The Wood are on their travels again this Saturday, December 16 (3pm) when they face Dartford, in the Buildbase FA Trophy. Here’s our preview……..
Match Details
Entrance fees for the game are as follows: Adults £14, OAPs £7, Youth (13-17) £5, Juniors (5-12) £2 and Under 5s free. ID may be required as proof of age.
Away supporters are usually housed in the Car Park End. This covered terrace has a capacity of 700 supporters.
Team News
The Wood have no fresh injury concerns going into the fixture.
Luke Garrard had a fully fit squad to choose from last Saturday, against AFC Fylde, and after a full week of training, expects to have that luxury once again.
Form Guide
The Wood got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over AFC Fylde, at Meadow Park last weekend, thanks to an early goal from Angelo Balanta. .
The win stretched their unbeaten league run to 11 matches, an impressive streak.
The 1-0 win also means that the Wood have now conceded just one goal, in their last five National League fixtures.
The match against Dartford, will be the Wood’s first in the FA Trophy this year, and with the final being held at Wembley, they will be keen to progress.
Managed by 59-year-old Tony Burman, The Darts currently sit in first place in the National League South table, on 38 points.
The experienced Burman, is in his second spell as Dartford manager. Having taken the reigns originally in 1993, he returned in 2005 and has been in charge since.
The National League South pace setters beat Brentwood 2-1 in the previous round of the competition.
From the Dugout – Luke Garrard
“For me, it is about rhythm, it is about momentum and it is about habits. The opportunity of getting to Wembley is very exciting, but for me it is about continuing the run we are on.
“We are 11 unbeaten in the league and going to Dartford is going to be tough test. I know that they’ve got good quality and that they’re currently sitting at the top of the league below.
“In no way will we be going there undermining any of what they have achieved this year to date.
“We worked on them today and we believe that they have got some strengths that we will need to nullify, and we have got to work on the few weaknesses that we feel we will be able to go and exploit.
“They are sitting top of the tree for a reason, they are organised, well-drilled and they have got a shape that plays to their strengths. But, I say it and I say it again, it is very much about what we do and our game plan.
“It is a cup tie, so anything can happen and the form guide goes out the window, but I think that we are in a good place at the minute.
“I think that we have got a group who understand what is asked of them and we want to achieve something this year in the trophy.
“We got to the quarters of the FA Trophy last year, and to walk up Wembley way is a dream of mine and I know that it is a dream of my owner.”
