The Peacocks will be aiming to make it five Vanarama National League South games unbeaten when they welcome Dartford to Wordsworth Drive tomorrow (2nd September), ko 3.00pm.
Since being beaten at Aveley in their second match of the season, Town have picked up a point apiece on the road at Weymouth and Maidstone United which has sandwiched two home wins over Welling United and St Albans City, making it three victories from three on home turf. Last Saturday’s thrilling last gasp win over St Albans was fully deserved and the Peacocks will know they will need to operate at a similar level or better to send the Darts home pointless tomorrow when it is hoped the football fans of Taunton will come out in large numbers to support their local side.
The Kent side finished in second spot last season but lost out in the semi-finals of the Play-Offs to St Albans, and they seemed to be suffering a hangover when the 2023-24 campaign got underway after failing to secure a win from their opening four games, with a defeat at Weymouth going alongside three home draws with Bath City, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Farnborough. The Bank Holiday weekend though saw them get back on track with six points, a 1-0 success at Aveley being followed by a 2-0 win over Dover Athletic on Monday. Experienced manager Alan Dowson has reinforced his squad with the captures of Baris Altintop from Braintree Town to replace defensive stalwart Tom Bonner who has retired while other new faces include striker Lewis Manor from Concord Rangers, and a trio of players from Havant & Waterlooville, namely defenders Paul Rooney and Joash Nembhard and midfielder Tyrell Miller-Rodney while winger Brandon Barzey has arrived from Hampton & Richmond.
Head of Football Rob Dray names an unchanged squad from Monday’s outing to Maidstone. He remarked”: We’ve had a great week in the league, but I realise that you can quite easily lose three in a week no problem, so we stay grounded. Dartford are a major force in this league with a legendary manager in Dowse, but we are in good spirits and have a great togetherness which counts for a hell of a lot in this league. It would be great to get a big crowd in as apart from Aveley the lads have had a great start to the season so that extra support can only help us achieve more.”
A scan on Dan Ball’s knee has revealed no operation is needed so he will just require some further recuperation to let the bruising on the bone settle while more good news sees Jay Foulston return to full contact training next week.
Matchday Information
Turnstiles, Bars, Club Shop and Refreshment Outlets open at 1.00pm
Matchday tickets are available to purchase in advance online HERE
Admission is also payable by card or cash at the turnstile, priced at £14 for Adults, £11 for Concessions (state pensioners & Students with ID), £5 for Youth (13-18 years), £2 for Juniors (6-12 years). Children aged under 6 are free with paying adult.
Printed Match Programmes will be available to purchase tomorrow from the Club Shop.
The programme is also available to read online HERE
Match commentary will be available on Peacocks Radio HERE
We extend our grateful thanks to tomorrow’s Match Sponsor Paul Elliot Smith – Graphic Design
We welcome our Matchday Mascots tomorrow Ruishton Under 7’s
Last meeting: the Peacocks recorded the League double over the Darts last season, following up a 2-1 home victory in August with a 1-0 success at Princes Park on 13th April thanks to Cameron Evans’ late winner. Relive the match highlights HERE