A place in the F.A Cup fourth qualifying round is at stake when Isthmian Premier leaders Dartford take on ninth tier side Tadley Calleva on Saturday.
It’s been five years since the Darts progressed further than the third qualifying round. An eighth consecutive win in all competitions will put Ben Greenhalgh’s side in the draw and within touching distance of the first round proper.
Standing in the way will be history makers Tadley Calleva who have set a club record run. The Combined Counties Premier South side have made it through four rounds already to beat their previous best achieved in the last two campaigns.
White Hawk Downed
Dartford prepare for the F.A Cup tie having climbed to the top of the Isthmian Premier. A fourth league win in a row and eighth consecutive victory over Whitehawk put them three points clear.
Max Fiddes is also in excellent form netting a brace in each of his last three appearances. His two goals on Tuesday night made the difference in the 2-1 home win against the Hawks. The striker scored in each half finishing a good move for the opener, then netting a winner. Fiddes has now scored ten goals in 13 games for the Darts.
The only blemish on Dartford’s performance is that they conceded a goal. Karmani Ryan, also in top form for Whitehawk rounded Ryan Sandford to equalise. The striker ended a run of three league matches without conceding for the Darts. However, the back line remains strong having kept six clean sheets in their last nine outings.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Squad Game
Dartford’s packed schedule has seen Greenhalgh use the squad and it was no different in midweek. In came Brandon Davey, Ikechukwu Orji and Tyler Ibe for Adrian Gyamera, Lorenzo Duncan and Jez Pinder, who took their places on the bench. Jordan Higgs was not involved after picking up a dead leg against Leiston, he was replaced by Scott Wagstaff.
In the eight matches Dartford played in September they have won all but one, which was a draw in the last round of the F.A Cup. All that with Greenhalgh making a total of 35 changes to the starting lineups.
Senior Cup Success
Tadley Calleva are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions. Last season’s league Combined Counties Premier South runners up and playoff semi-finalists, had a Tuesday night win of their own.
The Romans were involved in their eighth cup tie this season beating Westfield in the Aldershot Senior Cup. Substitute, Mal Thomas came on after just four minutes and scored a brace. Tadley Calleva secured a passage into the next round with a 4-2 triumph, which also saw Charlie Barlow and Connor Thorne find the Westfield net.
Playing Catch Up
Having played the fewest matches in their division, Tadley Calleva have ground to make up. However, they have games in hand, sit mid-table and have scored in every league fixture this season.
The Romans are five unbeaten in the Combined Counties Premier South and at home they have scored 13 times in their previous four outings. Only one side has visited Barlows Park and won and that was Roman Glass St George in the F.A Vase first qualifying round.
Journey so far – Dartford
The Darts were taken to a replay in the second qualifying round after a 1-1 draw with Westfield. The Isthmian South Central side took the lead on their own patch with a wonderful James Roberts free-kick. Dartford equalised through Fiddes to earn a second chance back at Princes Park.
Fiddes was at it again in the replay by setting Dartford on their way. The striker got on the end of Greenhalgh’s cross to put the host ahead. Dan Smith made an impact later on when he challenged for a header which landed in the Westfield net.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Journey so far – Tadley Calleva
On the day Dartford were beginning their Isthmian Premier campaign, Tadley Calleva began their now historical F.A Cup journey. The Romans made it through the extra preliminary round with a 2-1 victory against Wessex Premier side Bemerton Heath Harlequins.
A replay was required in the following F.A Cup tie after drawing with Hamble Club. The replay back in Tadley finished 3-1, a scoreline they were to repeat in the next round versus Laverstock and Ford.
After three rounds against Wessex Premier League opposition, the Romans had to step up when they were drawn out against Bishops Cleeve. Tadley Calleva caused an upset beating the Southern League South side 1-0, Brad Neal’s goal sending the Hampshire club to the third qualifying round for the first time.
Manager’s View
Ben Greenhalgh was delighted with Tuesday night’s win, but could also see room for improvement, he spoke to Dartford FC TV and said: “I thought it was actually an incredible performance. We had a really sloppy 15 minutes at the end of the first half”, he added: “We got a little bit ahead of ourselves…we got a bit too aggressive, a bit too open”.
The Darts had a “brilliant start” to the second half according to the player manager. However, had the team taken their chances the closing stages would have been less nervy. Greenhalgh summed up the night, he commented: “In general a great home performance and another three points”.
Looking towards the F.A Cup tie with Tadley Calleva, Greenhalgh is certain his squad will be ready, he explained: “I think we are very level headed as a team, we don’t disrespect any opponents”, he continued: “I know as a team how hard we will work against any opponent”. Despite the gap between to the two sides Greenhalgh is expecting the Romans to raise their game, he said: “They are probably one of the lowest ranked teams, so they are going to be absolutely up for getting a cup upset”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
Jordan Higgs was unavailable in midweek after suffering a dead leg against Leiston. Ben Swift and Joe Tennent remain out with longer term injuries.
Current Form
| DARTFORD (WWWWWW) | TADLEY CALLEVA (WLWWDW) | ||||
| Whitehawk | H | 2-1 | Westfield (ASC) | A | 4-2 |
| Leiston (FAT) | A | 3-0 | Sutton Common Rovers | H | 3-3 |
| Ramsgate (KSC) | H | 2-0 | Bishops Cleeve (FAC) | A | 1-0 |
| Hayes & Yeading Utd (FAC) | H | 4-2 | Camberley Town | H | 4-2 |
| Enfield Town | A | 2-0 | Fleet Town (HSC) | A | 3-4 |
| Carshalton Athletic | H | 3-0 | Laverstock & Ford (FAC) | H | 3-1 |
FAC – F.A Cup / KSC – Kent Senior Cup / FAT – F.A Trophy
HSC – Hampshire Senior Cup / ASC – Aldershot Senior Cup
Statistics
- Dartford have won seven consecutive matches. The Darts last won eight games in a row during their ten match winning streak from December 2024 to February 2025, a joint club record
- The Darts have failed to win their last four F.A Cup ties on the road (D2, L2). The last away victory was a 3-0 win against rivals Maidstone United in 2019.
- Dartford have played lower league opposition in the F.A Cup 15 times in the last ten years. The Darts have won 11, drawn one and lost three.
On This Day
Dartford have won twice in the F.A Cup on this day, the last of those victories came in 2001. The Darts beat Croydon Athletic 4-2 in a second qualifying round replay after a 2-2 draw in the original tie. In 1964, Dartford won 3-1 in the third qualifying round against Bexley United. On this day in 1896, Dartford thrashed Wycombe Wanderers 9-0 in the Southern League Second Division.