Dartford manager Steve King expecting plenty of twists and turns in the National League South run-in

By: Matthew Panting mpanting@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 13 February 2020

Manager Steve King admits the National League South run-in could turn out to be a rollercoaster for Dartford.

The Darts have gatecrashed the play-off places after a blistering turn of form around the turn of the year.

Dartford boss Steve King Picture: Keith Gillard

They’ll look to bounce back at Billericay this Saturday after a home setback to Hampton last weekend.

Dartford remain in the final play-off spot and King knows there will be plenty of twists and turns during the final 12 games of the season.

“We’ve got Wealdstone at home, Bath at home, Weymouth at home,” said King. “Plus we’ve got to play the likes of Havant, Maidstone and Hemel Hempstead.

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“That’s why I keep saying it’s one game at a time.

“You may have a good week and two sides above you are playing each other so they can’t both win.

“It’s going to be up and down now, just like a rollercoaster. We could fall out with a defeat and then win the next week and be back in it.

“This is what you manage for. If you’d said that we’d be in this position with 12 games remaining 15 matches ago, I would have bitten your hand off.

“The boys have gone on an unbelievable run. When I came in we were a win one, lost one, side, and we were thinking about staying up.

“Now we’ve lost three games in 12 which is great form.

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“There’s no pressure on us. We’ve over-achieved from where we’ve come from.

“We’ve done well to be in with a shout. We’re just going to take each game as it comes. The beauty is that everyone in and around the play-off places has to play each other again.”

Dartford visit a Billericay side who are undefeated at home this season, despite only winning two league matches since the end of August.

However, problems with their New Lodge pitch means the Essex outfit have only played 11 home matches so far.

King doesn’t expect Billericay to change the way they play on home soil – and sees no reason why Darts should alter, either.

“The thing about them is that they try to play as well,” said King. “They play 4-3-3, the same as us.

“They beat Wealdstone at home recently and drew with Slough so it’s going to be tough.”

Elliott Romain is suspended after his red card against Hampton last weekend but Amrit Bansal-McNulty returns from his one-match ban and Jordan Wynter is also available after resuming training.

Norman Wabo has left Dartford after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.