After two weeks without kicking a ball in anger, the Peacocks will finally return to action when they travel to Dartford in the Vanarama National League South tomorrow afternoon (24th February), ko 3.00pm.
Since being beaten at St Albans City a fortnight ago, Town have seen three successive home games postponed and during that time their predicament one place above the relegation zone has worsened. Welling United’s convincing 4-1 victory over Worthing on Tuesday night closed the gap between them and the Peacocks to just one point albeit the Kent side have played three games more while Eastbourne Borough also secured three points in midweek to lie a further two points further back.
Tomorrow’s opponents Dartford are also well within the clutches of the bottom four. Having made last season’s Play-Offs, they were again regarded as being among the favourites for promotion this time around, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Having sacked manager Alan Dowson last month, the Darts recorded their first win in six games with a 2-1 success at Dover Athletic last weekend. A midweek defeat to Slough Town though leaves them perched precariously in 18th place, four points clear of Town but with four more games having been played. A win for Taunton, who have beaten Dartford in all three of their previous meetings, tomorrow would be monumental then as they look to clamber away from the bottom four. To bolster their ranks, the Darts have recruited striker Ibby Akanbi on loan from St Albans City today and the Peacocks will need no reminding of his ability after he scored City’s sixth goal in their victory two weeks ago.
Ollie Chamberlain, Nick Grimes and Zac Smith all return to the Town squad after missing the St Albans game. Head of Football Rob Dray remarked:” It will be good to get back to playing as momentum is now key. The last game is forgotten and it’s vital we now focus on our remaining 17 fixtures and do our utmost to get something out of each one starting with tomorrow as we realise how important this game is.”
Traveller Info
Ground: Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT
Ground to Ground: 175.4 miles (via A303/M25)
Directions: leave M25 at Junction 2 (Darenth Interchange) before the Dartford Tunnel and continue up slip road to the roundabout controlled by traffic lights. Take first exit onto Princes Road (A225). Straight ahead at next roundabout (Leigh City College on left, BP Garage on right). Ground is on left hand side adjacent to David Lloyd. Continue downhill to traffic lights and turn left into Darenth Road. Entrance to Princes Park is 2nd left.
Admission: match tickets can be purchased online in advance HERE or at the gate priced Adults £16, Concessions £11 (over 65’s, students, unemployed, registered disabled), Youth (13-17 yrs) £5, Juniors (5-12 yrs) £2, Under 5’s Free. Children aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult or concession.
Match Commentary: live commentary will be available on Peacocks Radio
Last meeting: the Peacocks won the earlier encounter between the sides this season at Wordsworth Drive in early September courtesy of a second half goal from Dave Sims-Burgess. Relive the match highlights HERE