MATCH PREVIEW – Billericay Town v Dartford

Dartford return to Isthmian Premier action on Tuesday night when they visit unbeaten Billericay Town.

The Darts have lost their last two league games, most recently a fortnight ago. Since then they have exited both the F.A Cup and F.A Trophy. Billericay Town have had a solid start and are second, four points behind the leaders. Yet it is Dartford who have come out on top in this fixture winning the previous five.

Two second half goals earned the Darts maximum points at the New Lodge in April 2022. A slick move ended with former Blue, Jake Robinson crossing for Jack Jebb to finish from close range. A calmly taken side footed volley from Marcus Dinanga doubled the lead in the 2-0 win. The reverse fixture four months earlier was decided by Robinson’s goal after ten minutes.

The Darts are going through a tricky spell. After winning four of their opening five matches they fell to consecutive league defeats. A heavy loss versus Dover Athletic was followed by a poor result against Bowers and Pitsea. At least between those games the Darts beat Leatherhead in the cup, but that’s their only win in the last five.

Despite losing 3-1 in the F.A Cup to Worthing, Adrian Pennock was pleased with the performance against higher league opponents. Therefore the Dartford boss stuck to the same starting eleven on Saturday against Dulwich Hamlet in the F.A Trophy. Oliver Box was unavailable with a groin injury and Duane Ofori-Acheampong with a suspension. The striker will serve the last of his three match ban on Tuesday night.

The Darts were undone by a former player when Luke Wanadio scored the only goal of the game. Pennock’s side looked dominant in the first half but were wasteful in front of goal. Unable to find a way through they were punished on 53 minutes by Wanadio. Dartford drew a blank and went out at the first hurdle in the F.A Trophy for a third year in a row. With that result, Callum Jones’ run of scoring in four consecutive home games came to an end. The striker will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet against his former club on Tuesday night.

Hoping they won’t be haunted by former players again, the Darts will have to be on their guard. Midfielder, Tyrell Miller-Rodney spent last season at Princes Park making 35 appearances and scoring three goals. Tom Bender has previously netted against Dartford whilst at St Albans City. The defender spent the 2014/2015 season with the Darts appearing 20 times. Jay Porter came through the academy at Princes Park and he played four times for the first team over ten years ago. Whilst Ade Azeez is returning from a long term injury. The striker scored 18 goals during the 2021/2022 for Dartford.

On the weekend, Gary McCann’s side were also knocked out of the F.A Trophy. Drawn away to Southern Premier South’s Chertsey Town, the Blues were taken to spot kicks. Ashley Nzala opened the scoring for Billericay Town, but his goal was cancelled out by William Montague. The hosts went through with a 6-5 penalty shoot out victory.

Last season Billericay Town narrowly missed out on the playoffs falling three points shy of fifth place. A late run of six consecutive victories wasn’t quite enough, but the Blues ended up with the third best defence in the division. The Essex club have continued where they left off and now boast the best defence.

Three consecutive clean sheets in the league has earned goalkeeper Sam Donkin the Golden Glove award for September. Billericay Town’s defence have conceded just five in the Isthmian Premier this term. One of this season’s favourites to be challenging for promotion, the Blues won their opening game before three consecutive draws. In their last four league outings only Cray Valley Paper Mills have taken any points from them. Victories over Hashtag United, Folkestone Invicta and Bognor Regis Town leave the Blues in a healthy position.

Current League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 7 / Billericay Town wins: 2 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Billericay Town 0 – 2 Dartford (15/04/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Billericay Town (04/12/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 0 Billericay Town (12/01/2021 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 2 Billericay Town (14/12/2019 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Billericay Town (22/04/2019 – National South)
Billericay Town 1 – 1 Dartford (15/09/2018 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford have won their last five games against Billericay Town keeping clean sheets in the last three
• The Darts have won twice at New Lodge in their first and last visits (D1, L1)
• Adrian Pennock has made just seven changes to the starting eleven this season. Seven players have started every game for Dartford this term in all competitions.

On This Day

Duane Ofori-Acheampong found the back of the net twice on a glorious afternoon in Cornwall eight years ago. The Darts came away with a rare away victory at Truro City and did it in some style. Keaton Wood set the tone on three minutes and Andy Pugh added a second. Ofori-Acheampong scored either side of the interval and Alex Brown made it 5-0. Dartford’s last fixture on this day was two years when they beat Dulwich Hamlet 2-1. Samir Carruthers netted a penalty and Charlie Sheringham grabbed the winner.

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