The Darts have picked up just one point in their opening three games, their worst start in 13 years. However, that point was earned in their previous home fixture against last season’s runners up. The Robins have so far taken six points from nine available. A good start if they are aiming to improve on their seventh place finish last term.  

Carshalton Spoil the Party

A tough fixture list doesn’t get any easier for Dartford. They have already played league leaders Dulwich Hamlet and the two pre-season favourites Billericay Town and St Albans City. Next up they face a Carshalton Athletic side who enjoyed their last visit to Princes Park just four months ago. On the final day of last season, Adrian Pennock’s side were aiming for the league title only to lose 4-1 to the Robins and miss out. Kola Salami was given time and space to put the visitors ahead. Then just before the interval Sharon Ifeanyi made it two. George Whitefield pulled a goal back for the Darts. Then Nabeel Ghannam struck twice for the Surrey side. The reverse fixture almost a year ago finished 1-0 to Dartford. Eddie Dsane scored his first for the club.

Disciplinary Concerns

Red cards have cost Dartford in both away matches this term. On the opening day Ben Frempah was sent off in a 4-0 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet. Last Saturday, Michael Olarewaju was dismissed in a 2-0 loss at St Albans City. Ironically it was Frempah’s suspension that saw Olarewaju return to the starting lineup. That was the only change from the deserved 1-1 draw in Dartford’s last home game versus Billericay Town. With a full team on the field, the Darts were in control at Clarence Park. Then with 42 minutes gone Olarewaju stopped a goalscoring opportunity reducing Dartford to ten men. Zane Benton netted the resulting penalty to put St Albans City ahead. The game was beyond the visitors early in the second half when Jasper Mather added another.

Highlights courtesy of St Albans City

Resilient Robins

Carshalton Athletic won on the opening day beating Cray Valley Paper Mills. Goals from Ifeanyi and Tommy Bradford earned the Robins all three points. An early goal had the Surrey club behind in their first away game. Lewes took the lead in the second minute as Devonte West put past former Dartford loanee, Matt Kerbey. The goalkeeper started last season as the Darts number one and played eight games. Ifeanyi equalised midway through the first half, but Jack Burchell won it for Lewes in the second half. A number of injuries picked up in Sussex and manager Peter Adeniyi serving a touchline ban made for a tough fixture last weekend. However, the Robins battled through and overcame Billericay Town. The only goal of the game came from Kola Salami, but it was Kerbey’s performance that stood out.

Manager’s view

Having effectively played a full game with ten men this season, manager Adrian Pennock is worried about the impact of his side picking up red and yellow cards. He spoke to Dartford FC TV after the loss at St Albans City and said: “The discipline really, it’s killing us. It’s the second red card in three games. At the moment we’re shooting ourselves in the foot”. Prior to the dismissal of Olarewaju, the Darts boss was happy with his team’s performance, he commented: “We caused them so many problems. We should have been three up, arguably 4-0 up”. Unsurprisingly, Pennock saw the red card as a turning point and believes the result would have been different had his side kept 11 players on the field. He was pleased with the response of his players and their never give up attitude, he added: “I have to say after going down to ten men, we had to work very hard and I’ve got to be very proud of them”. Keeping a full team on the field for the Darts to stand a chance of grabbing their first win, he explained: “They are a very good side, I like Carshalton. It’ll be a tough game again. We’ve got to get back, put another good performance in and hopefully have 11 players at the end of the 95 minutes”.

Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Michael Olarewaju will start his suspension, but Ben Frempah will be available. Sam Okoye progressed with his recovery by making a substitute appearance last weekend. Samir Carruthers will be an absentee due to a groin injury. Pennock expects the midfielder to be out for approximately three weeks. Sammie McLeod is waiting on a scan to his injury suffered in pre-season and Dean Nayler is unavailable for the long term.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 4 / Carshalton Athletic wins: 3 / Draws: 3

Previous Six Meetings

Dartford 1 – 4 Carshalton Athletic (26/04/2025 – Isthmian Premier) Carshalton Athletic 0 – 1 Dartford (24/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier) Dartford 1 – 1 Carshalton Athletic (23/01/2010 – Isthmian Premier) Carshalton Athletic 0 – 4 Dartford (19/09/2009 – Isthmian Premier) Carshalton Athletic 0 – 2 Dartford (20/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier) Dartford 2 – 3 Carshalton Athletic (02/09/2008 – Isthmian Premier)

Statistics

• • Dartford have lost the first and last league meetings against Carshalton Athletic, but went four games unbeaten in between (W3, D1)

• • The home side has never won this fixture in nine attempts. The Darts have yet to beat the Robins on home soil (D2, L2)

• • Last time one point after three games was in 2014, but this season’s inferior goal difference makes it the worst start since losing the opening three in 2012.

• • After three games, Dartford have played 91 minutes with ten men

On This Day

Elliott Bradbrook missed a penalty on this day in 2014 as the Darts were held to a 0-0 draw with Torquay United in the National League. However, the former captain was on the scoresheet in the Kent derby with Dover Athletic three years earlier. Dartford drew 2-2 at the Crabble in the National South, Charlie Sheringham opened the scoring that day. The only Isthmian Premier match the Darts have played on this day ended ina 2-0 home defeat to Hastings United in 2008. Dartford’s last home victory on 23 August was in 1995 when they beat Chatham Town 1-0 in the Kent League.