A glimmer of survival hope is beginning to flicker for the Darts and next up is another ‘six pointer’ away to Southport.

Dartford’s away form is keeping the side within a chance of staying in the Conference Premier; the Kent side are now four unbeaten on the road. Southport are in equally good form having lost just once in their last seven outings, which has included four draws.

Tony Burman’s side have just nine games remaining and are nine points behind Southport and Alfreton Town, their next two games. With the game in hand also on the horizon at the end of the month, the picture at the bottom could look very different as the season approaches the Easter period.

After a last minute home defeat against Alfreton Town, the Darts looked down and out until a mid-week victory at Chester. An inspired performance by goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim contributed to the three points despite falling behind. Oliver McBurnie gave the hosts the lead with a header in the second half. Within a minute the scores were level when Nathan Green scored his second of the campaign when he poked home the equaliser. Harry Crawford hit the woodwork for the Darts and as the game looked as if it was heading for a draw, it was Dartford’s turn to net a last minute winner. Danny Harris claimed the decisive goal despite other sources claiming Kingsley James had put through his own net.

In what will be the sixth meeting between the two clubs, there is little that separate the teams head to head. Dartford are yet to taste victory up in Merseyside against Southport and just over a year ago were brushed aside 3-0. Goals from Danny Hattersley, Jason Walker and Osayaman Osawe made sure the Sandgrounders took maximum points.

Two years ago, the Darts managed a 2-2 draw which saw Harry Crawford score his first goal of his second loan spell with the club. Andy Owens equalised for the hosts but Tom Bonner had Dartford back ahead. Southport equalised when Shaun Whalley scored from the spot to share the points. Burman has also led Dartford to one victory and two draws back at Princes Park with the fixture earlier this term ending 1-1.

Southport have finished consistently over the past three seasons and their current placing of nineteenth shows no change. The Sandgrounders have blown hot and cold this campaign, unbeaten runs such as the six without loss in October and November have contrasted with twice losing four in a row. At present the Merseyside club are on a decent streak unbeaten in four with just one goal conceded.

Two players at opposite ends of the pitch are impressing at Haig Avenue. Richard Brodie, the clubs top scorer on 11 goals this season turned his loan deal into a permanent contract in the summer. At the back Luke Foster has made impressive performances picking up the most man of the match awards for Southport this term.

Team News

Goalkeeper, JasonBrown and striker Andy Pugh have been out with hamstring injuries but Pugh is likely to return. Tom Bradbrook is out with a groin injury and older brother Elliot Bradbrook is one caution away from a suspension.

Southport will be without Joe Thomas who has returned to Bury following his month’s loan. Meanwhile Joe Connor is making good progress recovering from injury and could be added to the squad for the weekend.

Head to Head

Southport wins: 1 / Dartford wins: 1 / Draws: 3

Current League Form

Last League Meeting at Haig Avenue

1 March 2014 – Southport 3 Dartford 0 – Att: 1041

Goalscorers: Hattersley (12), Walker (71), Osawe (78)

Southport Lineup: Hurst, Fitzpatrick, Flynn, Nsiala, George, O’Sullivan, Brown, Ledsham, Walker, Osawe, Hattersley (subs used: Challonor, Brodie, Mukendi)

Dartford Lineup: Julian, Collier, McAuley, Mitchel-King, Burns, Cornhill, Stevenson, Bradbrook, Woodyard, Harris, Wall (subs used: Clark, Noble, Suarez)

Match Stats

Previous Meetings

Stats

15 – number of goals Southport have scored at home, the lowest home total in the league

44 – league games since Dartford won consecutive matches

49 – Richard Brodie has been caught offside the most number of times in the Conference Premier this season

72 – Southport have received the most yellow cards this term

On This Day

Since reforming, Dartford have played twice on 21 March and lost on both occasions. Fifteen years ago, the Darts lost 4-1 in the Southern League Southern Division to Folkestone Invicta. The most recent loss was in the Isthmian Premier League in 2009 when they were beaten 2-0 by AFC Hornchurch.

The Darts will be involved in another crucial Conference Premier fixture this weekend, hosting a Southport side unbeaten in five games.

It’s been a fine week for Dartford with the F.A Cup win at Bromley earning the club a second round tie away to Bradford City, the Darts will appear in round two for the first time in thirty years. Just days later, a second victory in three days took Tony Burman’s side above their mid week opponents Welling United and today’s visitors Southport to move out of the relegation places.

On Tuesday night, a rare first half league goal put the Darts ahead after good work down the right by Ryan Hayes and Danny Harris. Welling United’s Chris Bush cut out Harris’ cross which fell kindly to Max Cornhill, the midfielder from outside the box struck a well taken shot beyond the Wings goalkeeper to net his second league goal this season.

