    Slough Town
(LLDWWD)
   
St Albans City H 3-1 Chelmsford City A 1-1
Maidstone United H 0-1 Hemel Hempstead Town H 2-0
Billericay Town A 2-0 Tonbridge Angels A 1-0
Hemel Hempstead Town H 1-1 Eastbourne Borough H 2-2
Oxford City A 1-1 Dorking Wanderers A 0-5
Hampton & Richmond A 1-0 Braintree Town H 0-2

Previous Meetings (last six)

Dartford 3 – 0 Slough Town (21/08/2021 – National South)
Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Slough Town (03/10/2020 – F.A Cup)
Slough Town 0 – 3 Dartford (19/07/2020 – National South Playoff)
Slough Town 1 – 0 Dartford (18/01/2020 – National South)

Stats

  • Dartford are unbeaten in their last three matches against Slough Town (W2, D1)
  • Five of the six visits to Arbour Park have ended with three or more goals scored, the Darts have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 1. The defeat being the only game with less than three goals scored.
  • The Darts have kept three clean sheets in their last five games against the Rebels having previously gone seven consecutive fixtures without keeping a clean sheet when playing the Berkshire club.

On This Day

The last four games played on this day were all end of season fixtures, the most recent ended in a dismal 4-0 defeat at St Albans City six years ago. However, five years earlier the Darts enjoyed an entertaining 3-2 win at Maidenhead United with goals from Charlie Sheringham, Jack Pallen and Ryan Hayes. Barton Rovers were beaten 2-0 on their own patch to close out the 2005/2006 Southern League Division One Eastern campaign and 12 months earlier Dartford lost their last home game on this day 3-0 against East Thurrock United in the same division. In 1988, Dartford kept their Southern Premier League title hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over VS Rugby. However, the season ended in heartbreak the following week as they lost on goal difference to Aylesbury United by just four goals. Two years earlier, Dartford said goodbye to the top tier of non-league as they were relegated from the Alliance Premier League. The Darts lost 5-0 at Runcorn and had to wait 26 years to return to the non-league top flight.

Dartford v Slough Town

Fans return to Princes Park this weekend for the first competitive game since March last year to watch Dartford host Slough Town in the National South.

The two sides were due to meet last term, but just before the Darts were due to visit the Rebels the season was curtailed. So despite coming up against each other five times in the previous calendar year, this time will be the first in 2021.

In form Dartford striker Dan Roberts will know the opposition well having played for the Berkshire club last season. He spoke to Dartford FC TV after the season’s opener and said: “Having been there for just over two years they are hard side to breakdown, they defend well and they will make it difficult for us to create chances”.

In total Roberts played 58 games for Slough Town scoring 13 times including a hat-trick against Dorking Wanderers. In pre-season the 23-year-old scored five goals and on the opening day of the season he became the match winner on his debut with a brace. The striker commented after the game: “It starts the group on a positive light. Winning the first game of the season sets the tone for the next four or five games. We’ve now got to put our thoughts on to the weekend, it’s another tough game and we’ve got to get another three points.”

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Dartford manager, Steve King handed first starts to four players against one of the expected promotion candidates St Albans City last weekend. Keiran Murtagh and Jake Robinson were amongst the new starters, whilst debutants Danny Leonard and Ade Azeez made an immediate impact. Roberts and George Porter made their first competitive appearances for the club coming on as substitutes.

The Darts scored at the end of either half to take a satisfying opening day victory. The first half closed with Danny Leonard’s cross being headed home by Ade Azeez. In the second half, St Albans City were level when former Dart, Tom Bender scored an equaliser. After coming on as a substitute Roberts scored twice in the final minutes, getting on the end of a Josh Hill flick on then finishing a one on one opportunity. The match winner was delighted even though he didn’t make the starting eleven, he added: “As a player you’ve just got to say look when I get the opportunity to come on I’m going to make an impact. For me it’s all about just coming on and doing as well as I can for the team, working hard and when chances come up putting the ball in the back of the net”.

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Dartford have now recorded back to back opening day victories for the first time since 2005 and 2006. Steve King felt the Darts were ‘exceptional’ against St Albans City and his team will need to be on their game come Saturday, he told www.kentonline.co.uk: “It’s always a tough game against Slough and they had a good win last weekend against Chelmsford”.

Former Tonbridge Angels striker Tom Derry was one of five debutants in the Slough Town lineup and he managed to net the crucial goal against Chelmsford City. Joint manager, Neil Baker felt his side ‘rode their luck’ at times, but also controlled the game territorial wise, he spoke to www.sloughtownfc.net after the game and said: “It was a really hard working performance, everyone put in a shift”. After claiming all three points, Baker feels he can now “look forward to what is going to be a tough game against Dartford, one of the favourites for the league. Having won (on the opening day) it takes a little bit of pressure off that game”.

Over the previous two reduced campaigns the Darts have faced the Rebels six times. At Princes Park, Dartford lost two in a row before winning 2-0 in the last home meeting. Chris Dickson netted a brace on his debut to claim a first home victory over Slough Town since 1981.

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Either side of the league victory, Slough Town knocked the Darts out of the F.A Cup with a last minute penalty, but Dartford won on penalties in the F.A Trophy tie. In the previous season, Dan Roberts scored for Slough Town in both games as the Rebels completed a league double. However when the two sides met in the playoffs, Dartford came out on top with a 3-0 away win.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 5 / Slough Town wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Previous Meetings (last six)

Slough Town 2 – 2 Dartford (15/12/2020 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 2 – 0 Slough Town (21/11/2020 – National South)
Dartford 0 – 1 Slough Town (03/10/2020 – F.A Cup)
Slough Town 0 – 3 Dartford (19/07/2020 – National South Playoff)
Slough Town 1 – 0 Dartford (18/01/2020 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 3 Slough Town (28/09/2019 – National South)

Stats

  • The Darts have won just one league game against Slough Town drawing two and losing two.
  • In all competitions, out of the eleven meetings between the two sides the home team has only won three times.
  • Both teams scored in each of the first six meetings, which has only happened once in the last five, when they last met in December.
  • Since reforming Dartford have won 12, drawn 9, lost 7 of their opening home league games.
  • If selected in the starting eleven, Josh Hill will make his 50th start for the club. The defender has also made six substitute appearances and has scored six times for the Darts.

On This Day

Dartford claimed their first victory of the Isthmian Division One North title season on this day in 2007. After drawing 2-2 in the opening game, the Darts travelled to Wivenhoe Town. Adam Flanagan, Steve Norman and Jay May found the back of the net in a 3-0 win, goalkeeper Tony Kessell also saved a penalty.

At home, the Darts have only ever lost once on this day back in 1948 against Exeter Reserves in the Southern League. Since then they have won six and drawn four, including a 3-0 victory versus St Leonards in 2000 and a 2-1 derby triumph over Tonbridge Angels in 1996. The Darts also beat rivals Gravesend and Northfleet 3-0 in the first leg of the Southern League Cup in 1973. Dartford hung on in the return leg losing 2-0 to knock the Fleet out of the competiton 3-2 on aggregate. It’s been eleven years since the Darts played on the 21st August when they lost 2-1 at Farnborough in the National South, Lee Noble heading a late consolation.