League leaders Dartford will host bottom of the table side Whitehawk this weekend in the National South.

The Darts, who are three points clear at the top convincingly beat the Hawks back in September at the Enclosed Ground. The 4-0 victory was Dartford’s biggest win over the Sussex side since they first met in 1982.

Alfie Pavey was on the end of a goalmouth scramble to score the opener and Ryan Hayes doubled the lead, cutting inside before smashing the ball beyond Alex Tokarczyk in the Whitehawk goal. Captain, Elliot Bradbrook netted the third of the evening just before half-time. The fourth came in the second half when Lyle Della-Verde hit a shot across goal into the far corner.

Dartford increased their lead in the National South last weekend when they travelled to Chippenham Town. Alfie Pavey moved on to 20 goals for the season in all competitions with a brace but on each occasion the Bluebirds equalised as the game ended 2-2. Pavey volleyed home from close range for the first and nodded home the second, but manager Tony Burman was left with mixed feelings at the result.

Burman spoke to www.dartford.com after the match and said: “Once again I think we have played at a difficult away venue, and I felt for long periods of the game especially in the first half I was happy with the performance”, he added: “I think the most disappointing factor of the game was that if you take the lead away from home you should keep it”.

Having failed to stay in front, Burman reflected after the game: “Once it went to 2-2 Chippenham could have taken all three points but we seemed to click into ‘over my dead body mode’ and defended much better”.

The draw extends Dartford’s unbeaten run in the league to six and although they have opened a small advantage, the two closest title rivals had their matches postponed giving them games in hand. Hampton and Richmond sit in second place having played one less fixture, whilst Havant and Waterlooville are third, four points behind the Darts having played two games fewer.

On Tuesday night, the Darts arranged a friendly with VCD Athletic, the squad included Richard Sho-Silva, Lee Noble, Duane Ofori-Acheampong, Lyle Della-Verde and Alex Brown. All of which have been looking for more game time recently. Burman also took the chance to look at some of the academy players who are making their way through the ranks.

Dartford’s home record remains strong with eight victories and four draws in the 13 outings at Princes Park. On the contrary, Whitehawk have lost 11 of their 13 away fixtures this term.

However, the Hawks unbeaten this calendar year, have seen an upturn in fortune having waited until their 24th game to record their first win of the campaign. That maiden victory came against local rivals Eastbourne Borough on New Year’s Day in which they won 4-1. Since then the Sussex club have drawn 2-2 at home to Bognor Regis Town and beat Oxford City 1-0 away from home.

On the weekend, the Hawks grabbed their tenth point in four games with a 3-2 triumph against Truro City. The Sussex club had to come from 2-1 down, but goals from Kodi Lyons-Foster, an own goal and Gold Omotayo secured victory. The result leaves Whitehawk six points adrift at the bottom and 12 points from safety.

Omotayo is grabbing the headlines at the moment with six goals in as many appearances since joining the Hawks. The Swiss born 23 year-old arrived from fourth tier side Wettswill-Bonstetten in his home country and is looking for a professional deal in the summer.

In the space of 19 months, Whitehawk have gone full circle by re-appointing Steve King as boss. He managed the Hawks between 2014 and 2016 and enjoyed league success by keeping the club up on the final day of the 2014 campaign, led Whitehawk to the National South playoffs in his first full season and took them to the F.A Cup second round in 2014/15. Since leaving, the Sussex club have tried their luck with seven managers before returning to King hoping for stability again.

Head to Head
Dartford wins: 4 /Whitehawk wins: 3 / Draws: 0

Current League Form

Previous Meetings

Stats
Ronnie Vint made his 100th start for the club last weekend, the defender came through the academy ranks and has now appeared in 106 games in total for the Darts.

Dartford have 34 league goals at home this season, the most in the National South.

Whitehawk have conceded the most goals home and away this campaign in the National South.

On This Day
Nine years ago, a goal from Brendon Cass and a brace by Cody McDonald sent Dartford through to the Isthmian League Cup fourth round. The Darts defeated Concord Rangers 3-1 before losing to Horsham at the next stage of the competition. Dartford last tasted league victory on 27 January 28 years ago in a 1-0 victory over Bromsgrove Rovers in the Southern Premier League. Sandwiched between that triumph and the cup win, Dartford lost 3-0 away to Bashley in 2001 and 3-2 at Horsham YMCA in 2007. Dartford have not lost at home on this day since 1951, the run of five matches include a 5-1 F.A Trophy replay win versus Newcastle Blue Star in 1987.

