The Darts have yet to be defeated in four league games at Princes Park. Adrian Pennock’s side will be trying to use home advantage to pick up a second consecutive home victory in three days to move up the table.

Burgess Hill Town used the momentum of promotion to begin this season in a promising manner. However, the Hillians are looking for a first league win since the second match of the campaign.

Returning Players

Discipline and injuries have cost Dartford in the early part of the season. Although Ikecki Eze was suspended against Cheshunt, Pennock could look forward to welcoming back a few faces. Sam Okoye returned from his ban, whilst Sam Odaudu was fit to start after almost a month out. The Dartford boss also named Michael Olarewaju and Dan Smith on the bench. The pair have also been on the injury list and both managed some minutes on Saturday.

Progress

Pennock called on his players to turn draws into wins and that’s just what they did at home to Cheshunt. Following the 4-1 victory against Carshalton Athletic, the Darts drew three consecutive league games, recorded a stalemate in the F.A Cup and were level after full-time in the Kent Senior Cup. Dartford had recorded five draws in normal time in their last six outings. Early goals conceded, a lack of clean sheets and red cards have caused Dartford some problems this season. This time the tables turned as the Darts beat ten man Cheshunt 2-0 by scoring early goals in each half. On six minutes Eddie Dsane poked home the opener after the Ambers failed to deal with Olly Box’s cross. The hosts created better chances and were good value for their lead. Dartford’s advantage increased when Cheshunt had Darion Furlong sent off before the interval. The Darts had a quick start to the second half as well by doubling the lead. Jez Pinder broke away on a counter attack to set up Box to slot in number two.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Winning Streak Over the Hillians

Dartford have won all but one of the eight games against Burgess Hill Town, winning the last five. This weekend’s fixture will be the first time since the 2006/2007 season that the two sides have met in the same division. The Darts produced a pair of stunning performances against the Hillians back then. Brendon Cass scored his second hat-trick against the Hillians in the last league game against the Sussex club. Yet the match is remembered for one of the best goals scored at Princes Park when Dave Martin hit a stunning long range effort into the top corner. The winger netted a brace that day, John Guest and Ryan Hayes also found the back of the net in a 7-2 victory.

Highlights courtesy of sonytino The reverse fixture three months later was another one sided affair as the Darts ran out 6-1 winners. Cass claimed the match ball with a hat-trick, John Farley added one and Jay May scored twice.

Since the two league victories, Dartford have knocked Burgess Hill Town out of cup competitions on three occasions. In 2014/2015, the Darts completed a double against the Hillians in the F.A Cup and F.A Trophy. Harry Crawford scored twice and Elliot Bradbrook from the spot put Dartford into the first round of the F.A Cup with a 3-1 win. Then it took a late Danny Harris winner to secure a 2-1 victory in the F.A Trophy, Crawford opened the scoring. The two sides were drawn out of the hat at the same stage of the F.A Cup in 2017. This time Alfie Pavey scored the only goal of the game.

Away from Home

Burgess Hill Town returned to the Isthmian Premier after a six year absence by winning the Isthmian Division One South East playoffs and made a great start this term. The Hillians opened their campaign three unbeaten. Potters Bar Town and Cray Valley Paper Mills were beaten before a 3-3 draw at Aveley. A newly installed 3G pitch at Leylands Park meant the Hillians had to play their first seven games of 2025/2026 on the road. Since their last win versus the Millers, joint managers Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett have failed to record a league victory. Defeats at pacesetters Brentwood Town and Lewes were followed by a cup win at Wokingham Town and a draw at Cheshunt.

A Tale of Two Boxes

Whilst Dartford’s Olly Box has scored five goals this term, Burgess Hill Town’s Martyn Box has netted in his last three appearances. However, the Hillians defender has been on the losing side each time. The Sussex club were knocked out of the F.A Cup against Farnham Town in a 3-1 defeat. In their two Isthmian Premier outings since the cup exit, the Hillians have been beaten 3-2 by Folkestone Invicta and 4-2 by Carshalton Athletic. The Sussex side were 2-1 up over the Robins with nine minutes to go before throwing three points away.

