Football – England – Blue Square Premier
Saturday 1st December 2012 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Mid-table Tamworth take play-off candidates Dartford at their Princes Park ground on Saturday afternoon as the hosts look to record their first league win in six matches.
Tamworth have recently suffered straight away defeats at Hyde and Macclesfield Town but perhaps more of a concern are recent home losses to Ebbsfleet United and Grimsby Town and since then they’ve taken points off Cambridge United and AFC Telford, but that’s two points taken out of a possible eighteen.
The Lambs’ home record stands at 2-2-6 7/12, and you won’t be surprised that they are the lowest goalscorers at home in the BSP. Scoring goals has been a problem for them and in fact they’ve failed to score in their last three home matches which is starting to become a bit of a problem.
Forward Adam Cunnington (12 goals) is Tamworth’s obvious main goal threat, so if Dartford can keep him quiet then they’ll go a long way towards getting at least a point here today.
Onto Dartford then, and the Kent outfit have lost just once in their last five matches in the BSP which was a 0-1 home loss to Forest Green Rovers who are above them in the play-off pack and possess one of the best away records in the division.
Dartford have recently beaten the likes of Grimsby Town, Mansfield Town and pre-season title favourites Luton Town who currently sit in 6th place. Away from home, The Darts have been solid in recent weeks and have strung together a five match unbeaten run including wins at Braintree Town and the aforementioned Grimsby & Luton results.
Importantly, Dartford have kept clean sheets in their last four matches on their travels and given Tamworth’s recent goalscoring problems this could give the visitors an edge here today. Dartford’s away record stands at 4-2-3 10/8 and along with second placed Wrexham they have the best away defensive record in the league.
Goals and assists have been shared around at Dartford with Elliott Bradbrook (6 goals, 4 assists), Danny Harris (3 goals) and creativity supplied largely by Ryan Hayes (2 goals, 6 assists) and Mark Arber (3 assists).
Tamworth have suffered a dip in form while Dartford continue their consistent performances along with possessing more attacking options built on a sturdy defence – I’ll take Dartford with the round ball in case it’s a draw but they do have a good chance of taking all three points here today. Could be a 2-0 win for The Darts.
Pick: Dartford AH0 (Draw No Bet) @ 1.93 Pinnacle
