It’s a common occurrence in a North Kent derby these days for there to be much more to play for than ‘mere’ local pride. Fans of both the Fleet and Dartford can recall very few clashes in recent memory where there’s nothing riding on the game for one if not both sides.
That couldn’t be more true than for the next two derby games as we have the added spice of a first v second place encounter this Boxing Day. And Dartford supporters will be hoping to swap those placings round by the time the New Year’s Day return fixture comes by. It’s also the first time in six years that the clubs will contest matches on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day following the Covid interruptions of the past couple of seasons.
Fleet’s three games in hand mean this match is perhaps not quite so evenly proportioned as the equal points totals in the league table would have you believe – but with Dennis Kutrieb’s side having lost one of their games in hand earlier this week, Dartford will be eyeing both derby fixtures as the opportunity to whittle that advantage down further. For the Fleet, the next seven days is the ideal time to put daylight between them and the chasing pack.
“We’re good enough to create chances, we’re just not putting it in the back of the net,” said the Fleet boss after his side’s Cheshunt reverse. “It’s not like it’s ‘Oh, we have no chances’ – we still have the chances to win games. We need to grow from these defeats and do better as a team. It’s a great game of football on Monday, a derby, everyone is up for it and we’re looking forward to it regardless of [Tuesday’s] result. It’s a great challenge and a great game to bounce back.”
Kutrieb was hoping to see key figures such as Chris Solly and Greg Cundle nearer a return to fitness – while Josh Wright is back in training – and returning players he believes will be able to shake up the team selection options.
It will be the German manager’s fourth North Kent derby with experience of all results to date in that time – a win, a draw and a defeat. For opposite number Alan Dowson, it’s his first such match although he has plenty of head-to-heads with the Fleet from his time at Hampton & Richmond Borough and Woking – but will certainly be looking to improve on a personal record of four draws and four defeats against us.
Dowson has maintained Dartford’s position among the top three or four clubs in the division that he inherited from Steve King, though his style and approach are very different. He also inherited a number of players from last year’s Darts squad including the likes of Tom Bonner, Luke Allen, Jordan Wynter, Keiran Murtagh and Connor Essam – although they are likely to be the only players to feature from the last time the clubs met back in February.
So it’s a Dartford side very much with Dowson’s own stamp on it already, with his signings including former Fleet midfielder Luke Coulson as well as strikers Pierre Fonkeu and Davide Rodari. The familiar face of another former Fleet man, Charlie Sheringham, made a third return to the Darts this summer as did Alex Wall from Havant. Elsewhere, Dartford have made use of some promising youngsters hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Dave Martin, Cody McDonald and Ebou Adams, with Sam Odaudu earmarked for a future breakthrough.
Dowson has relied on loanees to supplement his side, with goalkeeper Archie Mair from Norwich succeeding another loanee between the posts, Wolves’ recently injured Joe Young. Outfield, there are also former Oxford United midfielder Malachi Napa, who has joined temporarily from Wealdstone, and Jack Smith from Stevenage – while Darts academy product Marvin Herschel this week joined Margate on loan.
These games are always close affairs – you have to go back six years to find the last time that both sides scored in a derby match and further back by a whole decade to discover the last time somebody won by more than a single-goal margin.
Below: action from last season’s corresponding fixture:
MATCHDAY SMALL PRINT ——–>
ONLINE SALES
Our online ticketing sales platform at fleetlive.club has tickets available until 12.00pm on matchday. We would, however, strongly advise pre-purchase for both your and our convenience in gaining admission to the ground, especially for this Boxing Day match which will likely see extra demand at our ticket windows.
On-the-day ticket sales are available from the windows by main reception, accepting card and cash payments. Turnstiles open at 1pm but they will only accept online tickets (printed out or on your device) and tickets bought at the windows on matchday.
This game is segregated with Dartford supporters entering the turnstiles at the Swanscombe End only
MAIN STAND BAR
All home supporters are welcome in our Main Stand and Social Club bars. To access the Main Stand bar, enter through the turnstiles and walk the length of the gangway in the Main Stand to the door at the Swanscombe (uncovered) End. There is signage pointing you in the direction. Dennis Kutrieb does a pre-match teamsheet run-through. Post-match music entertainment from Josh Hassell is free after the final whistle.
CATERING OUTLETS
Check out our food stalls (to the left of the main turnstiles entrance, there is our Würtsel Haus German sausage experience and straight ahead as you enter the ground is the Manhattan Grill for all your burger, hot dog and more needs!). Pop-up bars are also situated near to the turnstiles and by ‘Geeks Corner’ between the Plough End and old stand. We have a Hofmeister popup to be found in the marquee between the main turnstiles entrance and the Main Stand. For Dartford supporters, there will be access to refreshment, food and a can bar.
CAR PARKING
Car-parking as per usual on matchdays is available at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C for £3. Please have the correct change if possible to aid our parking staff and again, we would recommend an early arrival. Please note that the areas near to Northfleet Station, namely Railway Street and Hamerton Road, are resident/permit-only parking and non-valid vehicles will be ticketed. The area on Thamesway before the roundabout as you approach the Kuflink Stadium is a designated clearway – though that is not particularly apparent as you approach – so you are advised not to park here because of the risk of being ticketed.
*PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE CURRENTLY ROADWORKS AND THREE-WAY TRAFFIC-CONTROL LIGHTS IN OPERATION BY UK POWER NETWORKS OUTSIDE THE GROUND. PLEASE LEAVE EXTRA TIME FOR YOUR JOURNEY*
MATCHDAY PROGRAMMES
If you wish to purchase your programme in advance for collection from our club shop before you enter the ground, you can do so either via our online shop or when booking your matchday tickets online.
Programmes are also on sale at the ground from the club shop, the popup bar as you enter the turnstiles, the Main Stand tea kiosk or in the Social Club behind the Plough End, costing £3. Advance-order programmes will be available to pick up from the club shop before the game and before you enter the turnstiles.
