Dartford midfielder Tyrique Hyde is keen to take his chance as the season reaches its climax.

Hyde is enjoying his football at Princes Park under boss Steve King, having benefited from a loan spell at Hemel Hempstead earlier in the campaign.

He’s got a big role to play in the push for promotion from National League South – and is grateful for the opportunity.

“I enjoyed my time on loan here before, I love the fans here, the staff and players – it’s a great club to be at,” said Hyde.

“It’s been a bit stop-start but when I get my opportunity, I want to do the best I can and show my quality.

“It’s been frustrating at times but we’ve got a good team with good players so there’s good competition for places.

“We’re just trying to take it one game at a time and do what we have to do. We’ll try to pick up as many points as possible and see where we’re at by the end of the season.

“I don’t really look at the table much, I just concentrate on who we’ve got in the next game. We need to make sure our house is in order before we look elsewhere.”

It’s nearly two years since Hyde was released by League 2 Colchester. He initially joined Dulwich but is now back at Princes Park, having previously enjoyed a loan spell with Dartford.

The stark reality is that of the dozen or so players who left Colchester at the same time as Hyde only a couple are playing at a higher level, some featured against Dartford for Chelmsford last week and a few don’t even have a club to call home.

Hyde added: “It’s always difficult when you step out of training every day to playing part-time but it’s something I’ve got to deal with.

“It’s a situation that I’m in, there’s a lot of people in my boat and a lot of people who would want to be in my position as well.

“I’m grateful, I’ve got a team and a club at a decent level and I’m just trying to do as much as I can on the days when we don’t train here to make myself as fit as possible when it comes to matchdays.

“No-one really likes uncertainty but you have to stay confident and back yourself. I’ve been given an opportunity here so I just need to take it and climb back up the ladder, that’s the aim.

“There are a few players that I was at Colchester with who got released at the same time as me and they haven’t got a club. They’re at home training, trying to get a club.

“I’ve got to count my blessings, be grateful that I’ve got a club in Dartford where I can show what I can do.

“It’s a challenge but I’ve backed myself and I’m confident. National South is a decent level and hopefully I can kick on again.”

Hyde loves the physical aspect of National League South.

Making the comparison to under-23s football while trying to progress in the Football League is easy. Being ready to play non-league doesn’t come as quickly to others but Hyde has the all-round game to succeed.

“It’s completely different to 23s football, it’s not as physical,” he added. “Like, against Havant on Saturday, you had to win your second balls, get your positioning and challenges right.

“In 23s, you can get on the ball more and it’s about your technical ability while here it’s tactical, physical and technical. I prefer this to be honest, it’s all-round and I feel I can compete physically and show what I am capable of.

“Havant were taller than us and maybe more physical than us but we don’t turn down a challenge, we went toe-to-toe with them and I thought we matched them.

“It was hard to judge the ball sometimes, it was going everywhere in the wind so you had to watch it to the last second. It was about anticipation and trying to judge where it would drop, me and Jack Jebb worked hard in there, and I thought we won a fair amount of second balls to be fair.”

Hyde’s determination will be required again this weekend as Dartford travel to Hampton knowing three points are essential if they are to remain as outside contenders for the title.

“You’ve got to stay focused and keep that tunnel vision, we go to Hampton this week and we’ll try to pick up the three points like we do every week,” noted Hyde.

“Every game is a battle, there’s no easy game in this league and anyone can beat anyone. But if we’re on our game then we back ourselves to beat anyone - we’ve got be confident.”