Dartford can put more distance between them and Concord Rangers this weekend if they complete a league double over the Essex club.
The Darts welcome the Beachboys to Princes Park knowing victory could potentially move themselves up into the top ten. Earlier this season, under the guidance of Tony Burman during his interim spell, the Darts beat Concord Rangers away from home to end a run of nine away games without a win. Charlie Sheringham opened the scoring after four minutes and Alex Flisher scored the second to claim all three points.
Unbeaten in their last three meetings against the Essex side at Princes Park, last season finished all square on home soil. Former Concord Rangers midfielder, Ben Greenhalgh netted against his former club only for Jack Midson to equalise. The Beachboys were reduced to ten men, however the Darts were unable to take advantage. Dartford had won the previous two home meetings before that 2-0 in August 2017 and 2-1 in September 2016.
Steve King will be hoping to achieve something the Darts have been unable to do this season, win consecutive home games. Last weekend the introduction of some new faces helped his side claim only a second league win at home by beating Billericay Town 3-2. Second choice goalkeeper Alhaji Sesay made his debut replacing Mark Smith, whilst Jordan Gibbons made way for new loan signing Rowan Liburd, who joined from Hereford. The striker’s performances for Billericay Town five years ago earned him a move to the Football League. The 27 year-old went on to play for Wycombe Wanderers, Stevenage and Leyton Orient. More recently he represented Hemel Hempstead Town and Guiseley before joining Hereford. On the substitutes bench Kyjoun Marsh-Brown returned from injury and made an appearance, whilst another new signing Miloud Djouaher came on to make his debut. Once again Elliott Romain continued his goalscoring streak taking his tally to seven goals in just nine games for the Darts.His double helped Dartford secure three points after Darren McQueen opened the scoring in the 3-2 triumph.
McQueen spoke to DFCTV after the game and commented: “We did really well to get the three points. We had to grind it out in the second half”, he added: “We all came together as a collective, the shape was very good as well, defensively we were hard to play through”. He continued: “Our home form hasn’t been the best, so this was the win we needed and we need to carry that on”.
Meanwhile, Concord Rangers were in F.A Trophy action and would have been Dartford’s opponents had they not been knocked out by Maidstone United. The Beachboys took on the Stones in the first round and it was music to Concord’s ears at full-time, although the afternoon didn’t begin too well. Maidstone United were two up inside twenty minutes, but Kit Elliott gave Concord Rangers hope before half-time. In the final eight minutes Lamar Reynolds equalised then Danny Green struck to complete the F.A Trophy comeback.
In the National South it hasn’t been particular great on the road for the Essex club losing their last four on their travels, yet their home form means they are just a point behind the Darts in the league standings. Danny Scopes will lead his team out at Princes Park with a degree of confidence after his side recorded consecutive victories. Before the 3-2 win over Maidstone United, the Beachboys claimed an impressive 5-0 triumph over Eastbourne Borough, in that starting eleven was former Dart, Billy Roast.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 5 / Concord Rangers wins: 2 / Draws: 3
Current League Form
| Dartford | Concord Rangers | ||||
| Billericay Town | H | 3-2 | Eastbourne Borough | H | 5-0 |
| Dulwich Hamlet | A | 1-1 | Wealdstone | A | 0-3 |
| Bath City | A | 0-3 | Dorking Wanderers | H | 3-3 |
| Maidstone United | H | 2-2 | Bath City | A | 1-3 |
| Hampton and Richmond | A | 2-1 | Hemel Hempstead Town | H | 3-1 |
| Eastbourne Borough | A | 2-0 | Havant & Waterlooville | A | 1-2 |
Last Six Meetings
| 14.09.2019 | Concord Rangers | 0 | Dartford | 2 |
| 26.01.2019 | Dartford | 1 | Concord Rangers | 1 |
| 14.08.2018 | Concord Rangers | 2 | Dartford | 0 |
| 06.01.2018 | Concord Rangers | 1 | Dartford | 1 |
| 15.08.2017 | Dartford | 2 | Concord Rangers | 0 |
| 11.03.2017 | Concord Rangers | 1 | Dartford | 1 |
Stats
In the last ten league games at Princes Park both teams have scored. Dartford last failed to score in the league at home on 13 April 2019 against Chippenham Town, whilst their last clean sheet was on 9 March 2019 in the 2-0 win versus Gloucester City.
In all competitions, the last five games involving Concord Rangers has seen 24 goals at an average of 4.8 goals per game.
On This Day
Dartford’s last home win on this day was back in 1974 when they beat Cambridge City 3-0 in the Southern Premier League, since then they have only played one more time at home. The 1991 Southern Premier League clash with Moor Green ended in the away side beating the Darts 3-1. Therefore, the visit of Concord Rangers will be the first time Dartford have hosted a team at Princes Park on this day. The last fixture on 21 December finished in a 2-1 loss at Alfreton Town six years ago in the National League and in 2002, Dartford hammered 5-0 at Histon in the Southern Division One East.