Dartford play their rescheduled National South fixture at home to Oxford City on Tuesday night looking to avenge their F.A Cup exit last month.
It’s been five weeks since the Darts were convincingly beaten 4-1 at Marsh Lane in the third qualifying round. Kabonga Tshimanga’s hat-trick and a fourth by Bobson Bawling left Dartford chasing shadows, although Elliot Bradbrook did manage a late consolation on a disappointing afternoon.
Prospects can be very different this time round with Dartford holding home advantage. The Darts have won four, drawn two and lost one at Princes Park this term. Meanwhile, Oxford City’s away record reads won one, drawn one and lost five, a point joint manager Adam Flanagan made in his latest interview with www.kentonline.co.uk, he commented: “We’ve only lost once at home this season and we need to keep our home record good if we want to challenge in the right part of the league”.
Since the F.A Cup reverse, Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle have led the Darts to three wins from four and Oxford City are sitting one place above the Darts last opponents in seventeenth place. Victory over Gloucester City saw Dartford come from a goal down to win 2-1, the fifth league game where they have gained points having been behind this season. Charlie Sheringham’s equalised on the stroke of half-time after Sam Avery gave the hosts the lead. Ben Greenhalgh scored the winner three minutes after the break, his second goal of the campaign.
Flanagan believes the character shown by the players will help his side gain confidence, which has been lacking at times this term. He’s also hoping the Darts can redeem themselves after their F.A Cup exit at Oxford City, he said: “When they come to us, we need to gain a little bit of redemption with regards to that fixture and put in a display that shows all our good attributes, which we weren’t able to do in the away fixture”.
The one thing the Darts do not want a repeat of is the recent defeats to Oxford City and Truro City, in which they capitulated by conceding goals in quick succession. At least the Hoops will not be able to call on former top scorer Matthew Patterson who moved to Welling United, having scored six times in the league for the Hoops. However, Dartford will be fully aware of Oxford City’s current leading scorer Tshimanga, who has netted five in the National South this season.
It was Tshimanga again on the weekend hitting the headlines for Oxford City, this time in the F.A Cup against League Two side Tranmere Rovers. The striker grabbed another hat-trick, but last minute heartbreak denied the Hoops victory in an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Mark Jones’ side won their previous league fixture last weekend beating Hampton and Richmond Borough 4-2 at the Beveree. Showing signs of recovery after a poor September, in which Oxford City lost all four league games, the Hoops took four points from nine in October before the three point haul last weekend.
Last season at Princes Park, Dartford racked up their biggest score in 29 years winning 7-1 in the National South. Warren Mfula grabbed the matchball with a second half hat-trick during a nineteen-minute spell. Richard Sho-Silva, Lyle Della-Verde, Alfie Pavey and Lee Noble all scored before Mfula stole the show. Two years ago, Andy Pugh’s well taken lob earned the Darts a 1-0 victory and the campaign before that Elliott Bradbrook scored twice, including in the last minute in a 2-2 draw.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 5 / Oxford City wins: 2 / Draws: 3
Current League Form
| Dartford (WWDDLW) | Oxford City (WDLWLL) | ||||
| Gloucester City | A | 2-1 | Hampton & Richmond | A | 4-2 |
| Truro City | A | 1-3 | Chippenham Town | H | 1-1 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | H | 2-1 | Chelmsford City | H | 1-3 |
| Chippenham Town | A | 2-1 | Concord Rangers | H | 2-0 |
| Weston-super-Mare | H | 2-1 | Hemel Hempstead Town | A | 1-2 |
| Billericay Town | A | 1-1 | Bath City | H | 1-2 |
Previous Meetings
| 06.10.2018 | Oxford City | 4 | Dartford | 1 |
| 24.03.2018 | Oxford City | 0 | Dartford | 2 |
| 19.08.2017 | Dartford | 7 | Oxford City | 1 |
| 25.02.2017 | Oxford City | 1 | Dartford | 1 |
| 29.10.2016 | Dartford | 1 | Oxford City | 0 |
| 23.04.2016 | Dartford | 2 | Oxford City | 2 |
Stats
Dartford have only lost once this season when Lee Noble has been in the side.
The Darts have gained 11 points from losing positions out of the 24 they have picked up this term.
On This Day
Dartford were humbled the last time they played on 13 November when they lost 4-0 at home to Dorchester Town eight years ago. Three years before the heavy defeat, the Darts knocked out Aveley in the second round of the Isthmian Lerague Cup, Tom Bradbrook scored twice and John Guest the other in a 3-0 win. One of the most notable games on this day came 25 years ago in the Kent League. Dartford travelled to Ramsgate and came home with a 5-4 win, even though the Darts threw away a 3-1 lead to trail 3-4, two late goals stole victory.
DATE: Tuesday 13th November 2018
VENUE: Princes Park, Grassbanks, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1RT
KICK OFF: 19:45 pm
TURNSTILES: Open from 17:30pm
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 17:30pm
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: Dartford Living
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