Tag: Tonbridge Angels

The first of three Kent derbies over the festive period is on the horizon for Dartford as they host Tonbridge Angels on the weekend.

Alan Dowson has a near impeccable record when it comes to local league fixtures. After recent positive results and the introduction of three new faces, the Darts look like they have renewed energy. Tonbridge Angels are a point ahead and two places above Dartford. Under Jay Saunders they have put a decent run together since visiting Princes Park almost three months ago.

When Paul Rooney scored the only goal of the game in September it left the Angels down in twentieth. Now this weekend’s opponents are sitting in tenth and like the Darts aiming for a playoff position. The 1-0 victory was Dowson’s ninth Kent derby win in the National South since joining the club. The only dropped points came in the draw at Welling United last season.

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The one thing Dartford have been this season is consistent in their inconsistency. Alan Dowson has attempted to address this issue with the signings of Ryan Sandford in goal, Richard Chin and George Alexander. The trio have breathed life into the side, when speaking to Pure DFC the Dartford boss said: “The three new signings we’ve made have been a massive benchmark. Our keeper has been outstanding, Chin has, and I think George has. So, the three new signings we’ve made have made a massive difference to the way we play”.

To conclude November, the Darts deservedly beat Torquay United 3-0 at home. Chin’s return went perfectly well, his curling shot found the top corner. Alexander then scored on debut with a delightful turn and shot. Finally, Moussa Diarra scored his first for the club as well. The Darts added another win with a much-changed side in the Kent Senior Cup beating Bromley 5-1.

A first clean sheet for Sandford was followed up by a Player of the Match performance against league leaders Yeovil Town last weekend. After the opening ten minutes it felt like it could be a long afternoon for the Darts. The Glovers took the lead from the spot through Rhys Murphy but could have already scored a few times. Somehow Dartford went in at the break level, former Tonbridge Angel midfielder Luke Allen set up Alexander for his second in as many games. Dowson agreed with Sandford’s reward for an excellent display, he commented after the match: “Ryan’s got man of the match for a reason because he saved our blushes in the first half. We could have come in 4-1, 5-1, 6-1 down”.

In the second half the hosts improved. Chin netted in consecutive matches to give the Darts a shock lead with twenty minutes remaining. However, the Glovers showed why they are topping the table when Jordan Young equalised to leave the score all square. Despite a difficult start to the game, the Dartford boss was pleased with the response after the break. He praised his side’s battling qualities and work rate, adding: “Second half we were miles better and I thought we looked quite comfortable”.

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The Darts will see striker Harvey Bradbury available against Tonbridge Angels. Dowson believes his return from suspension will provide better options, he stated: “We got Harvey coming back in, we need his pace and power. It gives us more options and that is what we need around the pitch”. Although the Darts manager would like to see the defence tighten up more, he feels the last few performances have been positive, he said: “If we show the same attitude and the same desire, we’re scoring a lot of goals at the minute, just cut out conceding and we will be fine”. 

Out of the current clubs in the division, Dartford have probably had the most joy against Tonbridge Angels. Just one defeat in the last seventeen competitive meetings, the Darts have won the last four and kept three consecutive clean sheets. The Angels have picked up a solitary point in the league against Dartford out of the last 21 available. Their only victory in this fixture since March 2009 brought the end to Dartford’s joint manager experiment. Shortly after the 3-2 loss at Longmead four years ago, Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle left the club.

Since that defeat, the Darts have visited Longmead twice reversing the scoreline in January 2022. Danny Leonard scored a brace before Tommy Wood halved the deficit. Dartford restored the two goal cushion when Jack Jebb scored a free-kick. With the game almost over Ibrahim Olutade netted a consolation. The last trip to TN10 came in April this year and the visitors came out on top again. A long ball from goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski found its way to Malachai Napa who grabbed the only goal of the game.

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Tonbridge Angels ended up in ninth last season, their highest position since the seventies. This campaign they are on target to challenge that finish. Yet they were languishing just above the relegation zone after the reverse fixture at Princes Park. Since September, the Angels have only tasted defeat twice in the National South. Saunders has guided the Kent club to five wins and five draws in that time.

One of those losses came in their last league outing bringing an end to a seven-match unbeaten run in the National South. A 2-1 defeat down in Devon against Torquay United leaves Tonbridge Angels, a point ahead of Dartford and a win from a top seven place. In their last home game, they beat Havant and Waterlooville 4-1 with former Dart, Jordan Greenidge scoring his sixth of the season. The striker had a prolific spell with the Darts scoring six goals in just eight appearances. Jernade Meade is another ex-player who could be up against he Darts. The full-back played 40 times for Dartford scoring one goal.

