Dartford return their focus to the F.A Trophy when they host Three Bridges in the first round this weekend.
Since making it through the qualifying round Ben Greenhalgh’s side have suffered a shock cup exit and lost momentum with one win in their last four league fixtures.
Life in the Isthmian Premier has been difficult for Three Bridges, but they are still trying to adapt after promotion last season. The Sussex side remain in the bottom four of the division after a midweek loss, but have set a club record in the F.A Trophy.
Blank at Brentwood
The Darts came away with nothing to show when they travelled across the county border to face Brentwood Town. A 3-0 loss in Essex means the Darts have lost four of their last five fixtures in all competitions.
A disappointing defeat at AFC Whyteleafe on the weekend led to five changes to the side against Brentwood Town. Sam Odaudu returned after being rested and Ike Orji replaced the injured Adrian Gyamera. Jordan Higgs and Jez Pinder were back in the team and Matty MacArthur made his first start since joining from Billericay Town on a dual registration. Top scorer Max Fiddes dropped to the bench and George Whitefield made his 100th start for the club.
Dartford failed to score for the first time since late August and really should have taken lead. Dan Smith was brought down in the box to earn an early penalty, but the striker saw his spot kick saved by Jack Giddens. Within a minute Brentwood Town went down the other end to take the lead through Andy Freeman. The Darts fell further behind in the second half when Alfie Cerulli doubled the lead for the Blues and Freddie Sears added a third.
Opening Day Comeback
On the opening day of the season, the Darts came from two goals down to win against newly promoted Three Bridges. Dartford spoilt the Sussex side’s Isthmian Premier debut with a 3-2 victory at the Jubilee Field.
Jamie Crellin’s side benefited from two first half penalties, both scored by Charlie Bennett to give the Isthmian South East champions a dream start. However, Ben Greenhalgh in his first Dartford match in charge sparked a comeback on the stroke of half time.
Joe Tennent headed home Greenhalgh’s free-kick in the second half to equalise. Two minutes later the turn around was complete with Max Fiddes scoring on debut.
Darts Drought Ends
Dartford eased into the first round with a 3-0 win at Southern Premier Central side Leiston. That was the first victory in the competition in almost five years. Lorenzo Duncan slotted through Fiddes and the striker finished from a tight angle. In the second half, Dan Smith’s unselfish play set up Greenhalgh to double the lead. The tie was all wrapped up when Jez Pinder assisted for Fiddes to score his second of the afternoon.
Bennett Brace Creates History
Played at the New Eyrie home of Bedford Town, Three Bridges made it past Southern League Division One Central side Biggleswade in the qualifying round. Bennett grabbed another brace, scoring the opening goal by getting on the end of Hayden Velvick’s cross.
Three Bridges were awarded a penalty in the second half and yet again Bennett made sure to extend the visitor’s lead. Biggleswade pulled a goal back before the tie was finally settled through Kevin Rivera. Reaching the first round is a milestone for the club. After 14 campaigns in the competition, Three Bridges have made it through qualifying to set a new club record.
Derby Defeat
Three Bridges were up against Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday evening and went a goal down inside five minutes when a Josh Rees netted for the Sports. It took until the second half for Eastbourne Borough to extend their advantage after Kai Corbett and leave the Bridges on nine points from thirteen games.
Goals, Goals, Goals
Goalscoring doesn’t seem to be a problem for Three Bridges who wracked up a huge 124 league goals last season on their way to the Isthmian South East title. This term the Bridges have scored 23 times, the fifth best in the division despite being in the relegation zone. But Crellin’s side need to tighten up at the back having shipped in 36 goals, the most in the Isthmian Premier.
Manager’s View
Ben Greenhalgh was happy with the standards in the first half and even after the interval on Tuesday night, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and said: “We played a bit of a different style knowing what we were coming against and I thought it worked really well. We played some great football, we created numerous chances”.
However, the player manager wasn’t pleased with the performance in the closing stages of the match, he added: “I’m disappointed how the game ended. The last fifteen minutes felt similar to the last ten minutes of the Whyteleafe game. We’ve conceded a really sloppy goal when we’re pushing for it and then the game is done”.
Greenhalgh still believes in his squad and has called on his players to stick together, he commented: “We’ve got a brilliant squad, but these things can’t keep happening. In the last couple of weeks, I think we’ve just seen a couple of slips in performances and I think as a group we need to carry each other out of that”.
Despite Three Bridges’ lowly position in the league, Greenhalgh doesn’t expect an easy afternoon on the weekend: “They’re another good footballing team. They’ve had sporadic results. They drew with Enfield, who in my opinion are probably the best team we’ve played this season”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
George Whitefield is expected to be fit on the weekend after limping off in midweek. Adrian Gyamera has a hamstring injury and can hopefully return in a couple of weeks. Joe Tennent, Ben Swift and Luke Exal are recovering from longer term issues.
Current Form
| DARTFORD (WLLWLL) | Three Bridges (WLWLDL) | ||||
| Brentwood Town | A | 0-3 | Eastbourne Borough | H | 0-2 |
| AFC Whyteleafe | A | 1-2 | Enfield Town | H | 3-3 |
| Wingate & Finchley | H | 2-1 | Lewes | H | 1-2 |
| Ramsgate | H | 1-2 | Stanway Rovers | A | 3-1 |
| Tadley Calleva (FAC) | A | 1-2 | Worthing (SSC) | H | 0-3 |
| Whitehawk | H | 2-1 | Biggleswade (FAT) | A | 3-1 |
FAC – F.A Cup / SSC – Sussex Senior Cup / FAT – F.A Trophy
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 1 / Three Bridges wins: 0 / Draws: 0
Previous Meeting
Three Bridges 2 – 3 Brentwood Town (08/08/2026 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
- Dartford have won just one of their last 11 home games in the F.A Trophy (D3, L7), a 1-0 win over Weymouth in 20222
- The Darts last five F.A Trophy ties at Princes Park have all ended 1-0 (W1, L4)
- Dartford’s win in the previous round ended a run of five straight losses in the F.A Trophy
On This Day
Dartford are unbeaten in their last five games on this day, the last of which was a 1-1 draw at Eastbourne Borough three years ago. Brandon Barzey equalised after Fletcher Holman gave the hosts the lead. In 2017, Alfie Pavey scored twice as ten men Dartford beat Bath City 2-1 on the road, Andy Pugh was sent off for the Darts.
Three years earlier Barry Cogan put Dartford in front at Bishop’s Stortford and Elliot Bradbrook netted the winner in a 2-1 victory. In 1970, the same opponents drew 1-1 with the Darts in the F.A Cup, Dartford’s last home fixture on this day.
Bradbrook was also on the scoresheet when the Darts defeated Aveley 4-1 in the Isthmian Premier in 2009. Jamie Coyle, Ryan Hayes and Jay May also found the back of the net. The unbeaten run started out in 1989 with a 1-0 win at Gosport Borough in the Southern Premier League.
