Thursday 21 January 2010

Dartford FC Vs Carshalton Athletic preview

Dartford FC Preview
After an embattled performance in the FA Trophy, Carshalton will need to draw on all their resources come Saturday when they face they toughest opposition to date, in the form of runaway league leaders Dartford.

With a solid 1-1 draw against Blue Square South’s Worcester City still fresh in their memories, the Robins will be confident of providing another good account of themselves.

Dartford though will undoubtedly be imperious opponents, as they currently lie eleven points clear at the top of the table, with four games in hand over their nearest rivals.

Dartford’s Form

Dartford’s campaign has gone flawlessly thus far, dominating the league and having only lost one game all season.

Tony Burnham’s side haven’t played since the 2nd January, where they enjoyed a hard-fought 2-1 away win at relegation threatened Cray Wanderers.

Despite taking a two goal lead, thanks to first half strikes from Lee Burns and James White, the Darts were forced onto the back foot for much of the second half, although eventually held on.

Averaging just under three goals a game and with a staggering goal difference of +41, it becomes abundantly clear why Dartford have been top of the division since the season began.

Robins fans can take some solace though from Dartford’s only league loss this season, which came at the hands of AFC Hornchurch, a side who Carshalton downed 1-0 in October.

Dartford – Players to watch

Rob Howarth – Journeyman forward and formerly of Carshalton having spent a brief spell with the Robins in 2007. He has nine goals so far this campaign.

Elliot Bradbrook – An attacking midfielder who is tipped to make his highly anticipated return after suffering from an ankle injury.

Andy Young – A useful goalkeeper, formerly of Blue Square South’s Bishops Stortford and has been in commanding form of late.

Adam Gross – A solid left-back and a former youth international for Wales.

The Stats


Dartford
Ø Have the best home record in the league, with seven wins from a possible eleven.
Ø Undoubtedly have the best home attendances within the division, with an average of over a thousand people a game.
Ø Currently enjoy a 100% record away from home, with nine wins out of nine.

Carshalton Athletic
Ø Haven’t won a league game in six outings.
Ø The Robins have also only won once on their travels in their past six away games in the league.
Ø Lost 4-0 to Dartford when the two sides last met in September.

The Key battles

Dartford possesses a formidable line-up, with the most successful attacking frontline in the division.

On Saturday though, the Darts will be without key striker Lee Burns, who begins a three match suspension.

The fact that he’s also the second highest scorer in the league, the news will no doubt come as a relief for the likes of Rob Watkins and Justyn Roberts who will already be in store for a tough afternoon.

With Burns suspended, Carshalton’s backline will be focussed even more on former Robins’ striker Rob Howarth, who comes face to face with his former side.

Dartford will also be without attacking midfielder Lee Noble, who is serving a one match ban.

Friday 1 January 2010

Match Preview: Carshalton Athletic Vs Sutton United 02/01/10

Carshalton Athletic will be looking to get 2010 off to the best possible start, when they host local rivals Sutton United at Colston Avenue.

The two sides are still fresh from their Boxing Day clash at the Borough Sports Ground and the Robins will hope to avenge the 3-0 defeat they suffered.

Charlie Taylor’s brace and a penalty from Steve Watts was enough for the U’s, and Carshalton will seek to produce sterner resistance this time round.

Sutton United Vs Carshalton Athletic– post Boxing Day
Sutton’s win over the Robins elevated them to 6th in the league, just one place outside the playoff berths.

Paul Doswell’s side largely dominated the Boxing Day encounter but he’s since warned against complacency for Saturday’s reverse fixture.

“I know how important it is for the supporters and it gives them the first part of the bragging rights over Christmas, but Carshalton will be looking to get their own back next Saturday so the supporters shouldn’t get over excited,’’ said Doswell.

Veteran striker Steve Watts, who has made over 100 football league appearances, is also expecting a Carshalton fight-back.

“The local derbies can be passionate games and I am sure Carshalton will come out firing. We have to be up for it and expecting a tough game,” said the former Leyton Orient striker.

Meanwhile, Sutton’s Charlie Taylor and Alan Pouton will face late fitness tests for Saturday after the two picked up knocks on Boxing Day.

Sutton United – Players to watch

Kevin Scriven – An experienced goalkeeper who has kept five clean sheets in the league this season.

Danny Phillips – An attacking midfielder, formerly of Blue Square Premier’s Weymouth.

Sam Gargan – Sutton United’s leading goalscorer, and has netted on no less than eight occasions this campaign.

Matt Hann – A dynamic right winger, who represented Great Britain in the 2005 World Student Games.

The Stats

Carshalton Athletic
Ø Haven’t won in the league since November.
Ø The Robins have won two out of their last six home games.
Ø Will still be without leading goalscorer Richard Jolly, who is on holiday.

Sutton United
Ø Set the 2nd highest attendance figure in the league on Boxing Day, when 1,027 fans witnessed the clash against Carshalton.
Ø They have the 7th best away record in the league, with five wins out of nine.
Ø The U’s also have the third best defensive in the division, based on goals conceded.

The Key Battles

Carshalton’s Joe Dolan and David Woozley will again come face to face with the man who breached the Robin’s defence twice on Boxing Day, in the form of Charlie Taylor.

The former Grays striker has been prolific since his arrival in the autumn, and will be the main threat once again when the U’s visit Colston Avenue.

Sutton’s Steve Watts will be the one to watch in midfield, and no doubt the likes of Carshalton’s Barry Stevens and Karl Murray will look to close him down.

Meanwhile Carshalton’s new signing Kenny Beaney, who had been on loan from Sutton before signing permanently this week, is expected to start against his old club.