I love playing in The FA Cup. It has given me some of my best memories in football and I’m looking forward to making more of them on Saturday, says Dartford captain Elliot Bradbrook

DARTFORD’S influential captain Elliot Bradbrook says he wants to make some more FA Cup memories tomorrow.

The Darts play Sutton United in The Emirates FA Cup First Round at Princes Park and go into the game in confident mood. Tony Burman’s side are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, winning their last nine.

Dartford’s run of impressive results have seen them rise up the Vanarama National League South table into sixth-place on 29 points from their 15 league outings, level on points with their bitter-rivals Ebbsfleet United, who occupy the final play-off berth.

Paul Doswell’s Sutton United won the National League South title last season and are a respectable thirteenth-place in the Vanarama National League table with 25 points from 18 league games.

Dartford defeated Oxford City 1-0 last weekend, courtesy of striker Andy Pugh’s sixth goal of the season.

“It was another good result but should have been a lot more comfortable,” said Bradbrook, who leads the Darts goaslcoring charts with eight goals.


Photo: Dartford FC

“We created lots of opportunities in the second half but didn’t kill them off, which led to a nervy last 10 minutes, but it was another good win.

“We are obviously on a great run of form and results.  If feels good to turn up every week almost expecting to win, as it has not felt like that for a few years.

“We are playing well at the moment but there is no need to get carried away – we need to keep going.

“The aim for this season is to get into the play-offs and that is no secret and from what I have seen so far we are more than capable of doing that.  We are well placed at the moment but we need to make sure we stay consistent over the next few months to be in contention.”

Dartford play one level below Sutton United these days and central midfielder Bradbrook wants to create more memorable FA Cup moments for himself and his club.

Bradbrook reached a proud milestone of scoring his 100^th goal for the club when Dartford came away from Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division leaders Slough Town in a 3-2 win in the Third Qualifying Round. 

He said: “It is great to be back in the First Round but we have a very difficult task ahead on Saturday.

“Sutton were by far the best team in our league last year and deserved to win it.  Now they are going well in the league above.

“We are the underdogs but every now and then the underdog wins so we will see.

“I love playing in The FA Cup. It has given me some of my best memories in football and I’m looking forward to making more of them on Saturday.

“The mood in the camp is very good and it has been for a long time now and that has been helped by our results.  We are a close group, we work hard and we expect to win football matches.  That is a recipe for success.”

Visit Dartford’s website: www.dartfordfc.com

Dartford  v  Sutton United
The Emirates FA Cup First Round
Saturday 5^th November 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, DA1 1RT