MATCH PREVIEW – Dartford v Dulwich Hamlet
This weekend Dartford host Dulwich Hamlet for the second time this season after the two sides previously met in the F.A Trophy.
The Darts were knocked out of the trophy two months ago during a winless spell throughout October and September. Now Adrian Pennock’s side are unbeaten in eight league games having won three of the last four in the Isthmian Premier. Dulwich Hamlet have had a busy week with a home defeat against league leaders Dover Athletic and a comeback draw at Lewes, to secure just their second point in their last five outings.
The Darts were knocked out of the trophy two months ago during a winless spell throughout October and September. Now Adrian Pennock’s side are unbeaten in eight league games having won three of the last four in the Isthmian Premier. Dulwich Hamlet have had a busy week with a home defeat against league leaders Dover Athletic and a comeback draw at Lewes, to secure just their second point in their last five outings.
Since taking charge of the Darts, Adrian Pennock is on his longest run without a league defeat, the kind of form that helped his side reach the top five last weekend. However, Hamlet’s draw in Sussex on Tuesday saw Lewes regain fifth spot with Dartford dropping a place outside the playoffs.
Last weekend the Darts beat Bognor Regis Town comfortably. Having made nine changes in the League Cup defeat at Sheppey United, Pennock named the same side that beat Hastings United in the league giving Louis Dunne his home debut. On the bench was new loan signing Hayden Bullas, who came on to make his debut. The Leyton Orient midfielder had already been out on loan at Erith Town this season scoring twice in 20 appearances. Michael Olarewaju was still unavailable, the defender has missed the last month through injury.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
Dartford made the blustery conditions count in the first half blowing Bognor Regis Town away. The Darts racked up their biggest half time lead since beating Cockfosters in the London Senior Cup just over three years ago. Denzelle Olopade pounced on a rebound to get the scoring moving, the midfielder’s fourth of the campaign. Olly Box doubled the advantage with his fourth in his last five league games. Defender, George Whitefield found the back of the net for a third consecutive home game. To wrap up an excellent first-half display Josh Hill scored his first since returning to the club.
It was the first time the Darts scored four in the first half since the Boxing Day win at Ebbsfleet United in 2022. With the job as good as done and kicking against the wind, Dartford were unable to add to their tally in the second half despite the visitors going down to ten men in the closing stages.
Former Dartford winger, Luke Wanadio was the difference maker in the F.A Trophy meeting with Dulwich Hamlet back in October by scoring the only goal of the game. The 32 year old has scored 15 this season for Hamlet and top scored for the club last term. Over his three spells with the Darts he made 99 appearances and netted 18 goals. Trying to stop the London side’s attack is Dartford captain Josh Hill, who previously played for this weekend’s opponents. He could also come face to face with three more former Darts in Jordan Wynter, Danny Mills and George Porter.
Wynter was part of the Dartford team that last played against Dulwich Hamlet in a league fixture. Versatile in defence or midfield, Wynter made 191 appearances prior switching allegiances in May. Alex Wall bagged a hat-trick and Harvey Bradbury added a fourth as the Darts ran out 4-0 winners in April 2023.
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
The win at Princes Park completed a double over Hamlet that season after Dartford won 2-1 at Champion Hill in October 2022. The visitors had to come from behind when Nana Owusu put Dulwich Hamlet in front. On the stroke of Samir Carruthers equalised from the spot. It took Dartford until six minutes from time to find the decisive breakthrough when Charlie Sheringham headed home.
Hakan Heyrettin’s side have struggled on the road this term. The F.A Trophy tie at Princes Park was Hamlet’s last away victory in all competitions. In the league they have earned just one win on their travels picking up six points in nine games. However, Dulwich Hamlet showed plenty of character down at Lewes in their previous fixture. Hamlet were without Sam German, Ross Marshall and Jameson Horlick for their midweek trip. However, Max Hudson and Louis Ramsey returned to the starting eleven after recovering from injury. Ryley Scott could be in contention again this weekend.
After the 4-1 defeat at home to Dover Athletic, Hamlet were looking to get some points on the board with a tough trip to Lewes midweek. The hosts went two goals up at the Dripping Pan and looked set for victory, until two former Darts rescued a point for Heyrettin’s men. Mills scored seven in 26 games whilst on loan at Princes Park in 2017/2018. The forward came on as a substitute against the Rooks and made an immediate impact. With time running out, Wanadio levelled during injury time to complete the comeback for Hamlet, which leaves them thirteenth and four points behind the Darts.
| Bognor Regis Town | H | 4-0 | Lewes | A | 2-2 |
| Hastings United | A | 3-0 | Dover Athletic | H | 1-4 |
| Chichester City | A | 2-2 | Cheshunt | A | 1-1 |
| Lewes | H | 2-0 | Hashtag United | H | 0-2 |
| Hashtag United | A | 3-3 | Folkestone Invicta | A | 1-2 |
| Cheshunt | H | 2-1 | Potters Bar Town | H | 3-1 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 6 / Dulwich Hamlet wins: 4 / Draws: 4
Previous Meetings
Dartford 0 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (05/10/2024 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 3 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (01/04/2023 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 1 – 2 Dartford (08/10/2022 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dulwich Hamlet (08/01/2022 – National South)
Dulwich Hamlet 0 – 2 Dartford (28/08/2021 – National South)
Dartford 1 – 0 Dulwich Hamlet (25/01/2020 – National South)
Statistics
- Dartford are unbeaten in all five home league games against Dulwich Hamlet W3, D2)
- The Darts could make it four league wins in a row at home for the first time since September/October 2023 and first time since Adrian Pennock took charge
- Dartford have kept three clean sheets in their last four league games at Princes Park
On This Day
High flying Crawley Town were knocked out by the Darts in the F.A Trophy on this day in 2010. The Sussex club were on their way to winning the National League and promotion into the Football League that season. After an entertaining 3-3 draw, Tom Champion was the match winner on home soil in a 1-0 cup upset.
Alex Wall scored a brace against his former side two years ago as the Darts beat Havant and Waterlooville 3-1 in Hampshire. Three years earlier on this day Dartford also netted three at home versus Billericay Town. This time Elliott Romain was at the double after Darren McQueen scored Dartford’s first of the afternoon in a 3-2 victory at Princes Park.
In 1935, Dartford made it to the F.A Cup third round with a win against Gainsborough Trinity. The Darts had already beaten Cardiff City in the previous round and were rewarded with a famous away tie versus top flight Derby County.
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