Dartford’s promotion push continues at home in the National South when they host relegation threatened Whitehawk.

The Darts know a fifth consecutive league victory will continue to apply pressure on the top two. Meanwhile, Whitehawk are desperate to halt a run of five defeats in a row.

Last weekend, Dartford recorded their first win over Wealdstone in 26 years scoring four goals without reply. Once more, the scoresheet showed a variety of players finding the net starting with Luke Wandio’s second in his last two appearances. Ryan Hayes put the Darts two up as he edges closer to his 100th goal for the club and Elliot Bradbrook made it three before half time. Andy Pugh scored on the hour to also score in his second game running.

With Tom Bonner missing and Lee Noble injured, Dartford recorded another impressive result. Duane Ofori-Acheampong returned to the bench coming on as a substitute. The Darts have now scored 16 goals in their last four league games and in each of those fixtures different goalscorers found the net.

The Darts will hope to reverse the result back in August when Whitehawk ran out 1-0 winners. A fourth minute penalty by Ahmed Abdulla settled the match, Keaton Wood was sent off just before half time. Last season at Princes Park, despite Pugh’s double the Hawks won 4-2, the Sussex club also beat Dartford 2-1 in the F.A Trophy.

This campaign, the Hawks are a long way off from the form they showed in the tail end of last season. Reaching the playoffs last term and almost earning a third round F.A Cup tie with Everton before then, Whitehawk are trying to avoid dropping out of the National South.

Stability will be welcomed by the Sussex club with so many managerial changes since September. Pablo Asensio was the first to go and in came Richard Hill, who left in November. Alan Payne and Ben Strevens took joint charge until December when Strevens returned to Eastleigh. Up stepped defender Paul Reid until last weekend when he stepped down again following the 2-0 defeat to Weston-super-Mare, leaving Payne at the helm. Currently in a poor spell, the Hawks have lost five league games in a row and also went out of the F.A Trophy to Dulwich Hamlet of the Isthmian Premier League. Recent results has meant another change took place when Andy Woodman was appointed the new boss.

Danny Mills continues to be their top man in front of goal but Whitehawk now have experience too. Former Charlton Athletic striker Kevin Lisbie is part of the squad and Brian Howard, the former Barnsley midfielder who netted a winner against Liverpool in the F.A Cup. Former Dart, Marvin Hamilton is regularly making the starting eleven as is Micheal West, formerly of local rivals Ebbsfleet United.

Head to Head
Dartford wins: 2 / Whitehawk wins: 3 / Draws: 0

Current League Form
Dartford (WWWWLWL)
Won 4-0 v Wealdstone (A)
Won 3-2 v Eastbourne Borough (A)
Won 3-2 v Weston-super-Mare (H)
Won 6-1 v East Thurrock United (H)
Lost 0-1 v Ebbsfleet United (A)
Won 2-1 v Ebbsfleet United (H)
Lost 0-5 v Maidenhead United (A)

Whitehawk (LLLLLD)
Lost 0-2 v Weston-super-Mare (H)
Lost 1-3 v Hungerford Town (A)
Lost 0-1 v Chelmsford City (A)
Lost 2-4 v Eastbourne Borough (A)
Lost 0-2 v Bath City (H)
Drew 4-4 v Gosport Borough (H)

Previous Meetings
Whitehawk 1 Dartford 0 (10/08/2016 – National South)
Dartford 2 Whitehawk 4 (12/03/2016 – National South)
Whitehawk 0 Dartford 1 (19/12/2015 – National South)
Whitehawk 2 Dartford 1 (28/11/2015 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 5 Whitehawk 2 (04/09/1982 – F.A Cup)

On This Day
It’s been 14 years since Dartford last played on 4 February in the Southern League Division One East, the Darts lost 1-0 away to Tonbridge Angels. In 1995, the only other time Dartford played on this day since reforming, the Darts beat Canterbury City 2-0 in the Kent League.

Looking for a first win of the season, The Darts play their opening away game of the campaign against Whitehawk on Wednesday night.

