MATCH PREVIEW | Welling United v Dartford

The Darts are striving to get back in the playoff places and improve their away record. The Wings desperately need results to avoid the drop for a second season in a row.

Brace for Dsane

Dartford won the reverse fixture at Princes Park in November despite going behind in the opening minutes, Ruben Shakpoke hit a shot in off the post. An in-form Eddie Dsane grabbed a quick-fire brace to turn the game around. First, he finished to level after good work from Olly Box, then he hit a low drive to put the hosts in front. The three points were sealed once Box curled a third into the top corner. Victory for the Darts continued their good run over Welling United.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Bragging Rights

Dartford’s F.A Cup exit to the Wings in November 2023 is their only defeat to their local rivals in the last 13 meetings. In that time the Darts have beaten Welling United 6-0 away in September 2021 and 5-1 at home in November 2022.

In league competition it’s been over seven years since Dartford were last beaten by the Wings, a 2-0 away loss on Boxing Day 2018.

Richard Sticks it Chin

A very different looking Dartford side last visited Park View Road five years on from their last defeat against Welling United. Richard Chin scored the only goal of the game when he was alert to George Alexander’s shot that was parried by the Welling goalkeeper. Sam Odaudu is the only current player to have played in that win, whilst Box was an unused substitute. With points at a premium on the road this season, the Darts will be hoping for a repeat result to continue their playoff push.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Henly’s Heroics

A late equaliser prevented a home defeat against Cray Wanderers last weekend, but the Darts really have goalkeeper Jonny Henly to thank.

Adrian Pennock made four changes to the side that were humbled at Potters Bar Town. Odaudu returned from suspension, Sammie McLeod made his first start for the club, whilst Dsane and Box were also back in the lineup. Rohan Vaughan and Dave Winfield made their home debuts.

A dull first half ended goalless as both sides cancelled each other out. It was Cray Wanderers who eventually broke the deadlock when they struck on 72 minutes through Jordy Mongoy. A couple of minutes later Sam Okoye gave away a penalty, but Henly saved Alex Hernandez’s spot kick to keep the hosts in the game. The Dartford goalkeeper was called upon again by denying Max Fiddes in a one on one, which proved crucial. Henly’s heroics were fortunately rewarded at the other end. Dan Carter delivered a free-kick for Joe Tennent to head home a late equaliser.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Playoff Picture

Pennock’s side now sit in seventh place, three points and with a game in hand over Billericay Town who occupy the final playoff position. Sandwiched in between is Cray Wanderers. The Wands have a point advantage over the Darts and have played two games more.

After this weekend’s fixture Dartford play their rearranged Kent derby at home to Ramsgate on Tuesday night. The Rams are just one place and one point behind the Darts.

Away Day Blues

It took Dartford until their ninth away game in all competitions to record a victory on the road this term. In the eight since they have only managed just two more. There may have been good results at Cray Wanderers and Chatham Town, but on the flip side the Darts have fallen at lower league opponents Hadley in the F.A Trophy and bottom side Potters Bar Town. The defeat in Hertfordshire helped lift the Scholars off the foot of the table.

Clipped Wings

Welling United’s first ever campaign in the Isthmian Premier has been unstable and the Wings are at risk of sinking down another tier. Lee Martin started at the helm this season, but he was gone by October. In came Rod Stringer on a temporary basis and in November, Ryan Maxwell was appointed. As each manager has tried to shape a squad to get them out of trouble, the turnover of players has been high. It’s now not unusual to see a Wings player wearing a shirt number in the region of sixty.

Former Darts

Two current squad members at Welling United used to play for the Darts and another is on loan at Park View Road. Ade Azeez spent the 2021/2022 campaign with Dartford scoring 18 times in 45 appearances. One of his goals was in the 6-0 thrashing of Welling United that season. The striker also netted against the Darts for the Wings in a previous spell during the 2-2 draw just over three years ago. Former academy player John Ufuah made two senior substitute appearances for Dartford in the 2017/2018 season and current player Sam Smith is on loan having played 21 times for Dartford this term.

Closer to Safety

The Wings have won three of their last six home games including important victories over Cheshunt as well as Wingate and Finchley. In January they took all three points at Canvey Island, so they have been making ‘six pointers’ count and that continued in midweek.

On Tuesday night they closed the gap on Carshalton Athletic with a 2-1 win. That leaves the Wings four points away from the Robins, who sit a place above the relegation places. Ryan Maxwell’s side also have two games in hand.

Welling United had to come from behind to earn Tuesday night’s crucial win. The visitors went ahead when Luke Read hit a low volley beyond MacKenzie Foley. The Wings were level after former Dart, John Ufuah netted from close range and a winner was found through Dean Gunner, his second goal in as many games.

Manager’s View

After an even but uneventful first half, Adrian Pennock was ‘proud’ of the team for their efforts and for earning a ‘good point’ against Cray Wanderers. The Dartford boss spoke to Dartford FC TV and praised his goalkeeper Jonny Henly: “The last few months his been so consistent, he’s handling and decision making has been first class”. Pennock admitted the Darts rode their luck at times, but felt his team deserved at least a draw.

Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Samir Carruthers is out for the rest of the season following a knee injury. Jacob Bland has missed the last two games with a broken nose. George Whitefield will be available after serving his suspension.

Current League Form

Dartford (DWLWLD)			Welling United (LLLDLW)
Cray Wanderers	H	1-1	Carshalton Athletic	H	2-1
Potters Bar Town	A	0-1	Chatham Town	A	1-3
Brentwood Town	H	3-2	St Albans City	H	0-0
Burgess Hill Town	A	1-2	Folkestone Invicta	A	0-2
Aveley	H	2-0	Hashtag United	H	0-2
Hashtag United	A	2-2	Aveley	A	1-2

 

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 27 / Welling United wins: 11 / Draws: 13

Previous Meetings

Dartford 3 – 1 Welling United (01/11/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 1 Welling United (30/12/2023 – National South)
Welling United 0 – 1 Dartford (26/12/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 3 Welling United (16/09/2023 – F.A Cup)
Welling United 2 – 2 Dartford (04/02/2023 – National South)
Dartford 5 – 1 Welling United (01/11/2022 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten in 11 league games against Welling United (W8, D3)
• On the road, the Darts are unbeaten in four in the league (W3, D1) versus the Wings
• Dartford have lost just one of the last ten league matches at Park View Road against Welling United (W4, D5)

On This Day

Twice Dartford have taken on Welling United on this day and on both occasions the game finished without a goal. In 1980 the two sides drew in the Eastern Floodlit Cup quarter-final. A competition Dartford went on to win in August that year. Nine years ago the same score was played out in the National South.

Dartford’s last away victory on 28 February was in 1976 when they beat Canterbury City in the Southern League Division One South. Since then the Darts have lost to Corby Town 3-0 in 2004 in the Southern League Division One East and drew 1-1 with Aldershot Town in the National League in 2015.

At home the Darts have been more successful on this day racking up a 7-0 win over King’s Lynn in 1987, a 4-1 victory against Slade Green in 1996 and 5-2 triumph versus Yate Town in 1998.