Current League Form

Dartford (LWLWLD)			Tonbridge Angels (DWWDWL)
Yeovil Town	H	2-2	Torquay United	A	1-2
Torquay United	H	3-0	Havant & Waterlooville	H	4-1
Braintree Town	H	0-2	Aveley	A	1-1
Worthing	A	4-3	Eastbourne Borough	A	3-0
Chelmsford City	H	1-2	St Albans City	A	3-2
Weston-super-Mare	H	4-2	Hampton & Richmond	H	0-0

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 73 / Tonbridge Angels wins: 38 / Draws: 25

Previous Meetings

Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (23/09/2023 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 0 – 1 Dartford (15/04/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (15/10/2022 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 2 – 3 Dartford (29/01/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Tonbridge Angels (11/09/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (05/01/2021 – National South

Statistics

• Dartford have won ten of their last 12 league games against Tonbridge Angels (D1, L1)
• In all competitions, the Darts have lost just once against the Angels in the last 17 matches (W14, D2)
• Dartford have won six of the last seven at Longmead in all competitions (D0, L1)
• The Darts have kept clean sheets versus Tonbridge Angels in each of the last three games

On This Day

Dartford held National League side Boreham Wood to a 1-1 draw six years ago. Ricky Shakes gave the Wood the lead at Princes Park. Tom Murphy levelled for the Darts in the F.A Trophy tie. The hosts played the final quarter with ten men after Alex Brown was sent off, but held out for a replay.

The Darts drew in their fifth ever match at Princes Park back in 2006. Richard Avery and Ryan Hayes were on the scoresheet in the 2-2 stalemate with Metropolitan Police. Dartford’s last away game on this day was back in 1995 when they won 5-0 at Tunbridge Wells in the Kent League.

Dartford return to National South action when they host Tonbridge Angels in another Kent derby this weekend.

The Darts were knocked out of the F.A Cup last time out losing to Welling United. Another early cup exit and a fourth straight loss, for the first time in seven years, has arguably put the most amount of pressure on Alan Dowson since his appointment. Tonbridge Angels threatened to make the playoffs last term under Jay Saunders, but they have also started this season slowly. A point better off than Dartford, the Angels were another team to exit the cup last Saturday.

Dowson is confident in his ability to turn results around and in a statement this week has the support of the board. The Darts boss also spoke to www.kentonline.co.uk and said: “I don’t feel under pressure. If anybody else wants to put me under pressure, that’s up to them”. Ten games down and Dowson believes mitigating circumstances haven’t helped the cause. Injuries to players in the early stages of the season has meant he is yet to find the ‘right team’.

Last weekend he made two changes with Paul Rooney coming back into the side and Charlie Sheringham making his first start since the final game of last season. Tyrell Miller-Rodney was named on the bench, but Harvey Bradbury was left out through illness. Alex Wall was among the substitutes after a long spell out injured, alongside Brandon Barzey who returned from international duty. Recovering from injury, Maxwell Statham was not ready to face his former club, neither were Tommy Block and Luke Allen. However, Dowson confirmed the trio could be in contention to return this weekend.

Last weekend, Dartford’s Lewis Manor and Welling United’s hat-trick hero, Antony Papadopoulos were both on target as the Darts twice went in front to lose 3-2. Manor was lurking at the far post to head in the opener from close range. However, after the drinks break Welling United piled on the pressure and just before half-time were level when Papadopoulos scored direct from a free-kick. Route one football led to Dartford retaking the lead in the second half. Mitch Beeney hit a long goal kick which found Manor who volleyed from a tight angle. Once again the Wings equalised when Papadopoulos scored from the edge of the box. The midfielder then completed his treble tapping the winner into the Dartford net.

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The Darts will be keen to end a three game losing streak in the league and will draw on their recent Kent derby record for inspiration. In the nine local league fixtures under Dowson, Dartford have won eight and drawn one. The last time they hosted Tonbridge Angels goals from Samir Carruthers and Pierre Fonkeu earned Dartford a 2-0 victory. Carruthers was pivotal in October’s meeting scoring direct from a corner then getting involved in the second goal as well. His flick on for Charlie Sheringham led to an effort on target, which Fonkeu followed up and scrambled over the line. In the return fixture back in April, Malachi Napa netted the only goal of the game to complete a double over the Angels.

Another hat-trick hero influenced Tonbridge Angels’ F.A Cup tie last weekend. Just like the Darts, the Kent side were determined to put the shock exit from a year ago behind them. Jay Saunders named a strong side against Haringey Borough, which included former Darts Jordan Greenidge and Jernade Meade. Greenidge scored six goals in just eight appearances during his short stay at Princes Park, whilst Meade played 40 games for the Darts over two spells.