Assistant Manager’s View

Roland Edge was pleased with the way Dartford began Saturday’s game, he told Dartford FC TV: “We started really bright which is what we’ve been talking about. Obviously from the start of the season we’ve been a little slow out of the blocks”. Pennock and Edge felt the midfield needed strengthening, so moving Sam Odaudu from wing back helped. Edge was full of praise for the academy graduate, he said: “I think he is a very, very good player in both roles whether he plays left wing back or centre mid”, he added: “He went through the academy in centre mid so we know he is comfortable there”. Edge continued: “We felt we needed a little bit of stability in there, someone who can hold the shape. You know how strong he is and he makes the pitch big. He’s got a lovely left foot and he knows what he’s going to do with the ball before he gets it”. Over the opening two months of the campaign the management team have identified need for improvement on the field, but the Darts are moving in the right direction. Edge commented: “You’ve seen there has been progress. I think we’re becoming more solid. Ady works so hard on shape and keeping the pattern and I think bit by bit you’re starting to see that, and we’ll end up getting results because of it”.

Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Eze will be suspended against one of his former sides. Dean Nayler and Sammie McLeod have been dealing with long term injuries. Saturday’s goalscorer, Dsane was substituted on the weekend before half-time. Edge confirmed the substitution was precautionary because of a knock the striker picked up at Aveley.

Current Form

Dartford (DLDDDW)			Burgess Hill Town (LWDLLL)
Cheshunt	H	2-0	Carshalton Athletic	H	2-4
Erith Town (CC)	A	1-1*	Folkestone Invicta	H	2-3
Aveley	A	1-1	Farnham Town (FAC)	A	1-3
Canvey Island	H	2-2	Cheshunt	A	1-1
Bracknell Town (FAC)	H	0-2	Wokingham Town (FAC)	A	5-1
Bracknell Town (FAC)	A	2-2	Lewes	A	0-3

(FAC – F.A Cup / CC – County Cup / * – lost 3-4 on penalties)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Burgess Hill Town wins: 1 / Draws: 0

Previous Meeting

Burgess Hill Town 0 – 1 Dartford (14/10/2017 – F.A Cup) Burgess Hill Town 1 – 2 Dartford (10/01/2015 – F.A Trophy) Dartford 3 – 1 Burgess Hill Town (25/10/2014 – F.A Cup) Dartford 7 – 2 Burgess Hill Town (13/01/2007 – Isthmian Division One South) Burgess Hill Town 1 – 6 Dartford (19/08/2006 – Isthmian Division One South) Dartford 0 – 3 Burgess Hill Town (28/10/2003 – Southern League Cup)

Statistics

• • Dartford have won all four league matches against Burgess Hill Town

• • The Darts are on a five game winning streak versus the Hillians

• • Dartford kept their first clean sheet in 16 games when they beat Cheshunt on Saturday.

• • Sam Okoye will make his 50th Dartford appearance if selected. The full back has started 42 games and scored one goal since joining in August 2024

On This Day

Dartford are currently unbeaten in their last five games on this day. Two years ago an own goal helped the Darts past Harrow Borough in the London Senior Cup. In 2017, the Darts hit Needham Market for six in the F.A Cup third qualifying round. Pavey scored a hat-trick, Tom Murphy, Andy Pugh and Ryan Hayes made it 6-1 on the day. Peter Sweeney and Elliot Bradbrook scored in a 2-2 derby draw with Welling United in 2014. In the National League two years earlier, Richard Rose hit a brilliant late winner against Hyde as the Darts won 2-1. In 2006, Dave Martin netted the only goal in a 1-0 triumph over Croydon Athletic in the Isthmian Division One South.