The March edition of Dartford Living Magazine is out now. However, if you’re unable to locate your free copy, here is the latest edition of Walking With The Darts:
Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things related to Dartford FC, courtesy of Dartford Living Magazine.
Since I last wrote in these pages, things have been progressing extremely well within the Dartford First Team camp. Six league fixtures have been completed in that time, with the team collecting sixteen points from a possible eighteen.
That means that the Darts are on an incredible unbeaten run of 21 league games, a run which has seen us climb to the top of the Isthmian Premier League table. During this run of fixtures, Ady Pennock’s side recorded an amazing 10-game winning streak, which was ended by a 0-0 draw in the rescheduled match against Chichester City on Tuesday (11th of February) night.
However, we returned to winning ways away at struggling Hendon, who gave us a big scare in the first-half in particular. But, the team rallied to turn the game around to register a 3-2 victory… our tenth away from home and our eleventh win in twelve games.
The excellent run of form will also be remembered for Dartford’s comprehensive 4-0 hammering of fellow-title-challengers Billericay Town, which saw us claim first place in the league for the first time this season. We now sit a point above Billericay, in what is an extremely tight top five. And we intend to remain there, as we travel to another struggling side (Cheshunt) this weekend.
One thing that Ady Pennock has created this season, is a team that shares the goals. No fewer than thirteen players used this term have scored so far, with Olly Box leading the pack with 13 goals in all competitions to date.
The chasing pack sees Callum Jones (11), Eddie Dsane (10), Samir Carruthers (8), and both George Whitefield and Denzelle Olopade with six goals. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jacob Marsden has been in fine form and has picked up eleven clean sheets in all competitions so far.
Over in the Dartford FC Women’s camp, things are equally as successful so far. The weekend just gone saw the ladies defeat Bromley Ladies via a penalty shootout following a thrilling 2-2 draw to register a place in the Kent Cup Final (again!). Shauni Griffiths and Beth Powell were the goalscorers, before a 64th minute goal from the visitors saw the game go to penalties. They missed their fifth spot-kick, whereas Paris Smith netted to send the Darts through.
Connor Dymond and Martin McCarthy’s outfit are on form in the league as well, and currently sit at the summit of the London & South-East Regional Women’s Football League table with 38 points from fifteen games. That’s a record of 12 wins, 2 draws, and just the one defeat! The ladies are unbeaten at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park, and have conceded on only two occasions. On the road, meanwhile, they have won four of their six fixtures, conceding just four goals.
The latest league fixture saw the Darts thump Sutton United 5-0, in which both Brionne Fowle and Lizzie Adams scored twice, with Emily Vaughan netting as well.
Chana Hinds and Co have scored an incredible 49 goals in league competition this season, of which Amy Russ has scored 20. Following behind the goal machine is Shauni Griffiths (14) and Emily Vaughan (13), while Brionne Fowle has scored seven goals.
It’s certainly going to be an exciting few months on all fronts, as we reach the business-end of the season. So please do come to support all our teams and help to get the stadium bouncing!
Please remember to keep an eye on all teams’ progress via our social media platforms and the official club website throughout the season. And as always, thank you for your continued support and thanks for reading.
By Chris Palmer