Early in the second half it took substitute Harry Crawford just six minutes to double the Darts lead. Hayes was involved again when his cross found Crawford who headed in the second goal. England C international, Jake Gallagher picked up a second caution for Welling United leaving his side with ten men. The visitors pulled a goal back late on when Harry Beautyman scored once again against Burman’s side. In the final minute Welling United were reduced to nine when Chris Bush retaliated on Lee Noble. Dartford move up to nineteenth spot with their first league win in seven attempts.

Consecutive triumphs for the first time this campaign has also seen the Darts progress in the F.A Cup. Having fallen behind in the first half against Conference South side Bromley, Harris and Hayes scored within ten minutes of the restart. The hosts equalised a minute later, Moses Ademola capitalised on Jason Brown’s error. Elliot Bradbrook’s header was nudged home by Harris, Danny Waldren then made it 3-3 before brother Tom Bradbrook scored the winner in a dramatic encounter.

Last season, in the third ever meeting between Dartford and Southport, the Darts recorded the first win. A 1-0 victory at Princes Park followed consecutive 2-2 draws in the previous campaign. Preparations in the home match against the Sandgrounders last term were hardly ideal with goalkeeper Alan Julian stuck in traffic, Mitchel-King was close to starting the game in between the sticks. Fortunately, the afternoon improved for Tony Burman when just past the half hour mark, Elliot Bradbrook got on the end of Lee Noble’s corner only for Southport goalkeeper Danny Hurst to parry the captain’s shot. Striker Adam Birchall followed up the rebound to secure three points for Dartford.

The Sandgrounders have picked up form after slipping into the bottom four at the beginning of October. Results led to the sacking of former Hereford United boss Martin Foyle, in charge at Haig Avenue for just 14 games winning only three. Four defeats in a row sealed Foyle’s fate and after a 5-2 loss at home to Woking new manager Gary Brabin was appointed.

Brabin has history with the Merseysiders after managing the club for two months in 2008, before moving on to Cambridge United and Luton Town. The 43 year old also represented Southport as a player eight years ago.

Since Brabin’s return Southport are unbeaten in league and cup earning three draws and two wins. Similar to last season, the Sandgrounders have taken advantage against teams around them in the league. Braintree Town and Welling United were beaten 2-0 and 1-0 respectively and a 3-3 draw versus Lincoln City plus a 2-2 stalemate with Dover Athletic either side the two victories completes the league run. In the F.A Cup first round last weekend Southport travelled to East London and held League Two side Dagenham and Redbridge to a 0-0 draw.

Southport boss Brabin was content with the progress shown since his appointment, he told www.southportfc.net after the draw last weekend: “Our lads produced a really good, professional performance. We’ve been working on a number of things since I’ve been at the club and I thought it was evident today. Over the past few weeks we’ve had good periods in certain games but today we saw a really good ninety minute performance. We defended well, we had some really good spells of possession, we worked hard and were disciplined. It as a really thorough performance and the longer the game went on the more likely I thought we were to get the winner. A lot of people watching today would not have been able to tell the difference between the two sides and this result will give the lads a lot of belief going forward”.

Team News

Tony Burman gave new signing Callum Driver a debut from off the bench, the former West Ham United defender put pen to paper hours before the Welling United game. The 22 year old played nine games for Conference South side Whitehawk before being released last month. Defender, Mat Mitchel-King, who pulled out of the entertaining 4-3 F.A Cup first round win at Bromley during the warm up, didn’t feature on Tuesday night. Tom Bradbrook, the match winner last weekend was also missing from the mid week squad. Lee Burns who has suffered from a rib injury this term was replaced with three minutes to go in the Kent derby against Welling United. Rory McAuley is one caution away from picking up a one match ban.

Southport defender Clayton McDonald will serve the third match of his suspension. Scott Kay and Luke Foster have picked up four yellow cards this term and another against Dartford will rule them out of their next match.

Head to Head 

Dartford wins: 1 / Southport wins: 1 / Draws: 2

Current League Form

Last League Meeting at Princes Park

28 September 2013 – Dartford 1 Southport 0 – Att: 1025

Goalscorer: Birchall (32)

Dartford Lineup: Julian, Clark, Fry, Burns, Bradbrook, Noble, Collier, Woodyard, Hayes, Harris, Birchall (subs used: Cornhill, Ibemere, Prior)

Southport Lineup: Hurst, Smith, Akrigg, Challoner, Fitzpatrick, Brown, Chalmers, Milligan, Ledsham, George, Osawe (subs used: Almond, Hattersley, Irie-Bi)

Match Stats

Previous Meetings

Stats

1 – Dartford led at half time in the league for the first time this season on Tuesday night. Max Cornhill’s goal meant the Darts went into the break against Welling United 1-0.

