CAFC vs Dartford FC – Preview
Carshalton Athletic take on Dartford away at the Princes Park Stadium in the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday.
Carshalton Athletic
Peter Adeniyi’s side will be aiming to build on a promising start to the season, having collected six points from their first three matches thanks to impressive victories over Cray Valley and Billericay, despite a setback against Lewes.
Dartford
Dartford will be looking to register their first win of the season, having picked up just one point from their opening three matches against Dulwich Hamlet, Billericay, and St Albans.
Dartford were handed a challenging start to the season, beginning with a 4–0 defeat in front of over 2,000 spectators at Dulwich Hamlet. They followed that with a 1–1 draw at home to title favourites Billericay at Princes Park, before falling to a 2–0 loss away at recently relegated St Albans City.
Last season, Dartford came within touching distance of an immediate return to the National League South. After a thrilling 4-3 victory over Cray Valley in the playoff semi-final – secured only after extra time – the Darts faced Dover Athletic in the final. Despite a strong effort, Dartford were defeated 2-0 by Dover, who themselves secured their immediate return to step 2. That narrow loss has left the team hungry for redemption as they look to build on last season’s strong finish and push for success in this campaign.
Head to Head
Dartford travelled to Colston Avenue last August and came away with a 1–0 win, courtesy of a first-half goal from Eddie Dsane. Interestingly, Carshalton’s current goalkeeper Matt Kerbey was in goal for Dartford that day, joining the Darts on a one-month emergency loan. He impressed with a number of key saves to help secure a clean sheet.
The return fixture, however, was a much different affair. Played on the final day of the season at Princes Park in front of a crowd of over 1,800, Dartford entered the match sitting third in the table, level on points with rivals Billericay and Horsham but behind on goal difference. A win, combined with favourable results elsewhere, could have crowned them champions on home soil. But Carshalton, then seventh in the table, produced a dominant display to run out 4-1 winners. Goals from Kola Salami, Bryan Ifeanyi, and a brace from Nabeel Ghannam denied Dartford the chance to win the title and saw them finish third, heading into the playoffs.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Kerbey, Shonibare, Ernest, Atewologun, Sankoh, Janneh, Saunders-Henry, Bradford, Ifeanyi, Smith, Salami
Dartford
Henly, Odaudu, Smith, Whitefield, Jones, Olopade, Smith, Box, Williams, Dsane, Pinder
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Lawrence Ernest made his debut for the Robins in the win over Billericay and could be in contention for another start. Nabeel Ghannam is also nearing a return to fitness after picking up a knock against Lewes. With Monday’s home fixture against Chichester City on the horizon, manager Peter Adeniyi may opt to rotate his squad to keep players fresh for the quick turnaround.
Dartford
Michael Olarewaju was sent off in last weekend’s match against St Albans, so it is yet to be confirmed whether he will serve his suspension in the upcoming game against the Robins.
Pre-Match Analysis
With Dartford finishing third last season and narrowly missing out on promotion in the play-off final, and Carshalton falling just six points short of a top-five spot, both sides will be aiming to mount a serious push for promotion this time around. A big crowd is expected at Princes Park, and with both teams boasting plenty of creative talent, this promises to be a closely contested and entertaining encounter. Picking a winner won’t be easy—but goals and excitement look almost guaranteed.
Key Player
Olly Box was one of Dartford’s standout performers during the 2024–25 season, emerging as a key figure in the club’s promotion push. A product of the club’s academy, Box made huge strides in his first full senior campaign, finishing with 12 league goals in 37 league appearances, as well as playing in the playoff semi-final and final. His ability to drift into dangerous areas, link play, and score crucial goals made him a constant threat in the final third.
The Gaffer
Adrian Pennock’s managerial journey has taken him from the lower tiers of English football to the Premier League sidelines and even to success abroad. After ending a solid playing career – most notably with Gillingham, where he captained the side to promotion at Wembley – Pennock took his first managerial role at Welling United in 2005. During two seasons in the Conference South, he guided the club to strong finishes, earning a reputation for building competitive teams on limited resources. His work caught the attention of Tony Pulis, who brought him into the backroom staff at Premier League Stoke City, where Pennock served as first-team coach for six years and gained valuable experience at the top level of the game.
In 2013, he returned to frontline management with Forest Green Rovers in the National League. During his time there, he led the club to their highest league finishes at the time and established them as serious promotion contenders. His achievements led to a return to Gillingham in 2017 as head coach in League One. Though his time there was brief, it marked another step up in his career. He then moved to Barrow in the National League, where he successfully steered the club clear of relegation. In 2019, Pennock took on a new challenge overseas, managing Brunei’s DPMM FC in the Singapore Premier League. His impact was immediate, leading the team to a league title in his debut season – a significant achievement in a competitive, fast-paced league.
In March 2024, Pennock was appointed Dartford manager. He wasn’t able to keep the club in the National League South, but stayed on for 24-25 following the club’s relegation. He oversaw a full squad rebuild, injecting professionalism, structure, and belief into the team. His efforts were rewarded with a third-place finish in the Isthmian Premier Division and a play-off final appearance in his first full season. He was named Manager of the Month in December 2024 after a strong run of results and, in May 2025, committed his future to the club by signing a contract extension. Known for his strong leadership, tactical adaptability, and ability to turn clubs around, Pennock has brought renewed optimism to Princes Park and continues to drive Dartford forward with ambition and clarity.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 23rd August 2025
Venue: Princes Park Stadium, Dartford, DA1, 1RT
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adult £15, Concession (Over 65 & Age 17) £10, Youth (13-16 years) £5, Junior (U12) Free
Tickets: buy tickets here