The headlines were written by Matthew Young, whose three goals helped Haringey Borough to a 4-2 cupset. The unfortunate Greenidge gave away a penalty to present Young with the chance from the spot, which he duly took. Greenidge equalised, however Borough were back in front when Young scored on the stroke of half-time. The match ball was claimed with a third in the second-half and when Gianni Crichlow pulled a goal back the Angels had hope. With seven minutes to go, Walter Figuera made sure to send Haringey Borough into the next round.

That’s now one win in six for the Angels as they struggle to replicate the form that took them to an all-time high of ninth place last season. That solitary victory at the beginning of the month saw Tonbridge Angels put five past Slough Town. Considering they have scored just eight in the league it is clear where improvements are needed, the Kent club have failed to score in six National South matches out of the nine played. Last time in the league, Saunders’ side were comfortably beaten at home by Taunton Town.

Current Form

Dartford (WWLLLL)			Tonbridge Angels (LLWDLL)
Welling United (FAC)	H	2-3	Haringey Borough (FAC)	A	2-4
St Albans City	A	0-1	Taunton Town	H	0-3
Slough Town	H	1-2	Braintree Town	H	0-0
Taunton Town	A	0-1	Slough Town	A	5-2
Dover Athletic	H	2-0	Welling United	H	0-1
Aveley	A	1-0	Yeovil Town	A	0-2
FAC – F.A Cup

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 72 / Tonbridge Angels wins: 38 / Draws: 25

Last Six Meetings

Tonbridge Angels 0 – 1 Dartford (15/04/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (15/10/2022 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 2 – 3 Dartford (29/01/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Tonbridge Angels (11/09/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (05/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (28/12/2019 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford have won nine of their last 11 league games against Tonbridge Angels (D1, L1)
• In all competitions the Darts have lost just one in the last 16 meetings (W13, D2)
• In the league, the Darts have won five of the last six at Princes Park versus the Angels (D1, L0).
• In all competitions Dartford have won seven of the last nine at home against Tonbridge Angels (D2, L0)
• The Darts have scored in each of the last 19 games in this fixture

On This Day

Rob Haworth scored what turned out to be a Kent derby winner against rivals Maidstone United on this day in 2008. Dartford’s only victory in their last five outings on this day came on the road at Central Park. The Darts led on 18 minutes after Steve Butterworth hit a low drive beyond the Stones keeper. One became two shortly afterwards and some slick build up play was finished off by a Haworth header. The hosts halved the deficit through Meshach Nugent, but the Darts stood firm to claim bragging rights. Way back in 1967, Dartford faced Tonbridge in the Southern League First Division and recorded a 1-0 win.

Dartford are back on the road this weekend when they make the short trip to Tonbridge Angels in their final Kent derby of the season.

The Darts are just one win away from securing a playoff place which they failed to do on Thursday night after a home loss against Taunton Town. A third defeat in five leaves Dartford just short of their target and under pressure to maintain their position in second place. Alan Dowson’s side could end up taking on Tonbridge Angels if their opponents make the top seven, they are currently just three points adrift and unbeaten in their last three home matches.

Kent derbies have yielded an impressive 19 points from a possible 21 for the Darts this season with only Welling United taking anything from the Darts. Earlier in the campaign goals from Samir Carruthers and Pierre Fonkeu earned Dartford a 2-0 home win over the Angels. Carruthers has been pivotal this term with his creativity, but the midfielder’s injury against Eastbourne Borough on Good Friday looks to have put him out for the rest of the campaign. The 30-year-old scored direct from a corner in the reverse fixture back in October at Princes Park and was involved in the second goal as well. Flicking on a header for Charlie Sheringham, who had his shot saved only to see Fonkeu scramble the ball over the line.

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Sheringham is another on the treatment table after his rib injury picked up against Chippenham Town in February, Tommy Block is not likely to feature this term and Jernade Meade will be suspended. Alex Wall was rested on Easter Monday after picking up a calf strain, the striker was left out again on Thursday night. Captain, Tom Bonner could make his 450th start for the club this weekend.

Dowson made three changes on Thursday night against Taunton Town to the side that beat Dover Athletic with a late Luke Allen strike on Easter Monday. The midfielder was rewarded by being selected, Bobby Dunn made his first start since joining the Darts and Marvin Herschel made his first league appearance since October. Dropping to the bench, Richard Chin, Jack Smith and Fonkeu were on standby. The visitors started the better and saw Ollie Chamberlain strike the woodwork before Nat Jarvis tapped in the rebound only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The Darts responded when they hit the post after Allen’s teasing cross and later in the first-half his shot came off the crossbar. Very little happened in the second forty five until Taunton Town’s Cameron Evans netted a winner with three minutes to go.

