MATCH PREVIEW – Dartford v Horsham
Dartford hope to return to winning ways in a crucial clash against Horsham at Princes Park this weekend.
The Darts were surprisingly toppled last time out ending an incredible unbeaten run of 21 matches, equalling a club record for games without defeat in the league. Defeat allowed Saturday’s opponents, Horsham to close the gap on the Darts to a single point. With the top three separated by just three points, this weekend’s fixture will have an impact on the title race.
Both sides have been able to put strong runs together putting them into the mix for promotion to the National South. Last time they met back in December, the Darts were about to start a record equalling ten game winning streak. Despite being beaten by Adrian Pennock’s side, Horsham bounced back with eight straight victories of their own.
Match highlights courtesy of Hornets TV
The Hornets went in front that day when Charlie Hester-Cook hit a powerful long-range effort over Dartford goalkeeper, Jacob Marsden. The Darts were level when Samir Carruthers found space in the home side’s box and calmly finished. In the second-half, the midfielder sent Olly Box through on goal, who composed himself before giving the Darts the lead. Three points were wrapped up with eight minutes remaining, Denzelle Olopade fired a low shot through a crowd of players.
Dartford have won their previous four against Horsham, the last four all away from home. Darren McQueen and Luke Allen netted in the 2-0 F.A Cup win six years ago. An Elliot Bradbrook brace and a third from Allan Tait secured a 3-1 victory in March 2010. Princes Park last hosted the Hornets that same season on the opening day of the Isthmian Premier League campaign. The visitors scored first when Russell Eldridge’s free-kick beat Andrew Young. Then an 11 minute second-half spell changed the game. Bradbrook scored on his debut, then shortly afterwards won a penalty which Adam Flanagan dispatched. Bradbrook added his second of the afternoon before Pat Harding pulled one back for Horsham.
Match Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino
Having taken maximum points in the last eight away games, the Darts were hoping to match their winning run on the road from 15 years ago when they visited Cheshunt last Saturday. Pennock brought Carruthers back into the side, the midfielder’s first start since the 4-0 win over Billericay Town last month. Box also returned to the starting lineup after his substitute appearance in the 3-2 victory against Hendon. Jez Pinder and Eddie Dsane dropped to the bench.
It looked as though the Darts were going to go into the interval all square until Cheshunt’s Donell Thomas broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. The ambers doubled their advantage when Kenny Coker scored and a third followed from a penalty courtesy of Vas Vasiliou.
Dartford manager Pennock called the defeat in Hertfordshire ‘a bad day at the office’ and felt Cheshunt were worth their win, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the 3-0 loss and said: “I thought they deserved it. I thought that in both boxes they were very good. First half we asked a lot of questions, but they were defending for their lives. You’ve got to give them credit they were, in both boxes, better than us”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Pennock doesn’t want his team to get downhearted after such a fantastic run coming to a halt, but now he must prepare the Darts for a challenging fixture this weekend, he commented: “It’s going to be a cracker because they (Horsham) are flying as well. If we can get a good crowd behind us, like we have done recently…hopefully we will get back on the horse”.
Since defeat at home to the Darts, Horsham have lost just once in their last 14 games, dropping just four points. In that run they have defeated both title contenders Dover Athletic and Billericay Town. The Hornets added another victim to their list of challengers last weekend by overcoming Cray Valley Paper Mills.
Former Dart, Chris Dickson was in the lineup against Cray Valley Paper Mills. The striker played eight games for Dartford scoring three goals during the 2020/2021 season. The 40-year-old was the only change to the side that drew with Chatham Town a week earlier replacing Greg Luer. Meanwhile, Jack Brivio was out with a long-term knee injury and Lee Harding is recovering from an ankle wound that needed stitches. A goal from Reece Meekums and a penalty by James Hammond helped the Hornets to a 2-1 victory. Former Horsham player, Tom Beere reduced the deficit towards the end of the game.
The home win was the Hornets sixth in seven games. On the road, the Sussex club have lost just one of their last seven and that was in their previous trip to Kent. Horsham were beaten 3-0 by Folkestone Invicta just over a month ago, but they did claim maximum points in their only other away fixture since defeating Whitehawk.
Team
Played
Points
GD
Billericay Town
32
66
+27
DARTFORD
32
64
+22
Horsham
31
63
+28
Cray Valley (PM)
31
57
+15
Dover Athletic
31
56
+30
| Cheshunt | A | 0-3 | Cray Valley (PM) | H | 2-1 |
| Hendon | A | 3-2 | Chatham Town | H | 1-1 |
| Chichester City | H | 0-0 | Whitehawk | A | 2-1 |
| Hashtag United | H | 2-0 | Hastings United | H | 1-0 |
| Bowers and Pitsea | A | 3-1 | Dulwich Hamlet | H | 3-0 |
| Billericay Town | H | 4-0 | Folkestone Invicta | A | 0-3 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 7 / Horsham wins: 2 / Draws: 2
Previous Meetings
Horsham 1 – 3 Dartford (17/12/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Horsham 0 – 2 Dartford (21/09/2019 – F.A Cup)
Horsham 1 – 3 Dartford (18/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 2 Horsham (15/08/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Horsham 3 – 2 Dartford (18/02/2009 – Isthmian League Cup)
Horsham 0 – 3 Dartford (24/01/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
- Dartford have won six of the last seven games against Horsham in all competitions (L1)
- The Darts are unbeaten in all four home matches versus Horsham (D1)
- Dartford are ten matches unbeaten at home (D3). Their longest run without a league defeat at Princes Park since the 2022/2023 season
On This Day
Dartford have never lost a league match at home on this day winning six out of seven. An fortunate own goal handed the Darts a 1-0 win against Basingstoke Town in 2011. Lee Noble hit a shot from 25 yards, which was tipped onto the crossbar by visiting goalkeeper, Chay Morris. The ball dropped onto retreating defender Callum Reynolds, rolled down his chest and over the line.
Dartford left it late three years earlier in the race for the Isthmian Division One North title. On the verge of dropping crucial points, the Darts won a penalty against Waltham Forest during injury time. Jamie Coyle kept his cool to score the only goal of the game and bag all three points for the hosts.
The only side to visit Dartford and come away with anything in the league was Waterlooville in 1997. The Hampshire club drew 2-2 in the Southern League South. The Darts are winless in their last three games on this day. Brentford B won a London Senior Cup quarter-final tie 2-0 at Princes Park three years ago. Dartford drew 2-2 at Hayes and Yeading United in the National South back in 2016 and lost 3-0 at Southport two years earlier in the National League.
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