Dartford are in F.A Trophy action for the second time in four days this Saturday, when they host Isthmian Premier League side Haringey Borough.
In the previous round, the Darts were on the brink of defeat twice on Tuesday night at Slough Town. Finding themselves two goals down, Steve King’s side looked down and out. Josh Jackman gave Slough Town a half-time lead and Warren Harris punished Ethan Wady’s goalkeeping error.
King opted for a back three, but with a two goal deficit to claw back switched formation and it worked. First, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong scored his fourth in three games, then three minutes later Moussa Bakayoko netted his second of the season, in only his third appearance to take the match to penalties.
Dartford put the ghost of playoff penalty heartache behind them. However, the contest looked over when set piece specialist Jack Jebb missed. Yet there was one more twist, Slough Town’s Louis Lomas fluffed his lines taking the spot kicks to sudden death. The Darts wrapped up a 6-5 victory from twelve yards after Jackman hit his effort wide.
Jernade Meade was handed his Dartford debut after the left sided player joined the club. The 28 year-old most recently spent time in Sweden and Norway and has made one Champions League appearance for Arsenal against Olympiakos. King also made five other changes from the defeat at Eastbourne Borough bringing in Craig Braham-Barrett, Josh Hill, David Ijaha, Elliott Romain and Jack Barham.
Dartford have never met Haringey Borough who are mid-table in the league below. Borough have already negotiated three rounds shocking Eastbourne Round on the weekend. Goals from Rakim Richards and a brace from Roman Michael-Percil saw the Tottenham based club ease into a three goal lead, Greg Luer grabbed a consolation for the Sports.
The previous two rounds ended with Haringey Borough winning 2-1. Borough faced Kent side Faversham Town in the third qualifying round and Bishop’s Stortford in round one. Looking to recreate their F.A Cup run of two years ago, when they reached the first round from starting in the preliminary stages, Borough have made it to the third round of the F.A trophy for the first time.
Guided by manager Tom Loizou, Haringey Borough are eleventh with four wins and four defeats in the Isthmian Premier this season. Aside from their two recent F.A Trophy games they haven’t played any other competitive match since the 4th November, a 3-1 defeat to Kingstonian.
Stats
Dartford’s second round win on Tuesday was the first victory in the F.A Trophy for three years.
The Darts last reached the third round five years ago when they went out to FC Halifax Town in a replay.
The last time Dartford got past round three they reached the semi-final in 2013.
Steve King recorded his first F.A Trophy win as manager of Dartford, but has yet to win over 90 minutes.
On This Day
Dartford have twice played a F.A Trophy tie on this day losing on penalties three years ago against Boreham Wood. Tom Murphy, Lyle Della-Verde and Alfie Pavey all missed from the spot after a 2-2 draw sent the first round clash to spot kicks, Ryan Hayes and Danny Mills scored in normal time. The Darts also went out at the same stage in 1987 losing to local rivals Maidstone United 1-0.