MATCH PREVIEW – Potters Bar Town v Dartford

Dartford go again on Tuesday night with a trip to Kings Langley to face Potters Bar Town in the Isthmian Premier.

The Darts will be hoping to build on the League Cup win over Erith Town and Saturday’s draw with Cray Valley Paper Mills. However, they currently sit bottom of the form guide having picked up just two points in the last six league matches. Tuesday’s reverse fixture against Potters Bar Town will provide an opportunity for Adrian Pennock’s side to avenge defeat to the Scholars back in August. Meanwhile, Max Mitchell’s team have recovered well from an opening day humbling to climb up to seventh in the table, five points ahead of Dartford.

Just under three months ago, the Darts were beaten in their home opener against Potters Bar Town, who had just been thrashed 8-0 on matchday one against Dover Athletic. At Princes Park, Dartford were unable to produce any clear chances in the first half, which helped the visitors grow in confidence. Just before conceding, the Darts had a warning when Ore Bello raced through on goal only to miss. Two minutes later Potters Bar Town went ahead through Steve Cawley for the only goal of the game. Although Eddie Dsane came close in the second half it was the visitors who took home all three points.

On the road, Dartford are unbeaten versus the Scholars in their two visits. Alex O’Brien inspired a comeback last time the Darts travelled to Potters Bar Town. The Isthmian Division One North title run-in was heating up in April 2008 and every point was crucial. The hosts were ahead after a couple of minutes when Sam Adejoken tapped in. In the second half Junior Dadson scored to heap pressure on the Darts. After a few positive substitutions, Jay May halved the deficit to give Tony Burman’s side hope. Then late on Adam Flanagan nodded the ball down to O’Brien to make it 2-2. A fortnight later Dartford were crowned champions.

On the weekend, Dartford’s winless league run continued stretching to six matches with the 0-0 draw at home to Cray Valley Paper Mills. Once again, the Darts drew a blank in front of goal whilst keeping a clean sheet, their second goalless draw in three league matches. Jacob Marsden returned in goal replacing David Aziaya, who kept a clean sheet in Dartford’s previous game against Erith Town in the League Cup. Adrian Pennock made eight changes to the side that progressed in the cup, but just four alterations to the team selected for the last league outing. As well as swapping the goalkeepers, in came Luther Williams, Oliver Box and Ade Yusuff. Midfielder, Tyler Christian-Law featured as a substitute on Saturday and he could face Potters Bar Town, one of his former clubs.

The Darts had to dig in defensively and did well to hold onto a point against Cray Valley Paper Mills. Assistant Manager, Roland Edge was pleased with the draw and spoke to Dartford FC TV after the game, he said: “You know what you’re going to get when Cray turn up. They are a very strong, physical, and well organised side, so we knew we was in with a tough day. The real pleasing thing, and I know everybody wants to score a goal, is that we kept another clean sheet. They threw everything at us, and I think we dealt with it really well”.

Edge believes going two unbeaten in all competitions lays a foundation for short term form to improve, he added: “We said to the boys ‘this is a platform’ and we’ve got to build from it. We’ve got to go to Potters Bar and get three points”.

Potters Bar Town had an attempt to put their heavy opening day defeat at home to Dover Athletic behind them on the weekend. This time the league leaders won by a three-goal margin without reply. Ruben Soares-Junior, Alfie Matthews and Francis Mampolo kept the league leaders on top, whilst the Scholars are now a point shy of the playoff places. In all competitions Max Mitchell’s side are winless in four having exited the F.A Trophy to Biggleswade Town and the League Cup on penalties against Cheshunt. In October, Potters Bar Town drew at Chatham Town and beat Cheshunt in the league.

Although recent form has been inconsistent, the Scholars put a run of positive results together starting with their Princes Park win in August. Potters Bar Town went on to win six of their next eight in the Isthmian Premier, including a 5-0 thrashing of early pace setters Lewes. Cawley, who netted the winner at Dartford has scored in five of the six league matches in which the Scholars have won.

Current League Form

Cray Valley (PM)	H	0-0	Dover Athletic	A	0-3
Wingate & Finchley	H	2-3	Chatham Town	A	2-2
Hendon	H	0-0	Cheshunt	A	1-0
Billericay Town	A	0-4	Lewes	H	5-0
Bowers & Pitsea	H	1-2	Whitehawk	A	0-2
Dover Athletic	A	1-5	Bowers & Pitsea	H	1-0

Head to Head

Dartford wins: 2 / Potters Bar Town wins: 2 / Draws: 1

Previous Meetings

Dartford 0 – 1 Potters Bar Town (13/08/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Potters Bar Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/04/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Dartford 4 – 0 Potters Bar Town (27/10/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Dartford 1 – 2 Potters Bar Town (11/03/2006 – Southern League Div One East)
Potters Bar Town 1 – 4 Dartford (08/10/2005 – Southern League Div One East)

Statistics

• Dartford are unbeaten in their two visits to Potters Bar Town (W1, D1)
• The Darts have kept four clean sheets in their last nine league games. The same number of clean sheets than their previous 36 league outings.
• Dartford have failed to score in three of the last four Isthmian Premier matches

On This Day

Dartford have won their last four league matches on Guy Fawkes. Two years ago they put on a fine display at Princes Park beating Braintree Town 4-1 with ten men. Charlie Sheringham’s penalty was the difference before Tom Bonner was sent off just past the hour. Luke Coulson scored a screamer, then the Iron pulled a goal back. The Darts need not worry though as Samir Carruthers scored twice in stoppage time.

Three years earlier, Dartford beat Hampton and Richmond Borough 2-1 on the road. Ky Marsh-Brown and Elliott Romain netted either side of the host’s equaliser. Jon Wallis and Jacob Erskine helped the Darts come from behind at Salisbury City in 2011. Whilst 19 years ago, Dartford defeated Aveley 5-1 in the Southern League Division One East.

Also on this day, Dartford faced higher league opposition in consecutive seasons. Both F.A Cup first round ties ended in a home loss. Swindon Town won 5-1 in 2017 and a year earlier Sutton United were 6-3 winners.

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