Dartford faced the Hawks three times last season and both teams got the upper hand away from home, with the Darts winning at the Enclosed Ground back in December. Andy Pugh’s first half strike turned out to be the winner, however the striker did miss this season’s opener through injury.

The Darts opened their National South campaign on Saturday with an agonising 2-2 draw against Wealdstone. With Pugh ruled out with a calf injury, Tony Burman choose winger Danny Harris to lead the line on his own. Alex Brown and Luke Wanadio made their first starts for the club whilst Duane Ofori-Acheampong made an appearance from off the bench.

Elliot Bradbrook’s afternoon was mixed when the captain put the Darts in front after good wing play from Ryan Hayes and Luke Wanadio. Bradbrook was later stretchered off resulting in seven minutes added on at the end of the match. Wealdstone equalised early in the second half when a counter attack was finished off by Elliot Benyon at the far post. After Dartford’s skipper was taken off, his replacement Lee Noble won a penalty which Ryan Hayes scored. Deep into injury time the Stones grabbed a point when Eddie Oshodi headed a corner into the top corner.

Away form for the Darts last season was mixed with a lack of goals at either end. Whilst the defence was tight the side lacked goals in attack. Burman will hope new striker Ofori-Acheampong’s fitness reaches the expected levels required to start, especially with Pugh feeling the strain in training prior the start of the season.

Whitehawk’s new boss Pablo Asensio has used his South American influence and contacts to build virtually a new squad. The Hawks line up this season with an international look including six Brazilians, four English, three Spanish, two French, two Argentinean, an Albanian and a Saudi Arabian player.

Danny Mills remains the main man in front of goal, top scoring for the Hawks last term with 23 goals. Sergio Torres was the only other player retained whilst Marvin Hamilton, who made one substitute appearance for the Darts re-signed for the Hawks as did Ahmed Abdulla. Former Ebbsfleet United midfielder Michael West turned his loan into a permanent deal. The only other player to be familiar with football on these shores is Duncan Culley, the striker was part of Hampton and Richmond Borough’s title winning squad last season in the Isthmian Premier.

The Sussex club opened their National South campaign with a defeat at Weston-Super-Mare. The Hawk’s universal squad suffered a 3-1 reverse after taking the lead. Jason Pope put past his own goalkeeper in the sixteenth minute but the Seagulls recovered with a Jake Mawford goal on half-time. Hamilton became the second player to score an own goal before Shawn McClousky sealed the three points for Weston-Super-Mare.

Rising through the non league pyramid over a six year period, Whitehawk are amongst the favourites to push for promotion after finishing their last two campaigns in the playoffs. The Hawks have reached the final losing to Boreham Wood in extra time and last term lost to Ebbsfleet United on penalties in the semi-final.

STATS

Head to Head

Whitehawk wins: 2 / Dartford wins: 2 / Draws: 0

Previous Meetings

Dartford have won one of their last six first away games of the season (Won 1 Drew 1 Lost 4)

The Darts had the fifth best away defence last term but fifth worst attack

Whitehawk were the second highest scorers last season behind champions Sutton United

The Hawks have won one of their last five first home games (Won 1 Drew 1 Lost 3)

On This Day

Dartford opened their National League campaign three years ago with a 1-0 victory over Alfreton Town. Adam Birchall joined the Darts with so much promise netting on his debut from a tight angle. Before the win in 2013, Dartford last played on 10 August back in 1968 recording a 5-1 triumph over Corby Town in the Southern League First Division.

Dartford hope to end a three match winless run against Whitehawk this weekend, in a bid to keep in touch with the playoff race.

The Darts host a Whitehawk side in freefall and without victory on the road for three months. Having played two games more than fifth place Truro City, Dartford are three points adrift of the playoffs.

Slip ups against Weston-Super-Mare, Hayes and Yeading United and Concord Rangers means the Darts have taken one point from the last nine available.

Last weekend, a controversial match with Weston-Super-Mare ended in a 2-1 defeat, a mass brawl, Elliot Bradbrook being dismissed and penalty shouts turned down. Despite being two down and reduced to ten men George Sykes scored which turned out to be a consolation goal. On another sour note, defender Callum McNaughton fractured his foot and is likely to miss the rest of the season.

