Men's football news
Last week’s late late equaliser against Walton Casuals, coupled with Cray Wanderers surprise defeat at Herne Bay saw the Rooks marginally extend their lead at the top of the Bostik League South table. However, with just a third of the season left to play, and the Rooks still five points clear of third place Carshalton Athletic (teeing up next Saturday’s game very nicely), the pressure is back on on Saturday as Darren’s men head to Dartford FC to take on Thamesmead Town.
This will be the fifth meeting between the clubs, with the Rooks only able to claim two draws, the last coming back in November when substitute Jonte Smith scored a brace, including a last-minute equaliser (again) to grab a share of the points. Few will want reminding of the 3-0 cup defeat in the FA Cup back in September, the heaviest defeat the side have suffered this season.
Fortunately, everyone came through last week’s game unscathed and with Matty George and Stacey Freeman both having the opportunity this week to work on their rehabilitation, it will be a strong squad that heads to Dartford on Saturday. The Rooks record on the road this season in the league is still the best in the league with ten wins and three draws from thirteen games. On the flip side, Thamesmead have lost seven and drawn two of their fifteen games at home.
In their last outing they beat Ramsgate away 3-2 thanks to two injury time goals. Whilst the club have lost powerful centre-forward Alex Teniola to Aveley, they’ve scored 20 goals in their last six league games including a 5-0 over Guernsey and a 4-3 at Horsham. It has also been three months since they last failed to score in a league game (only Cray Wanderers and Walton Casuals have stopped them scoring this season).
Kick off on Saturday at Dartford FC is 3pm.