Tag: Weymouth

Dartford v Weymouth

Tony Burman’s much awaited return to the dugout starts with the Darts first home game of the year against Weymouth this weekend.

Freezing temperatures has delayed the beginning of Burman’s fourth spell in charge. Both fixtures against Truro City and Bath City were postponed leaving Dartford without a game for two and a half weeks.

Previously, just over four years ago Burman stood in for a month and before that he spent 13 years at the helm and another three during the nineties. Since his last temporary spell, the Darts have gone through three sets of managers. Co-chairman, Steve Irving is hoping to appoint a new boss by the end of the month, but only if the right candidate is found

Burman inherits an inconsistent side down in eighteenth and the first challenge is to take on the Terras two places and a point ahead of the Darts. The two sides faced each other back in August for Dartford’s first away trip of the season. A mistake from on loan goalkeeper, Jack McIntyre handed the Terras victory down in Dorset after he misjudged Joel Rollinson’s cross.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights courtesy of Weymouth Football Club

Dartford will be hoping to make it three wins in a row against Weymouth at Princes Park. Last season the Terras were rock bottom when they travelled to Kent in October 2022. The Darts claimed a 3-0 victory with a debut goal by loanee Joshua Johnson, whose strike from long range opened the scoring. Alex Wall came off the bench and scored a brace in the final 15 minutes.

The Darts also hosted the Dorset club nine months earlier in the F.A Trophy fourth round. Dartford headed into the tie as underdogs with Weymouth struggling in the National League. The first half was dominated by the hosts and the decisive moment came when Jack Jebb drilled in a shot that turned out to be the winner. The visitors applied plenty of pressure in the second-half, but the Darts stayed firm.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Since Alan Dowson’s final game in charge, Harvey Bradbury has made the move to fellow National South side Farnborough. The striker made 33 appearances for the Darts scoring 11 goals. Defender, Moussa Diarra’s loan spell ended, and he has started a new loan at Eastbourne Borough. Goalkeeper, Ryan Sandford took the opportunity to move into the Football League by joining Crawley Town.

With the departure of Sandford, the Darts gave a debut to Billy Terrell in their last league outing against Maidstone United. The goalkeeper was on loan at Weymouth last season. Coulson gave Dartford the lead from the penalty spot at the Gallgaher Stadium. However, the Kent derby turned in the space of five second-half minutes. Harry Kyprianou and Matt Rush scored for the Stones to condemn the Darts to defeat. Burman will need to get his side to work on keeping hold of leads, Dartford have now lost 21 points from winning positions this season.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

The squad has been bolstered by the return of Brandon Barzey from his loan spell at Hemel Hempstead Town. The winger has played 15 games and scored four times for the Darts since joining in the summer. Taylor Maloney is a new addition to the squad and will be targeting a debut. The striker joins from Farnborough and linked up with George Alexander at Welling United last season.

Dartford know what to expect from Burman who has been successful as a manager of the club previously. In the nineties he got the Darts promoted from the Kent League and won the Kent Senior Trophy. He was back nine years later and was there for Dartford’s homecoming. That became the catalyst for a rise up the pyramid.

Burman led the Darts to the Isthmian Division One North and Isthmian Premier titles before winning the National South playoffs. The return to the National League ended in a F.A Trophy semi-final appearance and becoming the highest part-time team in the country. He also claimed the club’s first Kent Senior Cup in 23 years in 2011 and won it again four years later. His third spell came after the departures of Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle.

If the bottom four weren’t cut adrift, then Tuesday night at Taunton Town would have been a six pointer. The Terras started the evening eight points clear of the drop zone and two ahead of their opponents. An almost full set of National South fixtures mid-week saw Bobby Wilkinson’s side win to move them 11 points clear of the relegation zone and ten points away from the playoffs. Brandon Goodship’s brace was enough to beat the hosts 2-0.

Former Dartford forward Dan Roberts was named on the bench and came on in the second-half. The 25-year-old made 37 appearances for the Darts, just 11 of those were starts and scored six times for the club. Since joining Weymouth in the summer he has netted four league goals in 22 appearances. However, Olumide Durojaiye featured from the start. The defender made 11 appearances for Dartford during the 2021/22 campaign.

It’s been a struggle for the Terras since beating the Darts in the 2020 playoff final. After consecutive promotions, the Dorset club finished eighteenth in the National League before getting relegated back to the National South. Last season the Terras survived on the final day on goal difference. This term, too many draws have prevented them from reaching a higher position. However, against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, Weymouth are unbeaten in 14 games, winning six and drawing eight.

