Dartford have the chance to overtake their opponents on Tuesday night with victory against Hampton and Richmond Borough in the National South.
The Darts visit the Beveree on the back of some excellent form on the road, whilst the Beavers have currently won their last four league outings. Steve King’s side know a win will move them up to at least thirteenth in the table, their highest placing of the season. Whilst Hampton and Richmond Borough could enter the top ten with a victory.
King has now been in charge for two league matches taking four points and so far he is content with the return, he spoke to the Darts Media Team after the 2-0 win at Eastbourne Borough on the weekend: “Unbeaten in the league, I’m happy with that. Two points per game is decent, but we’re a work in progress. We’ve brought three or four in and there will be more comings and goings, but we just have to trying to mold what we’re doing. The guys have been brilliant and bought into what we’ve asked and they have been fantastic so far and they are a lovely group to work with”.
Liam Gordon made his debut on the weekend against Eastbourne Borough, after arriving on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge, and Kyjuon Keanu-Marsh came off the bench for his first appearance. Gordon replaced the departed Mark Onyemah and Norman Wabo was named in the starting eleven instead of Andy Pugh. Once again, King opted to play a narrow formation and with the selection of Wabo injected more pace up front. Wabo started the scoring grabbing his fourth of the campaign, but the goal of the day belonged to Elliott Romain who opened his Dartford account in only his second game. The former Eastbourne Borough striker’s scorching 30 yard effort made sure the Darts recorded a 2-0 triumph.
After the game, defender Josh Hill echoed his manager’s sentiment, he commented: “It was a great win it was a really good win. The conditions were horrible and it was always going to be about the team that dealt with the conditions the best. We were really solid at the back, but also all eleven of us defended well, we were really organised”. Hill is also excited about what’s in store for the Darts, he explained: “For the first few games we’ve done alright, but it can only get better. As King gets his ideas across we can only get stronger and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season”. Looking at the short term, Hill added that Tuesday’s fixture “will be a different type of game because the conditions won’t be as bad. Away from home we’re going to games with more confidence”.
Dartford’s last trip to the Beveree was just under a year ago when they won 1-0 and it was Charlie Sheringham’s header that was decisive. In March the two sides drew 2-2 at Princes Park in the last meeting between them. Darren McQueen came off the bench to score a last minute equaliser, whilst earlier Sheringham netted a penalty. Hampton and Richmond Borough twice took the lead through Oliver Sprague then Christopher Dickson.
On the weekend Hampton and Richmond Borough secured their fourth consecutive win beating Dartford’s local rivals Maidstone United. The Beavers left it late, as substitute Tyrone Lewthwaite won the game from close range. Earlier, Kyron Farrell’s long range shot put the hosts ahead, but Maidstone United equalised through Nana Kyei, who scored against his former club. Prior the 2-1 win at home to the Stones, Gary McCann’s side had not conceded in three matches providing the foundations to their current good form.
Danilo Orsi-Dadamo is one to watch if selected, having scored seven goals from 16 appearances this term. The striker signed from Hungerford Town in the summer and scored when he returned to Bulpit Lane at the end of last month. Prior the trip to Berkshire, the Beavers beat Kent sides Welling United and Tonbridge Angels and now they set their sights on another Kent scalp making it four in their last five outings.
Dartford will be without Lee Noble, however better news was announced last week in that the midfielder will not be out for as long as first anticipated. Charlie Sheringham is recovering from a dislocated shoulder, Jordan Wynter is still working on a return and Sam Blackman remains out. Mark Onyemah left the club last week after 115 appearances for the Darts over two spells.
Head to Head
Hampton and Richmond Borough wins: 4 / Dartford wins: 6 / Draws: 2
Current League Form
| DARTFORD | HAMPTON & RICHMOND | ||||
| Eastbourne Borough | A | 2-0 | Maidstone United | H | 2-1 |
| Chippenham Town | H | 1-1 | Hungerford Town | A | 2-0 |
| Oxford City | A | 1-0 | Welling United | A | 1-0 |
| Slough Town | H | 2-3 | Tonbridge Angels | H | 1-0 |
| Concord Rangers | A | 2-0 | Slough Town | A | 1-3 |
| Dorking Wanderers | H | 3-4 | Concord Rangers | H | 2-3 |
Last Six Meetings
| 23.03.2019 | Dartford | 2 | Hampton & Richmond | 2 |
| 17.11.2018 | Hampton & Richmond | 0 | Dartford | 1 |
| 30.03.2018 | Dartford | 1 | Hampton & Richmond | 0 |
| 02.09.2017 | Hampton & Richmond | 2 | Dartford | 2 |
| 17.04.2017 | Dartford | 3 | Hampton & Richmond | 1 |
| 29.08.2016 | Hampton & Richmond | 4 | Dartford | 1 |
Stats
Another away victory for the Darts will make it six in a row in all competitions matching the run from 17 February 2018 to 4 August 2018.
Dartford are unbeaten in five games against Hampton and Richmond Borough and have scored in their last eight versus the Beavers.
The Beavers have won just two of their last nine against the Darts, but in those victories they put four goals past Dartford in each game.
On This Day
Dartford’s last two matches on this day were both F.A Cup first round ties and on each occasion they were convincingly knocked out. Two years ago the Darts lost 5-1 to League Two side Swindon Town, Timi Elsnick scored either side of Harry Smith’s goal giving the visitors a three goal lead at half-time. Early second half goals from Amine Lingazi and Paul Mullin put the Robins five up, but Richard Sho-Silva got the biggest cheer of the afternoon with Dartford’s consolation seven minutes from time. Dartford also reached the same stage twelve months earlier going down 6-3 to National League club Sutton United. The Darts pegged the U’s back three times before the Surrey club ran away three unanswered goals in the last half hour. Elliot Bradbrook scored a brace as did Sutton United’s Maxime Biamou, Roarie Deacon and Ross Stearn, Duane Ofori-Acheampong was Dartford’s other goalscorer. The last league game played on the 5 November was the 2-1 win at Salisbury City. It’s been five years since the Darts played on Guy Fawkes Day when they beat Salisbury City in the National South. Dartford were behind after just 80 seconds but fought back with goals from Jon Wallis and Jacob Erskine. Other notable results include the 5-1 Southern League Division One East win over Aveley in 2005 and a 6-2 Kent League Cup triumph against Greenwich Borough in 1994.