Post by dbbn on Jan 8, 2021 14:47:08 GMT
Match Preview
Vanarama National League South
Saturday 9 January 2021
Braintree Town v Dartford
Bottom placed Braintree Town entertain table toppers Dartford this coming Saturday. The Kent club have played 14 games, winning nine, drawing two and three defeats; amassing 24 points.
Manager Steve King took over the reins in October 2019 and took the Darts from fourth from bottom to the play-off final; where they lost to Weymouth and are well in the running to equal or better that this season. Despite that success, King has undertaken an overhaul of that squad with numerous players leaving and arriving.
Leading goal scorer for the Darts last season was Darren McQueen with 18 goals. That form saw him sign Dagenham & Redbridge this season. Elliot Romain who also netted 18 times (5 for Eastbourne Borough) last season.
The season didn’t start well for them when they lost their opening F.A. Cup fixture at home to Slough Town by one goal to nil. They were to avenge that defeat when they travelled to Berkshire for the F.A. Trophy. The game ended two-two with Dartford successful six-five on penalties. However, their trophy run came to an end in the next round when they lost one-nil at home to Haringey Borough.
Their home record this season reads P 8 W 5 D 1 L 2 GF 9 GA 5 Pts 16.
Their form in the last six League games has seen three wins (1-0 H v Tonbridge Angels, A 1-2 v Hungerford Town, 2-0 H v Slough Town), one draw (0-0 v Ebbsfleet United) and two defeats (3-1 A v Eastbourne Borough and 0-1 H v St Albans City).
Leading scorer is former Aldershot Town midfielder Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong with five goals followed by four players on two goals, Tom Bonner, Moussa Bakayoko, Jack Barham and Chris Dickson.
On the Darts books are former Iron players Josh Hill and Craig Braham-Barrett.
The teams did not meet at Cressing Road last season; the last time was on 8 August 2017. Brad Quinton’s first home game in charge saw an entertaining game against a much fancied Dartford team. Karl Oliyide opened the scoring for the Iron in the 34th minute. A through ball from inside Braintree’s half was played up to Phil Roberts, he spun his marker and fed Oliyide on the edge of the box where he ran on and slid the ball inside the keeper’s left hand post. Braintree doubled their lead nine minutes later when an Oliyide shot from outside the box was adjudged to have been handled; Billy Crook sent the keeper the wrong way.
The second half saw the visitors fight back with goals from Murphy and Bradbrook to take a point back to Princes Park (Highlights here: www.thenationalleague.org.uk/archive6517-match-info/match-centre/1-2850436)
Boss Maxwell’s early honeymoon period appears to be over with three League defeats on the trot. Last time out they took a well-deserved two nil lead against neighbours Chelmsford City, only to concede four goals on the second forty five minutes which consigned them to 21st spot in the table.
A much improved performance is required against the table toppers.
Vanarama National League South
Saturday 9 January 2021
Braintree Town v Dartford
Bottom placed Braintree Town entertain table toppers Dartford this coming Saturday. The Kent club have played 14 games, winning nine, drawing two and three defeats; amassing 24 points.
Manager Steve King took over the reins in October 2019 and took the Darts from fourth from bottom to the play-off final; where they lost to Weymouth and are well in the running to equal or better that this season. Despite that success, King has undertaken an overhaul of that squad with numerous players leaving and arriving.
Leading goal scorer for the Darts last season was Darren McQueen with 18 goals. That form saw him sign Dagenham & Redbridge this season. Elliot Romain who also netted 18 times (5 for Eastbourne Borough) last season.
The season didn’t start well for them when they lost their opening F.A. Cup fixture at home to Slough Town by one goal to nil. They were to avenge that defeat when they travelled to Berkshire for the F.A. Trophy. The game ended two-two with Dartford successful six-five on penalties. However, their trophy run came to an end in the next round when they lost one-nil at home to Haringey Borough.
Their home record this season reads P 8 W 5 D 1 L 2 GF 9 GA 5 Pts 16.
Their form in the last six League games has seen three wins (1-0 H v Tonbridge Angels, A 1-2 v Hungerford Town, 2-0 H v Slough Town), one draw (0-0 v Ebbsfleet United) and two defeats (3-1 A v Eastbourne Borough and 0-1 H v St Albans City).
Leading scorer is former Aldershot Town midfielder Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong with five goals followed by four players on two goals, Tom Bonner, Moussa Bakayoko, Jack Barham and Chris Dickson.
On the Darts books are former Iron players Josh Hill and Craig Braham-Barrett.
The teams did not meet at Cressing Road last season; the last time was on 8 August 2017. Brad Quinton’s first home game in charge saw an entertaining game against a much fancied Dartford team. Karl Oliyide opened the scoring for the Iron in the 34th minute. A through ball from inside Braintree’s half was played up to Phil Roberts, he spun his marker and fed Oliyide on the edge of the box where he ran on and slid the ball inside the keeper’s left hand post. Braintree doubled their lead nine minutes later when an Oliyide shot from outside the box was adjudged to have been handled; Billy Crook sent the keeper the wrong way.
The second half saw the visitors fight back with goals from Murphy and Bradbrook to take a point back to Princes Park (Highlights here: www.thenationalleague.org.uk/archive6517-match-info/match-centre/1-2850436)
Boss Maxwell’s early honeymoon period appears to be over with three League defeats on the trot. Last time out they took a well-deserved two nil lead against neighbours Chelmsford City, only to concede four goals on the second forty five minutes which consigned them to 21st spot in the table.
A much improved performance is required against the table toppers.