MATCH PREVIEW – Velocity Cup

Dartford return to knockout competition with a fourth round Isthmian League Cup tie at Sheppey United on Tuesday night.

Facing each other for the first time since the mid-nineties both sides will be looking to reach the quarter-finals. A division higher than their opponents, Dartford approach the game on their longest unbeaten run during Adrian Pennock’s tenure. Starting with victory in this competition in the previous round, the Darts are without defeat in the last eight. Sheppey United are challenging for promotion to the Isthmian South East and it is likely they will have to go through the playoffs. The Ites are currently on a three game winning streak.

Dartford headed back to Sussex to take on Hastings United on the weekend. Adrian Pennock made one change to the side that let a two goal lead slip at Chichester City a week ago. New loan signing from Chelmsford City, Louis Dunne made his debut with Jeremiah Pinder dropping to the bench.

Although a former Dart gave the visitors an early scare, it was Dartford who took the lead. Davide Rodari earlier hit the crossbar for Hastings United prior to the in form Olly Box winning a penalty for the Darts. Samir Carruthers scored the spot kick, his fourth goal of the season, all in his last eight appearances. The midfielder was replaced by Pinder just past the hour mark. The substitute made an impact ten minutes later slotting home a pass from Box. Eddie Dsane was introduced after five games out with a shoulder injury, the striker made it 3-0 with his sixth goal of the season ending his six match goal drought.

In the previous round of the Isthmian League Cup, Pennock made seven changes to the starting eleven to face Erith Town. A Carruthers free kick was enough to see the Darts progress in a 1-0 win. In the solitary county cup tie this season the whole lineup was altered. It is likely this theme will continue on Tuesday night and a few academy players get the opportunity to impress the boss. So far this term eleven current or former academy players have made at least one appearance.

Dartford have progressed against all six Kent sides they have faced in the Isthmian League Cup, which includes two penalty shoot-outs. Sheppey United will be aiming to put an end to that sequence. The Ites had won just one cup match this season before beginning their Isthmian League Cup run. In the F.A Cup they beat North Greenford United prior to a heavy replay loss to Hanwell Town. Then they became Ramsgate’s victims in the F.A Trophy at the first hurdle.

A cup victory did arrive when they drew out Herne Bay in the League Cup, but the Ites couldn’t complete the job in normal time and went through on penalties. After no goals in 90 minutes the tie was decided from the spot with Sheppey United holding their nerve in a 5-4 shootout win. The same fate awaited Ernie Batten’s side in the Kent Senior Cup a week later, but with a different outcome. A 1-1 draw with Hythe Town forced another penalty lottery and this time the Ites went out 5-3.

Sheppey United will be hoping their third round Isthmian League Cup win over Margate last week has changed their fortune in knockout competition. Gil Carvalho’s second-half hat-trick helped the Ites to a 4-2 win. The Gate went in at half-time a goal up through Brandon Davey. Then a fourteen spell saw Sheppey United net four unanswered goals. Victor Aiye levelled six minutes into the second-half, then Carvalho scored three in eight minutes. With the game closing out, Jordon Ababio grabbed a consolation for Margate.

In the Isthmian South East, the Ites sit in the final playoff place. Three straight wins in the league at home and three consecutive victories in all competitions has given the Kent side confidence. On the weekend they faced Eastbourne Town and won with the only goal coming from Aiye, his second in as many matches. Featuring in the recent successes is captain and former Dart, Danny Leonard. The winger joined Dartford from the Ites before returning after a season. During the 2021/2022 season, Leonard started 28 games for the Darts, made 13 substitute appearances and scored 10 goals.

Current Form

ILC – Isthmian League Cup

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 48 / Sheppey United wins: 34 / Draws: 10

Previous Meetings

Sheppey United 1 – 3 Dartford (02/03/1996 – Kent League First Division)
Dartford 3 – 0 Sheppey United (28/10/1995 – Kent League First Division)
Dartford 0 – 1 Sheppey United (03/05/1995 – Kent League First Division)
Sheppey United 5 – 1 Dartford (29/03/1995 – Kent League First Division)
Sheppey United 3 – 1 Dartford (26/10/1994 – Kent Senior Trophy)
Dartford 0 – 0 Sheppey United (19/10/1994 – Kent Senior Trophy)

Statistics

• Dartford have won the last two meetings in this fixture both during the 1995/1996 Kent League campaign
• The Darts last knocked Sheppey United out of a cup competition in 1987 winning a Southern League Cup tie 2-0
• The Ites are unbeaten in the last three cup games against Dartford winning two and drawing one.
• Dartford have won 20 cup matches versus Sheppey United including three finals (1925 Kent League Cup, 1930 Kent Senior Shield and 1932 Kent Senior Cup). There have also been seven draws and eight defeats

On This Day

A late Louis Dunne cross proved costly for the Darts on this day two years ago. The on loan midfielder from Chelmsford City scored the only goal of the game as the Clarets won 1-0 at the Melbourne Stadium. Two goals in a couple of minutes helped Dartford to a 2-1 win against Poole Town in 2016. Duane Ofori-Acheampong opened the scoring and Luke Wanadio made it two. The visitors pulled a goal back through Luke Parker. The last cup tie on this day was in 2013 when the Darts were knocked out in a F.A Trophy first round replay versus Forest Green Rovers. In 2011, Dartford earned bragging rights in their Kent derby with rivals Dover Athletic. An Adam Green penalty, Ryan Hayes and Elliot Bradbrook all netted in the 3-1 home victory.

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