After going into the final day of the Isthmian League season with a chance of winning the title, Dartford remain in the division for at least another season, after a frustrating season finale at Princes Park. 

After beating Cray Valley 4-3 in an epic Semi Final win, Ady Pennock’s side played host to Jake LeBerl’s Dover Athletic, after they had stunned Billericay Town in the other semi-final.

It proved to be 90 minutes too far for the Darts as Dover won promotion after second half goals from Rueben Soares Junior and Alfie Matthews sealed a 2-0 win for the visitors. 

“It’s a massive disappointment for us,” Pennock admitted to KSN as we spoke to a frustrated Darts boss as Dover received their commemorative medals after the game.

“But I just want to say congratulations to Dover on their promotion, and I wish them all the best for next season. Yes, we are disappointed, but I am so proud of every single one of my players and I just want to wish them congratulations and the very best for next season!” 

After arriving at Princes Park at the end of their relegation season from the National League twelve months ago, Pennock started pre-season with a brand-new squad and the Darts boss admitted, “We have been punching above our weight all season and in the end, it was just one game too many I suppose!” 

“But make no mistake, we will take a lot of memories out of this year. Wednesday (the 4-3 win in the semi-final over Cray Valley PM) was absolutely amazing and I just want to thank every single one of the players and the supporters too – I just would like to wish them all the best!” 

“We didn’t give our supporters enough to sing about this afternoon,” Pennock admitted. “Away fans always seem to sing more and that’s what the Dover fans did today, we’ve been in football a long time and that does happen, but we needed to give them something to cheer this afternoon.”

“If we had scored a goal, it would have lifted the roof off this place, but then they scored a penalty which summed up a very bitty game I thought.” 

“No complaints from me about the penalty,” Pennock admitted, “Nor the one that we didn’t get shortly afterwards, neither were penalties in a million years!” 

Reflecting on the season as a whole, Pennock admitted, “I have loved every minute of it,” but when we asked if he’d do it again and have another go next year after getting to the play-off final, Pennock would only answer, “Ask the board!”