MATCH PREVIEW | Dartford v Chatham Town
The Darts will have three games remaining after hosting the Chats to try and break into the playoff places and extend their campaign. A late draw on the weekend leaves Dartford three points short of the top five.
Chatham Town are in a stronger position and victory will all but secure a playoff spot. The Chats would need just one more point in their final three fixtures, but another slip up see pressure coming from the Darts.
Opportunity Missed in Late Draw
A last minute goal away at Carshalton Athletic on Saturday dramatically changed the picture in the playoff race. Unfortunate, it was one that the Darts conceded resulting in the game at Colston Avenue finishing 2-2. Adrian Pennock handed a first start to Evans Kouassi in place of Olly Box and in the only change to the side that thrashed Hashtag United a week earlier.
The Robins went in front before the break through Robert Huke, but Dartford turned the game around in six second half minutes. Sam Odaudu scrambled home the equaliser, then Rohan Vaughan put the visitors into a crucial lead. At that stage, with other playoff contenders struggling, the Darts were only a point away from the top five. However, an injury time leveller from Fabio Saraiva put a dent in Dartford’s hopes, even if Pennock’s side gained some ground on fifth spot.
Home Fortress
Time may be running out, but Dartford go into their Bank Holiday Monday fixture knowing they have a strong home record. If they are still withing a chance of reaching the playoffs come the final day, the Darts will also be at Princes Park in one last Kent derby versus relegation threatened Cray Valley Paper Mills.
Pennock’s side have enjoyed playing on home soil this term where they have won six of their last seven, dropping just two points since mid December. Only two sides have taken maximum points away from Princes Park all season. The Darts have collected the most points in the division at home, joint with Folkestone Invicta who will be playing National South football next term.
Solid on the Road
Chatham Town will be standing in the way and their success this season is down to their defence. The Chats have conceded the fewest goals in the division, kept an impressive 19 clean sheets and only let in eight on the road. You have to go back to 24 February since they conceded on their travels against Dulwich Hamlet in a 1-0 defeat, five away fixtures ago.
Festive Victory
The reverse fixture this season was over the Christmas period and Dartford recorded a third straight win over the Chats. Two defenders stepped up on the day to give the Darts an early two goal cushion. First, Joe Tennent reacted quickly to score from close range with just four minutes on the clock. A couple of minutes later, George Whitefield doubled the lead. Chatham Town halved the deficit with just over half an hour to play, but the Darts held out for the win.
Highlights courtesy of Chatham Town
Darts Double
Pennock’s side can complete the double over the Chats for a second season in a row with victory on Monday. Last term, Dartford defeated Kevin Hake’s side on New Year’s Day at Maidstone Road. The breakthrough came on the hour in front of a record crowd when Reece Butler scored in his own net. Eddie Dsane clinched maximum points after coming off the bench as a substitute.
The two sides also played during the Bank Holiday August fixtures of 2024 and again the Darts won by a two goal margin. Chatham Town led when Jamie Vila opened the scoring, but Sam Odaudu levelled with a long range drive in the second half. Callum Jones hit one in off the underside of the crossbar six minutes from time and Dsane sealed the 3-1 win from the penalty spot.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Derby Day
When it comes to Kent derbies in the Isthmian Premier League, Dartford have only been beaten by Folkestone Invicta this season. The Darts have collected 19 points in these games, winning five and drawing four. Chatham Town’s record is similar with six victories and two draws out of 11 local derbies, picking up a total of 20 points.
Chatham’s Story So Far
Kevin Hake’s side have had a strong campaign in multiple competitions. Their Isthmian Premier season began with just one defeat in 11 games up until the end of October. Aside from a minor blip of four without victory at the start of the year, Chatham Town have been consistent. Leading up to Easter the Chats were seven unbeaten in the league until they lost 1-0 to Aveley on the weekend.
The Chats also reached the last 16 in both the League Cup and F.A Trophy, setting a club record for the latter. It took a defeat from finalists Southend United to knock out the Kent side after going through six rounds. The highlight of that cup run was former Dartford loanee Matty MacArthur goal to knock out Carlisle United.
