Dartford manager Steve King urges big players to turn up for play-off eliminator against Chippenham

Dartford manager Steve King has warned his players now is the time to deliver.

The Darts host Chippenham in the National League South play-off eliminator on Thursday at Princes Park.

After scoring 13 goals in their last two away games, Dartford will not be short of confidence. But they come up against a Chippenham side who will play without the burden of expectation after an impressive late surge of form saw them claim seventh place on the final day of the season.

Their 2-0 win at Havant last weekend underlined just how dangerous an opponent Chippenham can be on their day.

“We’ve got players that can win matches but they have to turn up, otherwise our season is over,” warned King.

“There’s certain players who have a little bit more and when they’re on it then they are hard to stop.

“If we play the way we can, and they all turn up then we’re capable of beating anyone in the division.

“We’re in a good place but so are Chippenham, I’ve looked at their form and they’ve done well.

“They’ve got one of the best forwards in the league [in Jordan Young]. They paid £5,000 for him in February, he scored twice at Havant on Saturday and twice in the game against us earlier in the season when I wasn’t there.

“They are going to be a threat. They are well grounded and since they changed the manager [last month], they’ve had some fantastic results under Gary Horgan. They are the unexpected team in the play-offs if you like, so there’s no pressure on them.

“They’ve gone to Havant, who just needed a point on the final day, and beaten them.”

Dartford lost 4-2 at Chippenham in March but King missed that game due to an operation. The sides also drew 3-3 at Princes Park earlier in the campaign, with Chippenham claiming a 94th-minute equaliser.