After exiting the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday, Dartford turn their focus back to their battle for survival, as they host Hemel Hempstead on Non-League Day.
The Darts were denied a shot at regional silverware during the week, with a much-rotated side edged on penalties by Maidstone United. This marked Dartford’s fourth consecutive loss against the Stones in this season alone, but manager Adrian Pennock has maintained that his focus is solely on the task at hand in the league.
It provided a good chance for players lacking minutes to start, and saw appearances for academy players Jeremiah Pinder, Finley Sillince and Jayden Boulton. Olly Box also started for the first time since late February.
It is very possible that an addition is made to the Dartford squad before Saturday. Speaking to Kent Sports News last weekend, Pennock stated that Billy Terrell’s sending off may force his hand to recruit a new goalkeeper, but he did not disregard the possibility of upgrading in other areas of the pitch. The Darts will also be without winger Brandon Barzey, who is away on international duty with Montserrat.
Saturday’s game against Hemel presents the return of a few familiar faces to Princes Park. Alan Dowson was dismissed from his post at Dartford in early January but has recently returned to management in an interim role with the Tudors.
Former Dartford player Pierre Fonkeu will also make a return to DA1, after being signed by Dowson just last week on loan. The forward scored ten goals for the Darts last season but departed to join playoff winners Oxford City in the summer.
Hemel, much like Dartford, find themselves threatened by the potential of relegation. The Tudors have failed to win in the league since January 23rd and sit six points outside the drop zone.
Their position has been slightly helped by Torquay United, who were recently docked ten points for intending to appoint an administrator. This subsequently shifted Hemel to 17th in the league. However, the task still remains for them to secure their status in the division.
The two managers boast an identical recent record heading into the clash. Since their appointments, they have lost all three of their opening games in charge, with Dowson’s run without a win technically stretching back to Boxing Day.
In terms of the two sides’ head-to-head record, Hemel bested the Darts earlier in the season at the Vauxhall Ground, and have also been the better of the two sides (historically) when meeting, winning 14 of the 33 encounters.
Saturday marks not only Non-League Day, but a day of remembrance for Dartford’s co-chairman Dave Skinner, who sadly passed away on Wednesday.
Dartford Football Club would not be where it is today without him, and he was widely regarded as ‘Mr. Dartford’. He will be missed dearly in and around the club, and Kent Sports News sends the best of wishes to Dave’s family and friends.
Kick-off is at 3:00pm on Saturday, with tickets now reduced to £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Admission for Under 18s is free.