English Non-League
2012-10-26 - Dartford vs Mansfield Town
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – Blue Square Premier
Friday 26th October 2012 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Friday’s solitary Blue Square Premier fixture features this season’s surprise package, Dartford, at home to former league football club Mansfield Town at Princes Park.
Dartford
Dartford sit just on the fringe of the play-off places having put together some impressive results in the first third of this season following their promotion from the Blue Square South
Dartford have eight league wins so far, five of which have been on their home turf with home wins over Kidderminster, Alfreton Town 5-1, BSP leaders Newport County 2-1, Hereford United 4-0 and Hyde 2-1. However, in their last home match they suffered an embarrassing 1-4 defeat to AFC Telford which they will be keen ato address this time around I’m sure.
The Darts’ home record stands at 5-0-2 17/10 and aside from Woking (19 goals) they’ve scored the most number of home goals in the BSP so far. In fact, they haven’t failed to score at least once at home so far and have scored 2 goals or more on five occasions.
They also have some dangerous attacking players in the shape of leading scorer Harry Crawford (6 goals, 1 assist), Danny Harris (3 goals), forward Elliott Bradbrooke (3 goals, 4 assists) and midfielder Ryan Hayes who has been the main provider with 6 assists.
Mansfield Town
Disappointing Mansfield Town travel south on the back of just one league win in their last five matches which happened two weeks ago with a 1-0 home win over Forest Green Rovers. Unfortunately for them though, they couldn’t build on that result straight away as there has been a fortnight’s break.
The Stags currently sit in 10th place just five points behind tonight’s opponents, but this position has largely been down to a 5-2-1 home record and their away form has been poor in recent weeks; three defeats in their last four away matches at Grimsby Town 1-4, Ebbsfleet United 1-3 and a 1-4 defeat at Cambridge United suggest that their defence is very susceptible especially on away days with an overall away record of 1-1-4 9/19.
Macclesfield Town and Nuneaton Town have also conceded 19 goals apiece on the road and they possess the worst defensive records in the BSP on their travels.
That said, ex-Wrexham striker Jake Speight (6 goals) will still need to be watched closely, as too Matthew Green (4 goals, 2 assists) and Matthew Rhead (3 goals) who scored the winner against Forest Green in the 89th minute.
The Betting Verdict :
If this match had happened two weeks ago I would have probably steered clear with Mansfield having just beaten Forest Green, but I’ll back Dartford for a home win here against a poor travelling Mansfield side who have lost the momentum in the two week break; could be a 2-1 win for Dartford tonight.
The Pick :
Dartford 2-1 Mansfield Town
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Dartford to win @ 2.40 at Coral which looks too good to turn down
