The Blues got 2025 underway on Saturday, in freezing conditions at Chatham Town. It was a disappointing result, but not without green shoots of optimism that the current tough run of results will come to an end sooner rather than later. On Saturday we welcome Dartford to the Maurice Rebak Stadium for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Our Opponents
Dartford were relegated from National League South last year to return to the Isthmian Premier League for the first time since 2009/10 when they won the league as champions. In the last 15 years, the Darts have spent time in both the National League South and National League. In 2012/13, Dartford finished as high as 8th in the National League in a season that saw them do the double over recent Premier League side Luton Town. In 2014/15, while our neighbours Barnet were crowned champions of the National League, the Darts were relegated back to the National League South. Since then, Dartford have been a permanent fixture at Step 2, albeit coming very close to a return to the National League, facing playoff heartbreak on a couple of occasions.
So far this season, Dartford have 48 points from 25 games (W14 D6 L5) which puts them in 4th place of 22 in the Isthmian Premier League; ten places and 17 points above the Blues, with the Darts having played one more game. Dartford started the season very strongly with four wins from their opening five games, however during September and October, results took a turn and there were a number of losses (Dover 5-1, Bowers & Pitsea 2-1, Billericay 4-0 and against the Blues 3-2) in quick succession which saw the Darts drop as low as 15th in the table. In fact, that defeat against Wingate & Finchley back in October was the Darts' last league defeat, with their form since that match being (P15 W10 D5), coming into Saturday's game on the back of six consecutive wins in the league.
Head to Head
Earlier in the season, we took a 3-2 win away from Dartford, with the Blues taking a 3-0 lead within 25 minutes thanks to a brace from Andronicos Georgiou and a goal from Ben Frempah, before the Darts threatened to stage a comeback in the second half through goals from Olly Box and Ade Yusuff, but the Blues held on to take all three points, in Ahmet Rifat's 100th game in charge.
Last Time Out
Dartford have been on an excellent run, unbeaten in 15 league matches since that loss to Wingate & Finchley back in October. The last six matches have all been victories for the Darts, the most recent of which being a 4-1 win over Whitehawk on the 4th January.
The Blues come into this clash in quite different form, without a win since the 2-0 win at Whitehawk back in November. In the run since that game, there have been two draws and seven defeats in the league, the most recent of which being that 3-1 loss at Chatham on Saturday. Despite the tricky run, the Blues continue to score plenty of goals, averaging more than a goal a game in that spell.
Players To Watch
Dartford's goals this season have been spread around their side, however the top scorer is teenage midfielder Olly Box. The 19 year old has come through the Darts academy set-up, and broke into the first team in the National League South last season, making 19 appearances for the club including six goals. This season, Box has continued his progress with 11 goals in all competitions, including one against the Blues back in October.
A familiar name in the Darts squad is centre back Michael Olarewaju. Olarewaju played 26 games for the Blues in the 22/23 season, joining the club from Cheshunt before going on to play in the National League South for the likes of Dover Athletic and Eastbourne Borough, before joining Dartford earlier this season.
For the Blues, last week we welcomed Benjamin Watt to the club. Watt can play either in midfield or defence, and spent time in the youth set-up of Tottenham, Oxford Utd and finally Norwich City. He has also spent time out on loan at the likes of Braintree Town, before joining Concord Rangers at the start of this season. He made his debut off the bench against Chatham last weekend and I'm sure Blues fans will be looking forward to seeing more of what he can do. Welcome Benjamin!
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
Comments