MATCH PREVIEW: FA Trophy – Dartford v Dulwich Hamlet

One cup campaign ends and a new one begins when Dartford host Dulwich Hamlet in the F.A Trophy this weekend.

The Darts saw their F.A Cup run come to a halt last Saturday, but now they turn their attention to the F.A Trophy. Starting in the qualifying round for the first time in five years, Dartford are looking for their first victory in the competition since January 2020 having lost the last three. In the previous two campaigns the Darts were knocked out at the first hurdle. Dulwich Hamlet have participated in at least the first round for the last six years so will want to avoid an early exit.

Dartford are defending an unbeaten home record against Dulwich Hamlet having won three and drawn three since their first competitive meeting in 1996, when the two sides were paired up in the F.A Trophy third qualifying round. The Darts were in the Southern League South and Hamlet in the Isthmian Premier, a division above. In the days when Dartford shared a ground with Erith and Belvedere they held Hamlet to a 0-0 draw at Park View, five days later the Darts lost 3-1 in the replay.

Jordan Wynter was part of the Dartford team that last played against Dulwich Hamlet in April 2023. Versatile in defence or midfield, Wynter made 191 appearances prior switching allegiances in May. The only current player in Pennock’s team to have featured in that matchday squad was Samir Carruthers, but the midfielder was an unused substitute. Alex Wall had one of his good days scoring his first ever league hat-trick to reach a century of career goals. Harvey Bradbury added a fourth towards the end of the match as the Darts ran out 4-0 winners and extended their unbeaten run against Dulwich Hamlet to six.

The win at Princes Park completed a double over Hamlet that season after Dartford won 2-1 at Champion Hill in October 2022. The visitors had to come from behind and were made to work for the three points when Nana Owusu put Dulwich Hamlet in front. On the stroke of half-time Marvin Herschel won a penalty and Carruthers equalised from the spot. It took Dartford until six minutes from time to find the decisive breakthrough when Charlie Sheringham headed home.

Whilst the opening month of the campaign yielded five victories in six outings, form has dipped recently. Dartford approach the F.A Trophy tie on the back of three defeats in their four games last month. A heavy defeat at Dover Athletic was followed up by avoiding a F.A Cup upset against Leatherhead. The Tanners had beaten Dulwich Hamlet in the previous round, so when the Darts secured a 2-0 victory, they were rewarded with last weekend’s fixture against National South side Worthing.

After defeat to bottom of the table Bowers and Pitsea, Pennock made one change to the side to face Worthing last Saturday. George Whitefield replaced Mert Apat at the back. Sam Caiger, who has been out on loan at Hitchin Town took up a place on the bench. Oliver Box missed the F.A Cup tie with a groin injury and Duane Ofori-Acheampong was suspended for receiving a red card a fortnight ago, the striker will be unavailable for the next two matches. Callum Jones is bidding to become the first Dartford player to score in five home games in a row since Elliot Bradbrook, who managed seven goals in six consecutive matches back in March and April 2017.

This weekend the Darts will need to be alert straight from kick-off after conceding early goals in the last two games. In the 2-1 defeat versus Bowers and Pitsea, the visitors took the lead after four minutes and were two up midway through the first half. At Worthing it took the Sussex side six minutes to gain an early advantage through Danny Cashman’s long range shot. In the second half, Cashman and Tommy Willard put the Rebels in command. Eddie Dsane scored a consolation for the Darts as they exited the competition with a 3-1 loss. However, the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story as the Darts hit the woodwork three times.

Despite exiting the F.A Cup, Pennock enjoyed the performance. After the game he spoke to Dartford FC TV and commented: “I thought we were outstanding, but that’s what is frustrating about us, we’re inconsistent. We didn’t whimper out of the F.A Cup, we had a right old go and I couldn’t have asked for anymore, I’m so proud of the boys”. The Dartford boss is optimistic about the future, he said: “Because we’re a new squad it’ll take time to gel, but if we take this form into the league then we will have a good season, I really do believe that”. Looking towards the F.A trophy tie, he added: “I think it will be a cracking game. We’re at home, so we will hopefully put on another good performance and this time get a little bit of luck. We know it’s going to be difficult because they are a good side as well”.

Captain, Josh Hill has started every game for the Darts this season and his 77th appearance for the club is likely to come against a former side. The central defender left Princes Park for Champion Hill in June 2022. After a couple of loan spells he moved on to Hemel Hempstead Town before joining Dartford this summer for a third spell.

On the other side of the divide, Hamlet could have up to four players involved who have previously worn the Dartford shirt, including the aforementioned Wynter. Luke Wanadio was a tricky winger for the Darts appearing 99 times and scoring 18, he is Hamlet’s top scorer this term with eight goals in all competitions and won the club’s golden boot last season. George Porter scored six in 37 appearances for the Darts in 2021/2022 and Danny Mills scored seven in 26 games whilst on loan in 2017/2018.

Dulwich Hamlet were in league action instead on Saturday having been knocked out of the F.A Cup. Hakan Hayrettin’s side also came unstuck against Bowers and Pitsea finding themselves four down with just half an hour played. Former Dartford academy player Alfie Evans followed up his Princes Park brace a week earlier with another as the Essex side won 4-1.

On Tuesday night, Hamlet travelled to newly promoted Chichester City and picked up a point in a 0-0 draw. That leaves them in sixth place and two points ahead of the Darts in tenth.

Current Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 6 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 3 / Draws: 4

Previous Meetings

Dartford 3 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (01/04/2023 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 2 Dartford (08/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (08/01/2022 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 0 – 2 Dartford (28/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (25/01/2020 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 1 Dartford (07/12/2019 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford have won four of their last five matches against Dulwich Hamlet (D1)
• The Darts are unbeaten at home in all competitions versus Hamlet (W4, D3
• Callum Jones has scored in four consecutive home matches, the first Dartford player to do that since Darren McQueen (December 2019 to January 2020)
• Dartford have failed to score in their last three F.A Trophy ties

On This Day

Tony Burman was back in charge in a cup game on this day in 2019. Charlie Sheringham scored twice in a 4-1 F.A Cup third qualifying round tie at Blackfield and Langley. Luke Allen and Adam Cunnington also scored in the New Forest. Three years earlier, the Darts beat Cray Wanderers 2-0 in the Kent Senior Cup first round with goals from Andy Pugh and Duane Ofori-Acheampong. Dartford’s only F.A Trophy game on 5 October came in 2002 when they lost 2-0 at Salisbury City in the preliminary round.

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