The Sports will be seeking home comforts tonight as they return to Priory Lane after three away league games in a row.

The 2-2 draw with Welling United feels a lifetime ago… well, just over a month ago actually. 

A terrific win at St. Albans City has been sandwiched by below-par defeats at Taunton Town and Weymouth, and Mark Beard will need the home crowd to get behind his side tonight as they look to get back to winning ways.

The Sports have also had a lengthy injury list to contend with, with new signing Callum Kealy sidelined after an injury in training just days after impressing on debut at Clarence Park. Alex Finney will also be absent for a few months after suffering with a meniscus injury.

But there is good news, with Brad Barry and Jack Clarke both coming back into contention. We will wait and see if they’re available for tonight, but the weekend is looking a more realistic aim for the injured duo.

Opposition Watch

After winning just two of their first ten games, Dartford have come to life in recent weeks. Under Alan Dowson, the Kent outfit have won four of their last five across all competitions.

Joash Nembhard scored twice for Dartford as they saw off Havant & Waterlooville – under former Darts boss Steve King – on Saturday at Princes Park.

That win lifted them up to tenth in the National League South standings – and three points for them tonight may see them get into the play-offs.

Last Time Out

The Sports travelled to Weymouth full of confidence after coming from behind to beat St Albans City before they had a week off. But things didn’t go to plan in Dorset, with the hosts taking a 2-0 lead into half-time.

Although Fletcher Holman pulled a goal back after coming off the bench, the Sports were then caught on the break with the last kick of the game as the hosts sealed a 3-1 win.

However, Borough know that on their day they can beat the best at this level. They just need to discover that consistency that has so far been lacking.

Head to Head

Games between the two teams have been closely fought over recent years, with one win each in last season’s meetings. The Sports came from behind to get a 2-1 win when the teams last met back in April at Priory Lane – Leone Gravata and Luke Pearce on target for Borough after Harvey Bradbury put the visitors in front at half-time.

The Darts won the first game at Princes Park by the same scoreline in September 2022. Gravata put Borough in front that night in Kent, but goals from Samir Carruthers and Luke Allen gave Darts a 2-1 win in Kent.

Both teams have also enjoyed big wins at Priory Lane. Dartford ran out 7-2 winners at the Lane in May 2022, whilst the Sports thrashed the visitors 6-0 in April 2019. Charlie Walker scored a hat-trick that afternoon for the Sports, who were under Mark McGhee at the time.

Ticket Information

Tickets are available for purchase from the ticket office at the front of the ground. Programmes are also on sale from the club shop and around the ground. Turnstiles are open from 6.30pm.