MATCH PREVIEW – Dartford v Cheshunt

Dartford are back at Princes Park when they host Cheshunt on Saturday in the Isthmian Premier.

After a packed mid-week league schedule, the Darts are fifteenth in the league following consecutive draws, first at home against Cray Valley Paper Mills and then on the road at Potters Bar Town on Tuesday night. Whilst Dartford were in action, Cheshunt had a rest following their impressive win on the weekend over bottom side Bognor Regis Town.

Ahead of Dartford’s clash with Potters Bar Town, the Darts were level on points with Cheshunt. The gap increased by one by full-time thanks to a hard earned 1-1 draw. Adrian Pennock made two changes to the side that picked up a point versus Cray Valley Paper Mills just three days earlier. The Dartford boss selected the same defence that kept a clean sheet against the Millers. In came Jeremiah Pinder for Oliver Box and Duane Ofori-Acheampong for Ade Yusuff.

The Darts were left to rue missed chances in the first-half, especially after being reduced to ten men early in the second-half. Ofori-Acheampong, Josh Hill and Denzelle Olopade all had opportunities before the interval, but the sides were level at the break. After a caution for kicking the ball away in the first half, Ofori-Acheampong was shown a second yellow for a late tackle. The striker now faces another suspension following one he has already served for his red card against Bowers and Pitsea just over six weeks ago.

That dismissal stifled Dartford’s attacking threat, however four minutes later Callum Jones won a penalty and Samir Carruthers scored it, his second goal in three games. Shortly afterwards Olopade saw his effort go inches wide. Potters Bar Town applied plenty of pressure taking advantage of the extra man. The hosts were rewarded with an equaliser with 20 minutes to go through Brandon Adams. Dartford were made to dig in for the rest of the match with the hosts hitting the post. Sam Okoye limped off during the game and Olopade had time for one more effort.

The Darts have a perfect record over Cheshunt and will be desperate to keep things that way. In the only season the two sides have met, Cheshunt were the new boys of the National South during 2022/2023. The Ambers made their debut in step two lasting one campaign before relegation sent the Hertfordshire club back to the Isthmian Premier.

At Princes Park, Dartford began their home campaign with a 2-1 win over the Ambers in August 2022. Maxwell Statham made his first appearance for the Darts, but it was Pierre Fonkeu’s brace that made all the difference. In the first half, the striker curled a shot from the edge of the box into the Cheshunt net and benefited from Luke Coulson’s and Samir Carruthers excellent interplay in the second half. Former Dartford graduate Dajon Golding scored a late consolation for the visitors.

The Darts had a little help from a former player in the reverse fixture in January 2023. Rowan Liburd gave the Darts a half-time lead putting in his own net. Coulson was the influential figure providing the cross for the opener before scoring, then he assisted Tom Bonner in the second-half to put Dartford in control. Once again, the Ambers managed a consolation as the Darts ran out 3-1 winners.

Cheshunt had to rely on a late surge last season to avoid another drop. In the end, under the management of Craig Edwards they secured Isthmian Premier safety on the final day at Margate’s expense. This term, the Ambers beat Bognor Regis on the opening day, but then went seven without a league victory, picking up just two points. That led to the departure of Edwards after seven years of service to the club and over 300 appearances in the dugout.

Cheshunt won their two league outings under interim management giving new boss Mel Gwinnett a platform to build on. The former Hampton and Richmond Borough manager was appointed towards the end of last month. Gwinnett had previously guided the Beavers to a club record unbeaten run, an F.A Trophy quarter-final and to within a point of the National South playoffs.

Whilst Gwinnett’s first two Isthmian Premier games ended in a pair of 1-0 defeats, first against Cray Wanderers then Canvey Island, his side bounced back with help from striker Vas Vasiliou. Last weekend Vasiliou netted a hat-trick in the 4-0 triumph over Bognor Regis Town.

Current League Form

Potters Bar Town	A	1-1	Bognor Regis Town	A	4-0
Cray Valley (PM)	H	0-0	Canvey Island	H	0-1
Wingate & Finchley	H	2-3	Cray Wanderers	H	0-1
Hendon	H	0-0	Whitehawk	A	2-0
Billericay Town	A	0-4	Hastings United	A	3-2
Bowers & Pitsea	H	1-2	Potters Bar Town	H	0-1

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 2 / Cheshunt wins: 0 / Draws: 0

Previous Meetings

Cheshunt 1 – 3 Dartford (07/01/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 1 Cheshunt (13/08/2022 – National South)

Statistics

• Dartford have a perfect record against Cheshunt in the two meetings so far
• In the two matches played both teams scored averaging 3.5 goals per game
• Samir Carruthers is the only player left in the current Dartford squad to have featured in both games against Cheshunt in 2022/2023

On This Day

Ryan Hayes and Ollie Berquez secured a 2-0 win over rivals Dover Athletic in the National South 14 years ago. Three days after almost causing a F.A Cup shock against Port Vale, the Darts travelled to the Crabble and earned their first away victory of the 2010/2011 league campaign.

Dartford’s last outing on this day was in the F.A Cup away at Salisbury City in the first round. Goals from Lee Burns and Max Cornhill weren’t enough in a 4-2 defeat back in 2013.

The last home match on 9 November for Dartford was a 1-1 draw with Tooting and Mitcham United. The 1996 F.A Trophy tie went to a replay, which the Darts won 3-2. At home Dartford are currently five unbeaten on this day alternating between draws and wins. Whilst their biggest victory on 9 November came in a friendly 135 years ago. The Darts won 12-1 against Horticultural College Hextable.

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