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Dartford aim to make it two consecutive league victories in their first away game of the season this weekend, when they travel to Hampton and Richmond Borough.
The Darts opened their National South campaign on Tuesday night with a hard earned 1-0 home win against Chelmsford City. Ricky Modeste made his debut whilst Jordan Wynter and Kyjuon Marsh-Brown were chosen to start. Making way for the trio were Abdul Osman, Gavin McCallum and Charlie Sheringham.
King was rewarded with the selection of Marsh-Brown after he headed the winning goal on 23 minutes. It’s been a mixed few days for the winger, who was harshly adjudged to have conceded the last minute penalty in the 1-0 F.A Cup reverse against Slough Town on the weekend.
Manager, Steve King described his side’s display as ‘gritty and determined’ praising the defence in particular, he told DFCTV: “The back five was solid and didn’t let anything through all night”. At the other end of the pitch the Darts boss can see room for improvement, he added: “Going forward I didn’t think we were as potent, as free flowing as we have been…but we worked extremely hard”.

In fact Marsh-Brown will have fond memories of last season’s visit to the Beveree where he scored his first goal for Dartford in a 2-1 win. Elliott Romain scored the winning goal after Tyrone Lewthwaite had earlier equalised. The reverse fixture at Princes Park saw Hampton and Richmond Borough win 2-1 back in February. Luke Wanadio gave Dartford an early lead against his former club, but Danilo Orsi-Dadomo and Ryan Hill turned the game around for the visitors.
Dartford will have to try and find their way past former goalkeeper Alan Julian if they want to add to their points tally this season. Signed from Billericay Town in the summer, Julian made 45 appearances for the Darts on his way to picking up the 2013/2014 Supporters Player of the Year. He left that May 2014 to play for Sutton United before moving on to Bromley then Billericay Town.
Meanwhile, Dartford’s Abdul Osman could return to where it all started for him some 16 years ago. The midfielder played nine times for Hampton and Richmond Borough before being scouted by Watford, where he was part of the Hornets youth team. The 33 year old made his Dartford debut in the cup defeat last weekend and came on as a substitute on Tuesday night.


Alan Julian (left) playing for the Darts and new signing Abdul Osman (right)
Hampton and Richmond Borough have repeated Dartford’s scorelines so far but in reverse. The Beavers progressed in the F.A Cup beating F.A Vase semi-finalists Corinthian with a Ruaridh Donaldson goal. Then the Gary McCann’s side lost 1-0 to St Albans City on Tuesday night. Tyrell Miller-Rodney was one of two changes to the line up, the right back was sent off with two minutes remaining.
After the departure of last season’s top scorer Dadamo-Orsi, the Beavers are hoping summer signing Nico Muir can repeat the form he was in for Hendon when McCann was his manager, the striker scored 40 goals during that spell and was on loan at the Beveree last season from Hartlepool United. As well as Muir and Julian making their debuts already this campaign, Rene Steer and Christian Smith are also new faces in the squad to have made an appearance this term.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 7 / Hampton and Richmond Borough wins: 5 / Draws: 2
Previous Six Meetings
08.02.2020 | Dartford | 1 | Hampton & Richmond | 2 |
05.11.2019 | Hampton & Richmond | 1 | Dartford | 2 |
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 |
Stats
Dartford have lost just once in the last seven meetings against Hampton and Richmond Borough (W4, D2) and twice over the last ten (W6, D2).
The Darts are unbeaten in their last three visits to the Beveree (W2, D1).
Dartford have won just one of their last eight opening away fixtures in league competition, in 2018 when the beat Bath City 2-1 (D2, L5).
On This Day
Dartford’s last game on 10 October was way back in 2009 when they were knocked out of the F.A Cup by Chelmsford City. The third qualifying round ended up in a 4-1 defeat with former Dartford manager and captain Adam Flanagan scoring for the Darts. On a brighter note, the Darts went on to win the Isthmian Premier League to join the Clarets in the National South the following season. The last away trip on this day was in 2006 with Dartford beating Tonbridge Angels 3-1 in the Isthmian League Cup second round. In 1891, the Darts racked up a 10-2 friendly victory over Stone.
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