Current League Form

 

Dartford (LLWDDL) Weymouth (DWDLWW)
Maidstone United A 1-2 Taunton Town A 2-0
Weston-super-Mare A 2-2 Slough Town H 3-0
Welling United H 1-1 Tonbridge Angels A 1-2
Welling United A 1-0 Weston-super-Mare H 3-3
St Albans City H 0-3 Weston-super-Mare A 3-2
Tonbridge Angels A 0-4 Dover Athletic H 1-1

 

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 19 / Weymouth wins: 37 / Draws: 16

Last Six Meetings

Weymouth 1 – 0 Dartford (12/08/2023 – Southern League South)
Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (04/03/2023 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Weymouth (29/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Weymouth (15/01/2022 – F.A Trophy)
Weymouth 0 – 0 Dartford (01/08/2020 – National South Playoff Final)*
Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (17/08/2019 – National South)
*Weymouth won 3-0 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just one of the last eight league games against Weymouth (D0, L7)
  • In the last five home league matches against the Terras there has been 32 goals (6.4 goals a game)

On This Day

Dartford have won their last four home matches on this day. Six years ago, Ronnie Vint and two goals from Andy Pugh handed the Darts a 3-1 victory over Whitehawk in the National South. That was Dartford’s first match on 27 January at Princes Park. The previous fixture was at Watling Street in 1990 when the Darts beat Bromsgrove Rovers 1-0 in the Southern Premier League. Three years earlier Dartford brushed aside Newcastle Blue Star 5-1 in the F,A Trophy second round replay. In 1973, the Darts defeated Romford 2-1. On their own patch the Darts have won seven, drawn one and lost one on this day, the last loss was versus Barry Town in 1951.

Weymouth v Dartford

Dartford embark on their first away trip of the season this weekend when they make their way down to the Jurassic Coast to face Weymouth.

The Darts will be searching for a first victory at the Bob Lucas Stadium in 33 years, a ground where they have only won once since it opened in 1987. Four league defeats in a row at Weymouth and a penalty shoot-out loss in the playoff final should give Alan Dowson’s side the determination to put an end to such a barren spell.

In March, an inconsistent Dartford side were beaten 3-1 against a Weymouth team battling to avoid the drop. The hosts went in front when Akheem Rose was fouled in the box, then stepped up to take the penalty to score. Just before half-time, the now departed Pierre Fonkeu netted his tenth in all competitions to level for the Darts. The second forty-five belonged to the Terras and goals from top scorer Bradley Ash and a free kick by Tom Blair sealed the points. This time Bobby Wilkinson’s side will be without Ash and Blair, the pair left in the summer for Torquay United and Havant and Waterlooville respectively.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Dartford’s season opener last weekend provided plenty of entertainment as they drew 3-3 against Bath City at Princes Park. Dowson handed competitive starts to six players, whilst another two came on as substitutes. Brandon Barzey was the pick of the debutants causing Bath City problems with his directness and pace, but it was Tyrell Miller-Rodney who grabbed Dartford’s first goal of the season. The former Havant and Waterlooville midfielder smashed home a rebound in first half stoppage time after Barzey’s shot was cleared off the line. Luke Coulson was handed the captain’s armband and led by example with a man of the match performance, the winger doubled Dartford’s lead with an excellent first time shot from the edge of the box.

At 2-0 up the Darts defensive frailties began to show and in the space of three second-half minutes Bath City were level. First Ewan Clark took advantage of some poor defending, then substitute and last season’s top scorer Scott Wilson was allowed to swivel and shoot to equalise. The Darts continued to show quality going forward and when Coulson converted Luke Allen’s cross it looked as though three points had been wrapped up, especially after Bath City’s Jack Batten was sent off for a second caution. The visitors had one more trick up their sleeve, Jordan Thomas cut inside unleashed an effort from outside the box and beyond debut goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney. It was a tough afternoon for Tommy Block, Baris Altintop and Joash Nembhard in their first games for the Darts, whilst substitutes Lewis Manor and Joe Rabbetts had little time to make an impact.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Alan Dowson was pleased with his side’s attacking play, but acknowledges work needs to be done defensively, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the match and said: “Going forward we looked alright, but defensively we were awful. I’m working very hard on the defence between my keeper and the back four. We’ve had chances and we look exciting going forward”. The Dartford boss is confident Maxwell Statham will return this weekend and is hoping to bring in another defender and a goalkeeper to challenge Beeney. Paul Rooney will have to wait longer for his debut after joining from Havant and Waterlooville in the summer, he serves the second of his three-game suspension.

Weymouth opened their campaign with a defeat at last season’s playoff runners up St Albans City. Manager, Bobby Wilkinson steered the Terras to safety on the final day last term and over the summer has rehauled his squad. Six new players started at Clarence Park plus the return of Brandon Goodship who enjoyed a prolific first spell in Dorset. The striker is back for a third time and his assist on Saturday turned out to be merely a consolation. Former Dartford man, Dan Roberts was given his first start after leaving Princes Park over the summer. The forward made 37 appearances for the Darts of which 26 were as a substitute and scored six goals. Another ex-player, Norman Wabo also came on for his debut, he played 18 times for Dartford making just six starts and scored four times during the 2019/2020 season.

