Maidstone striker Jack Barham feels it’s written in the stars for him to deliver against former club Dartford in the FA Cup.

Barham left Princes Park for United over the summer and is in line to make his debut for Hakan Hayrettin’s side after recovering from a pre-season knee injury.

He scored for the under-23s last weekend is desperate to play a part when the top two sides in National South meet in the third qualifying round at the Gallagher this Saturday.

“I was saying to my dad this game is almost written in the stars for me,” said Barham.

“It’s my first game back, against my old club, in the FA Cup - it’s almost destined for me to score the winner and put a marker down.

“Could you imagine it? There couldn’t be a more perfect week for me to come back.

“It’s one of them where there’s such a big rivalry and I’ve moved clubs.

“We’ll see what Hak says but I’d love to be involved.

“It’s hard when you’re injured - you have highs and lows - but the boys have been on fire.

“We’ve got a strong group, I’ve never known a dressing room like it, and I’d like to think I can come in and add more goals to that and give us a different option.

“It’s mad to think we are where we are and me and Reece Grant haven’t kicked a ball yet, but that goes to show the quality we’ve got here.

“I’m itching to get back out there because I’ve seen how many chances we create in games.

“I know I should be in double figures by the end of the season. I’m really excited.”

Promotion is no doubt the priority for both clubs, with Darts two points clear of Maidstone at the top of the table.

But Barham believes there is a psychological edge up for grabs in the FA Cup, no matter what anyone says.

He said: “I said to the boys it’s one of those draws you didn’t want but at the same time whoever wins it will be putting down a marker for the season.

“It’ll be a bit of a kick in the teeth for the other team to lose.

“There’s not much between the teams.

“We’re the two most organised sides in the league and probably the two strongest going forward, which is why we are where we are in the table."

Barham scored twice in 11 starts for Dartford last season after joining from Dorking.

He’d been manager Steve King’s main target, the pair having worked together previously at Welling, but his stay at Princes Park proved short.

He knew of interest from Maidstone and a deal was soon struck at the Gallagher.

Barham said: “When I went to Dartford I had a bit of a hamstring injury in pre-season that kept me out for a couple of games, then I got Covid, so it was a bit stop-start for me and I never really got the chance to put down a marker and show what I could do.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Kingy, when I was at Barnet he took me on loan to Welling, and we always got on well.

“When the new season came around, he was looking to freshen up the squad and bring in new players and I knew Hak was already interested.

“I was keen to go back to full-time football and being three mornings here I’ve managed to get a little coaching job on the side, so it’s worked perfectly.”

With matches played behind closed doors, Dartford fans never got the chance to see Barham in action for their side.

But they will be out in force at the Gallagher, with the striker expecting a special atmosphere.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Barham. “I think Dartford have sold out their 500 and with our crowd I reckon there’ll be 2,500, maybe even 3,000 in.

“It makes such a difference having the fans back - they can get you over the line in the last five or 10 minutes.

“It’s a big factor and I think you’ll see in the league the clubs with the most support will be up there. It’s showing already.

“I can’t wait to play in front of our fans - they’re so loud.”

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent