The Darts have won just one league game on the road in eight attempts this season. After back to back defeats home and away earlier this month, the Darts have picked up four points in their last two outings.
Held at Cray
Suspensions for Jez Pinder and Sam Okoye and with Jacob Bland and Dan Carter unavailable forced Adrian Pennock into four changes on the weekend. Ben Frempah and Denzelle Olopade made their first starts since early September and mid October respectively. Samir Carruthers and Sam Smith were also back in the starting eleven. Meanwhile Sammie McLeod was in the matchday squad for the first time named as one of only four substitutes. The midfielder has been out with an injury since pre-season.
For a second game in a row this Tuesday, Joe Tennent is likely to marshall the Dartford defence against another one of his former sides. The defender put in a good first half performance to help the Darts go into the break without conceding. Even better was the fact Dan Smith scored his third goal in two games when he put away a rebound from Olly Box’s saved shot. The Dartford defence couldn’t hold out for the full ninety and a second-half mistake from Samir Carruthers put ex-Dart, Rowan Liburd through on goal and the striker finished to share the points.
Box of Tricks
Back at Princes Park last month Dartford won the reverse fixture thanks to a fine performance by Olly Box. Returning from a one game ban the forward scored a brace and set up another in a 3-0 win. In the first half Box fired into the top corner and after the break he curled in number two. He then unselfishly turned provider when he set up Callum Jones for the third.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Darts at the Double
Dartford completed a double over the Hawks last term completing the feat in Sussex. In April earlier this year Pennock’s side were deep in a title race and after dropping points in the previous game were under pressure to secure victory. Box came off the bench to score the only goal of the game.
In January last season former captain Josh Hill scored Dartford’s goal of the season. The defender unleashed an unstoppable long range effort to open the scoring at Princes Park. Jones doubled the lead before Josh Nandhra pulled a goal back for the visitors. Maximum points were secured late on when Carruthers won a penalty and scored the spot kick. Eddie Dsane added a fourth with a fine solo effort and finish.
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Success in Sussex
Similarly to Dartford, the Hawks have a much better home record. The Sussex side went six unbeaten in the league at the Enclosed Ground. Victories included destroying Dulwich Hamlet’s perfect start to the campaign on Bank Holiday August and a win over previous league leaders Brentwood Town this month. Aveley are the only side to take home maximum points. In the next league fixture at the Enclosed Ground, Whitehawk drew 0-0 with Billericay Town meaning the Hawks have failed to score in their previous two matches on their own patch.
An Away Maximum
On Saturday, Shaun Saunders’ side travelled to Hertfordshire hoping to improve results on the road and they made a positive step in doing just that. Approaching their match against Potters Bar Town, the Hawks were winless in their last five away games in the Isthmian Premier. This time they won 3-2 in a back and forth game.
The Hawks led through Harry Bridle, but just before the interval the Scholars were level after Josh Hutchinson scored. Shortly after the restart Damaray Anyadike put the hosts in front. However, Whitehawk came back with goals from Destiny Ojo and Harry Lodovica. Victory moved the Sussex side up to twelfth place and with a game in hand on most of the teams just above them, they could get within striking distance of the playoffs.
Team News
Sam Odaudu, Eddie Dsane and Jacob Bland were nursing injuries on the weekend. Dan Carter miss the draw at Cray Valley Paper Mills through illness and both Jez Pinder and Sam Okoye were suspended. Dean Nayler remains a long term absentee.
Current League Form
| Dartford (WWLLWD) | Whitehawk (DWLLDW) | ||||
| Cray Valley PM | A | 1-1 | Potters Bars Town | A | 3-2 |
| Chichester City | H | 2-0 | Billericay Town | H | 0-0 |
| Billericay Town | A | 1-2 | Chichester City | A | 1-2 |
| Wingate & Finchley | H | 1-2 | Aveley | H | 0-1 |
| Welling United | H | 3-1 | Brentwood Town | H | 2-1 |
| Cray Wanderers | A | 2-0 | Burgess Hill Town | A | 2-2 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 8 / Whitehawk wins: 3 / Draws: 0
Previous Meetings
Dartford 3 – 0 Whitehawk (14/10/2025 – Isthmian Premier) Whitehawk 0 – 1 Dartford (12/04/2025 – Isthmian Premier) Dartford 4 – 1 Whitehawk (04/01/2025 – Isthmian Premier) Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (27/01/2018 – National South) Whitehawk 0 – 4 Dartford (05/09/2017 – National South) Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (04/02/2017 – National South)
Statistics
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- Dartford have won their last six games against Whitehawk
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- The Darts have won their last two away games versus the Hawks without conceding
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- Dartford have scored three or more goals in five of the last six matches against Whitehawk
On This Day
In one of Dartford’s very few good moments during the 2023/2024 season, on this day two years ago they beat Torquay United 3-0 at Princes Park. Three goals in 12 first half minutes sealed the deal. Richard Chin opened the scoring, George Alexander made it two and Moussa Diarra added a third.
In 2017, Lee Noble scored the winner against his former side Brentwood Town to knock them out of the F.A Trophy. The Darts won 2-1 in the third qualifying round with Elliot Bradbrook netting Dartford’s first. Noble is now back at the Essex club.
The F.A Cup second round and another Football League opponent was a step too far for Dartford in 1961. The Darts travelled to Third Division side Bristol City and were hammered 8-2.
Dartford hosted foreign opposition in 1971 and 1977 on 25 November. The friendly matches against FC Gelsenkirchen 07 of Germany and Grankulla IFC of Finland were both won 4-1. Geoff Bray scored a hat-trick against the Finnish side.
