Dartford face yet another side aiming for a promotion challenge when they host an in form Bath City in the National South this weekend.
The Darts last four league games have been against teams pushing for the playoffs or the league title. A result on Saturday will see a decent return from those fixtures, especially off the back of Tuesday’s dramatic victory over title contenders Woking. Ronnie Vint headed home a 97th minute winner at the Kingfield Stadium to record Dartford’s first win at the Cards home and move his side into seventh.
In fact it was a game of cards with the hosts finishing the game with just nine men. Ben Gerring was sent off after the official was reminded he had already booked the Woking defender by the Darts management team. Then Armani Little was given a straight red card for striking Lee Noble. Sensing the advantage the Darts pushed for a goal and were rewarded when Vint headed into the Woking goal at the far post.
After the excellent win, Vint spoke to www.kentonline and said: “I got a bit of stick in the first half down in that corner so I thought ‘do you know what, 90th minute, I’m going to give a little bit back here’ and it was nice to see it go in”, he added: “The gaffers have been on my case about getting on the end of things and what a time to get my first header of the season. I’m delighted for the boys”.
The central defender praised his teammates and exclaimed: “It was a proper Dartford performance and we deserved three points.It’s a massive result for us. We’ve been in and out of the play-offs but we’re going in the right direction now”, he continued: “Recently the boys have been brilliant. Everyone’s getting on, they’re gelling and it’s a pleasure to be in the changing-room. When we get results like this, it can only help us going forward. We’re back in the play-offs now and we’ve got to stay in there”.
The Darts won the previous encounter against the Romans on the opening day of the season in dramatic circumstances. At Twerton Park, Dartford had to leave it late to come from behind and secure a 2-1 victory. Bath City’s summer recruit Adam Mann scored after ten minutes, but his strike was cancelled out by Elliot Bradbrook’s header in first half injury time.
With the game heading for a draw Robbie Cundy conceded a dubious penalty only for Bradbrook to miss the target. A couple of minutes later the Darts were awarded a second spot kick which was clear cut decision, this time new signing Delano Sam-Yorke stepped up and scored the winner.
Dartford did host Bath City in April during last season’s title push and on that occasion, it was a tenser affair. Although the Darts took a first half lead when Danny Mills headed in at the far post, the hosts had to wait until seventy minutes to secure the points through Alfie Pavey, who pounced on Brown’s shot across goal and keep up the decent home form versus the Romans.
In March 2017, Dartford recorded the same score with goals from Bradbrook and Duane Ofori-Acheampong and in January 2016, Dartford won 4-1. Andy Pugh’s brace and goals from Ryan Hayes and Callum McNaughton helped the Darts to victory, David Pratt scored for the visitors.
Bath City have finished ninth in the previous two campaigns and during pre-season manager Jerry Gill was confident the Romans would be challengers this term. The Romans have moved up the standings since the festive period and are currently on a nine-match unbeaten league run. Sitting in fourth place, six points behind league leaders Torquay United, Bath City have not lost on the road in the National South since 1 September.
The West Country side have yet to taste defeat in 2019 and their last outing ended in a 0-0 draw against Gloucester City. Without Kebin Amankwaah and Sean Rigg due to injury, the Romans had to settle for a point. Goalkeeper, Ryan Clarke saved a first half penalty to deny their opponents of their best chance, whilst Fredrick Hinds had the ball in the back of the net for Bath City, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
Since the back end of December, the Romans have been on form winning six and drawing three. Notably the Somerset club have thrashed Chippenham Town 5-0 and recorded excellent results by beating Torquay United 3-2 and Chelmsford city 2-0.
Although he has not scored in his last four matches Ross Stearn can be a threat up front, the 28-year-old has scored nine league goals this season. The striker has netted a brace against the Darts before at Princes Park during a 6-3 F.A Cup defeat to Sutton United. Ryan Brunt and Anthony Straker have also been amongst the goals this season with eight and seven scored respectively.
