The Darts are hoping for a first win in the competition in almost three years. The Bricks will be aiming to cause an upset and are currently unbeaten in their last seven games.

Waiting for a Cup Run

Adrian Pennock’s side will be hoping to avoid that upset, especially after going out in the F.A Cup and Kent Senior Cup at the first hurdle already this term. In the previous two seasons the Darts were beaten in the F.A Trophy by teams in the same division. The three teams to knock out Dartford before were from lower divisions.

Season in the Balance

The Darts may be unbeaten in normal time in their last five games, but they are being held back by draws. Dartford have claimed just two victories this term, both at home and are still waiting for an away win. Pennock’s side have drawn seven of their 12 matches this season and one of those ended in a Kent Senior Cup exit on penalties. Their latest stalemate came in midweek.

Squandered Opportunity

Dartford twice threw away a lead on Tuesday night to draw 3-3 with Burgess Hill Town. Adrian Pennock named an unchanged side for only the second time hoping his side can build on the 2-0 win over Cheshunt last weekend.

Olly Box had a mixed evening, first scoring after just three minutes, then receiving two yellow cards in the second half. Callum Jones extended Dartford’s lead before Eddie Dsane had his penalty saved to prevent the Darts going three up prior to the break.

Role Reversal

So often this season Dartford have had to come from behind and/or play with fewer players. Roles were reversed for a period of time on Tuesday night. Hillians substitute, Marcus Allen made an immediate impact by coming on for the second half and scoring with his first touch. The defender then equalised after the visitors had been reduced to ten men. Sam Odaudu put Dartford back in front with a deflected free kick. However the goal and man advantage was erased in the closing stages. Box was dismissed and in injury time Chris Whelpdale levelled for Burgess Hill Town, the Darts conceding from a third set piece of the evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRKQx20d670

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Hadley’s Trophy Run So Far

Hadley have already played in two rounds of the F.A Trophy this term starting out with an away trip to Ware. The Bricks were handed a huge advantage just five minutes into the tie. Goalkeeper, Max Woodford was sent off on his debut leaving the hosts down to ten and Lewis Thomas, a central defender in goal. Romey Meoded opened the scoring for Hadley with a long range effort, but Ware went level when Theo Ofori put away a penalty. It didn’t take long for the visitors to regain the lead, Luke Alfano put the Bricks ahead right before half-time. The extra man counted in the second as Finley Aldridge, Tommy Roberts and Peter Rosemin made it a comfortable 5-1 away win. The second qualifying round was less than straightforward at home to 2023 F.A Vase winners Ascot United. The trophy tie needed deciding on penalties as the game ended 2-2. Ascot United led through Cheick Sylla before Hadley replied with two goals. Lenny Asamoah headed home the equaliser, then he added another. An own goal levelled the tie again late on and so it went to spot kicks. At 4-3 Ascot United had a chance to win the shootout, but Hadley goalkeeper Charlie Taylor saved. Eventually the Bricks progressed winning 7-6.

Building Bricks

Based in Barnet, the Bricks have spent most of their history in county leagues until promotion from the Spartan South Midlands in 2022. Hadley have improved their league position year on year since finishing ninth, eighth and fifth in the Southern League Division One Central. The Bricks were brushed aside in last season’s playoff semi-final but set a club record finish. Relatively new to the F.A Trophy, the Hertfordshire side had a strong run in last season’s competition getting through five rounds before losing to Oxford City in round three. On the way to the last 32, Hadley got past Grays Athletic, Ipswich Wanderers and caused upsets against Carshalton Athletic, Hastings United and AFC Telford United. In their previous two campaigns they had never reached beyond the second qualifying round.

Promising league start

The Bricks have started brightly in their league campaign. One defeat in seven has them sitting in fifth place just a point off Ware, the current leaders. That defeat came at home on the opening day and since then Hadley have not looked back with four league wins and two draws. Finley Aldridge is the man in form with four goals in his last five appearances in all competitions.

Manager’s View

Pennock expressed his disappointment at the draw on Tuesday night claiming it was the most frustrated he has been since arriving at Princes Park. Leading the match and with a man advantage, the Dartford boss felt his side could have done more to see out the game. Instead Burgess Hill Town were let back into the match. Pennock spoke to www.dartfordfc.com and said: “I thought we started well, but didn’t put our foot on the ball and keep it in the second half. It’s a game we should have won. It’s like a loss. We’ve got to learn to keep the ball better and learn from the mistakes quickly.” After a few days reflection and time on the training pitch, Pennock is hoping the players meet his demands set after the midweek draw, he commented: “I want the lads to be braver on the ball. Being brave is not always a hard tackle or a 50/50 header. It’s about wanting to get on the ball all over the pitch. Showing and creating space for your teammates. We’ll regroup, work on some of the things we need to in training and go again”.

Team News

Ikechi Eze is serving a suspension. Dean Nayler and Sammie McLeod have been dealing with long term injuries. Olly Box will be available before his one game ban begins on the weekend against league leaders Brentwood Town. Albie O’Mara-Knapp is now on loan at Erith Town, the side he scored his first senior goal against in the Kent Senior Cup.

Current Form

Dartford (LDDDWD)			Hadley (WWDWWD)
Burgess Hill Town	H	3-3	Leverstock Green	A	1-1
Cheshunt	H	2-0	Marlow	A	3-2
Erith Town (CC)	A	1-1*	Cheshunt (CC)	H	1-0
Aveley	A	1-1	Ascot United (FAT)	H	2-2^
Canvey Island	H	2-2	Thame United	H	4-3
Bracknell Town (FAC)	H	0-2	Ware (FAT)	A	5-1

(FAC – F.A Cup / CC – County Cup / FAT – F.A Trophy / * – lost 3-4 on penalties / ^ – won 7-6 on penalties)

Statistics

• • The Darts have drawn four away games in a row (in normal time) for the first time since 1995

• • A fifth consecutive draw on the road will be a joint club record set between 25 November 1899 and 11 January 1900

• • Dartford are hoping to avoid consecutive third qualifying round exits for the first time since 2018 and 2019

• • The Darts have lost their last four F.A Trophy ties without scoring a goal

• • In total 11 players have been sent off in 12 Dartford matches this season. 6 for the Darts and 5 for the opposition.

On This Day

Dartford drew 1-1 against Grimsby Town on this day in 2014. Elliot Bradbrook hit the woodwork before his brother Tom put the hosts in front. Nathan Collier was dismissed late on for deliberate handball. Lenell John-Lewis converted the resulting penalty for the Mariners. Lee Noble scored the only goal of the game in 2008 as the Darts beat Billericay Town in the Isthmian Premier League on the road. Dartford’s last cup tie was a F.A Cup second qualifying replay at St Albans City in 1988. The Darts progressed with a 4-2 victory.