MATCH PREVIEW – Cheshunt v Dartford
Dartford have another opportunity to create history when they visit Cheshunt on the weekend.
The Darts will set a new club record of unbeaten league games if they avoid defeat on Saturday and extend their current sequence to 22 matches. Last time out Dartford were made to work for their eighth away win in a row when they took maximum points to stay top of the Isthmian Premier. Another victory on the road will also set a joint best winning away streak in league competition for the Darts.
Dartford came from behind last Saturday in their 3-2 win at Hendon. The Darts have been in such fine form that they’ve rarely needed to claim points after conceding the first goal. In fact, the last time Adrian Pennock’s side had to turn an Isthmian Premier match around was on Boxing Day, in the Kent derby victory over Cray Wanderers, nine league fixtures ago.
There was plenty going on during last weekend’s game. The Darts dropped from first to third and back again, all before a hectic seven-minute period in the second half at the Silver Jubilee Stadium. Pennock made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Chichester City bringing in Eddie Dsane, Jez Pinder and Sam Okoye for Olly Box, Louis Dunne and George Whitefield. Creative midfielder, Samir Carruthers was back in the squad after being out with a hamstring injury and made a big impact.
Match Highlights courtesy of HendonFCOfficial
Even though the pack had been shuffled following three games in a week, the Darts still managed to negotiate their way to victory, but it was far from simple. Battling against relegation, Hendon deservedly led at the break after Nikolai Krokhin scored for the hosts. The twist and turns of the second half started within five minutes of the restart. Denzelle Olopade equalised, then on loan Hayden Bullas netted his first for the Darts. Hendon drew level again through Leo Sery, but on 57 minutes Carruthers converted from the penalty spot for the decisive goal.
A record Dartford will want to maintain this weekend is their perfect one against Cheshunt. The Darts have come out on top in the previous three meetings winning the reverse fixture back in November. A dominating first half display saw the Darts lead at half-time thanks to a Carruthers penalty. In an even second half, the visitors equalised through Tommy Wood. Then 19-year-old, George Whitefield scored a stunner from long range to secure a 2-1 triumph.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Both sides met in the National South during the 2022/2023 season with the Darts winning 2-1 at Princes Park. Pierre Fonkeu scored a brace that made all the difference. Former Dartford academy graduate, Dajon Golding scored a late consolation for the visitors. In the return match, the Darts were helped by a former player when Rowan Liburd scored an own goal. Luke Coulson and Tom Bonner extended the lead before a consolation from the Ambers.
Cheshunt have had mixed results this term, but form has improved since Boxing Day to pull them eight points clear of the relegation zone. In October, long serving manager Craig Edwards departed after defeat against Potters Bar Town. The loss left the Ambers second from bottom with five points from their opening eight games. A fortnight later former Hampton and Richmond Borough boss, Mel Gwinnett was appointed, and he has since moved the Hertfordshire side up to 15th in the table, eight points clear of safety. The new manager will want to improve form at home, where the Ambers have only beaten sides currently in the bottom three.
Gwinnett made eleven changes prior the Hertfordshire Senior Cup semi-final defeat over a week ago. Three of those players, Darion Furlong, Magloire Muyembe and Christian Scott were the only trio retained for last weekend’s fixture against Cray Wanderers. It was all looking good for the visitors when former Wand, Kenny Coker put the Ambers ahead. However, the hosts turned fortunes around with two goals from Nyren Clunis then Soul Kader.
In their last home game, Cheshunt ended a run of four without victory at Theobalds Lane. A last-minute effort from Coker got the Ambers back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory. The home side had to come from behind after former Dartford forward, Davide Rodari gave relegation threatened Hasting United a first-half advantage. Jack Munns levelled for Cheshunt just past the hour mark, then Coker decided the game in injury time.
| Hendon | A | 3-2 | Cray Wanderers | A | 1-2 |
| Chichester City | H | 0-0 | Hastings United | H | 2-1 |
| Hashtag United | H | 2-0 | Hendon | H | 2-2 |
| Bowers and Pitsea | A | 3-1 | Hashtag United | A | 0-1 |
| Billericay Town | H | 4-0 | Canvey Island | A | 1-0 |
| Wingate & Finchley | A | 2-1 | Potters Bar Town | A | 2-1 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 3 / Cheshunt wins: 0 / Draws: 0
Previous Meetings
Dartford 2 – 1 Cheshunt (09/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Cheshunt 1 – 3 Dartford (07/01/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Cheshunt (13/08/2022 – National South)
Statistics
- Dartford are unbeaten in 21 league games, their joint best run since the 2007/2008 Isthmian Division One North title winning season.
- The club record for unbeaten matches in all competitions stands at 23 set in 1995/1996
- The Darts have won eight away games in a row first time since 2016/2017, but that was in all competitions. Last time Dartford won eight in a row in the league was in 2009/2010, when they went a record nine matches.
On This Day
Danny Harris and Lee Noble were on target as the Darts defeated Dorchester down in Dorset in 2011. The National South fixture finished 2-0 to the visitors and is Dartford’s last away win on this day.
Three years later, former Football League side Hereford United visited Princes Park in the National League and were beaten by goals from Alex Wall and Noble.
Five years ago, the Darts won against Eastbourne Borough back in the National South. Jack Jebb’s opener was cancelled out by Greg Luer, but Darren McQueen netted a penalty in a 2-1 victory.
Dartford’s last game on this day ended in an away loss at Hungerford Town in which manager, Steve King and Junior Tiensia were sent off. Jake Robinson scored a late consolation for the Darts.
The post MATCH PREVIEW – Cheshunt v Dartford appeared first on Dartford Football Club Official Website.