Home advantage in the playoffs could be crucial for the Darts, especially having failed to win away from home since the beginning of January, a run of six league games. Dartford let a lead slip against Eastbourne Borough and picked up just one point out of the two games versus Hungerford Town and Weymouth, both sides in the relegation zone. The point at Braintree Town in February was creditable considering the Iron were in form at the time and the Darts showed character to comeback twice at Welling United. A poor performance at Worthing started the barren spell on the road, which Dowson and company will be keen to end on Saturday.

Tonbridge Angels have only lost once at home against teams above them in the table, but Dartford’s last visit to Longmead finished in an entertaining 3-2 victory. Danny Leonard set the Darts on their way scoring a brace in the opening twenty minutes. However, Tommy Wood halved the deficit and after the Darts restored a two-goal cushion through Jack Jebb, the Angels added a consolation through Ibrahim Olutade.

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Manager, Jay Saunders has turned Tonbridge Angels into a team challenging for the playoffs after the club finished 16th last season. The postponement of the Farnborough game on Easter Monday means the Angels last played on Good Friday when they drew 1-1 with Hemel Hempstead Town. Former Dartford striker, Jordan Greenidge wasn’t allowed to play against his parent club, but he will be available on Saturday.

At this level Greenidge is a goal threat having netted six in eight games for the Darts last season. This term the striker has scored 16 times in 23 appearances for Tonbridge Angels and four in 15 with Hemel Hempstead Town. The Darts could do with Meade’s knowledge of the striker having spent time with the Tudors earlier this term, he will also know all about Craig Braham-Barrett as he linked up with the defender on international duty for Montserrat last month. Braham-Barrett is another former Dart who spent two seasons at Princes Park making 29 appearances.

Since the New Year’s Day defeat at Welling United, the Angels have shown solid form in 2023. They have only lost three of their last 17 league fixtures and two of were away against Chelmsford City and Oxford City, the two sides chasing the Darts for that second place finish. In that time they picked up their fourth point versus champions Ebbsfleet United with a 1-1 draw racked up eight victories. Over the past month if they could have turned a few draws into wins then they would be in that top seven.

On Good Friday, Joe Turner opened the scoring with a decent finish past ex Dartford goalkeeper Craig King in the Hemel Hempstead Town goal. However, the lead lasted less than ten minutes when Josh Castiglione equalised as the spoils were shared. It was Tonbridge Angels’ third draw in five having earned a point at home to Ebbsfleet United and another away at Havant and Waterlooville. Prior their match over Easter, the Angels were involved in plenty of goals clinging on to beat Hungerford Town 4-3 before being on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat at Oxford City.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 71 / Tonbridge Angels wins: 38 / Draws: 25

Current League Form

Dartford (WLWLWL)			Tonbridge Angels (WDDWLD)
Taunton Town	H	0-1	Hemel Hempstead Town	H	1-1
Dover Athletic	H	2-1	Oxford City	A	0-4
Eastbourne Borough	A	1-2	Hungerford Town	H	4-3
Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-0	Havant & Waterlooville	A	1-1
Chelmsford City	H	1-2	Ebbsfleet United	H	1-1
Farnborough	H	3-1	Eastbourne Borough	A	2-1

Previous Meeting

Dartford 2 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (15/10/2022 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 2 – 3 Dartford (29/01/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Tonbridge Angels (11/09/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (05/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (28/12/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 3 – 2 Dartford (03/09/2019 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford have lost just one of the last 15 games against Tonbridge Angels (W12, D2)
• The Darts have won five of the last six away matches against the Angels (W5, L1)
• Dartford are winless in seven consecutive away matches in all competitions (D3, L4). The last time they went eight games without an away win in a single season was in 2013/2014 (D4, L11)

On This Day

Dartford have won their last three on this day including the 2-0 win at Billericay Town a year ago. Second-half strikes from Jebb and Marcus Dinanga was enough to beat the side who ended up relegated at the end of the season. That was also one of three consecutive away clean sheets on 15 April. In 2010, the Darts romped to a 4-0 victory at Waltham Abbey. Goals by James White, Lee Noble, Carl Rook and Lee Burns helped Dartford add another three points in their Isthmian Division One North title winning campaign. A 0-0 draw at Tunbridge Wells in a 1995 Kent League fixture was the other clean sheet on the road. Dartford last conceded on the road on this day in 1989 against Macclesfield Town and they managed it four times in the F.A Trophy semi-final second leg. The reverse fixture ended 0-0 at Watling Street, but the Silkmen stopped Peter Taylor’s side heading to Wembley winning 4-1 on aggregate. However, Dartford did lift some silverware on 15 April back in 1939 when they beat Northfleet United 4-0 in the Kent Senior Shield final.