St Albans City scored either side of the break to lead 2-0 with goals from Dylan Fage and Giorgio Rasulo. Terras goalkeeper, Gerard Benfield initially saved a penalty before Rasulo put away the rebound. Weymouth’s Tom Bearwish halved the deficit and Wilkinson’s side had the chance to level from the spot, only for Bearwish to have his penalty saved.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights courtesy of St Albans City FC

Wilkinson was delighted with his team’s response at going two down and the overall performance, he told Terras TV after the loss: “I’ve never seen such a one-sided domination in the second-half. We kept our shape well in the first half, but I wasn’t happy with goal. I’m so pleased as that is the standard we have to set in the second-half as we were against a good side and dominated”. Looking ahead to Weymouth’s first home game of the season against the Darts he added: “It’s another tough challenge against a team that were in the playoffs, but I’m loving that, my boys are ready for it”. Max Hemmings was taken off injured at Clarence Park, the Weymouth boss will assess the midfielder’s fitness.

A superior goal difference kept Weymouth up last term avoiding a return to the Southern Premier South, which they won four years ago. After climbing to the National League, the Terras just about avoided consecutive relegations in April, beating Dover Athletic to stay up despite starting the final day in the drop zone.

There has been plenty of comings and goings at Weymouth during the summer and they will have to replace the goals scored by Ash. Calvin Brooks is one of three who have made the move from Salisbury, whilst Chris McQueen made his way down from north of the border having played for Stenhousemuir. Charlie Rowan won promotion with Oxford City last season and moved to the south coast. Anthony Cheshire arrived from Bracknell Town, Tyrique Clarke from Kings Langley, Leo Hamblin from Carshalton Athletic and Tom Stagg from Grays Athletic. Most recently Josh McQuoid has returned to the club from Aldershot Town.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 19 / Weymouth wins: 36 / Draws: 16

Last Six Meetings

Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (04/03/2023 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Weymouth (29/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Weymouth (15/01/2022 – F.A Trophy)
Weymouth 0 – 0 Dartford (01/08/2020 – National South Playoff Final)*
Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (17/08/2019 – National South)
Weymouth 2 – 0 Dartford (27/12/1997 – Southern League South)
*Weymouth won 3-0 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just one of the last eight league games against Weymouth (D1, L6)
  • The Darts have won just six away games out of 37 against Weymouth (D7, L24)
  • Dartford have won their last two first away games of the season beating Bath City last season and St Albans City in 2021.
  • The Darts last won three away openers in a row back in 2005, 2006 and 2007 against Arlesley Town, Burgess Hill Town and Wivenhoe Town respectively

On This Day

Dartford have yet to win a competitive match on this day drawing three of their five matches, all away from home. Jordan Wynter was sent off against Chelmsford City four years ago in a heavy 4-0 defeat. Chris Whelpdale gave the Clarets the lead in the second-half and after Wynter’s dismissal the Darts collapsed. Sam Higgins and Jonny Giles netted for the hosts before Josh Hill scored an own goal. In 2017, Dartford drew 0-0 at Havant and Waterlooville and three years earlier gained a point at Woking in a match that ended 1-1, Rory McAuley put Dartford ahead in the National League fixture only for Giuseppe Sole to level in second-half injury time. Dartford played out a goalless draw at Herne Bay in 1995 during their Kent League days and lost 1-0 at Bedford Town in 1972.

Season Preview 2023/2024

Weymouth

Consecutive promotions, two years in the National League and almost consecutive relegations, the Terras have been in the thick of the action over recent seasons. A superior goal difference kept Weymouth up last term avoiding a return to the Southern Premier South, which they won four earlier. The Dorset side beat Dartford to win the National South playoffs in 2020 and after surviving the first campaign in the National League, they went down winless in fifteen until a final day victory over bottom side Dover Athletic. The Terras continued last season in much the same way and once again faced Dover Athletic in the last game. Starting in the drop zone Weymouth needed a win and they did it, claiming a fourth victory in five to narrowly survive another relegation.

2022/2023 Season
National South: 19th
F.A Cup: 1st Round
F.A Trophy: 2nd Round
County Cup: Runners Up
Top League Scorer: Bradley Ash (18 goals)

Manager – Bobby WIlkinson

Weymouth’s slide needed stopping, after relegation back to the National South then a terrible start to the season they were fighting relegation again. In September the Terras turned to Wilkinson, who had previously guided Hungerford Town to the National South. He won the Southern League Division One South West and Southern League Premier playoffs, then took the Crusaders to sixth in their debut National South campaign on a low budget. His work earned him a move to Wealdstone for a season before he joined Bracknell Town, where he won the Isthmian Division One South Central by a huge margin.

Summer Transfers

There has been plenty of comings and goings at Weymouth during the summer. It didn’t quite work out for Dan Roberts at Dartford so the forward has moved down to the Jurassic Coast. Another former Dart, Norman Wabo will join him alongside Brandon Goodship, who returns for a third spell with the Terras. The trio will be hoping to replace Bradley Ash’s goals who switched to Torquay United. Following Goodship from Salisbury will be Calvin Brooks and Gerard Benfield, who has turned a loan spell into a permanent deal. Chris McQueen makes his way down from north of the border, Charlie Rowan arrives from promoted Oxford City and Anthony Cheshire from Bracknell Town. Tyrique Clarke joins from Kings Langley, Leo Hamblin from Carshalton Athletic and Tom Stagg from Grays Athletic. Most recently Josh McQuoid has returned to the club from Aldershot Town.

