MATCH PREVIEW – Dartford v Potters Bar Town

The Darts go into Saturday’s fixture unbeaten at home in the Isthmian Premier. They could extend that run to eight matches and in the process they will also move onto eight undefeated in the league.

Potters Bar Town will be coming to Kent hoping to spoil Dartford’s form. Although the Scholars picked up a much needed win on the weekend, they are currently third from bottom.

Squad Changes

Dartford became the first side on the road to take a point from league leaders Brentwood Town last weekend. On Tuesday night they followed up that draw with a home victory against Whitehawk.

Adrian Pennock has stated his side need to turn draws into wins and to help the Darts achieve that he has made some changes to the squad. Jacob Bland and Dan Carter made their first appearances at Princes Park in midweek. Ahead of the Whitehawk game the Dartford boss also announced the departure of Gabe Campbell. Whilst Luther Williams and Hugo Taylor have gone out on loan to Burgess Hill Town and Hythe Town respectively.

Box-ing Clever

Olly Box was back in the side on Tuesday night after serving his one game ban. The forward continued his excellent goalscoring form with a brace and an assist. Box once again showed his worth to the side taking his tally in his last four appearances to five goals. In the first half Box fired into the top corner and after the break he curled in number two. The tricky forward then unselfishly turned provider when he set up Callum Jones for the third. To cap off a good team performance, the defence kept a second clean sheet of the campaign. Dartford’s biggest victory of the season moved them into seventh place and two points shy of the playoff places. For the first time this season, the Darts have also moved into a positive goal difference.

Scholars School the Darts

Potters Bar Town were the first team to beat the Darts last season when they came away from Princes Park with a 1-0 win. Eddie Dsane came on as a substitute that day to make his Dartford debut, but it was Steve Cawley who turned out to be the match winner for the visitors. What made the victory more remarkable for the Scholars is that they lost 8-0 just days before.

In the reverse fixture the Darts picked up an away point despite having Duane Ofori-Acheampong sent off. The striker was dismissed for a second yellow card, but Dartford went in front through a Samir Carruthers penalty. The hosts levelled when Brandon Adams made it 1-1.

Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Struggling Scholars Get Win

Last time out Potters Bar Town recorded their first home win in the league beating bottom side Canvey Island, to go seven points clear of the Gulls. However the Islanders clawed back the deficit with a shock midweek win over Brentwood Town. Brandon Adams scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory, the Scholars first win since early September when they beat Chichester City 3-1 on the road. Max Mitchell’s side have only avoided defeat in two other Isthmian Premier games, drawing with Hashtag United in the opening week of the season and against Wingate and Finchley on Bank Holiday August.

Team News

Denzelle Olopade and Sam Odaudu will be assessed. Olopade picked up a hamstring issue against Brentwood Town and Sam Odaudu came off injured versus Whitehawk. Long term absentees, Dean Nayler and Sammie McLeod have still yet to feature this season.

Current League Form

Dartford (DDWDDW)			Potters Bar Town (DWLLLW)
Whitehawk	H	3-0	Canvey Island	H	1-0
Brentwood Town	A	1-1	Cray Valley (PM)	H	2-3
Burgess Hill Town	H	3-3	Ramsgate	A	1-2
Cheshunt	H	2-0	St Albans City	H	2-4
Aveley	A	1-1	Chichester City	A	3-1
Canvey Island	H	2-2	Wingate and Finchley	H	3-3

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 2 / Potters Bar Town wins: 2 / Draws: 2

Previous Meetings

Potters Bar Town 1 – 1 Dartford (05/11/2024 – Isthmian Premier) Dartford 0 – 1 Potters Bar Town (13/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier) Potters Bar Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/04/2008 – Isthmian Division One North) Dartford 4 – 0 Potters Bar Town (27/10/2007 – Isthmian Division One North) Dartford 1 – 2 Potters Bar Town (11/03/2006 – Southern League Div One East) Potters Bar Town 1 – 4 Dartford (08/10/2005 – Southern League Div One East)

Statistics

• • Dartford are winless in three games against Potters Bar Town (D2, L1)

• • The Darts have won one of the three home games versus the Scholars (L2)

• • Olly Box has scored in every league game at home this season (8 goals in 6 games)

• • Samir Carruthers made his 100th appearance for the club on Tuesday night (78 starts, 22 substitute appearances and 23 goals)

On This Day

Dartford are unbeaten in their last four matches on this day all at home. Alex Wall scored the only goal against Tooting and Mitcham United in 2022 to send the Darts into the next round of the London Senior Cup. An equaliser from Andy Pugh secured a 1-1 draw with Aldershot Town in the National League 11 years ago. Twice the Darts progressed to the F.A Trophy second qualifying round on this day. In 2008, Rob Haworth and Jamie Coyle helped Dartford get past Harlow Town in a 2-1 win. Three years earlier the Darts came from behind twice to defeat rivals Dover Athletic 3-2 in a replay, Steve Hafner scoring a wonderful winner. In 1986 Dartford racked up seven without reply in the Southern Premier League when they thrashed Redditch United.