The arduous finale to the Peacocks’ first season in the Vanarama National League South continues with two lengthy trips in the next two days beginning with a first ever visit to Dartford tomorrow evening (13th April), ko 7.45pm.
The original game was postponed in January due to a frozen pitch and with so many other fixtures to rearrange, the game had to be planned for an untypical Thursday evening. Cue a journey to Kent tomorrow.
Three consecutive wins have lifted Town twelve points clear of the bottom four and with six fixtures left to play a further four points will make relegation a mathematical impossibility regardless of results elsewhere, goal differences or any other variable thrown into the mix. Whether they can chip off some of that target tomorrow evening remains to be seen against a Darts side in second spot, two points clear of third placed Oxford City with two games in hand, and who are in prime position for the play-offs to determine who accompanies Ebbsfleet United up to the National League. Since recording a comprehensive double against the League champions over the Christmas period, Dartford’s form has been variable with six wins, five losses and four draws but crucially they have won their last two matches at Princes Park against Dulwich Hamlet and Dover Athletic, two sides not out of the woods as far as relegation is concerned so all being well the Peacocks will not complete the hat trick tomorrow.
Town will be aiming to secure their second League double of the campaign after beating the Darts at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium in August. Nat Jarvis returns to the squad after completing his three game ban, but Lee Lucas is missing as he sits out the second of his four game suspension. Despite this being his side’s 11th game in less than five weeks Head of Football Rob Dray is ready, commenting:” It is another huge effort with players having to take days off work before we go back to London again on Saturday, something which doesn’t compute with the Leagues and governing bodies when they talk about the integrity of the league competition. We’re looking forward to the challenge tomorrow, it’s a great place to go and we will go there with belief after winning our last three games and having done well during the last few weeks with such a small squad. If we can maintain the same levels, we are more than capable of keeping our little run going.”
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: Adults £15, Concessions (65 and over, students, unemployed, registered disabled) £10, 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.
Last meeting: the Peacocks gained their inaugural win in the National League South when they defeated Dartford 2-1 back in August. Davide Rodari gave the Darts a first half lead before Town bounced back after the break via Dave Sims-Burgess and an own goal from Keiran Murtagh. Relive the match highlights HERE