Transfers In Transfers Out
Joel Rollinson (Hungerford Town) Cameron Murray (Poole Town)
Calvin Brooks (Salisbury) Nathan Carlyle (St Albans City)
Gerard Benfield (Salisbury) Harrison Bruton (Portland United)
Brandon Goodship (Salisbury) Tom Blair (Havant & Waterlooville)
Chris McQueen (Stenhousemuir) Bradley Ash (Torquay United)
Anthony Cheshire (Bracknell Town) Luke Nippard (Poole Town)
Tyrique Clarke (Kings Langley) Dan Matsuzaka (Hendon)
Tom Stagg (Grays Athletic) Bert White (Wimborne Town)
Leo Hamblin (Carshalton Athletic) Sammi Bessadi (Enfield Town)
Dan Roberts (Dartford) Harry Kyprianou
Norman Wabo (Eastbourne Borough) Xander McBurnie
Charlie Rowan (Oxford City) Zaki Oualah
Josh McQuoid (Aldershot Town)  

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 19 / Weymouth wins: 36 / Draws: 16

Previous Matches

Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (04/03/2023 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Weymouth (29/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Weymouth (15/01/2022 – F.A Trophy)
Weymouth 0 – 0 Dartford (01/08/2020 – National South Playoff Final)*
Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (17/08/2019 – National South)
Weymouth 2 – 0 Dartford (27/12/1997 – Southern League South)
*Weymouth won 3-0 on penalties

Next Meetings

Weymouth v Dartford – Saturday 12th August 2023
Dartford v Weymouth – Saturday 27th January 2024

Statistics

  • Dartford have won just one of the last eight league games against Weymouth (D1, L6)
  • The Darts have won three and lost two of their last five home matches in the league against the Terras. Those matches have averaged a staggering 6.4 goals a game.
  • Dartford have not won in the league at the Bob Lucas Stadium for 33 years (D1, L4) and also lost a playoff final there in August 2020 on penalties

Match Highlights – 2022/2023

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Weymouth v Dartford

Dartford will be hoping to end a long unwanted run this weekend when they visit relegation threatened Weymouth in the National South.

It’s been 33 years since the Darts won at the Bob Lucas Stadium, the scene of Dartford’s playoff heartbreak, and throughout the decades the Terras have dominated in this fixture on home soil. This time Alan Dowson’s side head into this fixture on the back off a five-game unbeaten league run and occupy second place. Weymouth have picked up just four points in their last five outings, but trounced Concord Rangers last weekend in a six pointer at the bottom of the table.

Since the penalty shootout playoff final defeat in August 2020, Dartford have recorded consecutive victories over the Dorset club without conceding a goal, however those were at Princes Park. A rare triumph on the Jurassic Coast on Saturday will be only the third time the Darts have completed a league double over the Terras. In October, loanee Joshua Johnson scored a delightful long-range effort on his home debut to give Dartford a first-half lead. Alex Wall started the afternoon as a substitute and finished with a brace in a 3-0 win, scoring his first from the penalty spot and lashing home another later on. Last term the Darts also won at home as the two sides met in the F.A Trophy, Jack Jebb scored the only goal of the game to send his side into the next round.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Match Highlights – Dartford v Weymouth (29/10/2022) – Dartford FC TV

Although Dartford drew 0-0 after normal time on their last visit to the Bob Lucas Stadium, they missed all three penalties to hand Weymouth a place in the National League and successive promotions. The Terras survived their first campaign back at the top table of non-league but suffered the dreaded second season syndrome by finishing second from bottom, making a swift return to the National South.

In Weymouth’s playoff winning year they beat the Darts at the Bob Lucas Stadium under Mark Molesley with a first-half strike from Abdulai Baggie setting them on their way. Yemi Odubade and the experienced Brett Williams added two more before Norman Wabo scored a last-minute consolation. That result under Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle left the Darts down in 21st place.

Both sides have made a few managerial changes since the 2019/2020 season. Whilst the Darts went through a spell with Steve King before Dowson taking charge, Weymouth have seen Molesley leave for a shot at a higher level, Brian Stock and David Oldfield at the helm and now they have former Hungerford Town boss Bobby Wilkinson leading the way.

For the Darts, Dowson is having a solid debut season in the dugout guiding his team to second and momentarily getting involved in a title race at the turn of the year. However, Dartford are now 14 points behind leaders Ebbsfleet United with a game in hand yet have a considerable cushion on the teams chasing a top seven place. Securing a runner up spot has become a priority to secure home advantage in the playoffs and the current unbeaten run is helping Dartford’s push. Draws against Welling United, Braintree Town and last weekend Oxford City have alternated with victories over Chippenham Town and Slough Town.

