MATCH PREVIEW – Bognor Regis v Dartford
Dartford return to Sussex when they take on Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian Premier this weekend.
Just like last Saturday the Darts need the points as much as their opponents. Adrian Pennock’s side are chasing down Billericay Town at the top and hoping to put their title rivals under pressure. Bognor Regis Town are at the other end of the table trying to dig themselves out of the bottom four and avoid relegation.
It’s the fourth game in a row in which Dartford have faced a side from Sussex and their last visit to the county ended in a second consecutive away defeat. A fortnight ago, the Darts were beaten 3-1 by Lewes at the Dripping Pan, but fortunately they didn’t lose ground as the top three all lost as well. However, Dartford remain in the hunt for automatic promotion thanks to recent home form where they have taken maximum points against Horsham and Hastings United.
The Darts showed astonishing character in the 2-1 home victory over third place Horsham to start the month. A goal down with three minutes remaining, Dartford turned the match around with goals from George Whitefield and substitute Eddie Dsane. Previously at Princes Park, the Darts didn’t need to leave it late and pretty much wrapped up the points a lot earlier.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Last weekend, Pennock made a couple of changes to the side that were beaten by Lewes. Louis Dunne replaced Hayden Bullas in the midfield, whilst Luther Williams was chosen ahead of George Whitefield at the back. Dartford were two up against Hastings United before the interval and that’s how the score stayed. Just before the half hour mark, Samir Carruthers’ curling effort was heading just wide, but former Hastings United full back Sam Okoye headed the opener in at the far post. The defender’s first goal for the club came in his 36th appearance. Ten minutes before half-time the hosts won a penalty, which Carruthers confidently chipped down the middle.
Dartford were comfortable throughout but couldn’t add more goals in the second half, yet the team took joy in keeping a 14th clean sheet in the league this season. Roland Edge spoke to Dartford FC TV after the win and said: “We controlled the game well. Possibly we should have been a bit more clinical in the final third. Regardless of winning 2-0, a clean sheet was what they were cheering about, which is nice to see, a bit of pride at the back”.
Victory stretched an unbeaten run at home to 12 and in that time the Darts have picked up an impressive ten victories at Princes Park. With seven games to go, Dartford are only two points behind the league leaders and a dozen clear of sixth place. Edge explained that at some point they will need to call on the depth of the squad, he commented: “We are a good squad; we’ve maintained that all the way through the year. The boys that do go onto the bench, they still focus completely on coming on and making a difference”.
The assistant manager added: “It’s never nice to be left out, but those boys that come in on Tuesday and Thursday will work hard and hopefully get back into the team. With seven games to go, it may sound daft, but people start to get leggy and tired and luckily for us we’ve got quality on the bench to change things up”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
So as second place Dartford take on second from bottom Bognor Regis Town, Edge is not expecting the hosts this weekend to be easy, he exclaimed: “You analyse everyone when you’re in management and Bognor have been on some pretty good form. They’ve taken points off some good sides, they are not going to roll over, they are fighting to stay in this league, they’ve got a good manager, it’ll be a tough test”.
Loanees, Dunne and Bullas made their home debuts in the last meeting with Bognor Regis Town. Back in December, the Darts dominated the Rocks with a convincing first half display. Racking up their biggest half time lead in three years, Dartford scored four times. Denzelle Olopade pounced on a rebound, Olly Box doubled the advantage, Whitefield made it three and Josh Hill netted his first since returning to the club.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Final day drama and mixed emotions are evoked when the Darts visit Nyewood Lane. Once again Dartford travel to Bognor Regis during a title race, only Saturday won’t be the ultimate decider. It was heartbreaking on the final day of the 2017/2018 season when Tony Burman’s side needed to better Havant and Waterlooville’s result to become National South champions. Danny Mills and Ronnie Vint scored for the Darts and Ollie Pearce pulled one back for the hosts. With Havant and Waterlooville drawing going into the last minute, former Dartford striker Jason Prior scored a last gasp winner for the Hawks to snatch the title away from Burman’s side.