Since the opening day of the season, Dartford’s squad has seen numerous changes in contrast to the last starting eleven Bath City selected. On Tuesday night, the Darts fielded six players who had joined or rejoined the club after the opening day (Bailey Vose, Daniel Johnson, Jordan Wynter, Charlie Sheringham, Phil Roberts and Ryan Hayes, including substitutes used then Andre Coker can be added to that list). Bath City selected just three new players compared to the last encounter with the Darts, all of which were loanees added to the squad last month.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 32 / Bath City wins: 40 / Draws: 19
Current League Form
| Dartford (WDLWDW) | Bath City (DWWDWW) | ||||
| Woking | A | 1-0 | Gloucester City | A | 0-0 |
| Concord Rangers | H | 1-1 | Torquay United | A | 3-2 |
| Chelmsford City | A | 1-2 | East Thurrock United | H | 1-0 |
| St Albans City | H | 3-2 | Slough Town | H | 0-0 |
| Wealdstone | A | 1-1 | Dulwich Hamlet | A | 2-0 |
| Welling United | H | 1-0 | Chippenham Town | H | 5-0 |
Previous Meetings
| 04.08.2018 | Bath City | 1 | Dartford | 2 |
| 21.04.2018 | Dartford | 2 | Bath City | 0 |
| 24.10.2017 | Bath City | 1 | Dartford | 2 |
| 04.03.2017 | Dartford | 2 | Bath City | 0 |
| 22.10.2016 | Bath City | 0 | Dartford | 1 |
| 16.01.2016 | Dartford | 4 | Bath City | 1 |
Stats
Dartford have recorded six straight wins against Bath City completing a double in the past two campaigns.
The Romans last defeated the Darts back in 1990 when they won 1-0 in the Southern Premier League.
Dartford have kept four clean sheets in the previous six meetings against Bath City.
Bath City have kept seven clean sheets from their last nine fixtures.
Tuesday’s hero, Vint can make his 150th Dartford appearance if selected this weekend.
On This Day
Brendon Cass controversially scored a ‘ghost goal’ against AFC Sudbury to rescue a point and keep the Darts on top of the Isthmian Division One North table. The top two went head to head eleven years ago and it was John Guest who headed Dartford in front. The hosts fought back to lead with two goals from Jamie Rowe. On the stroke of half-time Cass had a shot saved by goalkeeper only for the ball to ricochet of the striker’s leg towards goal, an AFC Sudbury defender slid and cleared the ball off the line but the official awarded a goal to the Darts. The game ended up 2-2 contributing to the 89 points Dartford accrued to win the title, AFC Sudbury finished runners up.
DATE: Saturday 9th February 2019
VENUE: Princes Park, Grassbanks, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1RT
KICK OFF: 15:00 pm
TURNSTILES: Open from 12:30pm
ADMISSION:
Adults: £14
Concessions: £9
Youth (13-17) : £5
Children ( u12) £2
SEATING: Seating is available on a first come first served basis in certain areas of the stadium.
FACILITIES: Bar and food open from 12:30pm
PARKING: Parking is free of charge in the clubs car park but is a first come first served basis.
MATCH UPDATES: Full Coverage will on twitter @dartfordfc
MATCH SPONSOR: DFC Community
Dartford Football Club’s Community Programme mission is to be the best in Kent.
The new Dartford FC Community Programme launched in the summer of 2018 with the arrival of Darren Phillips (Community Director) and Ian Varley (Community Manager) after eleven years working for the Football Association.
The club believe it should be a part of the community in the widest sense, engaging with local residents, supporters, schools and clubs. Growing the club and its brand will build long term success for the future.
Everyone at the club and community is committed to addressing social issues, while providing fun and exciting activities for all at Princes Park and in areas across the DA postcode.
We want to offer those participating in any Dartford Football Club Community Programme initiatives a first class experience that will see them continue to return to the club on a regular basis, supporting the club at matches and building the fan base for the future.
The new Community Programme has already developed key links with Dartford Youth Hub, Play Place, Winners Chapel International, Dartford YMCA, All Directions, Dartford Healthy Living Centre, St Anselms Primary, Dartford Bridge Primary and Fawkham Primary. As well as running very successful football sessions during the school holidays that saw over 350 children take part.
Not only are we able to deliver coaching support we can offer a range of sporting qualifications to the public. This is a very exciting time to be part of Dartford Football Club as we continue to expand, develop new ideas and create new employment opportunities.