Playoff Picture
Dartford have now got to within striking distance, but still need results to go their way. Whilst a derby day win against the Chats will close the gap on the fourth place side, combined with a defeat for Brentwood Town will move the Darts into the top five on goal difference. For that to happen Dartford will be hoping local rivals Welling United beat the Blues to enhance their own chances of staying in the Isthmian Premier.
Meanwhile in Essex, Aveley and Billericay Town can both book their place in the playoffs with wins against teams in the relegation zone. The Millers host Hashtag United and Ricay are at home to Canvey Island, but both sides need Dartford to lose.
| Position | Team | Pld | Pts | GD |
| 6 | DARTFORD | 37 | 65 | +22 |
| 7 | Cray Wanderers | 37 | 61 | +7 |
| 8 | Burgess Hill Town | 37 | 61 | -5 |
Manager’s View
Adrian Pennock was upset at the way his side failed to hang on to a win at Carshalton Athletic on Saturday, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the draw and said: “We’re trying to get in the playoffs and to concede the goal we did at the end, that’s not good enough”. The Dartford boss was disappointed, but on reflection he could find a small positive, he added: “With the other results going our way, it’s a good point away from home”.
The crucial Kent derby against Chatham Town on Monday is going to provide a big challenge for the Darts, Pennock commented: “They are a full-time side. We got a very good result at theirs, but it was very tough and it could have gone either way”. With the quick turnaround between the two Easter matches expect some alterations to the starting lineup, he explained: “There is going to be changes, we need to get some fresh legs on there after today. I believe in every single one of my players in my squad”.
Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Team News
It’s likely that a few changes will take place in the starting lineup. Up front provides a number of options as shown in the Hashtag United win when the whole attack was changed. So we could see Rohan Vaughan and Olly Box involved a bit more than Saturday’s draw. Eddie Dsane missed out on the weekend due to illness, but if fit the striker could be in the squad. Options at the back include Luther Williams and Joe Tennent, the latter has yet to get his place back since returning from suspension. Sammie McLeod will also be hopeful of more minutes in the midfield.
Jacob Bland has been recovering from a broken nose, whilst Samir Carruthers and Dean Nayler have been suffering long term injuries.
Current League Form
| Dartford (WLWDWD) | Chatham Town (WWWDDL) | ||||
| Carshalton Athletic | A | 2-2 | Aveley | H | 0-1 |
| Hashtag United | H | 7-0 | Brentwood Town | A | 0-0 |
| Lewes | H | 4-1 | Tonbridge Angels (KSC) | H | 1-1* |
| Folkestone Invicta | A | 2-2 | Burgess Hill Town | A | 3-0 |
| Cheshunt | A | 1-0 | Canvey Island | A | 1-0 |
| Wingate & Finchley | A | 1-3 | Canvey Island | H | 3-0 |
KSC – Kent Senior Cup / * – lost 6-5 on penalties
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 33 / Chatham Town wins: 40 / Draws: 11
Previous Meetings
Chatham Town 1 – 2 Dartford (27/12/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Chatham Town 0 – 2 Dartford (01/01/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (26/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 3 Chatham Town (09/04/2007 – Isthmian Division One South)
Chatham Town 2 – 3 Dartford (26/12/2006 – Isthmian Division One South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Chatham Town (15/04/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Statistics
- Dartford have won five of the last six league meetings against Chatham Town (L1)
- The Darts have won two of their last three in the league at home versus the Chats (L1)
- The last three home league games hosted by Dartford in this fixture have ended 3-1 (W2, L1)
On This Day
Led by Ernie Morgan, Dartford secured a place at Wembley on this day in 1974 with a 0-0 F.A Trophy second leg draw against Macclesfield Town. Watling Street celebrated history being made after the Darts went through to the final with a 2-1 aggregate win.
Two years ago, Olly Box scored the winning goal at Havant and Waterlooville in a 2-1 National South. Former Hawk, Joash Nembhard had scored four minutes earlier to cancel out a strike from James Roberts.