On Tuesday night the Darts were knocked out of the London Senior Cup by Haringey Borough as Dowson gave fringe and academy players an opportunity to impress. The Darts went ahead when Marvin Herschel netted his third of the season, but the Borough hit back with two goals to progress into the semi-final for a second year in a row. Samir Carruthers featured in the county cup defeat; however, the midfielder will serve the last game of his suspension this weekend after he picked up ten yellow cards this term. Tommy Block and Sam Odaudu have been out injured, Block is yet to make his Dartford debut and Odaudu has not featured since Boxing Day.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Match Highlights – Dartford v Haringey Borough (28/02/2023) – Dartford FC TV

When Wilkinson took over at Weymouth, they were bottom having picked up just two points in their opening eight fixtures. The Terras are now 26 points better off and although still in the bottom four they are only three points adrift from safety. In their last outing they picked up a vital three points against Concord Rangers winning 5-0 and sending the Beachboys to the bottom of the charts. The Terras went four up by the interval and the goals started flowing when Bradley Ash headed the opener. Harry Kyprianou was alert to score a rebound before Tom Blair and Akeem Rose added two more. Ash scored the only goal in the second half, his 16th of the season. Victory in Essex ended a four-match winless run in which Weymouth picked up a single point at home to St Albans City.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 19 / Weymouth wins: 35 / Draws: 16

Current League Form

Dartford
(LDWDWD)
    Weymouth
(WLLDLW)
   
Oxford City H 0-0 Concord Rangers A 5-0
Slough Town H 1-0 Farnborough A 1-3
Braintree Town A 1-1 St Albans City H 0-0
Chippenham Town H 2-0 Hemel Hempstead Town A 1-2
Welling United H 2-2 Concord Rangers H 1-2
Worthing A 0-3 Dulwich Hamlet H 2-1

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 3 – 0 Weymouth (29/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Weymouth (15/01/2022 – F.A Trophy)
Weymouth 0 – 0 Dartford (01/08/2020 – National South Playoff Final)*
Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (17/08/2019 – National South)
Weymouth 2 – 0 Dartford (27/12/1997 – Southern League South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Weymouth (23/08/1997 – Southern League South)
*Weymouth won 3-0 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have gone 11 away games in the National South without a clean sheet
  • However, the Darts have kept three consecutive clean sheets versus the Terras having never previously kept successive clean sheets against them
  • Dartford have won just six away matches at Weymouth (D7, L23)

On This Day

Elliot Bradbrook scored from the penalty spot and Duane Ofori-Acheampong netted a second as the Darts beat Bath City 2-0 at Princes Park six years ago. Victory ended a run of three straight home losses without a goal on the 4 March having been beaten 3-0 by Dover Athletic three years earlier, 1-0 against Enfield Town in 2006 and 1-0 versus Eastbourne Borough in 2003. Dartford have drawn their last two away games 1-1 on this day. Firstly at Chelmsford City in 1991 and four years later with Tunbridge Wells in the Kent League Cup semi-final first leg. The Darts won the return leg to reach the final where they lost 3-0 to Ramsgate a month later. Dartford have played Weymouth twice before on 4 March both in the fifties winning 4-2 in 1950 and drawing 2-2 in 1959.

Dartford v Weymouth

Dartford aim to keep the pressure on the top two when they host bottom of the table Weymouth in the National South this weekend.

Unbeaten in the league since the start of September, the Darts have won seven of their last eight and approach Saturday’s game in great form. Weymouth have recorded just one win in the league this season and based on current form gives Dartford a chance to end a 32 year wait for a league victory against their opponents.

For a third time in a month, the Darts showed character to come from behind to claim all three points on Tuesday night. Alan Dowsn’s side have taken nine points from losing positions this term against Eastbourne Borough at the end of September, at Dulwich Hamlet and then at Slough Town. After suffering four defeats in five near the start of the campaign, Dowson’s side is now full of confidence after just one defeat in the last ten league outings.

Earlier in the week one change was made to the starting eleven with Tom Bonner rested as a precaution meaning a start for Kieran Murtagh. Slough Town 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, the striker’s fourth in all competitions this term. Then Fonkeu won it for the Darts with his sixth of the campaign to take him level with Samir Carruthers. Over the last seven days Dartford have picked up four points with Tuesday’s win adding to the creditable 1-1 draw at St Albans City.

Dartford avenged their playoff heartbreak when they last played Weymouth by knocking the Terras out of the F.A Trophy. Last season Jack Jebb’s well drilled shot from outside the box was enough to put the Darts into the last sixteen of the competition. Goalkeeper, Dan Wilks was in top form to keep Weymouth at bay in the second-half and help his side hold on.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights – Dartford v Weymouth (15/01/2022 – F.A Trophy) – Dartford FC TV

As the head to head record suggests Weymouth have enjoyed taking on the Darts, especially during the Southern League years of the sixties, seventies and nineties as well as the Conference years in the mid-eighties. The Terras have won almost twice the amount of times as Dartford, one of those victories was in the playoff final in August 2020. After a 0-0 draw, Weymouth clinched promotion to the National League on penalties, the Darts missed all of their spot kicks to lose 3-0. In that campaign the two sides met just once in the league and yet again the Dorset club came out on top. Norman Wabo’s last minute goal was merely a consolation for the Darts as the Terras scored three.

