On Boxing Day, Ebbsfleet United were due to visit Dartford after a three year break but the game was postponed due to a positive Covid-19 test in the visitors’ ranks.
However, the Darts’ ten day enforced break will end just in time for the return fixture at Princes Park on Saturday. Both clubs have had Covid interruptions following positive tests and neither have played yet in the festive period as the Fleet’s visit to Welling United was also postponed as a result of the Wings being out of action due to a positive test in their squad.
It will be Dartford’s first game since their surprise F.A. Trophy defeat at home to Haringey Borough and their first Vanarama National League South match since their three-one defeat at Eastbourne Borough on 5th December.
Also without a league win since November, Ebbsfleet will be looking for a turnaround in fortunes. Dagenham and Redbridge ended their F.A. Trophy dreams with a five-two victory and in their last league outing the Fleet lost three-nil at home to Havant and Waterlooville.
Steve King’s Darts will start as favourites, sitting in second place in the table and with home advantage whilst Ebbsfleet are back in thirteenth. However the visitors have recorded three of their four wins on the road and the form book often counts for nothing in derby games.
Surprisingly, for two teams in such close geographical proximity, Dartford’s Tom Bonner is the only player likely to be involved in the game on Saturday who will be up against a former club. This isn’t a season of normality, though, as will be clear with the absence of a big crowd made up of partisan fans from both sides.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.