MATCH PREVIEW – Dartford v Truro City

Dartford’s spell in the National South comes to an end on Saturday in their final league game of the season against Truro City.

The Darts were relegated to the Isthmian Premier last weekend and return to the division for the first time in 14 years. During a difficult campaign the Kent side have only managed two league victories this calendar year and those were against the bottom two. The White Tigers will be playing in the National South next term after Tuesday night’s triumph versus Dover Athletic guaranteed survival.

At the third time of asking the reverse fixture eventually took place in March. Originally due to be played in Plymouth, the game moved to Taunton before ending up in Gloucester. With Dartford desperate for points and Truro City facing the daunting task of 12 games in 25 days at the time it felt like a six-pointer. Neither side could break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw, Dartford’s only clean sheet since Boxing Day.

Only Jordan Wynter and Charlie Sheringham out of the current squad featured the last time Dartford hosted Truro City just over five years ago. The visitors took the lead after half an hour when a deep cross was headed goalwards and kept out by Bailey Vose, but Nick Grimes followed up to score the rebound. Just past the hour mark Dartford equalised and this time it was Elliot Bradbrook who pounced from Ryan Hayes’ saved shot. The 1-1 draw extended the Darts unbeaten home run against the White Tigers after claiming a 4-1 triumph in February 2018 and an entertaining 5-3 win in March 2017.

Dartford will be pleased to see the end of this campaign and after defeat against champions Yeovil Town they had the chance to progress in the London Senior Cup on Tuesday night. Drawn against former landlords, Cray Wanderers in the quarter final Adrian Pennock made seven changes to the starting lineup. Academy graduates Tom Wray, George Whitefield, Jayden Boulton and Finley Sillince took to the field. Fumnaya Shomotun and Jordan Greenidge were also picked to start.

Pennock’s side left it late to come from behind and set up a last four meeting with Hendon. Early pressure from the Wands was rewarded as early as the second minute. Former Dart, Ellis Brown scored to put the hosts ahead at Hayes Lane. Greenidge used his strength to create an opportunity with half hour played and he took full advantage to level. As the tie approached the prospect of penalties, Dartford managed to force the ball home for the winner.

At the beginning of the year Dartford and Truro City were level on points in mid-table. As much as 2023 has been poor for the Darts, their opponents on the final day have not been able to recreate the form that saw them win six out of seven from late November to early January. The White Tigers went through a spell of picking up just one point in seven attempts at the turn of the year. However, victories against Taunton Town, St Albans City, Slough Town and Maidstone United as well as several draws have kept the points ticking over enough.

Truro City may have been flirting with the bottom four, but with a vast number of postponements they have been playing catch up. This weekend’s fixture will end a run of eight straight ‘home’ matches for the White Tigers. On Tuesday night victory over already relegated Dover Athletic secured the Cornwall club’s National South status. Tyler Harvey netted his 13th of the campaign in the first-half to put them nine points clear of safety with two games remaining.

At the time of writing Truro City still had to host Weymouth before visiting Princes Park.

Current League Form (up to 16 April)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 3 / Truro City wins: 5 / Draws: 3

Last Six Meetings

Truro City 0 – 0 Dartford (26/03/2024 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Truro City (30/03/2019 – National South)
Truro City 3 – 1 Dartford (27/10/2018 – National South)
Dartford 4 – 1 Truro City (24/02/2018 – National South)
Truro City 3 – 1 Dartford (11/11/2017 – National South)
Dartford 5 – 3 Truro City (18/03/2017 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten in their last three home games against the White Tigers (W2, D1)
• The Darts have given up 30 points from winning positions this season
• Captain, Luke Coulson made his 50th appearance of the season on Tuesday night and is set to win this Dartford’s golden boot this season. The winger is on 11 goals in all competitions, five ahead of Oliver Box.

On This Day

Dartford left themselves a lot to do in the Southern League Cup Final on this day in 1988. Peter Taylor missed a penalty in a 3-1 defeat at Bromsgrove Rovers. History suggested Dartford’s chances of winning were slim, only two sides had ever overturned a two-goal first leg deficit in the Southern League Cup Final. When the Darts missed another penalty in the second leg six days later, it looked as if the cup had slipped away. Yet with the Watling Street crowd providing full support, goals from Gary Britnell, Kurt Davidson and Colin Johnson completed a memorable comeback.

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