Dartford could claim a sixth straight league win for the first time in four and a half years on the weekend when they host Tonbridge Angels in the National South.

The Darts have found some form winning five league games in a row for the first time since the beginning of the year. The Darts can move back into third if they pick up at least a point this weekend and are guaranteed to finish fourth by the end of the afternoon. Tonbridge Angels could break into the playoff places if results go their way and potentially be the fourth Kent side in the top seven.

Six wins in their last seven league outings has seen Dartford move up the National South standings with the help of Samir Carruthers. The midfielder returned to the line-up on the weekend as the Darts recorded another 2-1 win, this time at Dulwich Hamlet. Returning from his one game ban, Carruthers scored from the spot to record his fifth goal in as many appearances. Keiran Murtagh was also back in the starting eleven, whilst Luke Allen was named as a substitute alongside Charlie Sheringham, who missed the home match against Hungerford Town. Luke Coulson picked up an injury in that 2-0 victory over the Crusaders, so he missed out on the Dulwich Hamlet fixture with Dan Wilks (ankle) and Sam Odaudu, who was close to making his return. Coulson returned to training this week and manager Alan Dowson is hopeful the winger will be available for this weekend’s Kent derby.

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The Darts were made to work hard for their win at Champion Hill after falling behind early on through Nana Owusu. Academy graduate, Marvin Herschel continued his impressive form in the senior team by winning a penalty on the stroke of half-time, which Carruthers successfully converted. Sheringham was introduced late in the second half and with six minutes remaining headed home the winner. A goal and assist from Carruthers takes the 29-year-old’s tally to eight goal involvements since the start of the season.

Martin Tyler spoke to Dartford FC TV after the Dulwich Hamlet game and said the performance “got better”, he added: “the scoreline reflects that. We were probably sloppy enough to be one down but getting a break just before half-time changed the mood of the half-time team talk”. Tyler praised Herschel for creating another influential moment in the game by winning the penalty, Dowson’s substitutions and Sheringham for his winner from off the bench.

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Dowson is pleased with the uplift in form and recording back to back away wins for the first time since becoming manager has put his side in a positive frame of mind, he spoke to Dartford FC TV this week and exclaimed: “It’s been a good place morale wise because we’re winning games”, he continued: “It was a good result on Saturday and at times we played some really good stuff, but other times we haven’t, it’s just about getting the balance right. We’re in a good position and the beauty about it is being in this position and wanting to add to it a little bit, I think we’ll be fine. It’s been a good couple of weeks”. Citing the Beckenham Town cup exit as a wake-up call, Dowson has made some alterations on the field which has been rewarded with the third best form in the division over the last eight league games. The Dartford boss now turns the attention towards Tonbridge Angels and is expecting a challenging afternoon this weekend against a “tough side”.

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Last season, Tonbridge Angels were the first side to take points off Dartford in a 1-1 draw at Princes Park. The Darts had won their opening five matches and fell behind to a Tommy Wood header. Dartford equalised when Jack Jebb took advantage of the headed clearance by goalkeeper Jonathan Henly to fire a half volley over the goalkeeper and into the Angels net. Jebb also scored what turned out to be the winner in the reverse fixture in a 3-2 victory, the start of another five-match winning streak this year. Winger, Danny Leonard set Dartford on their way scoring a brace in the opening twenty minutes. However, Wood halved the deficit and after the Darts restored a two-goal cushion through Jebb, the Angels added a consolation through Ibrahim Olutade.

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Like Dartford, the summer was a period of change for Tonbridge Angels with Steve McKimm leaving and being replaced by former Margate boss Saunders. Moving with Saunders from Hartsdown Park to Longmead came Louis Collins, Ben Swift and Fyn Rutherford, the trio would have played alongside Dartford’s Sam Odaudu last term when the midfielder was on loan at Margate. Former Dartford defender, Craig Braham-Barrett was retained by Tonbridge Angels over the summer having featured in the majority of games last season, the 34-year-old Montserrat international made 29 appearances for the Darts.

Tonbridge Angels showed plenty of character last weekend after they found themselves two down at home to Oxford City. Josh Ashby and Josh Parker had the visitors in control at the break, but a spirited second-half fightback thanks to goals from Ruben Soares-Junior and Jeremey Santos rescued a point in a 2-2 draw. The draw came after a loss to Hemel Hempstead Town in the league, which had ended a three-game winning run against Dulwich Hamlet, then promoted teams Farnborough and Cheshunt. Saturday’s clash with Dartford will be a good test for the Angels as they have yet to play any of the current top seven.