2 – Harry Crawford’s goal on Tuesday night was the first time in the league this term the Darts had a two goal cushion.

50 – Harry Crawford made his 50th Dartford appearance in the 4-3 F.A Cup win at Bromley. The striker, now in his third spell with the club has started 33 games and made 17 substitute appearances scoring 20 goals (excludes the Welling United game)

250 – Danny Harris will make his 250th appearance in a Darts shirt if he features this weekend. Harris has started 182 times, made 67 substitute appearances and has netted 66 goals.

00:57 – the number of seconds gone when Southport conceded against Dover Athletic, the quickest goal scored this campaign.

94:57 – the Sandgrounders have also conceded the latest goal when Jamie Jackson of FC Halifax Town scored.

Dartford travel up to Merseyside on Saturday determined to finish above their relegation rivals Southport by the end of the afternoon.

The Darts enter the weekend a point behind the Sandgrounders who themselves leap frogged Tony Burman’s side on Tuesday night. Since returning to the Conference Premier, the Darts have yet to fall behind against the Merseysiders. In the two meetings last term both fixtures finished 2-2 with Dartford leading four times. The last visit to Southport saw Harry Crawford score his first goal of his second loan spell with the club. Andy Owens equalised for the hosts but Tom Bonner had the Darts back ahead. The Sandgrounders equalised when Shaun Whalley scored from the spot to share the points.

This season’s match at Princes Park could have seen defender Mat Mitchel-King starting in goal. With Alan Julian stuck in traffic, Derren Ibrahim and Tom Welham were unavailable for selection. Luckily, Julian arrived in time and the pre match preparations didn’t deter the Darts. Just past the half hour mark, Elliot Bradbrook got on the end of Lee Noble’s corner only for Southport goalkeeper Danny Hurst to parry the captain’s shot. Striker Adam Birchall followed up the rebound to secure three points for Dartford.

On Tuesday night satisfaction turned to disappointment at Princes Park with the Darts going agonisingly close to picking up a valuable three points. With the first half coming to an end, Aldershot Town goalkeeper Glenn Morris upended the impressive Alex Wall. Morris was red carded for his foul in the box and captain Elliot Bradbrook netted his seventh league goal of the season. The Shots, needing the points as much as Dartford, waited until two minutes from time to snatch a 1-1 draw. Brett Williams took advantage of the space given to him and hit a fine long range effort past Alan Julian. The 26 year old striker has now scored 18 in the Conference Premier this term. Despite ending the evening with a draw the Darts are now unbeaten in their last six league matches.

Meanwhile up in Merseyside, Southport moved up the league standings with a 2-1 triumph over playoff chasers Grimsby Town. John Coleman’s side had to come from behind to jump out of the relegation zone when Grimsby Town’s Lennell John-Lewis opened the scoring. The Sandgrounders hit back with goals from Scott Brown and Osayamen Osawe to record their second home win in a row.

It’s Southport’s home record of eight wins and four draws that is keeping the club afloat. On their travels they have a solitary victory to their name against bottom side Hyde on the opening day of the season. In December, after the club suffered four straight defeats the previous month, chairman Charlie Clapham appointed former Conference Premier winning manager John Coleman. The former Accrington Stanley boss also played for the Sandgrounders during the eighties.

Head to Head

Southport wins: 0 / Dartford wins: 1 / Draws: 2

Current League Form

Last Meeting at Haig Avenue

2 March 2013 – Southport 2 Dartford 2 – Att: 823

Goalscorers: Crawford (29), Owens (40), Bonner (59), Whalley (83 pen)

The Sandgrounders Lineup: McMillan, Smith, Owens, Byrne, Willis, Parry, Whalley, Ledsham, Chalmers, Kay, Poku (subs used: Clancy, Almond)

The Darts Lineup: Bettinelli, Green, Champion, Bonner, Burns, Wallis, Bradbrook, Hayes, Rogers, Harris, Crawford (subs used: Erskine, Evans)

Match Stats

Previous Meetings

League Stats

33 – Number of players Dartford and Southport have both used in this season’s Conference Premier campaign

15 – Number of players for each side who have registered a league goal this term

7 – Number of goals scored by each clubs league top scorer this season, Dartford’s Elliot Bradbrook and Southport’s Danny Hattersley

Southport have beaten six of the top seven at home and have yet to play third placed Barnet

Dartford could make it successive home wins this weekend if they can overcome Southport for the first time in their history.

