MATCH PREVIEW | Dartford v Ramsgate

The Darts are guaranteed to finish the evening in the playoff places, but a fourth consecutive home victory will take them up to fourth. The Rams have seen their fortunes change since the arrival of Lee Martin and are on a five match winning streak.

Eddie Stakes His Claim

The Darts smashed and grabbed a late winner on Saturday against playoff rivals Brentwood Town. Eddie Dsane came off the bench to net the decisive goal in the 3-2 win. Since joining Dartford, Dsane has made the most substitute appearances scoring nine times from off the bench compared with 14 goals in his 31 starts.

Darts Dig In

Despite major setbacks when Sam Odaudu was sent off and Dartford lost a two goal lead, Pennock’s side somehow found a way to collect three points on the weekend.

The Dartford boss stuck to the side that lost a week earlier at Burgess Hill Town and with just two minutes on the clock Sam Okoye put the hosts in front. The full back’s second ever goal for the club was his first this season. The advantage was doubled when Callum Jones’ effort was saved only for top scorer Olly Box to calmly grab his 14th goal in all competitions this season.

Brentwood Town made life difficult towards the end of the first half when Kymani Thomas expertly curled in a leveller. The afternoon got harder for the Darts in the second period. First, Sam Odaudu was sent off for a second yellow card, then Brentwood’s top marksman Daniel Ogunleye equalised. A man down and clinging on, thanks to Jonny Henly’s performance in goal, two Dartford substitutes later combined. Dan Carter went on a terrific run to set up Dsane, who found a winner to keep the Darts in the playoff places.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Bank Holiday Classic

This weekend’s match has plenty to live up to compared to the last meeting between the two sides. On Bank Holiday August a classic encounter was served up when Dartford visited Ramsgate. The reverse fixture had it all, eight goals, three red cards, a hat-trick and late drama as the points were finally shared.

The Darts battled with nine men to earn the 4-4 draw with the tone being set in the early stages of the entertaining clash. Mitchell May put the Rams in front within seconds of the kick off. The hosts almost doubled the lead before Dan Smith scored with only six minutes on the clock. Ramsgate were back ahead through Tijan Jadama and stretched the lead before the half was out courtesy of Ryan Kingsford. Things got worse for Dartford five minutes into the second half. Sam Smith picked up another yellow card to leave his side down to ten men.

Dsane’s Treble

Pennock made a crucial substitution soon after the red card by bringing on Eddie Dsane. The striker halved the deficit and went on to have a fine afternoon, but not before Sam Okoye was sent off followed by Ramsgate’s Harry Webster.

Three goals in the final ten minutes created late drama. Dsane equalised with a stunning long range shot, then former Dart, Tom Clifford looked to have won it for Ramsgate. However, two minutes into stoppage time Dsane won a spot kick and kept his cool to score it. There was even time for a strong penalty appeal for the Darts to be waved away by the referee.

Highlights courtesy of Ramsgate FC

Mart-In

When the Rams lost 5-0 to Aveley to start November it spelt the end of Ben Smith’s second spell in charge. The Isthmian South East title winning manager resigned after a seven game winless run.

A month earlier Lee Martin departed Welling United after just two months in charge and a poor start. He took up a coaching role with the Rams and was appointed interim boss when Smith stepped down. Martin was given the permanent role after taking seven points in his first three games.

Ram-ping It Up

Ramsgate have hit great form and are one of a few clubs gathering just below the top five. The Rams are growing in confidence thanks to a perfect start to 2026. Martin has guided the Kent side to five consecutive victories in all competitions. In that time he has also led the team to the semi-final of the League Cup.

A Mitchell May goal was enough to hand Ramsgate victory on the weekend over a Wingate and Finchley side that included Dartford’s on loan defender Ben Frempah. The Middlesex side earlier had the chance to lead, but Gianluca Botti’s penalty was saved by Ramsgate goalkeeper, Dillon Addai. The Ram’s fourth competitive clean sheet in a row was also their third in as many games on the road.