Saunders is hopeful his Angels side can come away with some points when they visit Princes Park despite an injury list building up. Tommie Fagg picked up a groin strain against Oxford City, Joe Tyrie a head injury, James Taylor (ankle) and Santos will be assessed after limping off as well. Swift is out of action with potentially a longer-term injury. The Angels boss is looking forward to the trip to Princes Park, he told www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk: “I’ve been quite lucky in the past there so hopefully that carries on. It is a tough place; Dowse is a very experienced manager. I know a lot of their players and they have picked up some good results over the last few weeks. We have to prepare; we’ve got a week now to nurse the ones that need it and I’ll probably have to look at getting a couple of players in”.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 70 / Tonbridge Angels wins: 38 / Draws: 25

Current League Form

Dartford (LWWWWW)			Tonbridge Angels (LWWWLD)
Dulwich Hamlet	A	2-1	Oxford City	H	2-2
Hungerford Town	H	2-0	Hemel Hempstead Town	A	0-1
Eastbourne Borough	H	2-1	Cheshunt	A	4-3
Hampton & Richmond	H	2-1	Farnborough	H	2-1
Dover Athletic	A	3-1	Dulwich Hamlet	H	3-1
Chippenham Town	A	1-2	St Albans City	H	1-2

Last Six Meetings

Tonbridge Angels 2 – 3 Dartford (29/01/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Tonbridge Angels (11/09/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (05/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (28/12/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 3 – 2 Dartford (03/09/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 0 – 3 Dartford (15/10/2016 – F.A Cup)

Statistics

• Dartford have lost just one of the last 14 games against Tonbridge Angels (W11, D2)
• The Darts have won six of the last eight at home against the Angels (D2, L0)
• Two thirds of Dartford’s league games this season have ended 2-1 (W4, L4)
• Dartford have not drawn a league game since April, a run of 18 games (12 this season).
• Another match without a draw will equal the run of 19 without a draw in the 2016/2017 campaign

On This Day

Dartford beat Tonbridge Angels on this day six years ago to earn a place in the F.A Cup first round. Goals from Alex Brown, Andy Pugh and Elliot Bradbrook sealed a 3-0 victory at Longmead which featured Tom Bonner as the only current Dartford player in the line-up that day. The last three games on this day have been Kent derbies as five years prior, the Darts claimed a 2-1 away victory over Cray Wanderers in the F.A Cup, Ryan Hayes and Danny Harris scoring in the third qualifying round. In 2005, Dartford drew 1-1 with Dover Athletic in a F.A Trophy first qualifying tie, whilst the last home game on 15th October ended in a 4-0 F.A Cup defeat to Havant and Waterlooville 22 years ago. The last time Dartford were in league action on this day was back in 1997 when they beat Margate 1-0 in the Southern League South Division. The Darts have won all five league games at home played on this day since originally forming in 1888.

Dartford have three consecutive Kent derbies coming up starting with the visit to Tonbridge Angels this weekend.

The Angels were the first team to take points off the Darts this season after Steve King’s side made a blistering start to their campaign. Dartford won their opening five National South games before drawing 1-1 at Princes Park against this weekend’s opponents. In that game the visitors went ahead when Tommy Wood scored a header, but on his birthday, Jack Jebb equalised putting in a Player of the Match performance. King’s side went on to win two more in the league before a dip of form has left them in fifth place.

Dartford have turned into draw specialists of late continuing to struggle to win their first league game since the start of December. Defeats to rivals Maidstone United and Ebbsfleet United sandwiched a stalemate with Braintree Town and since then three consecutive draws with Dulwich Hamlet, Hampton and Richmond Borough then Concord Rangers on Tuesday night. Dropped points has seen the Darts lose ground at the top of the National South and looking over their shoulder to maintain a playoff position.

In an attempt to halt his longest winless streak since becoming Dartford boss, King made five changes in Dartford’s last outing, a 0-0 home draw with lowly Concord Rangers. D’Sean Theobalds made his first appearance since the Kent Senior Cup final at the end of November, Ronnie Vint added an extra man in defence which included Jordan Wynter. It turned out to be Vint’s last game for the club after 202 appearances and 11 goals since coming through the academy system. George Porter and Ade Azeez also returned to the starting eleven. Goalkeeper, Dan Wilks and striker Jake Robinson, who hit the crossbar late on, once again stood out on a night where the Darts were unable to break the deadlock.

As a replacement for the departing Vint, the Darts have signed defender Kory Roberts from National League side Bromley. Roberts came through Walsall’s academy and made 26 appearances over a four year period for the senior team. The 24 year-old joined Bromley in September 2020 and has had loan spells with AFC Telford United and Rushall Olympic.