Weymouth have struggled with life back in the National South following relegation last season. David Oldfield started the campaign in charge, but after just two points in the opening eight matches the former Oxford City boss exited by mutual consent. Bobby Wilkinson was lined up to take over and arrived at the Bob Lucas Stadium with a good reputation. Wilkinson led Hungerford Town to promotion to the National South and has also won the Isthmian League South Central with Bracknell Town. A spell at Wealdstone saw the Middlesex club reach the F.A Trophy and playoff semi-finals and he is no stranger to working within a tight budget.

Losing his first four league games in charge of the Terras, Wilkinson finally posted a win for the Dorset club at their twelfth attempt. Victory over Slough Town came against the odds in that Weymouth were reduced to ten men away from home, but Cam Murray’s late winner recorded a first maximum. Yet they almost threw the three points away having led by two goals scored by Bradley Ash and Teddy Howe. Slough Town fought back when Arnold Matshazi pulled a goal back before Nathan Carlyle was sent off for the Terras. Scott Davies equalised direct from a free-kick, but with two minutes left on the clock Cam Murray netted the decisive goal.

On Tuesday night, Weymouth hosted Farnborough and by the end of the evening they were left still looking for their first home win in the league. The Terras were level for most of the first-half but conceded with virtually the last play. Jack Ball headed in at the far post to give Farnborough the advantage which they kept until the final whistle. The contrast between Weymouth’s league and cup form is stark. Whilst the Terras having struggled to buy a win in the National South they have reached the first round of the F.A Cup with victories over Winchester City, Welling United and an impressive win against Havant and Waterlooville. Their reward is a home tie against AFC Wimbledon next week.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 18 / Weymouth wins: 35 / Draws: 16

Current League Form

Dartford
(WWWWDW)
    Weymouth
(LLLLWL)
   
Slough Town A 2-1 Farnborough H 0-1
St Albans City A 1-1 Slough Town A 3-2
Tonbridge Angels H 2-0 Eastbourne Borough A 1-5
Dulwich Hamlet A 2-1 Havant and Waterlooville H 0-2
Hungerford Town H 2-0 Dover Athletic H 0-2
Eastbourne Borough H 2-1 Bath City A 1-2

Last Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 0 Weymouth (15/01/2022 – F.A Trophy)
Weymouth 0 – 0 Dartford (01/08/2020 – National South Playoff Final)*
Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (17/08/2019 – National South)
Weymouth 2 – 0 Dartford (27/12/1997 – Southern League South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Weymouth (23/08/1997 – Southern League South)
Weymouth 2 – 1 Dartford (15/02/1997 – National South)
*Weymouth won 3-0 on penalties

Statistics

  • Dartford have not beaten Weymouth in the league for 32 years (D1, L5)
  • The Darts ended a 32 year run without beating the Terras in all competitions last season (D2*, L6) *lost one on penalties
  • Dartford’s clean sheet last season was the first time they have kept consecutive clean sheets against Weymouth

On This Day

Dartford belatedly lifted the Kent Senior Shield on this day in 1970. Continued over from the previous season the Darts drew 2-2 with Bexley United in the second leg to win 4-3 on aggregate. Nine years ago, Dartford knocked out rivals Ebbsfleet United in the F.A Cup fourth qualifying round with Elliot Bradbrook scoring the winner from the spot. The 1-0 win in the replay came after a 1-1 draw in the first game. It wasn’t the first time Dartford qualified for the F.A Cup first round on this day. The Darts won fourth qualifying round ties by beating Tooting and Mitcham United 2-0 in 1983, then in consecutive season’s against Slough Town 2-1 in 1988 and Dagenham and Redbridge 3-1 in 1989. Dartford’s last outing on 29 October was six years ago, Andy Pugh scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win at home to Oxford City.

Season Preview 2022/2023

Weymouth

After beating Dartford in the National South playoff final in 2020, Weymouth beat the drop in their first campaign in the National League finishing eighteenth. Then that dreaded second season syndrome hit the Terras as they never got to grips with the top-flight of non-league last term. After a run of seven straight losses Brian Stock was replaced in the New Year, but even that failed to revive hopes of survival. In 2022, the Dorset club won just twice which included a final day victory sign off against fellow relegated side Dover Athletic, the only team to have finished below them.

2021/2022 Season
National League: 22nd
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 4th Round
Top League Scorer: Josh McQuoid (6 goals)

Manager – David Oldfield

Returning to the National South with a different club, Oldfield was previously at Oxford City. The 54-year-old helped the Hoops take the step from mid-table to promotion contenders. He was only in charge for two games before the 2019/2020 campaign was halted and after 17 matches in the following season, Oxford City were third on points per game. Leaving his former club when they were fourth in the table, Oldfield moved up a division joining Weymouth in January 2022 with the aim to keep the Terras in the National League. The former Manchester City and Leicester City midfielder has also managed Brackley Town.

