Dartford manager Ady Pennock remembers spell as Welling United boss with fondness but victory over Wings is all that matters this weekend

Dartford manager Ady Pennock is relishing this weekend’s local derby against Welling United.

Pennock takes charge against his former club as Darts boss for the first time at Princes Park on Saturday.

The Wings have struggled this season and arrive in the bottom four, two points adrift of safety under interim boss Rod Stringer.

“It’s a great game for everybody,” admitted Pennock. “I’ve got history with being the manager there before but I’m just after the three points.

“I love a derby and I’m sure there will be a good gate as well as they’ll bring a lot. Our supporters have been pleased with the last few weeks results-wise.

“The formbook goes out of the window, it’s all about the day, it’s a derby so it will be a passionate affair and I’m looking forward to it. It’s all about the three points for me, that’s all that matters.

“We know it’s going to be a difficult game because it’s a local derby. They’ll be up for it, we’ll be up for it and the fans will be up for it. I’m really looking forward to it for that reason.

“We’re at home and we’ve got to keep believing in ourselves and being positive. Anything can happen on the day but hopefully we can get the three points.”

Pennock spent two seasons as Welling boss from 2005 to 2007 before leaving to take an academy role at Stoke City. It’s a much-changed club now but he still looks back fondly on his first managerial role at Park View Road.

“It’s changed massively,” he said. “I had the Hobbins brothers in charge at the club and the likes of Piggy [Barry Hobbins] and Teddy [Steve Pain], I really enjoyed my time there. I was manager when Graham sadly passed away.

“It was a long time ago, all I’d say is that it was the start of my managerial career so we had some good times but