Dartford aim to extend their unbeaten run in the Isthmian Premier to five when they host Lewes this weekend.
The Darts need to start turning draws into victories if they want to climb the table and move closer to the playoff places. Adrian Pennock’s side have drawn three of the last four league games and are currently seven points from the top five. Although results have improved this month, the Darts have won just once in their last nine league fixtures. Lewes were this season’s early pace setters until a run of five without a victory. However they ended that sequence in their last match in the Isthmian Premier by taking maximum points.
Dartford won their previous home game which featured six academy graduates against Cheshunt. Yet is was experienced midfielder Samir Carruthers who opened the scoring from the spot. The Ambers levelled in the second-half, but George Whitefield’s goal of the season contender earned the Darts a 2-1 triumph.
Only three former academy players featured in the 3-3 draw at Hashtag United, but this time two of them scored. Pennock introduced Ade Yusuff for the suspended Duane Ofori-Acheampong in the only change to the starting eleven. Sam Odaudu netted his third of the campaign to give the Darts a first-half lead. Then Pennock’s side had to show character after falling behind twice in a hectic final 25 minutes. The Tags equalised through Toby Aromolaran and went in front after Joshua Rusoke scored. Three minutes later Denzelle Olopade drew Dartford level before the hosts went 3-2 up in the 87th minute when Ayo Olukoga looked to have won it for the Essex side. In the final moments Oliver Box made it all square again and there was still time for last ditch heroics when Jacob Marsden made an incredible save onto the crossbar.
After picking up an injury in the draw at Potters Bar Town, Sam Okoye made a substitute appearance in that draw against the Tags. Pennock is hoping that last weekend’s break in the schedule can aid the recovery to injured players Michael Olarewaju, Eddie Dsane and Samir Carruthers.
Dartford last hosted Lewes in March 2011 and Charlie Sheringham’s brace secured a 3-0 victory. Danny Harris opened the scoring smashing a looping volley inside Connor Gough’s post to put Darts one up. The crucial second goal arrived on 20 minutes when a corner on the right found Sheringham by the far post and he headed in off the bar. In the final minute a swift three-man move started by Ryan Hayes ended with a third goal, Sheringham hooked his shot home from inside the six-yard box.
Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino
Five months earlier the Darts drew 1-1 at the Dripping Pan thanks to a late Tom Bonner equaliser. After Paul Olima had put Lewes in front, a quick free kick made its way to Bonner who fired his shot beyond the goalkeeper to salvage a point. The only other previous meeting between the two sides was back in January 1983. Dartford progressed in the F.A Trophy with a 2-0 away win.
The team occupying the final playoff spot in the Isthmian Premier is this weekend’s opponents Lewes. The Sussex side ended last season as one of the form teams and started this term where they left off. The Rooks won their final five fixtures in April. Helped by the 14 league goals from former Dart, Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala, who has now departed, the Sussex club finished eighth. In August they won their first five extending the winning streak to ten. It took until the end of September for Craig Nelson’s side to lose their first Isthmian Premier contest. Prior the heavy loss to Potters Bar Town, the Rooks had opened up a six-point lead to become the early pace setters.
In the Rooks last league game they were trying to put an end to a five-game winless run in the league, which began at Potters Bar Town. Although Lewes picked up draws against Billericay Town, Chatham Town and Hendon they were beaten for just the second time when they visited Horsham in mid-October. So, a Sussex derby under the Dripping Pan lights against bottom side Bognor Regis Town was just the tonic.
Lewes may have scored early against their local rivals, but they left it very late to secure maximum points. The Rooks completed a double over Bognor Regis Town having beaten the basement boys by a single goal in August. New signing, Gianluca Botti scored 31 goals for Chertsey Town in the Isthmian South Central last term. The forward scored a minute into his home debut to open his goalscoring account. The visitors equalised through Jasper Maher leaving the hosts having to dig deep. In the final three minutes the floodgates eventually opened with goals from Matt Warren, and injury time strikes for Botti and Danny Bassett.
Nelson’s side did suffer defeat on the weekend in the F.A Trophy going out to Southern Premier South side AFC Totton. Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin is back in non-league with the Hampshire side and opened the scoring. In the last minute Tony Lee completed the 2-0 win for the visitors.
| Dartford (DLDDWD) | Lewes (LDLDDW) | ||||
| Hashtag United | A | 3-3 | Bognor Regis Town | H | 4-1 |
| Cheshunt | H | 2-1 | Hendon | A | 0-0 |
| Potters Bar Town | A | 1-1 | Chatham Town | A | 1-1 |
| Cray Valley (PM) | H | 0-0 | Horsham | A | 0-2 |
| Wingate & Finchley | H | 2-3 | Billericay Town | H | 2-2 |
| Billericay Town | A | 0-4 | Potters Bar Town | A | 0-5 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 2 / Lewes wins: 1 / Draws: 0
Previous Meetings
Dartford 3 – 0 Lewes (26/03/2011 – National South)
Lewes 1 – 1 Dartford (30/10/2010 – National South)
Lewes 0 – 2 Dartford (15/01/1983 – F.A Trophy)
Statistics
- The Darts are five games unbeaten in all competitions (W2, D3). Their longest unbeaten run since Adrian Pennock took charge
- Dartford are also on their longest unbeaten run since December 2022/January 2023 when they won four and drew one in the National South
- The Darts are unbeaten in the three matches played against Lewes (W2, D1)
On This Day
Dartford are looking for a first win on this day since 1991. The Darts last victory on 23 November was a 1-0 triumph against Burton Albion, now of League One. Since then they have lost four and drawn two. The last outing on this day was a F.A Trophy Kent derby at rivals Maidstone United. The third qualifying round finished 2-2. In 1974, the Darts were so close to pulling off a F.A Cup first round shock. Facing high flying Plymouth Argyle, who ended up winning promotion that season to the old Division Two (now Championship), Dartford were 2-1 up with five minutes to play. Argyle finished strongly to come from behind and win 3-2.