PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Dartford FC versus Torquay United – National League South

Venue: Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park Stadium

Date: Saturday 25th November 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 2

Draw: 2

Dartford: 0

FORM GUIDE

Torquay: L, L, W, L, W, W

Dartford: L, W, L, W, L, L

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (9)

Dartford: Harvey Bradbury/Luke Coulson (5 each)

DARTFORD FC FACTFILE

Year founded: 1888

Nickname: The Darts

Last season’s league finish: 2nd in National League South

Dartford notable honours:

Isthmian League:

Premier Division Champions: 2009-10

MANAGER – ALAN DOWSON

Gateshead-born Alan Dowson appeared in the Football League for Millwall, Fulham, Bradford City and Darlington before first dropping into non-league football with Slough Town in the 1993-94 season. He took up his first managerial post in 2004 when he was appointed as player- manager at Walton and Hersham and in his first season in charge they finished as runners-up in Isthmian League Division One.

In 2007, he moved on to Kingstonian who he guided to promotion from Isthmian League Division South in the 2008-09 campaign. He remained in charge of the K’s until 2014 and during this time they twice missed out on promotion to National League South through the Isthmian League play-offs – in the 2009-10 and 2013-14 seasons – before he resigned to spend more time with his family.

His next managerial port of call was with Hampton and Richmond in September 2014, who he would later lead to the Isthmian League title in the 2015-16 season. He was then appointed as manager of Woking in the summer of 2018 and led them to promotion from the National League South via the play-offs.

He was sacked in February 2022 and became the boss of the Darts in the following summer. He guided the club to second place in the National League South last season, but they lost out in the play-offs.

DOWSON STATS

Date of Birth: 17/06/70 (53)

Appointed: 1st July 2022

Other Clubs Managed: Walton, Kingstonian, Hampton, Woking

PLAYER TO WATCH – HARVEY BRADBURY

The son of former AFC Bournemouth and Eastleigh manager Lee Bradbury, Harvey Bradbury initially joined the Darts on loan from Dorchester Town in March 2023 before making the deal permanent in the summer – after scoring six times in 10 appearances.

After starting his career with his father’s former club Portsmouth in 2016, Harvey has also had spells with Watford, Oxford United (another of his dad’s ex sides) and Millwall.

Following his departure from the Lions in 2020, he had stints in non-league with Oxford City, Welling United and Gosport Borough prior to his move to the Avenue Stadium to join Dorchester in 2022.

BRADBURY STATS

Position: Striker

Date of Birth: 09/11/98 (25)

Place of Birth: Fareham

Height: 1.91m

Former Clubs: Portsmouth, Havant, Watford, St Albans, Hungerford, Oxford Utd, Woking, Millwall, Morecambe, Oxford City, Welling, Gosport, Dorchester

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Dartford: Paul Rooney

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (4-1-3-2)

Mark Halstead

Shaun Donnellan – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey – Dylan Crowe

Brett McGavin

Dillon De Silva – Asa Hall – Callum Dolan

Bradley Ash – Theo Williams

Dartford (3-4-3)

Ryan Sandford

Baris Altintop – Joash Nembhard – Moussa Diarra

Sam Odaudu – Archie Woods – Luke Allen – Tyrell Miller-Rodney

Luke Coulson – Harvey Bradbury – Bradley Barzey

LAST MEETING

Saturday 16^th March 2019, Torquay United 2 Dartford 0

A brace from Jamie Reid helped to keep ten man Torquay United firmly in the National League South title race as they saw off play-off chasing Dartford.

After an even start in windy conditions, the Gulls were reduced to ten men on 13 minutes when Jean Yves Koue Niate was dismissed for a professional foul on Dartford’s Darren McQueen.

The visitors then looked to make their one-man advantage count as Ryan Hayes blasted over in the 21^st minute.

However, despite their numerical disadvantage, the Gulls took the lead in the 28^th minute when Reid struck with a deflected effort after the Dartford defence failed to successfully clear a corner from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

In the closing minutes of the half, Saikou Janneh and Kalvin Kalala both tested Dartford keeper Bailey Vose before McQueen cleared the bar for the visitors.

Four minutes into the second half, Dartford were denied an equaliser when Joe Healy had a shot blocked on the line by Lemonheigh-Evans.

On 54 minutes, Reid scuffed a close range shot wide following good work from Kalala and Janneh.

United doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute when Vose parried a long range strike by Janneh and Reid quickly pounced on the rebound to score his 29^th goal of the season, which ultimately proved to be enough to seal all three points.

COYY – STEVE

OPPOSITION Q&A – MUDDY LUCK

Hi there, tell us a bit about yourself and how long have you supported the team?

I travel up from Christchurch, Dorset & have supported the Darts since I was a lad, 44 years.

How’s your recent form been?

We’ve struggled to find consistency this year with numerous injuries not helping.

What’s your highlights this season so far?

Season highlight for me so far is beating Worthing 4-3 away last week with a last minute winner.

Who are your key players and why?

Our team is built around our outstanding captain Luke Coulson.

Tell us about the manager and how does he like to set the team up?

We are are managed by Alan Dowson (Dowse) who works hard promoting our Juniors, Academy & Ladies teams as well as managing the first team.

What’s your likely line up?

I would expect a similar line up to last game against Braintree with maybe Luke Allen who came of the bench coming back into the midfield.

Where’s best for pre-match refreshments?

There are two big bars upstairs which give a panoramic view of the pitch, so you are able to see the pre-match warm ups. There are burger bars both inside & outside the ground. For those looking for a pub, The Ivy Leaf is a short walk.

Which opposition teams and players have impressed most?

I think the Conference South is a very competitive league this year but expect Yeovil to continue on from their good start. I would expect Torquay to mount a challenge & hopefully the Darts battling for a play off spot.