Final Four

A week ago, Ramsgate brushed aside Binfield in the League Cup to reach the last four. There was no risk of an upset as the Rams put four past the Isthmian South Central side in the first half. Greg Cundle scored a brace before Logan Dobbs, Harry Webster and May made it five without reply.

Former Dart Debuts

The cup victory and off the back of a resounding 4-0 triumph over bottom of the table Potters Bar Town. Former Dart, Liam Nash came on as a substitute to make his debut. The striker on loan from Billericay Town was with the Darts six years ago, scoring five in 11 appearances.

Sussex Double

Home wins versus Sussex sides Chichester City and Lewes began the new year. In both fixtures the Rams netted three times and the goal conceded against Chichester City is the only time Ramsgate’s defence has been breached this year in league and cup football.

Manager’s View

Adrian Pennock was delighted with the win on Saturday despite his side being reduced to ten men and ‘riding their luck’, he spoke to Dartford FC TV and said: “This is why we are in football for. We were under the cosh, we rode our luck”, he added: “We showed amazing character”.

The Dartford boss looked to his bench to beat Brentwood Town, he commented: “It’s about the squad, it’s not just about the starting eleven, it’s about the substitutions that came on. Eddie has this natural instinct, he’s the best finisher at the club by far and we’ve just got to keep him fit and keep him happy”.

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s clash with the Rams, Pennock has called on his players to show ‘that same hunger, spirit and desire’ that won them the match against Brentwood Town because Ramsgate will provide another tough test, he continued: “It’s another big game, they are all big games really. Ramsgate are flying, they are doing well. They are on a good run, they have some really good players and they are up there on merit”.

Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Sam Odaudu will be available for selection after his red card on the weekend. The defender will begin in suspension against Cheshunt on Saturday.

Current League Form

Dartford (LWWDWL)			Ramsgate (LWWWWW)
Brentwood Town	H	3-2	Wingate & Finchley	A	1-0
Burgess Hill Town	A	1-2	Binfield (LC)	H	5-0
Aveley	H	2-0	Potters Bar Town	A	4-0
Hashtag United	A	2-2	Lewes	H	3-0
Chatham Town	A	2-1	Chichester City	H	3-1
St Albans City	H	1-0	Folkestone Invicta	H	2-3

 

(LC – League Cup)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 21 / Ramsgate wins: 15 / Draws: 9

Previous Meetings

Ramsgate 4 – 4 Dartford (25/08/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Ramsgate 0 – 3 Dartford (05/04/2011 – Kent Senior Cup)
Ramsgate 2 – 2 Dartford (10/11/2009 – Isthmian League Cup)*
Dartford 4 – 0 Ramsgate (18/04/2009 – Isthmian Premier)
Ramsgate 0 – 1 Dartford (30/12/2008 – Isthmian Premier)
Ramsgate 2 – 1 Dartford (31/02/2006 – Kent Senior Cup)
* Dartford won 5-4 on penalties

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten in their last five matches against Ramsgate in normal time (W3, D2)
• The Darts are unbeaten in six at home against the Rams (W4, D2)
• Not since the Rams were known as Ramsgate Athletic have Dartford lost at home against their opponents back in 1972 (W3, D1)
• Dartford have never lost a home game to a side known as Ramsgate (W7, D2 – Pre World War Two and post 1972)
• There have been 18 red cards involving Dartford games this season (9 for the Darts and 9 for their opponents). In four matches both sides have received a red card.

On This Day

Dartford have lost just one home game in eleven on this day and are unbeaten in their last three at home without conceding. In 2007, the Darts drew 0-0 with Cray Wanderers in the Isthmian Division One South. The Kent League fixture against Herne Bay in 1996 finished 2-0 to the Darts. In 1987, Dartford won a Kent Senior Cup quarter-final 1-0 versus Folkestone. Hillingdon Borough were the only side to visit Dartford and win on 3 February and that was back in 1979. The last two outings on this day have ended in away defeats at Farnborough two years ago and St Albans City in 2018.