Dartford will aim to get back to winning ways in the National South when they host Taunton Town at Princes Park this weekend
The Darts suffered a setback in their last game losing for the first time at home in the league since August. Excellent form against title challenging sides over the festive season put Alan Dowson’s team at the top of the division. Victory at Cheshunt took Dartford to four straight wins ahead of last weekend’s fixture against Hemel Hempstead Town. The Tudors lined up with former Darts, Craig King and Josh Hill at the back and Kory Roberts came on as a substitute, but Dartford could only breach the visitor’s defence once in a 3-1 defeat. Connor Essam equalised after Jack Westbrook gave Hemel Hempstead Town the lead. In the second-half Kyle O’Connor-Ajayi and Jeremie Mukendi made sure the points went home to Hertfordshire.
Dartford let a lead slip down in Somerset five months ago going on to lose 2-1 at Wordsworth Drive. Davide Rodari looked second best when he chased down Sam Odaudu’s long ball, but a mix up at the back between goalkeeper Jack Bycroft and centre half Dan Ball allowed Rodari to get between the pair, round the keeper and slot into an empty net. Another long ball caused problems with 15 minutes to go, this time for the Darts. Tom Bonner was caught out and substitute Dave Sims-Burgess took advantage to equalise. Then four minutes later another sub won it for the Peacocks, Ross Stearn poked home from close range.
Cup runs and recent poor weather in the southwest means Taunton Town have completed the fewest games in the National South. The Peacocks have played just twice in the league since their last home game on 3 December. One of two unbeaten teams at home in the division, Rob Dray’s side have only beaten the bottom two on the road picking up nine points in total from a possible 33 on their travels. A fortnight ago, they lost 1-0 down at the Crabble tasting defeat for the first time in six league games. Lloyd James spurned a chance from the spot to level when his spot kick was saved by Stuart Nelson. Former Dartford striker Alfie Pavey was the match winner for Dover Athletic.
In their previous away match the Peacocks won 3-1 on Boxing Day against struggling Weymouth. Zac Smith’s goal was cancelled out by Ahkeem Rose before half-time. A first goal from Lee Lucas put Taunton Town back in front and Nick McCootie’s excellent strike made it 3-1. That victory was the last of their best streak in the National South since promotion as Southern Premier League South champions, ending a period of three wins and two draws. During that spell, the Peacocks have also been in cup action going out to Yeovil Town in the Somerset Premier Cup and beating Slough Town in the F.A Trophy third round, to record their best ever run in the trophy.
Taunton Town’s reward for beating the Rebels was a draw at National League side Torquay United. After yet another postponement the game went ahead on Tuesday night when the Somerset side’s run came to an end. The Peacocks fought their way back from two goals down, McCootie and Jake Wannell restoring parity before the break. However, the second-half belonged to Torquay United who pulled away with two goals of their own to go through.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 0 / Taunton Town wins: 1 / Draws: 0
Current League Form
| Dartford (DWWWWL) |
Taunton Town (WWDDWL) |
||||
| Hemel Hempstead Town | H | 1-3 | Dover Athletic | A | 0-1 |
| Cheshunt | A | 3-1 | Weymouth | A | 3-1 |
| Ebbsfleet United | H | 4-0 | Braintree Town | H | 0-0 |
| Ebbsfleet United | A | 4-1 | Hemel Hempstead Town | A | 1-1 |
| Havant & Waterlooville | A | 3-1 | Cheshunt | H | 1-0 |
| Bath City | H | 0-0 | Tonbridge Angels | H | 4-1 |
Previous Meeting
Taunton Town 2 – 1 Dartford (20/08/2022 – National South)
Statistics
- The Darts have picked up the 31 points at home in the league, the most in the division
- Luke Coulson has had nine goal involvements in his last four appearances (two goals and seven assists)
- Taunton Town have yet to beat a side higher than them in the league away from home
On This Day
Ky Marsh-Brown set Dartford on their way in the Kent Senior Cup on this day three years ago. The midfielder scored the only goal of the game at Maidstone United in the second round, the Darts went on to belatedly win the competition. In a struggling campaign that ended in a reprieve from relegation, Dartford completed a double over Kidderminster Harriers seven years ago. Max Cornhill and Andy Pugh raced the Darts into an early lead before Michael Gash pulled a goal back. In 2012, Dartford won 3-1 at Hampton and Richmond Borough thanks to an Elliot Bradbrook brace and a Jacob Erskine header. The Darts are unbeaten in six on 21st January also drawing 2-2 with Waltham Forest in 2006, beating Dover Athletic 2-0 in 1992 to reach the county cup semi-final and won a F.A Trophy replay 3-2 against Carshalton Athletic the year before.