Dartford are back in home action when they host Hemel Hempstead Town for only the second time in the clubs history.
After a steady start to their campaign, the Darts have been in good form over the last couple months and continue to challenge for the playoffs. Their opponents, who like Dartford missed out on a top five finish last season on the final day of the campaign, have struggled to reach the same heights this term.
It’s been over a year since the sides last me with the Darts earning a 2-2 draw Princes Park, in one of the turning points of Dartford’s season. Tony Burman’s side had just lost four games in a row and with questions being asked over the poor and inconsistent form a result was needed. Ryan Hayes’s dramatic injury time equaliser salvaged a point from two goals down. Tom Bradbrook had started the come back after Hemel Hempstead Town were reduced to ten men. The Darts went on an eleven game unbeaten run in the league, their best sequence from last season.
On the opening day of last season, a 1-0 reverse at Vauxhall Road was inflicted on the Darts when Oliver Hawkins powered a first half header beyond Deren Ibrahim. Dartford were unable to find the equaliser on a day where six players made their first competitive appearances.
The Tudors have had a week off to recover from their 3-1 defeat at home to Wealdstone, the Hertfordshire club have lost their last two. Meanwhile, Dartford’s F.A Cup run to the first round meant they had a rearranged fixture on Tuesday against St Albans City.
Dean Brennan’s side have struggled on the road with just one win in eight attempts, they also have the worst defensice record away from home in the National South. However, they have picked up draws against three of the top six on their travels including the 4-4 goal fest at Chelmsford City.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 1 / Hemel Hempstead Town wins: 1 / Draws: 1
Current League Form
Dartford (LWWWWW)
Lost 0-2 v St Albans City (H)
Won 1-0 v Oxford City (H)
Won 1-0 v Bath City (A)
Won 5-0 v Truro City (A)
Won 2-1 v Concord Rangers (H)
Won 2-0 v Margate (A)
Hemel Hempstead Town (LLWDLW)
Lost 1-3 v Wealdstone (H)
Lost 1-2 v Gosport Borough (H)
Won 2-1 v Concord Rangers (H)
Drew 4-4 v Chelmsford City (A)
Lost 1-2 v Margate (A)
Won 2-0 v Whitehawk (H)
Previous Meetings
Dartford 2 Hemel Hempstead Town 2 (17/10/2015 – National South)
Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Dartford 0 (08/08/2015 – National South)
Dartford 9 Hemel Hempstead Town 2 (16/09/1972 – F.A Cup)
Stats
68 – number of goals in games involving Hemel Heampstead Town at an average of four a match, the highest in the National South this season.
36 – the Darts have seen the second fewest goals behind Whitehawk (33) in matches they have played in this term.
On This Day
Dartford last won at home on 12 November back in 1974 when they beat Boston United 3-1 in an Inter League Challenge Match. The annual fixture between the Southern and Northern League champions was contested over two legs, there was no Conference in those days. The away match took place almost a month later and finished 2-2 securing a 5-3 victory for the Darts. Since the first leg triumph, Dartford have drawn three of their four home games on 12 November which included a 0-0 stalemate with Bedworth United (1983 – Southern Premier League), a 1-1 draw with Canterbury City (1994 – Kent League) and five years ago, they shared the points with Weston-Super-Mare in the National South with the game ending 1-1.