Match Preview: Dartford (A) – Saturday 29th October 2022 – 15:00
After a disappointing game on Tuesday, the Terras will be looking to bounce back as we take on Dartford at Princes Park tomorrow afternoon.
Manager Bobby Wilkinson spoke to us ahead of the game:
On preparations: “Training has been positive since our last game, we’ve prepared well for what will be a challenge tomorrow afternoon. We must give it our all, pick up some points and achieve a positive outcome.”
On what he expects from Dartford: “It’s a really tough place to go against a very physical and demanding team doing very well in the league. We will need to match them in that department, but also do what we know we can do. We want to zip the ball around with confidence, enjoy the game, enjoy competing, in order to get something out of the game tomorrow.”
On how the squad has reacted after Tuesday: “It was a bad day at the office Tuesday, simple as that. We have done what we always do which is brush ourselves down, move on, focus on the next challenge. The confidence hasn’t gone at all, we’re ready, we’re in buoyant spirits and we’re getting set for a big challenge tomorrow.”
On team news: “No Nathan Carlyle tomorrow as he serves his suspension. No other injury concerns, everyone is fine and raring to go. We’re looking to try and bring in one or two soon if we possibly can, just to boost the squad a bit.”
@TerraStatman’s Facts of the Match
We last faced The Darts in the FA Trophy last season. Then our opponents exacted revenge for our dramatic penalty shoot-out National League South playoff win seventeen months before, Jack Jebb scoring the only goal of the game.
That FA Trophy revenge defeat was the first loss against our Kent hosts in seven matches, ending a run of six successive victories going back 25 years.
A few famous Terras names have played for both teams over the years including Tommy Henderson, Ron Fogg & Ray Tumbridge. More recently Pierre Fonkeu & Jordan Greenidge have featured in both dugouts, with Pierre still in the Dartford squad today.
Weymouth fans may also remember with disdain a certain Charles Sheringham, who is currently enjoying his fourth spell at Dartford. He is now 34, but Terras fans may recall that back in 2009 the young “Charlie” (as he was then known) scored FIVE goals against us in a 6-2 win for his then team Bishop’s Stortford!
Concentrating on our current squads, it’s just Blair, Murray & Rose still in the Claret and Blue squad today from those that played in the cup exit.
Despite mixed form of late the Terras will be hoping to extend their good recent form on the road as we currently boast consecutive away wins. A third victory on the team bus in league and cup would be a first time achievement in almost three years!
#UpTheTerras