Summer Transfers

Transfers In Transfers Out
Nathan Carlyle (Queens Park Rangers) Taofiq Olomowewe (Welling United)
Jack Seddon (AFC  Bournemouth) Josh McQuoid (Aldershot Town)
Luke Nippard (AFC Bournemouth) Tyler Cordner (Aldershot Town)
Keelan O’Connell (Torquay United) Ollie Harfield (Aldershot Town)
Claudio Ofosu (Spennymoor Town) Andreas Robinson (Gosport Borough)
Bradley Ash (Chippenham Town) Ben Thomson (Salisbury)
Dan Matsuzaka (Oxford City) Brandon Goodship (Salisbury)
Harry Kyprianou (Oxford City) Gerard Benfield (Salisbury)
  Jordan Greenidge (Hemel Hempstead Town)
  Omar Mussa (Dagenham and Redbridge)
  Sean Shields (Barnet)
  Martell Taylor-Crossdale
  Josh Leslie-Smith
  Ross Fitzsimons
  Ben Morgan

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 18 / Weymouth wins: 35 / Draws: 16

Previous Matches (last six)

Dartford 1 – 0 Weymouth (15/01/2022 – F.A Trophy)
Weymouth 0 – 0 Dartford (01/08/2020 – National South Playoff Final)*
Weymouth 3 – 1 Dartford (17/08/2019 – National South)
Weymouth 2 – 0 Dartford (27/12/1997 – Southern League South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Weymouth (23/08/1997 – Southern League South)
Weymouth 2 – 1 Dartford (15/02/1997 – National South)
*Weymouth won 3-0 on penalties

Next Meetings

Dartford v Weymouth – 29/10/2022
Weymouth v Dartford – 04/03/2023

Statistics

  • Dartford have not beaten Weymouth in the league for 32 years (D1, L5)
  • The Darts ended a 32 year run without beating the Terras in all competitions last season (D2*, L6) *lost one on penalties
  • Dartford’s clean sheet last season was the first time they have kept consecutive clean sheets against Weymouth

Match Highlights – 2021/2022

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Dartford v Weymouth

Dartford can make the last sixteen of the F.A Trophy for the first time in seven years when they host Weymouth this weekend.

The fourth round tie will be decided on the day against the National League side who won promotion by beating the Darts in the 2020 playoff final. In what was the last meeting between the two sides, the final score was 0-0 and in the penalty shootout Dartford drew another blank missing all three spot kicks to hand the Terras victory.

For a generation of supporters, a certain quarter-final tie against Weymouth may stir up memories of Dartford’s run to the F.A Trophy final in 1974. The only time these two sides have met in the competition ended in a 2-1 victory for the Darts, an own goal settling the tie. Dartford went on to reach Wembley losing by the same score against Morecambe.

However, Dartford’s record when up against the Dorset club doesn’t make for good reading over the years, their last win over Weymouth coming 32 years ago. After a draw and five consecutive league defeats to the Terras, before the playoff heartbreak, the Darts will enter this fixture as underdogs and hope to cause an upset.

This will be Weymouth’s first ever visit to Princes Park because the return National South fixture in the 2019/2020 campaign wasn’t able to take place, the pandemic cutting short the season. At the Bob Lucas stadium in August 2019, the Darts suffered a 3-1 defeat, Norman Wabo scoring a consolation goal after Abdulai Baggie and a Brett Williams brace putting Weymouth in control.

After consecutive league defeats against Kent rivals, the Darts faced another tough fixture last weekend. Hosting Dulwich Hamlet, the game was put in doubt after heavy rain. Hamlet were a place below Dartford in the table before kick off and on the day couldn’t be separated at full time in a 1-1 draw. King described the conditions as horrendous and praised both sets of players for providing an end to end game. Hamlet took the lead from a through former Dart, Tyrone Sterling. Disappointed by conceding a set piece, King was happier with his side’s approach play and in the second half they were rewarded with another Jake Robinson goal. The striker now has 12 goals in all competitions from just 11 starts and two substitute appearances.

Click here to display content from YouTube.
Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy.

Highlights of Dartford’s last match courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Speaking to Dartford FC TV after the game King praised Robinson, he commented: “there’s moments where games are tight, he will nick you that little winner. He’s not got the legs that he used to have but his in the right place at the right time. He’s a goalscorer and he’s a natural”. Expressing sympathy for the strikers, King identified that his players are getting in good positions on the wing, but the quality of the crossing needs improving, to help the strikers out. The Darts have now won just once in their last five outings in all competitions and that was in the last round of the F.A Trophy against Cray Wanderers.

The Darts will be without full-back Jernade Meade who picked up a hairline fracture, he is likely to be out for a couple of months. However, Luke Allen and Danny Leonard are back in contention. To cover Meade’s position, King has brought in Kai Woollard-Innocent on loan from Queens Park Rangers. The 21 year-old impressed King whilst at Eastbourne Borough last season and has been with Queens Park Rangers since he was eight.

