In KSN’s second mid season review, we look back at how Kent’s teams have fared in the National League South over the last four months.
By their standards, Ebbsfleet United’s current position of third is underwhelming.
The Fleet started the season unbeaten through their first seven games. However, some tactical inconsistency from manager Daryl McMahon resulted in successive losses at the start of September.
Those defeats make up the majority of the impressive three league losses this season for the Stonebridge Road side. A disappointing FA Cup run is also of concern for Fleet fans, but their team remains in the FA Trophy, travelling to Kidderminster in the second round in the new year.
After missing out on promotion last season, losing out to Maidstone in the playoff final, it looks as though the north Kent club will need to prepare for another extended season. Their game against league leaders Maidenhead in November could have closed the gap at the top, but Ebbsfleet slipped to a 3-2 defeat.
Just four points below Ebbsfleet are their local rivals, Dartford, who also currently sit in the playoff places.
Despite having a considerably lower goal difference compared to their promotion chasing rivals, their run to the top six has come from an impressive defensive showing, conceding just twenty goals from their 20 league matches.
After failing to win their opening four games, the Darts found their feet in their second season back in the National League South, remaining unbeaten throughout September and October.
They’ve also fared well in cup competitions this season, reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup before being knocked out by Sutton. They also still remain in the FA Trophy, needing a replay to get past Dover Athletic. In the second round they will welcome Chelmsford to Princes Park.
Heading to the other end of the table, Welling are looking to avoid their second successive relegation after going down from the National League last season.
Having failed to win in August, the Wings’ season seemed to have kick-started thanks to a 5-0 win over Concord Rangers. However, their joy was short lived as they tasted defeat again in their next game, a 2-1 defeat to fellow Kent side Dartford.
Although they have only won five matches all season, there are some positives for Welling fans, their goal difference of -4 is the joint best in the bottom half of the table thanks to a firm defence considering their place in the league.
Since Jamie Day took over the managerial role at Park View Road results have improved however. Three successive wins, including an 8-1 win over Hythe in the FA Trophy have given this season’s Welling team new life, they currently sit two points above the relegation places.
When they face Margate on Boxing Day and New Years Day, both sides will be looking for all six much needed points.
The Thanet side have struggled this season after ending 2015-16 in 19th. Nikki Bull’s first full season in charge has been a struggle for the club as they have needed to offload some key men in order to balance the books.
They made a respectable start to the season, including a run in the first half of September where they gained 10 points from an available 12.
The Gate’s form has fallen by the wayside since those early days though. They how haven’t won in 13 games in all competitions and are only two points off the bottom spot with the second worst goal difference in the league.