Dartford FC manager Steve King refuses to set National League South play-off points target
Published: 06:00, 20 February 2020
Dartford boss Steve King is refusing to set a points target to reach the National League South play-offs.
King’s team occupy the final play-off position as the battle to finish in the top seven heats up - but he’s not going to predict how many more wins Darts need to book their place.
“There’s no points target,” said King, speaking before Bath’s midweek win at Maidstone. “I think three places are taken up already with Wealdstone, Slough and Havant.
“Weymouth are more or less in there as well in my opinion but after that the next three places are available.
“I’ve looked at everybody’s fixtures and everyone has tough games still to play.
“We’ll just take one game at a time and tick each one off. We have to try and win as many as we can.”
Dartford will be keen to collect three points against Eastbourne Borough at Princes Park this Saturday with leaders Wealdstone the visitors the following week.
Among the play-off hopefuls, many of the teams face each other on Saturday so it’s an ideal opportunity for King’s squad to gain ground.
Not that the Dartford boss will be taking anything for granted against an Eastbourne side who have drawn their last six matches - including games against Weymouth, Chelmsford and Slough.
“Eastbourne have drawn their last six games on the bounce but if you look at the teams they’ve played they’re all the top sides,” said King.
“They will be hard to beat, well organised and it will be a tough game.
“We’ll be without Elliott Romain which is a big blow, even when he hasn’t been scoring goals he has been causing mayhem.
“We have to play our football and go on the frontfoot. We won’t change what we have been doing and we know that we’re more than capable of beating anyone.”
King has an interesting selection to make this weekend with Liam Nash and Charlie Sheringham hoping to replace the suspended Elliott Romain, who misses out on facing his former club after his red card against Hampton.
Midfielder Jordan Wynter and Lee Noble are also pushing for starting spots and King knows that every member of his squad will be utilised in the coming months.
“It’s a matter of timing and games, we’re playing with three in the centre of midfield and everyone brings something different to the team,” said King.
“They’ve all got a part to play, it’s horses for courses and different games. It’s a good issue to have, I don’t want to be scratching around for players.”
Dartford’s trip to Billericay was, unsurprisingly, postponed last Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch. The game has been re-arranged for Tuesday, March 24.
“Obviously we always knew that we were up against it so we felt it was going to be called off knowing the ground there,” said King.
“You don’t want the game to be a lottery. I know they try to pass the ball as well so you want to play it when the weather is better.”
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Matthew Panting