Speaking to www.kentonline.co.uk, captain Tom Bonner still has the belief that his side can start picking up wins again, he commented: “We just need to relax and get a bit of swagger back. We’re the same players, the same club, the same fans, that went on an unbelievable run and I believe we can do it again. We just need that win to push us on”, he continued: “There’s about 20 games left – a lot of points to play for. Until it’s mathematically impossible, I’ll keep believing”.

Dartford have a decent record against Tonbridge Angels in recent years, although their last visit to Longmead ended in defeat and a managerial departure. In Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle’s last fixture as joint Dartford managers, the Darts went down 3-2 as Tom Derry scored the winner late in the derby. Joe Turner put the Angels ahead from the spot, but Josh Hill pounced on a clearance to make it all square. However, almost straight from the restart the hosts regained their advantage through Turner once more. Charlie Sheringham came on and scored a header to level again until Tom Derry came up with the decisive goal. Victory for Steve McKimm’s side was the first in ten meetings in which Dartford had won eight on the spin.

Tonbridge Angels are on their way to joining Dartford as draw specialists as they approach Saturday’s fixture on the back of consecutive 1-1 draws. The Angels fitted in a mid-week match on Wednesday down at Havant and Waterlooville. An injury time equaliser from former Welling United striker Adam Coombes earned the Angels a precious point to move the above his old club on goal difference. On the weekend Joe Turner early goal was cancelled out as Tonbridge Angels picked up a home point against Hemel Hempstead Town.

McKimm can be pleased that his side are going through their best spell of the season, unbeaten since the festive defeats against Maidstone United on Boxing Day and in the New Year. In that spell the Angels progressed to the last 16 of the F.A Trophy for the first time in their history when they knocked out National League side King’s Lynn Town on penalties. The Tonbridge Angels boss can be thankful for the services of Joe Turner and Tommy Wood up front. The pair have netted ten of the last 12 goals scored by the Kent side going back to the end of October when former Dartford winger Ricky Modeste scored. Although Modeste has not had much game time another former Dart, Craig Braham-Barrett has, the defender has racked up 18 appearances since moving to Longmead in the summer.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 69 / Tonbridge Angels wins: 38 / Draws: 25

Current League Form

Dartford (LDLDDD)			Tonbridge Angels (LLWWDD)
Concord Rangers	H	0-0	Havant & Waterlooville	A	1-1
Hampton & Richmond	H	2-2	Hemel Hempstead Town	H	1-1
Dulwich Hamlet	H	1-1	Chippenham Town	A	1-0
Ebbsfleet United	A	0-1	Hungerford Town	H	2-1
Braintree Town	A	2-2	Maidstone United	A	0-2
Maidstone United	A	0-4	Maidstone United	H	0-1

Previous Meetings (last six)

Dartford 1 – 1 Tonbridge Angels (11/09/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (05/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (28/12/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 3 – 2 Dartford (03/09/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 0 – 3 Dartford (15/10/2016 – F.A Cup)
Dartford 3 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (15/12/2012 – F.A Trophy)

Stats

• Dartford have kept five clean sheets in their last seven matches against Tonbridge Angels
• Since moving to Princes Park, The Darts have won five and lost two of their last seven visits to Longmead, before that they had won just twice and lost eight in the late nineties to early 2000’s.
• Dartford have drawn three league games in a row for the first time since August 2017, the start of the 2017/2018 campaign. They last drew four consecutive league matches in April 1992.

On This Day

It has been eleven years since Dartford played on 29 January and that was in a 1-0 away victory against Bishop’s Stortford. Current captain, Tom Bonner started the National South fixture which was decided by Charlie Sheringham. In league competition Dartford have won their last three on this day. As well as victory at Bishop’s Stortford, the Darts won 2-1 in the Southern League Division One East against Chatham Town in 2002 and then Wivenhoe Town in 2005. Dartford’s only defeat in their last four outings on this day was a 4-1 reverse against Ebbsfleet United, a Kent Senior Cup second round tie back in 2008.

Dartford’s first Kent derby of the season could see them set a Post-war record of consecutive wins from the start of a league campaign.

The Darts host Tonbridge Angels having taken maximum points this term to lead the National South table by two points. Dartford last won their opening five league games in 1989/90 and have not won the first six for 125 years.

In 1896 the Darts recorded seven straight wins from the opening day of the Southern League Second Division championship winning season. Although they did manage six in a row in the London Professional Midweek League in 1933 and the Dartford and District Premier League in 1906, but these were additional competitions alongside the main league Dartford entered.

Last weekend, Steve King’s side recorded their third 3-1 victory of the campaign when they beat Bath City in their last outing. Dartford have now scored three in four of their five games so far with the goals shared evenly between the recognised strikers signed over the summer.