Despite Dartford’s patchy results over the last three months, their opponents are going through a tougher spell. Weymouth have been in torrid form in the National League with seven straight losses, but that sequence was broken up by their F.A Trophy win over Hungerford Town. Sitting third from bottom the Terras last league victory was against the team below them, Kings Lynn at the end of October. The only other home win in the National League was against Maidenhead United and they are one place above the Terras.

Their last outing proved to be the last under Brian Stock as the club parted ways with the former Welsh international on Wednesday. Stock’s final game ended in a 1-0 defeat at home to Southend United. The Terras can look forward to Bradley Ash’s return from injury, the former Chippenham Town and Weston-super-Mare striker came off the bench in the latter stages of the defeat. Tom Bearwish also managed a substitute appearance after being out with injury, whilst Sean Shields is currently unavailable.

Like Dartford, the Terras have a prolific goalscorer from a division below the National League. Brandon Goodship is in his second spell with Weymouth returning to the club from Southend United in the summer. The striker scored 77 goals in 97 appearances in his first spell with the Terras earning an England C cap whilst in the Southern Premier League and consecutive golden boot awards. 

F.A Trophy story so far…

Second Round
Bath City 0-0 Dartford (Dartford won 5-3 on penalties)
A tight affair at Twerton Park ended with no goals scored after normal time and so the tie went straight to penalties. The Darts scored all five of their spot kicks and after two penalties each gained an advantage when Dan Wilks saved from Alex Fletcher. The Darts kept their heads and with Tyrique Hyde last to go for the visitors, the midfielder slotted home.

Third Round
Cray Wanderers 1-3 Dartford
Three goals in five first half minutes settled Dartford’s nerves in round three. The Kent derby against Isthmian Premier League side Cray Wanderers could have been a banana skin but the Darts negotiated their way through to the next round. Jake Robinson opened the scoring past former Dartford goalkeeper Bailey Vose. The striker added a second from the penalty spot and Danny Leonard made it three. The Wands scored a consolation in the second half when Jai Reason scored.

Hungerford Town 0-1 Weymouth
Josh McQuoid’s late winner was enough for the National League side to get past National South’s Hungerford Town. With eight minutes left on the clock, Terras midfielder Cameron Murray split the Crusaders defence with a pass for McQuoid to strike beyond Luke Cairney.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 17 / Weymouth wins: 35 / Draws: 16

Current Form (all competitions)

Dartford
(DLDWLW)
    Weymouth
(LLWLLL)
   
Dulwich Hamlet H 1-1 Southend United H 0-1
Ebbsfleet United A 0-1 Eastleigh A 2-3
Braintree Town A 2-2 Hungerford Town (FAT) A 1-0
Cray Wanderers (FAT) A 3-1 Wrexham A 0-1
Maidstone United A 0-4 Torquay United H 1-2
Billericay Town H 1-0 Woking H 2-3

(FAT – F.A Trophy)

Previous Six Meetings

Weymouth 0 – 0 Dartford* (01/08/2020 – National South Playoff Final)
Weymouth 3 -1 Dartford (17/08/2019 – National South)
Weymouth 2 – 0 Dartford (27/12/1997 – Southern League Southern Division)
Dartford 2 – 3 Weymouth (23/08/1997 – Southern League Southern Division )
Weymouth 2 – 1 Dartford (15/02/1997 – Southern League Southern Division )
Dartford 3 – 5 Weymouth (05/10/1996 – Southern League Southern Division )
* Weymouth won 3-0 on penalties

Stats

  • Dartford’s win percentage over Weymouth is 25%, the second lowest out of teams the Darts have played over 30 times (Yeovil Town is the lowest at 23.44%)
  • The Darts have won their last four cup games since exiting the F.A Cup in October
  • Another appearance from Luke Wanadio will take the winger to a century for the Darts. Over three spells at the club, Wanadio has started 81 times, made 18 substitute appearances and scored 18 goals

On This Day

Dartford have never lost an F.A Trophy tie on this day winning two and drawing two. In 2011, George Purcell scored the winning goal in round two against underdogs Ashford Town (Middlesex) who played two divisions below the Darts. Two replays were required in 1991 as Dartford drew 1-1 in the original rematch with Carshalton Athletic, the Darts went on to win at the third attempt. Lewes were beaten 2-0 in 1983 and five years earlier Dartford drew 2-2 with Horsham both in the first round. The Darts have won their last two games on this day, Jon Wallis and Lee Noble scored in a 2-0 National League win over Macclesfield Town in 2013, two years prior was the F.A Trophy tie with Ashford Town (Middlesex). Apart from the draw with Carshalton Athletic, the Darts have won the other five home games on 15 January including an 11-1 victory over Faversham Town in the 1966 Kent Senior Cup, a 5-1 win against Colchester United in the Southern League back in 1949 and a 5-3 triumph versus Faversham in 1898, also in the Kent Senior Cup.