Dartford begin their Easter schedule at home to Bishop’s Stortford on Good Friday, ahead of the Kent derby days later.
The Darts’ season is in danger of fizzling out after suffering a fourth straight defeat on the weekend at Havant and Waterlooville. The loss at Westleigh Park leaves Dartford further down the pecking order but still five points adrift of the playoffs.
A depleted squad will need to pick themselves up again and turnaround recent misfortunes. Dartford have taken one point from their last five games and need to improve performances with just eight games to go. On Saturday, Tom Bradbrook was ruled out with injury and brother Elliot suspended, the captain will also miss both Easter fixtures. Danny Harris has a hamstring problem and striker Andy Pugh was pulled off in the 2-0 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville with a groin problem. Lee Noble captained the Darts on Saturday, however two goals from James Hayter gave the hosts a comfortable win.
Last time out against the Blues, Dartford secured a first win in over a month. Barry Cogan scored his first for the Darts from a Tom Gardiner cross. Bishop’s Stortford equalised when Christian Smith headed from close range. The winner came from Elliot Bradbrook who shot on the turn found the back of the net.
The last time the Darts hosted the Blues was in August 2010. Dartford, newly promoted as Isthmian Premier League champions took four games to register a first National South win. Danny Harris scored against his former club minutes before the visitors had a penalty saved by Andrew Young. The lead was doubled prior the break through Charlie Sheringham and Carl Rook wrapped things up with a third.
Bishop’s Stortford have been sporadic this campaign and sit comfortably five places below Dartford but just a win away. Rod Stringer’s side can look towards the goals provided by top scorer Elliot Buchanan who has 22 this season. The striker scored twice on the weekend in a 2-2 draw with Bath City, which extended Bishop’s Stortford’s unbeaten run to four. Last month, the Hertfordshire club lost five in a row after recording their longest spell of seven games without defeat seven.
Dartford last lost to Bishop’s Stortford in 1981 in the F.A Trophy semi-final. Since then the Darts have won three in a row against their Good Friday opponents.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 3 / Bishop’s Stortford wins: 3 / Draws: 2
Last Meeting at Princes Park
Current League Form
| Dartford (LLLLDL) | Bishop’s Stortford (DWDWLL) | ||||
| Havant & Waterlooville | A | 0-2 | Bath City | A | 2-2 |
| Maidenhead United | A | 1-2 | Whitehawk | H | 2-1 |
| Whitehawk | H | 2-4 | Eastbourne Borough | H | 1-1 |
| Weston-Super-Mare | A | 1-2 | Whitehawk | A | 3-2 |
| Hayes & Yeading Utd | A | 2-2 | Chelmsford City | A | 1-4 |
| Concord Rangers | H | 1-2 | Truro City | H | 0-3 |
Previous Meetings (* – F.A Cup / ^ – F.A Trophy)
| 24.10.2015 | Bishop’s Stortford | 1 | Dartford | 2 |
| 29.01.2011 | Bishop’s Stortford | 0 | Dartford | 1 |
| 24.08.2010 | Dartford | 3 | Bishop’s Stortford | 0 |
| 11.04.1981^ | Bishop’s Stortford | 2 | Dartford | 1 |
| 04.04.1981^ | Dartford | 1 | Bishop’s Stortford | 1 |
| 22.11.1975* | Dartford | 1 | Bishop’s Stortford | 4 |
| 27.10.1970* | Bishop’s Stortford | 3 | Dartford | 1 |
| 24.10.1970* | Dartford | 1 | Bishop’s Stortford | 1 |
On This Day
Ten years have passed since Dartford played on 25 March against Corby Town. A 1-1 draw in the Southern League Division One East came six years after beating the same club 1-0 in the Southern League Southern Division. Fareham Town were beaten 3-1 at home in 1998 and Herne Bay held the Darts to a goalless draw 21 years ago in the Kent League.
Match Preview written by Stuart Maidment