Following their Boxing Day encounter at Park View Road, Dartford and Welling United meet at Princes Park on a new decade curtain raiser. 

Steve King’s Dartford took the Christmas honours with a comprehensive three-nil victory at Park View Road and he will be looking to mastermind another derby victory over the club of which he was manager last season.

After Welling had a huge shout for a penalty turned away, Darren McQueen was brought down in the area at the other end and a spot kick was awarded. As Elliott Romain had failed to convert Dartford’s previous two penalties, McQueen assumed responsibility and slotted home confidently.

McQueen doubled his and Dartford’s tally just after half time when getting on the end of the impressive Tyrique Hyde’s through ball, then missed two great chances to complete his hat-trick. Romain put the icing on Dartford’s Christmas cake with a third just after the hour mark.

Two days later, Dartford again won three-nil, this time against Tonbridge Angels. McQueen and Romain were again on target with a third goal added by fit again Charlie Sheringham deep into injury time.

Whilst Dartford won again, Welling were again on the wrong end of a result in disappointing fashion. Hugo Langton was again presiding over the team in the absence of Mark Goldberg and was distraught with the way Welling conceded two first half goals to leave themselves a mountain to climb.

Although they changed shape and were much improved in the second half, the damage was done. Had they taken one of their two or three great chances, they might have been able to build on the momentum but Moses Emmanuel’s injury time strike was a mere consolation.

Considering Dartford will come into the game full of confidence whilst Welling are lacking in that area, both King and Langton have been in the game long enough to know that the form book can often be ignored in derby games in front of large gates. It could be another enthralling battle.