Saturday's Preview : Dartford v Weston-super-mare AFC

Weston-super-Mare manager Craig Laird has no injury worries before tomorrow’s game away at Princes Park Stadium home of Dartford FC.

It is over 12 years since the teams last met in the Dr.Martens Southern Division and the Darts will want to settle old scores.

The first meeting between the two sides was back in November 1996, played at Woodspring Park in front of a crowd of 271, Weston won 2-0 thanks to goals from Paul Mcloughlin and Gareth Morgan. McLoughlin also scored in the 1-1 draw at Dartford which strangely attracted the same number of spectators as the game at Woodspring Park.

The team back in the mid 90’s was very much different than today’s. It included such ex-professionals as Andy Beattie, Robbie James, Andy Llewellyn, David Mehew and Lee Rodgers. It also included youngsters such as Ryan Souter, Danny O’Hagan and goalkeeper Stuart Jones. Their was also a towering Central defender known as Jon Bowering. The team managed by Len Ashurst missed out on promotion having finished 4th in 1996/97.

The following season Dartford travel to Weston for the opening game of the season, but both teams must have left their shooting boots at home as both were unable to score.

The final meeting back in December 1997 saw both teams score freely in a 3-3 draw, but the crowd was a disappointing 165. Gareth Morgan again chipped in with a goal, along with Mark Price and Lee Jones. The team included Stuart Jones, Neal Fitzgerald, Lee Relish, Lee Rogers, Karl Madge, Ian Murphy, Craig Dann, Mark Price, Lee Jones, Gareth Morgan and Ryan Souter. According to records only 1 player sat on the bench, Assistant John Relish.

But 12 years on a lot of things have changed Dartford now have a new Stadium to that of the 90’s and their crowds are clipping the 1000 mark.

But having only won one of their Blue Square south fixtures the bookmakers still make them odds on favourites to overturn the good fortunes of Weston-super-Mare.

Dartford are currently 8/11 to collect their first win against the seaside town. The draw is an impressive 5/2. But Weston have been priced a massive 3/1 by Bluesq.com

Total goals could also have some interest for punters as well, 2or 3 goals has been priced up at 10/11 with bookmakers Bluesq.com

In the Half-time/full time market I’m sticking with my predictions last week.
Draw/Weston 8/1
Draw/ Dartford 10/3
Dartford/Dartford 9/5

As for the correct score, I was undone last week with a 1-1 draw so I’ve added that to the equations.

1-0(11/2), 2-0 (6/1), 1-1 (6/1), 0-1 (10/1) and 0-2 (18/1).

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