Dartford are back in National South action this weekend hosting a Slough Town side unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions.
The Darts are starting to look more like their old self since the return of interim manager Tony Burman picking up two victories in their last three outings. Under Burman, Dartford lost to Dorking Wanderers but still managed to score three and followed up the improved performance with a pair of 2-0 wins.
In their last National South fixture Dartford managed to triumph on the road for the first time in ten attempts. Charlie Sheringham opened the scoring after four minutes and Alex Flisher scored his first for the club, whilst the defence kept a first away clean sheet since early February.
Dartford’s defence hasn’t been breached in the last 183 minutes of football. Another 2-0 victory over Isthmian Premier league side Horsham, in the second qualifying round of the F.A Cup, has seen the back line receive plenty of praise from Burman, he spoke to www.kentonline.co.uk and was impressed with the attitude of his players, he said: “We’re getting a bit of belief in the players, what they should do and how they should do it. I know we’ve got the quality in the squad it’s just bringing out the work-rate, that bit of hunger and desire. We put our bodies on the line and that attitude was great throughout the game”.
The Darts made one change to the side that defeated Concord Rangers with the young Cameron Brodie starting and Rob Howard making way, Lee Noble was suspended for a second game of his three match ban and will miss this weekend’s fixture against Slough Town. Darren McQueen retained his starting place and was rewarded by scoring the opener just before half-time, Luke Allen secured victory late on, helping Dartford earn a third qualifying round tie against Southern Premier League South side Blackfield and Langley. It wasn’t all comfortable for the Darts as Mark Smith’s inspired performance between the sticks kept Horsham at bay.
Slough Town increased their unbeaten run to nine with a F.A Cup win over Hellenic Premier League side Flackwell Heath last weekend. Ben Harris scored twice before Manny Williams sealed the deal in a 3-0 win. Joint Manager, Jon Underwood claimed his team were ‘very professional’, he told www.sloughtown.net: “These games are never easy, but our attitude was spot on”.
In the National South, the Rebels got off to a poor start losing their opening three matches all by single goal margins. However consecutive draws steadied the ship and since then Slough Town’s season has taken off. The Berkshire club have taken 16 points from their the last 18 available making them the second best team over the last six fixtures, only table toppers Wealdstone are showing better form.
Last season, Andre Coker earned Dartford a point at home when they hosted Slough Town. The visitors took the in the first half with a fine striker from Josh Jackman. The return fixture saw the two sides draw again, this time the score was 2-2. Ben Harris scored in the first minute, Ben Greenhalgh equalised and Darren McQueen netted on his debut. The Rebels were all square again courtesy of Sean Fraser as the match ended with the sides taking a point each.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 3 / Slough Town wins: 0 / Draws: 2
Current League Form
| Dartford (WLLDDW) | Slough Town (WWWDWW) | ||||
| Concord Rangers | A | 2-0 | Hampton & Richmond | H | 3-1 |
| Dorking Wanderers | H | 3-4 | Eastbourne Borough | A | 2-0 |
| Tonbridge Angels | A | 2-3 | Hemel Hempstead Town | H | 2-0 |
| Hemel Hempstead Town | H | 1-1 | St Albans City | H | 1-1 |
| Hungerford Town | A | 2-2 | Dulwich Hamlet | A | 3-2 |
| Braintree Town | H | 2-1 | Bath City | H | 3-2 |
Last Five Meetings
| 16.02.2019 | Slough Town | 2 | Dartford | 2 |
| 08.12.2018 | Dartford | 1 | Slough Town | 1 |
| 01.10.2016 | Slough Town | 2 | Dartford | 3 |
| 29.10.1988 | Slough Town | 1 | Dartford | 2 |
| 10.01.1981 | Dartford | 4 | Slough Town | 1 |
Stats
Dartford have never lost to Slough Town winning three and drawing two of the five meetings stretching back to 1981.
In each game between the two sides both teams have scored, leading to an average of 3.8 goals per game.
On This Day
This weekend will be Dartford’s seventh home game in a row played on 28 September in which they have won three and lost three. The Darts most recently beat Southport in the National League six years ago thanks to Adam Birchall’s winner. Previously Dartford lost a pair of Southern League East matches in 2004 against Chatham Town (1-0) and in 2002 they lost 2-0 to Histon. In 1998, the Darts defeated Bashley in the Southern League South and year earlier they went out at the F.A Cup second qualifying stage versus Staines Town. Whilst in 1996, Dartford beat Fleet Town 1-0, also in the Southern League South.