MATCH PREVIEW – Dartford v Marlow – FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Dartford begin their F.A Cup campaign with a first qualifying round tie against Southern Premier League South side Marlow this weekend.
The Darts enter at this stage for the first time in 15 years and are hoping for a first F.A Cup victory since October 2021. Under previous manager Alan Dowson, Dartford failed to win in the F.A Cup. Current boss, Adrian Pennock will be desperate to avoid going out at the first hurdle. The last time that happened to the Darts in three consecutive seasons was in the fifties between 1951 and 1953.
Marlow reached the second qualifying round last season going out to Horsham in a replay. The Blues started the previous campaign at the preliminary stage beating Wallingford and Crowmarsh then AFC Croydon Athletic. The Blues did once reach the semi-final back in 1882 losing 5-0 to eventual winners Old Etonians at the Kennington Oval.
Pennock has had to wait six months for his first attempt at the F.A Cup with the Darts. His side approach the tie having picked up 12 points in their opening five Isthmian Premier League games. Dartford’s double delight over the Bank Holiday saw them climb up to third in the table showing different sides to their game against Carshalton Athletic, then in the Kent derby versus last season’s Isthmian Premier runners up Chatham Town.
Pleased with his side’s performance at Carshalton Athletic, Pennock stuck to the same starting eleven two days later. If the away victory in Surrey displayed Dartford’s grit and determination to hold on to a 1-0 lead, the home win on Monday proved his team has the character to come from behind and cause an attacking threat.
Although Chatham Town went in front, the Darts won in the league for a third time in a row, the first time since December 2022 to January 2023. Jamie Vila put the visitors ahead and almost doubled the lead before the interval, only for goalkeeper Matt Kerbey to prevent the striker.
Sam Odaudu has been in excellent form and his 25 yard drive put Dartford on level terms early in the second half. The full back has now scored two in his last three appearances having found the net just once in 60 games previously. With six minutes to go Callum Jones fired a shot off the underside of the crossbar to put the Darts ahead. The deal was sealed in stoppage time when Eddie Dsane was fouled in the Chatham Town box. The striker took his chance from the spot to secure a 3-1 win. Dartford’s trio of goalscorers all move onto two goals for the season.
Isthmian Division One South Central runners up Marlow won promotion last term via the playoffs. Before promotion to step three, the Buckinghamshire side had been knocking on the door. The Blues lost in the playoff semi-final in 2019 and 2023, the fifth time they had missed out on a place in a playoff final in the club’s history. Finally, they made it by beating Westfield 3-2, then Leatherhead 3-1 in the final. A deserved reward for the Blues after amassing 89 points and netting 106 goals, the most scored in their division last term.
This season they are finding their feet after moving across to the Southern League. Marlow are sitting bottom with just a single point from their five outings. That draw came on the opening day against Winchester City. Since then they have fell to four consecutive defeats, the first two of those on the road at Waltham and Hersham, then Sholing.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Marlow found the back of the net for only the second time. David Tarpey scored against Poole Town, but it wasn’t enough in a 2-1 loss. The forward scored a wonder goal against the Darts, which went viral, back in December 2016 whilst playing for Maidenhead United. On Monday, the Blues registered another blank losing 2-0 to Hanwell Town.
Dartford have faced Marlow once previously in 1990. The Darts beat the Buckinghamshire side 3-1 in the Premier Inter League Cup first round. At the time a competition between the Southern, Isthmian and Northern Premier League teams.
Current Form
| Chatham Town | H | 3-1 | Hanwell Town | A | 0-2 |
| Carshalton Athletic | A | 1-0 | Poole Town | H | 1-2 |
| Canvey Island | H | 2-0 | Sholing | A | 0-1 |
| Potters Bar Town | H | 0-1 | Waltham and Hersham | A | 0-3 |
| Cray Valley Paper Mills | A | 2-1 | Winchester City | H | 1-1 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 1 / Marlow wins: 0 / Draws: 0
Previous Meeting
Marlow 1 – 3 Dartford (09/10/1990 – Premier Inter League Cup)
Cup Statistics
- Dartford have lost seven of their last nine home F.A Cup ties. Victories came against Barking (2017) and Hythe Town (2021)
- The Darts have won their last three F.A Cup first qualifying matches beating Sittingbourne in a replay (5-1 in 2007), Hastings United (3-2 in 2008) and Chipstead (6-1 in 2009)
- Hastings United were the last side to knock Dartford out at the first qualifying round stage back in 2006
On This Day
Dartford’s only F.A Cup tie on this day was in 2003 when they beat Bashley 1-0 at home in the preliminary round. The Darts have won just one more cup game on 31 August, a 2-0 Southern League Cup victory over rivals Gravesend and Northfleet in 1982. In the same competition, Dartford drew 2-2 with Chelmsford City in 1965 and 1-1 against Margate the year before. Hastings United defeated the Darts 5-2 in the league cup in 1960, the two sides had also drawn 1-1 five years earlier. The last win on this day was back in 2009 when Lee Burns and Elliot Bradbrook scored in a 2-0 victory over Hornchurch. Most recently in 2019, Norman Wabo rescued a point versus Hemel Hempstead Town.
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