Darts face local rivals in final pre-season clash

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Dartford are hoping a tough game against local rivals Ebbsfleet will be perfect preparation for the new season.

Higher-league Fleet will be heading to Princes Park this Saturday in what will be the last chance for both teams to prepare for their league campaigns ahead.

The Darts drew 0-0 at Faversham Town on Tuesday night ahead of this weekend's exciting end to their pre-season schedule.

Goalkeeper coach Les Cleevely spoke after the Gillingham game last weekend, which ended in a 2-0 win for the Football League side.

They'll be tested again this Saturday ahead of that all-important first match in Isthmian Premier at Dulwich Hamlet next Saturday.

Cleevely said: "We always model ourselves on quite a tough pre-season as far as games are concerned. You play one or two sides that are in and around you, the Favershams, the Chathams, and I think it's proper preparation, rather than playing sides that are nowhere near you, or playing the great sides.

"The likes of Crystal Palace pop the ball around you and play keep-ball, which is great for the legs but it's not great for the season preparation.

"I think they get it more or less right with the games that we face and the difficulty in the games that we face.

"We also need to get people through the gate, that's important.

"Hopefully we can entertain the supporters a little bit with how we play. We certainly did in the play-offs.

"Hopefully we can create that and integrate the new faces that are in, like the goalkeeper [Jonny Henly].

"The back four or five have got to get used to the way that he plays. He has to get used to what he sees in front of him. But we're in a good place with it all.

"We've still got time on the training pitch, a couple of good training sessions to come, still, so hopefully we'll fine-tune those bits that are needed."

The Gills game was a test for the Darts, with the League 2 club sending their strongest side.

"They were a good, physical test for us, which is what we needed," said the coach.

"One or two things were a little bit disappointing in the first half, from an organisational standpoint, set-pieces, etc.

"The boss [Ady Pennock] was a little bit upset in the first half, because he felt there were things that should have been better, a little bit of understanding, a little bit of communication. We've got time to put them right."

Henly has come in this summer to take over as the new No.1 and Cleevely's looking forward to working with him. Dartford have also had a look at former Gills youngster Carter Sullivan.

The coach said: "Jacob [Marsden] was great to work with [last season]. Really intense character, wanted everything very professional and credit to him and the way that he carried himself through the season having started with an injury.

"Jonny is just a little bit more experienced. A little bit more presence in his game. With the size element he doesn't get put under so much pressure from set-pieces.

"We've got a good training group with the goalkeepers and young Carter will help Jonny. They need to be pushed. They need to be worked hard.

"Jonny's very easy to manage. He doesn't like the fuss. You plan the sessions and you plan what you need and he just gets on and does it."

Striker Dan Smith missed the Gills game with concussion after the match last Tuesday against Herne Bay, and young defender Dean Nayler was awaiting scan results following a knee injury suffered against Eastbourne Borough.