Happier memories were made eight years earlier when the pressure was off. Already crowned Isthmian Premier champions, Dartford celebrated on the coast during the last game of the 2009/2010 campaign. Jamie Coyle scored the Darts’ 100th league goal of the season and Lee Noble sealed a 2-0 triumph.
Match Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino
Bognor Regis Town are up against the odds as they approach their remaining seven fixtures. The Rocks need to make up 12 points to stay in the Isthmian Premier or they will be back at step four for the first time since 2012. With just six league wins all season, the Sussex club has the leakiest defence in the division. If they are going to get themselves out of the trouble then they will be hoping Tommy-Lee Higgs can continue scoring goals, he has 22 of them this term.
A heavy 7-1 defeat to Chatham Town at the end of November spelt the end for former manager Robbie Blake. The ex-Burnley striker departed with the Rocks at the bottom with just three wins and three draws. By mid-December, Jamie Howell and Michael Birmingham were announced joint managers. Last weekend was a marker of the improvement the pair have made when they drew 1-1 with Chatham Town, meaning the Rocks have lost just one of their last five. Over the same number of games as their predecessor, Howell and Birmingham have picked up two more points with eight of those coming in the last five outings.
It was Higgs’ equaliser that earned Bognor Regis Town a draw against the Chats a week ago having fallen behind through a Freddie Sears goal. Captain, Calvin Davies picked up a caution that will rule him out of the next three games. For the Rocks, Dartford will be the third Kent side they have faced in a row having lost to Folkestone Invicta 2-1 a fortnight ago. Former Dart, Jack Jebb put Invicta ahead and Matthias Fanimo made it two. Jasper Mather pulled one back for the hosts in their last home match.
Leading up to the previous two fixtures, Bognor Regis Town went three unbeaten claiming vital victories against fellow strugglers Canvey Island as well as Bowers and Pitsea. The Islanders were swept aside by the Rocks who scored four without reply. Whilst Pitsea were beaten by a single goal netted by Higgs from the spot. The most entertaining game came after those triumphs though. A 4-4 draw with Carshalton Athletic saw Bognor Regis Town squander a three-goal lead built up in the opening 18 minutes to go behind. Four minutes into second half stoppage time Higgs levelled to earn a point.
Team
Played
Points
GD
Billericay Town
35
72
+32
DARTFORD
35
70
+23
Horsham
35
66
+27
Cray Valley (PM)
35
65
+18
Dover Athletic
35
60
+30
| Hastings United | H | 2-0 | Chatham Town | A | 1-1 |
| Lewes | A | 1-3 | Folkestone Invicta | H | 1-2 |
| Horsham | H | 2-1 | Carshalton Athletic | A | 4-4 |
| Cheshunt | A | 0-3 | Bowers & Pitsea | H | 1-0 |
| Hendon | A | 3-2 | Canvey Island | A | 4-0 |
| Chichester City | H | 0-0 | Billericay Town | H | 0-3 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 6 / Bognor Regis Town wins: 1 / Draws: 4
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 4 – 0 Bognor Regis Town (07/12/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Bognor Regis Town 1 – 2 Dartford (28/04/2018 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Bognor Regis Town (07/10/2017 – National South)
Bognor Regis Town 0 – 2 Dartford (24/04/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 3 Bognor Regis Town (07/11/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 1 Bognor Regis Town (02/05/1981 – Southern League South)
Statistics
- Dartford are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run against Bognor Regis Town stretching back almost 45 years (W4, D3)
- The Darts have won their last four against the Rocks with an aggregate score of 11-2
- Dartford have won in their last two visits at Bognor Regis Town, both on the final day of the season
- The Darts have kept 14 clean sheets in the league this season, the joint highest with Horsham
On This Day
Two is the magic number on the 22 March. In Dartford’s last three matches on this day a player has scored twice in a game. Alex Wall scored a brace against Hyde in the National League 11 years ago. The striker headed his first just after half-time and added another against the already relegated side. In 2011, Charlie Sheringham netted two against St Albans City in a 2-2 draw, Ryan Hayes missed a last-minute penalty to win the match. However, it was Hayes who scored twice three years earlier in a 2-1 victory over Ware in the Isthmian Division One North title winning campaign.
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