MATCH PREVIEW – Dartford v Cray Valley PM
Dartford search for their first league win in over two months when they host Cray Valley Paper Mills in Saturday’s Kent derby.
Since the opening day victory over this weekend’s opponents, the Darts have dropped to fourteenth in the Isthmian Premier. Meanwhile, the Millers have made a promising start in their debut campaign at this level. Adrian Pennock’s side can potentially complete a double over Cray Valley Paper Mills, but it’s Steve McKimm’s team who are in the better form occupying fifth place in the standings.
All of Dartford’s league triumphs came in August and the first one was on the road in the reverse fixture. Callum Jones scored on debut in the first half as the Darts began the season brightly. Dartford were handed an advantage after the break when Hassan Ibrahiym was sent off. Yet the hosts still managed to equalise through Tom Chambers. Then a moment of magic by Denzelle Olopade won Dartford the game when he curled home a shot from 30 yards.
The Darts are desperate to end a run of five league games without a win and start climbing the table. The last setback was a fortnight ago when they fell three behind in no time at all against Wingate and Finchley. Pennock’s side did manage to get two goals, but were unable to complete a comeback.
On Tuesday night Dartford finally put an end to a winless streak of seven without victory in all competitions. Returning to the Isthmian League Cup for the first time in 14 years they beat Erith Town by a solitary goal. Samir Carruthers scored from a free-kick after eight minutes. The first free-kick scored by the Darts since the midfielder netted one in August 2022 against Hemel Hempstead Town. Seven changes were made to the eleven that started in the last league game, including a debut for Nelson Ajayi, who has signed on a non-contract basis.
Cray Valley Paper Mills gave a good account of themselves on the opening day of the season despite defeat and that didn’t deter McKimm’s side. The Millers won their remaining games in August taking the accolades in the Cray derby, defeating Cheshunt 4-2, then picking up a pair of 1-0 victories against Folkestone Invicta and Carshalton Athletic. The Kent club closed out the opening month with progression in the F.A Cup.
Although the Millers failed to win any of their three league games in September and exited the F.A Cup, they returned to form in October. Last month goals at either end were abundant. After getting past Ramsgate in the F.A Trophy, Cray Valley Paper Mills drew 4-4 with Canvey Island and beat Chichester City 2-1 at home. The next three fixtures in all competitions yielded 18 goals with the Millers beating Bognor Regis Town 3-2 in the league, Sevenoaks Town 4-2 in the League Cup before getting knocked out in the F.A Trophy against Brentwood Town, losing 4-3.
On Tuesday night, McKimm’s men were in Kent Senior Cup action. Drawn against Isthmian Premier leaders Dover Athletic, the Millers exited the competition with a 3-1 loss that featured former Darts, Lyle Della-Verde, Andre Coker and Fumnaya Shomotun. Another former Dartford player, Marcel Barrington didn’t feature.
Shomotun originally joined the Millers on loan from Tonbridge Angels, now that deal has become permanent. He has already scored three in his nine appearances for the Millers. As a Dart he scored twice in 19 appearances last term. Della-Verde started 22 games for Dartford in 2017/2018 and made 12 appearances from the bench. Coker featured the season afterwards scoring three in 13 starts and 17 substitute appearances. Barrington only made two substitute appearances for the Darts in the 2019/2020 campaign.
Current League Form
| Wingate & Finchley | H | 2-3 | Bognor Regis Town | A | 3-2 |
| Hendon | H | 0-0 | Chichester City | H | 2-1 |
| Billericay Town | A | 0-4 | Canvey Island | A | 4-4 |
| Bowers & Pitsea | H | 1-2 | Hendon | A | 0-1 |
| Dover Athletic | A | 1-5 | Billericay Town | H | 1-1 |
| Chatham Town | H | 3-1 | Whitehawk | A | 0-2 |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 1 / Cray Valley Paper Mills wins: 0 / Draws: 0
Previous Meeting
Cray Valley Paper Mills 1 – 2 Dartford (10/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Statistics
- The Darts are four games without a win at home in all competitions
- This will be Dartford’s sixth Kent derby this season (W3, L2)
- Dartford have won just three of their last 17 home games in the league going back to November 2023 (D5, L9)
On This Day
Dartford are unbeaten in all four home matches played on 2 November. The last home match on this day was a 3-1 win against Gloucester City in 1966. Since then the Darts have played eight straight away matches on this day losing the previous one 1-0 at Concord Rangers three years ago in the National South. The last victory on 2 November came in 2019 when Norman Wabo and Elliott Romain scored at Eastbourne Borough.
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