MATCH PREVIEW – Hastings United v Dartford

Dartford return to Sussex this weekend to take on Hastings United and hope to maintain their unbeaten run.

The Darts picked up another draw on Tuesday night down at Chichester City and are now six without defeat in the Isthmian Premier. Now just four points away from the playoff places, Adrian Pennock’s side need to start turning draws into wins to aid a push towards the top five. Hastings United were also in action midweek determined to recover from their heavy loss last Saturday. The U’s started the evening in the relegation zone, but ended up climbing out.

Pennock named an unchanged side against Chichester City starting with the same lineup that secured a 2-0 win over Lewes last weekend. It looked as though his decision would pay off as the Darts took a two goal lead going into half-time. Olly Box scored for a third game in a row to move onto x goals for the season, then an own goal from Ben Pashley doubled Dartford’s lead. In the second half the hosts fought back to earn a 2-2 draw. First, Ethan Prichard scored then Isaac Bello equalised leaving the spoils shared.

Pennock felt despite losing a two goal lead it was still a positive result, he explained to Dartford FC TV: “It’s a point gained, I’m telling you now, it’s a hard place to come. Billericay lost here 3-1 on Saturday, so it’s a point gained for me”. The Dartford boss wants his side to be optimistic ahead of the visit to Hastings United’s Pilot Field this weekend, he said: “We’ve got to be positive and look forward to Saturday now, it’s another good game. I know they lost 9-0 on Saturday, but it’s all about us, how we turn up on the day and put good effort in”.

Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Over the last month the Darts have stopped a winless run of seven games and turned that into a run of seven without defeat in all competitions. Up front Dartford have started to add goals to their tally. The Darts have netted ten in their previous five league matches compared with only two in four games previously. However, on the road Dartford are winless in five in the Isthmian Premier and in search of a first league victory on their travels in three months.

Hastings United will be Dartford’s third opponents in a row from Sussex and the last time the Darts made the trip to Pilot Field was 15 years ago years ago. This time Pennock will be without Michael Olarewaju (hamstring) for the trip south, but Eddie Dsane may be in contention. Duane Ofori-Acheampong was back in the squad on Tuesday after completing his suspension.

Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino

There is plenty of Southern League history between Dartford and Hastings United from the fifties through to the mid-eighties. Saturday will be the 88^th meeting between the two sides, but the last was 14 years ago in this very division. On that day the Darts ran out 4-3 winners at Princes Park as they edged nearer to the Isthmian Premier League title. Ryan Hayes scored directly from a corner to get Dartford’s 100^th competitive goal of the 2009/2010 season, Ade Olorunda equalised, but Danny Harris nodded the hosts back in front. In the second half, Hastings United went in front when Liam Bellamy and Olorunda scored. Tony Burman’s side fought back after Harris made it all square again. Then late on Elliot Bradbrook grabbed a dramatic winner.

The last visit to Pilot Field came in August 2009 and the Darts scored three that time. Keeping up their perfect start to the title winning campaign, Dartford took the lead courtesy of Lee Burns. The advantage was doubled before half time thanks to Rob Haworth’s header. A third goal arrived after the break, Burns getting his second of the game. There was also time for a Hastings United consolation through Matt Maclean.

Match Highlights courtesy of sonytino

The U’s secured a 1-1 draw with Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday night to move out of the bottom four. Determined to show their character after a humbling last weekend when they lost 9-0 to Hendon, Hastings United took the lead against the Robins inside ten minutes. A swift counter attack ended with Will Harley opening the scoring. The U’s held out until the stroke of half-time when they conceded the penalty that David Smith scored for the visitors.

The Sussex club started with Danny Bloor in charge this season, however the former Welling United manager left at the end of October. With just three wins in his opening eleven games, the U’s were down in sixteenth place on 12 points. In came Sean Ray and Bobbi Deegan who won their opening game against struggling Whitehawk but have not managed maximum points since. Single goal defeats arrived at Wingate and Finchley and against Cray Valley Paper Mills before the loss at Hendon and Tuesday night’s draw. Aside from the Isthmian Premier, the U’s made progression in the League Cup defeating Deal Town 2-0 just over a fortnight ago.

Among the scorers in the cup tie was former Dartford forward Davide Rodari. He spent the first half of the 2022/2023 season on loan from Crawley Town and made 21 appearances for the Darts scoring three goals. The 25-year-old scored 28 goals for Hastings United last term and is already in double figures in all competitions this season. During the same campaign, midfielder Adam Lovatt spent a short loan spell with the Darts making just five appearances, he is also part of the Hastings United squad.

Current League Form

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 38 / Hastings United wins: 29 / Draws: 20

Previous Meetings

Dartford 4 – 3 Hastings United (27/03/2010 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 1 – 3 Dartford (22/08/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 0 – 0 Dartford (03/03/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 2 Hastings United (13/09/2008 – F.A Cup)
Dartford 0 – 2 Hastings United (23/08/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Hastings United 1 – 2 Dartford (14/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)

Statistics

• Dartford have won four of the last six games against Hastings United in all competitions (D1, L1)
• The Darts are currently four unbeaten at the Pilot Field (W3, D1)
• Dartford are on their longest unbeaten run in all competitions under Adrian Pennock (W3, D4).
• The Darts are on their longest unbeaten league run since the 2022/2023 season when they went 11 without defeat between September and November 2022

On This Day

Dartford have played Hastings United before on this day back in 1955. The Southern League Cup first round fixture finished 0-0 in Sussex. The two sides had earlier met in a two legged qualifier drawing both fixtures. The unusual format ranked all teams from the two qualifying matches and the top sixteen made it through. The Darts went on to win the replay 2-1 in January played at Gravesend.

The Darts last played on this day five years ago and were beaten 3-0 by Bath City at Twerton Park in the National South. In 2013, Danny Harris scored in a 1-1 home draw with Forest Green Rovers. The F.A Trophy first round tie went to a replay which the Darts lost. Dartford’s last victory on 30 November was in 2002 when they defeated Corby Town 4-0 at home in the Southern League Division One East.

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