Dartford are heading to the Dripping Pan to take on Lewes in the Isthmian Premier this weekend.
The Darts travel to Sussex after getting back to winning ways last time out. Now they will be determined to pick up maximum points and put their previous away day defeat behind them. Lewes set the early pace this season but have since dropped to mid-table. The Rooks look set for another campaign in the Isthmian Premier barring an incredible late surge into the playoffs.
Dartford’s main aim is to keep pressure on table toppers Billericay Town. Victory at the Dripping Pan will return Adrian Pennock’s side back to the summit should the leaders fall to defeat at home against Chichester City.
Pennock’s decisions paid off big time last weekend in the dramatic late win at Princes Park. The Dartford boss described the game as “a great advert for the league” when speaking to Dartford FC TV after the victory. Looking to bounce back from the loss at Cheshunt, the Darts hosted third place Horsham with both sides challenging for the league title. The tough fixture was a test for a Dartford side who had seen their tremendous 21 league game unbeaten run ended a week earlier.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
In defence, the reliable Luther Williams was named as a substitute and in came George Whitefield against fellow title challengers Horsham. Whilst, Samir Carruthers made way for Louis Dunne in midfield. Former Hornet, Eddie Dsane had to be patient and wait his turn to be introduced later in the match.
Dartford faced adversity in the first half with the visitors the better side. Jake Elliott deservedly put Horsham in front before Jacob Marsden and his crossbar kept the Darts in the game. Dartford’s Callum Jones had his penalty save, but the hosts were off the pace.
In the second half Pennock brought on Carruthers and Jez Pinder to gain some midfield control as well as Eddie Dsane to help push for a leveller. Those changes were significant as explained by Pennock: “Our fitness levels told; we kept knocking on the door and our second half performance was excellent. I think the first half we were just going a little bit too long, we needed to get that extra pass in”. The introduction of Carruthers aided Dartford’s passing game. The twist came three minutes from time. A low cross by Sam Odaudu found Whitefield to tap in at the far post for the equaliser. Two minutes later, Carruthers sent in a free kick and Dsane was there to score the winner. The Darts are now unbeaten at Princes Park since October spanning 11 games.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Despite defeat on the road a fortnight ago, the Darts had been on a brilliant run of eight consecutive away victories in the Isthmian Premier. Pennock and company will be hoping to start another winning streak on Saturday, but to do that Dartford will need all the help they can get, Pennock commented: “Lewes is a very tough place to go to, but we want our supporters to be backing us because they were excellent again (last weekend).”
A home win against Lewes in November turned out to be the fifth match unbeaten in Dartford’s long undefeated spell. A dominant display against the Rooks ended in a 2-0 triumph. After a number of squandered chances by the Darts, Olly Box opened the scoring in the first half. Just before an hour was played Whitefield put daylight between the hosts and the visitors, scrambling in the second. Lewes were later reduced to ten men after Ethan Kaiser received a second yellow card.
Dartford last visited the Dripping Pan over 14 years ago in a match that ended all square. Tony Burman’s side had to leave it late to rescue a point after Paul Olima put Lewes in front. Tom Bonner hit a low drive to level in injury time. The only other visit was back in January 1983 when Dartford won a F.A Trophy first round tie 2-0. The Darts went on to reach the last eight without conceding a goal.
Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino
Lewes won their opening six games and seven of their first nine to start the campaign as the pacesetters. Sitting top of the table with 20 points from a possible 24 gave the Rooks optimism. However, since then they tasted victory just three times in the league over the next 23 games, picking up ten draws on the way.
The Rooks finally won back-to-back Isthmian Premier games again to end February and begin March. In their last home fixture Lewes beat Hendon 1-0. Captain, Danny Bassett scored an early goal to earn the hosts maximum points. Last weekend they went to Dulwich Hamlet and claimed a 3-1 win after coming from behind. Hamlet led through Amaru Kaunda, but three second half goals made sure Lewes came away with another three points. Ollie Starkey and a late brace from Bassett sent the Sussex club home happy.
Team
Played
Points
GD
Billericay Town
33
69
+30
DARTFORD
33
67
+23
Horsham
32
63
+27
Cray Valley (PM)
33
59
+15
Dover Athletic
32
57
+30
| Dartford (WWWDWL) | Lewes (WDLLWW) | ||||
| Horsham | H | 2-1 | Dulwich Hamler | A | 3-1 |
| Cheshunt | A | 0-3 | Hendon | H | 1-0 |
| Hendon | A | 3-2 | Billericay Town | A | 2-4 |
| Chichester City | H | 0-0 | Potters Bar Town | H | 2-3 |
| Hashtag United | H | 2-0 | Cray Valley (PM) | A | 0-0 |
| Bowers and Pitsea | A | 3-1 | Hastings United | A | 1-0 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 3 / Lewes wins: 0 / Draws: 1
Previous Meetings
Dartford 2 – 0 Lewes (23/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
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
- Dartford are unbeaten against Lewes in four games (W3, D1)
- Substitutes have contributed to 15 goals for Dartford this season and seven of those have come in the last ten games
- The Darts have gained 17 points from losing positions, six of those have come in their last two victories.
On This Day
Dartford have won their last three on this day all in the Kent Senior Cup and in each season went on to lift the county cup. A Jordan Greenidge brace saw off Dover Athletic 2-1 three years ago. Ronnie Vint and George Sykes scored in another 2-1 win, this time against Greenwich Borough in 2016. Whilst in 2011, the Darts swept aside Whitstable Town 6-1 with goals from Danny Harris, Jon Main, two from Adam Burchell, Tom Bonner and Charlie Sheringham. Dartford’s last road trip in the league was in 2009 when Brendon Cass netted in a 1-1 draw with Bury Ton in the Isthmian Division One North title winning campaign. In all competitions, Dartford are unbeaten in their last 12 games on this day winning nine and drawing three. The last defeat was in 1969 and that is only the third loss in 27 games on the 8 March.