MATCH PREVIEW – Chatham Town v Dartford

The Darts got back to winning ways last time out and victory on Saturday will move them to within three points of the Chats. However, Adrian Pennock’s side have played two extra matches and are one place behind their opponents. Third place Chatham Town have hit form with five consecutive wins in all competitions.

Box Gift Wraps Win

At home to St Albans City last weekend, the Darts had to dig out a 1-0 win after looking second best for most of the afternoon. Olly Box scored the match winner with the hosts first meaningful effort on goal. Ten minutes into the second half Box used his skill and accuracy to fire beyond the St Albans City goalkeeper. The forward’s first goal at Princes Park in five. Dartford held out to claim a third home clean sheet in four and with it maximum points.

Jonny on the Spot

Earlier in the game George Whitefield, who was back in the lineup for Ben Frempah, gave away a first half penalty. Goalkeeper, Jonny Henly saved the spot kick to deny former Dartford striker Alex Wall from scoring on his return to Princes Park. The Darts keeper also made some crucial saves to earn Player of the Match.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Eze’s First Start

Two minutes after the penalty miss Pennock altered the side by cutting short Luther Williams’ 50th start for the club. The Dartford boss introduced 18 year old Nelson Eze in a tactical change giving the striker his debut after joining on loan from Ipswich Town. The Dartford boss felt Callum Jones needed more support up front.

Playoff Picture

Dartford ended a run of three straight losses without scoring against St Albans City and with it secured fourth place at Christmas. After back to back league defeats and with the current top six taking maximum points, victory over the Saints became more important. The Darts are being chased down by Aveley who are two points further back and have played four fewer matches.

Early pacesetters Brentwood Town hold second spot, but Chatham Town are hot on their heels, a win behind the Essex club and also with games in hand. Kevin Hake’s side have their sights on the National South after going full time in the summer and have recently hit great form.

Dartford Double

Last season the Darts won home and away against Chatham Town. On New Year’s Day, Pennock’s side kickstarted 2025 with a 2-0 victory on the road.

Both sides couldn’t be separated at the break. However, the breakthrough came just past the hour when George Whitefield’s cross was deflected goalwards and into the Chatham Town net. Eddie Dsane entered the game and added a second from a tight angle to secure the win.

Earlier in last season the Darts came from behind at Princes Park. The visitors led when Jamie Vila scored in the first half. Three minutes after the interval Sam Odaudu equalised with a long range effort. Dartford left it late to complete the turnaround when Callum Jones put the hosts in front with four minutes to go and Dsane netted a last minute penalty.

Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Ex-Darts Impress

In January last year Matthew MacArthur joined Dartford on loan, scored on debut, made another appearance then returned to Gillingham. Late October this year he joined Chatham Town and he has netted a brace in his last two league appearances and scored six in as many games in all competitions.

The 21-year old helped his new side reach the F.A Trophy fourth round by scoring against Plymouth Parkway. He also put two past Potters Bar Town and Cheshunt. Another former Dart was on the scoresheet in the trophy too. Ben Allen made ten substitute appearances under Pennock last season at Dartford. He has scored four in his last five matches for Chatham Town in all competitions, last on target in Tuesday night’s 2-1 Kent Senior Cup quarter final win over League Two side Bromley.

Hot Streak

Chatham Town are on track to match their seven wins in a row earlier in the season. However the Darts will be hoping to halt that run and become only the third team to beat the Chats at the Sports Ground in the Isthmian Premier this season.

Only runaway leaders Folkestone Invicta and St Albans City visited Chatham Town and claimed maximum points. Since the defeat to the Saints, the Kent side have won their last two home league fixtures putting four past Burgess Hill Town and three past Potters Bar Town. At the other end of the pitch the Chats have been solid recently. Bromley were the first team to breach Chatham Town’s defence in over seven hours of football.

Manager’s View

Pennock called last weekend’s win against St Albans City ‘a big three points’, but the performance was far from convincing at first, he spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game and admitted: “We weren’t on it first half and I said to the boys at half time ‘look it could be one of these games where we’re not going to be right on it but we could win the game 1-0’ and that’s what we’ve done”.

The Dartford manager saw an improvement in the second half and was pleased in the way his side picked up maximum points, he added: “We showed some really good football in the second half in patches, but what I liked about us was winning that scrappy game, to win 1-0 and another clean sheet is excellent from the boys”.

Once again Dartford can expect a challenging afternoon this weekend against Chatham Town, Pennock commented: “It’s going to be a very tough game. They are full time, they are flying high in the league, but this win today (against St Albans City) sets us up nicely”.

Interview courtesy of Dartford FC TV

Team News

Michael Olarewaju has served his suspension and should be available again. Dan Smith is nursing a hamstring injury. Dean Nayler remains a long term absentee.

Current League Form

Dartford (DWWLLW)			Chatham Town (DWWWWW)
St Albans City	H	1-0	Bromley (KSC)	H	2-1
Folkestone Invicta	H	1-2	Cheshunt	A	4-0
Lewes	A	0-1	Potters Bar Town	H	3-0
Dulwich Hamlet	H	1-0	Plymouth Parkway (FAT)	H	3-0
Whitehawk	A	2-1	Burgess Hill Town	H	4-0
Cray Valley PM	A	1-1	Chichester City	A	2-2

(FAT – F.A Trophy / KSC – Kent Senior Cup)

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 32 / Chatham Town wins: 40 / Draws: 11

Previous Meetings

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) Chatham Town 1 – 0 Dartford (27/09/2005 – Southern League Cup)

Statistics

• Dartford have won four of the last five league meetings against the Chats (L1)

• The Darts have won five of their last eight league matches at Chatham Town (D1, L2)

• As a Dartford player, Eddie Dsane has scored in both his appearances against Chatham Town

• The Darts end the year playing their 150th Isthmian Premier League match (W81 D33 L35)

• Saturday’s game will be Dartford’s 49th in 2025 in all competitions (W24 D12 L12) and 43rd in the league (W23 D10 L9)

On This Day

Cody McDonald scored a hat-trick and was sent off on this day in 2008. The striker helped Dartford to a 3-2 win at Canvey Island with his treble. McDonald scored two first half goals within a minute of each other and added his third in the second half. The hosts hit back with two goals in reply, but the Darts finished with ten men when McDonald picked up two yellow cards.

Gravesend and Northfleet (now Ebbsfleet United) have been the most frequent opponents on this day. Dartford have played their local rivals eight times on 27 December winning five, drawing two and losing just one. The last meeting on this day between the two clubs ended 1-1 back in 1982.