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Ade Azeez returned to the starting line-up and opened the scoring against Bath City, the third time he has scored the opener since joining the Darts. The striker headed in his fourth of the season, which came after the hosts had an effort cleared off the line by Tom Bonner. Josh Hill and Kieran Murtagh came back into the side, but Jake Robinson retained his place and doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time heading from close range, adding to his brace against Eastbourne Borough.

Just like the victory over the Sports, the opposition improved in the second half and halved the deficit Alex Fletcher scoring for Bath City. Once again, the Darts saw off their opponents, this time with the help of goalkeeper Dan Wilks and a third goal scored by George Porter, who came off the bench to calmly score his second Dartford goal since arriving in the summer. 

Steve King spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and commented: “That was the old cliché of a game of two halves. We controlled the game first half; we could have gone in at half-time two or three to the good. We were dominant without excelling, a bit like last week”, he continued: “Second half Bath came out and gave it a right good go, they should have easily scored one, two, maybe three goals. That was the toughest second-half against us we’ve had”. King also praised his squad and was pleased with timing of the substitutes who came on to make an impact. For a fifth match in a row a substitute came on to score a goal. 

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Dartford have won the last six home games against Tonbridge Angels, the last a 1-0 victory in January when Nassim L’Ghoul’s late strike was enough to separate the sides. The previous two matches against the Angels at Princes Park have ended 3-0 meaning the Darts have kept three consecutive home clean sheets in this fixture. Dartford’s have form against their fellow Kent side with ten wins in the last eleven, the only dropped points came in Adam Flanagan’s and Jamie Coyle’s last match in charge when the Darts lost 3-2 at Longmead in September 2019.

Tonbridge Angels made a slow start to their campaign losing a Kent derby in their season’s opener. Steve McKimm’s made the short journey to Stonebridge Road and were humbled 5-1 by Ebbsfleet United. A successive loss followed at home to Bath City, but the Angels got off the mark versus Hungerford Town in a 3-1 victory, Joe Turner netted his 50^th goal for the club in his 160^th appearance. Unfortunately, their fourth fixture was abandoned late on when St Albans City’s Devante Stanley suffered a double leg break. On the weekend Ibrahim Olutade came off the bench to snatch a point for the Angels in the eighth minute of injury time to earn a 1-1 draw with Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Two former Darts started in their last outing, Ricky Modeste’s performance earned him a place in the National South’s team of the week. The winger made only three appearances in his only season with Dartford last term. Full back Craig Braham-Barrett is also on Tonbridge Angels’ book and he made 13 appearances last season taking his total for the Darts to 29 over two campaigns.

Assistant manager, Barry Moore told Angels TV after the 1-1 draw: “It felt like a win because we should have won, it’s not often that we say that. Hungerford set the ball rolling for a few of the lads, we played a bit more like the Tonbridge sides that we’ve had in the past in terms of getting teams on the back foot, pressing, working hard for each other and not giving up and against Hampton we proved that”.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 69 / Tonbridge Angels wins: 38 / Draws: 24

Current Form

Dartford (WWWWW)			Tonbridge Angels (DWLL)
Bath City	A	3-1	Hampton & Richmond	H	1-1
Eastbourne Borough	H	3-1	Hungerford Town	A	3-1
Dulwich Hamlet	A	2-0	Bath City	H	0-1
Slough Town	H	3-0	Ebbsfleet United	A	1-5
St Albans City	A	3-1

Previous Meetings (last six)

Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (05/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (28/12/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 3 – 2 Dartford (03/09/2019 – National South)
Tonbridge Angels 0 – 3 Dartford (15/10/2016 – F.A Cup)
Dartford 3 – 0 Tonbridge Angels (15/12/2012 – F.A Trophy)
Tonbridge Angels 0 – 1 Dartford (03/03/2012 – National South)

Stats

• Dartford have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches against Tonbridge Angels
• In seven of the last ten meetings the winning side has scored three or more goals in the game
• Substitutes have accounted for six of the 14 Dartford goals this season with a sub scoring in each game so far

On This Day

Dartford are looking for their first win on this day for 36 years after taking just one point in their last six outings on 11 September. Way back in 1985, the Darts beat Wycombe Wanderers in the Alliance Premier League, now the National League. It was only one of eight league victories that season as Dartford were relegated back to the Southern Premier League ending a two year stay at the top of non-league. In their last game on this day, Dartford drew 1-1 with Thurrock in 2010 with Elliot Bradbrook rescuing a point in the National South. In 2004, the Darts lost a seven-goal thriller 4-3 to Berkhamsted Town in the Southern League Division One Eastern. Eastbourne Borough (1-2 in 2001), Witney Town (0-1 in 1999), Thamesmead Town (0-4 in 1993) and Rushden Town (2-4 in 1990) were the others who inflicted defeat on Dartford since the Wycombe Wanderers triumph.