Both fixtures between the Darts and the Sandgrounders finished with identical score lines. In total Dartford took the lead four times against Saturday’s opponents and were pegged back each time. At Princes Park, Elliot Bradbrook scored a brace with a well taken long range effort and a penalty. The Merseysiders equalised with a headed goal from Steve Akrigg and repeated the same feat by grabbing a last minute draw courtesy of Karl Ledsham.

In the previous fixture Harry Crawford scored his first goal since returning to the club which took his tally to a dozen for the season. Crawford’s stuck in the opener with his first goal outside of Kent in a Dartford shirt. Andy Owens equalised for Southport but Tom Bonner had the Darts back ahead. Once again, Southport equalised when Shaun Whalley scored from the spot. A second successive stalemate means that neither side have ever beaten each other.

The last seven days started off extremely well for the Darts when they defeated an in form Kidderminster Harriers 3-0. Jason Prior, Elliot Bradbrook and Danny Harris all featured on the score sheet in a well deserved victory. On Tuesday night, Dartford travelled to Lincolnshire to face Grimsby Town, who knocked the Darts out of last season’s F.A Trophy semi-final.

Grimsby Town looked in control when Danny Harris opened the scoring half way through the first period. Dartford’s winger scored his second in as many games with a well taken side footed finish. The lead lasted just eight minutes but if it wasn’t for Grimsby Town’s goalkeeper, James McKeown’s stop moments before the Darts could have been two up. McKeown’s clearance found Rob Hannah, he laid the ball off to Patrick McLaughlin who struck from 20 yards to equalise. The Mariners piled on more pressure and after a number of corners Shaun Pearson gave the hosts the lead. Once more Dartford suffered from a set piece play and in an 11 minute spell Grimsby Town scored a third courtesy of Lenell John-Lewis.

Early in the second half the Darts were given hope when the quick thinking Lee Noble scored directly from a free kick with the Grimsby Town defenders still preparing the wall. In the final five minutes the game got away from Dartford when Scott Kerr and Craig Disley condemned the Darts to a 5-2 away defeat.

Saturday’s opponents began their campaign in fine form topping the league table after two matches with a perfect record. Four wins from the opening half dozen fixtures left the Sandgrounders in the playoff zone. However, a run of four games without a win followed, including a 4-1 away defeat to Tamworth.

On Tuesday, Southport hosted another of the Conference Premier’s surprise packages in Alfreton Town. The hosts went into the fixture after failing to score in their previous two games and at half time the sides headed back to the dressing rooms with nothing to show. Alfreton Town gained an advantage when John Akinde scored his fifth of the campaign but the lead was cancelled out by Nick Fenton’s own goal. Southport’s barren spell without their own player scoring ended when Osayamen Osawe netted the winner, the striker’s third of the season.

The Merseysiders finished a place above the relegation places last term with a four point cushion. Boss Liam Watson left the managerial role to join relegated AFC Telford United in the Conference North. Chairman, Charles Clapham MBE was quick to appoint Alan Wright who takes his first job in the world of football management. The 41 year old made his name at Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers as a full back.

Team News

Tyrone Sterling hobbled off after just 17 minutes up at Blundell Park on Tuesday night. Max Cornhill took his place on the substitute bench and made an appearance later on whilst Mat Mitchel-King was still out. Tony Burman only named four substitutes in the match against Grimsby Town.

Current League Form

Last Meeting At Princes Park

17 November 2012 – Dartford 2 Southport 2 – Att: 1506

Goalscorers: Bradbrook (17), Akrigg (21), Bradbrook (33 pen), Ledsham (90)

The Darts Lineup: Bettinelli, Rose, Bonner, Arber, Burns, Hayes, Champion, Bradbrook, Hayes, Harris, Erskine, (subs used: Collier, Wallis, Rogers)

The Sandgrounders Lineup: Mcmillan, Smith, Lever, Akrigg, Grand, Whalley, Ledsham, Moogan, Poku, Almond, Tames (subs used: Lynch, Chalmers, Stephenson)

Match Stats

Stats (collated from www.bbc.co.uk/sport)

0 – Along with Gateshead, Dartford are the only other side yet to score in the final 15 minutes of a league match this campaign

37 – The Darts have had the least shots off target this season, but only Chester have had fewer attempts in total

88 – Fouls Dartford have conceded, one less than Hyde who have given away the least fouls

291 – The number of minutes Southport went without their own player scoring. Osawe’s winner on Tuesday night put an end to the barren spell