On Tuesday night, the Darts reached the Kent Senior Cup final by beating Greenwich Borough 2-1.  Dartford took the lead in the first half when Barry Cogan’s free kick was flicked on by former Dart, Peter Sweeney and into the path of Ronnie Vint who coolly finished. George Sykes scored the second before Borough pulled a goal back. Tony Burman fielded a strong team and tried out Danny Harris and Kaka Dembele at full back in the second half. The decision may have been influenced by McNaughton’s injury and with the pending suspension of Elliot Bradbrook in mind.

Burman’s hope of a F.A Trophy run was ended by Whitehawk, in the last meeting between the two sides at Princes Park. Mark Onyemah’s handball gifted Whitehawk a penalty which Sam Deering scored. Three minutes later Ryan Hayes’ corner was turned in by a Hawk’s defender. The Sussex side grabbed the winner when Danny Stevens scored from the edge of the box.

Whitehawk have fallen from fourth to eighteenth since Dartford last played them in December. The Darts won at the Enclosed Ground thanks to an Andy Pugh goal in the first half. For the Hawks, defeat was the start of nine matches without victory in the National South, leaving them two points above safety.

After the loss at home to Eastbourne Borough, Steve King was sacked and now interim manager Pablo Asenio is in charge. Asenio drew his first match but witness his side get a 6-0 drubbing against relegation threatened St Albans City.

Last weekend they were beaten 3-2 by Bishop’s Stortford with all five goals coming in the first half. Sam Rents and top scorer were on hand for the Hawks to overturn a 1-0 deficit. The Hawks conceded twice to lose from a winning position.

On Tuesday night, Whitehawk took on Hayes and Yeading United and went ahead in the second half through Deam Leacock. The lead was short lived when United equalised with Ashley Lodge’s twenty yard strike. Elliot Benyon then nodded Hayes and Yeading United in front and Ismael Ehui made it 3-1. In their last nine games, The Hawks have taken just two points from 27 available.

The squad has had a mini facelift over the past week, Sam Deering signed for Ebbsfleet for undisclosed fee, the midfielder played 75 scored 28 for the Hawks. In return they welcome back defender Craig Braham-Barrett and Michael West, who scored against the Darts in August 2010 for Ebbsfleet Utd. Rents also joined Whitehawk from Margate, the defender has already played the Darts earlier in the season in Gates 2-0 defeat.

Former Dartford midfielder and fans favourite, Dave Martin is still with the Hawks. The winger made 71 starting appearances for the Darts scoring 16 times. Meanwhile, Paul Lorraine has left Whitehawk after a 14 month battle with injury, the central defender once signed by Tony Burman played just 14 times for the Sussex club.

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 1 / Whitehawk wins: 1 / Draws: 0

Current League Form

Previous Meetings (* – F.A Trophy)

Stats

3 – In Whitehawk’s four previous trips to Kent they have won three and drew one. Picking up seven points from nine and knocking Dartford out of the F.A Trophy.

5 – Dartford have won all five games against teams in the bottom seven. Weston-Super-Mare were the first bottom eight team to beat the Darts home or away this season.

13 – number of goals in Whitehawk’s last two away games. A 4-3 loss to Chelmsford City and 6-0 defeat to St Albans City.

26 – number of goals Dartford have scored at home, only Sutton United (30) and St Albans City (27) have scored more home goals this term.

On This Day

Dartford’s last victory on 12 March was nineteen years ago in the Southern League Southern Division. The Darts travelled to Buckingham Town to clinch a 1-0 win , a fourth consecutive clean sheet on this day following 1-0 and 2-0 Kent League triumph’s over Slade Green in 1994 and 1996 respectively. Since, Dartford have lost 1-0 to Chelmsford City in 2001 and were thrashed 6-1 by Barking and East Ham United, both in the Southern League Division One East. The most recent fixture was five years ago when the Darts drew 2-2 at the Camrose. Basingstoke Town took an early lead only for Ryan Hayes then Danny Harris to put Dartford ahead, Delano Sam-Yorke scored his second to share the spoils.

In form Dartford travel to Whitehawk for the first time, in an attempt to avenge the F.A Trophy exit just three weeks ago.

The Hawks won the cup tie 2-1 at Princes Park, on a day manager Tony Burman claimed the Darts never got out of ‘second gear’. Dartford took on their opponents after a two week break which finally showed. Sam Deering scored from the spot and Danny Stevens scored the winner, the Darts had equalised thanks to an own goal.

It wasn’t the best afternoon for Mark Onyemah, who was backed by Burman after the match. The full back made two crucial mistakes resulting in both of Whitehawk’s goals. The loanee from Luton Town will be hoping to make amends this weekend.

Burman is keen to get one back over Whitehawk, he told www.kentonline.co.uk: “People probably don’t expect us to get anything from Whitehawk but we’d like to repay the defeat we suffered in the Trophy”.

After a slow start to their National South campaign, Burman has guided the Darts up to eighth thanks to an unbeaten run of six league matches. Four wins and two draws since mid-October has Dartford top of the current form table. He added: “Our six games without defeat have been spread over two months. We’ve played okay in those games but it’s nothing to get too excited about”, he continued: “We’re getting results at the moment and we’d like to continue that throughout December”.

The Darts are chasing down a playoff spot as they enter the busy festive schedule, Burman has already prepared his squad for the task ahead. George Sykes and Kaka Dembele returned from loan spells whilst academy players Ben Francis and Dajon Golding were included in the last match day squad at Basingstoke Town.

In that fixture, Elliot Bradbrook was the hero grabbing the winning goal from close range. The captain pounced to score in his fifth consecutive league game, taking his tally in that period to six goals. The first half strike was enough for Dartford as they looked comfortable in the strong winds. In the second half, the Darts were resolute against the conditions and deservedly held on to victory.

Dartford are now five points behind Whitehawk, who occupy the final playoff spot. By beating Basingstoke Town last weekend, the Darts have already made one game in hand count and they still have another over the Hawks.

This weekend could see former Dartford favourite Dave Martin in action. The winger made 71 starting appearances for the Darts scoring 16 times. Former Ebbsfleet United defender, Paul Lorraine has returned from a long term injury but was so close to wearing the Dartford shirt when he signed in June 2014. Due to Dartford’s reprieve in the National Premier, Lorraine departed because of work commitments.

Whitehawk started their National South campaign brightly losing just once in their opening thirteen fixtures, leaving the Hawks in third place. Last season’s playoff finalists hit a sticky patch in mid-October losing three out of four, including defeat to basement boys Basingstoke Town.

The Brighton based club can boast the best attack in the league, an attribute Burman points out could have its downfall, he commented to www.kentonline.co.uk: “They like to go forward at all costs and sometimes you can exploit that. It can be a good way of playing, to score lots of goals but they’ve also conceded some from winning positions”.

Steve King’s side made headlines in November with an entertaining 5-3 F.A Cup first round win over Lincoln City. The Hawks forced a replay in round two against Dagenham and Redbridge with a last minute equaliser. However, the dream of playing Premier League side Everton at Goodison Park ended when they were beaten 3-2 by the Daggers in Tuesday night’s replay.

In between cup exploits, Whitehawk picked up a 2-2 draw with Wealdstone and a decent victory over Maidstone United, a 1-0 win at the Gallagher Stadium. In the F.A Trophy last weekend they were eliminated in a 3-1 loss versus Dover Athletic.

Victory for either side this weekend will certainly do no harm to their playoff prospects.

Head to Head

Whitehawk wins: 1 / Dartford wins: 0 / Draws: 0

Current League Form

Previous Meetings (* – F.A Trophy)

Stats

6 – Whitehawk recorded the biggest home win in the National South this season, the Hawks beat St Albans City 6-0 on 3 October 2015. The Hawks also hit six at Margate and are the only team to score six twice this term

14 – points accrued by Dartford in their last six matches to top the form guide

18 – number of goals scored in games featuring Dartford away from home, the second fewest. There has only been 13 goals scored in matches involving Maidstone United on their travels

40 – Whitehawk are the National South’s joint top scorers with Oxford City, striker Danny Mills has netted a quarter of the Hawks total.

On This Day

Seventeen years have passed since Dartford played on 19 December way back in 1998. An away trip to Corby Town ended with the Darts winning 2-1 in the Southern League Southern Division. Dartford haven’t played at home on 19 December since 1981, when they lost 3-0 to Dagenham in the Alliance Premier League.