Burman fancies his chances to end Dover's 100% home record

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman is relishing the showdown with league leaders Dover Athletic on Saturday - and if it’s anything like the match at Princes Park in August, then we’re in for a cracker, writes Stephen McCartney.

Andy Hessenthaler’s men claimed the bragging rights with a 2-0 win - in front of a passion filled Tuesday night crowd of 1,781 at Princes Park.

Goals from Sammy Moore and Jon Wallis sent the points east of the county, but the quality on the pitch was much better than a Ryman Premier League encounter.

You can expect the same when these two Kent giants lock horns once again on Saturday - in front of a crowd of over 2,000.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this morning.

“We got beat 2-0 at the start of the season, it was a great crowd that night, a really good game for the level we’re playing at.

“We were unlucky not to come in (at half time) 2-0 up. We didn’t take our chances and Dover took theirs in the second half.

“Overall, it was a good game and I hope it’s a really good game on Saturday, with us taking the points.”

Harrow Borough, Margate, Horsham, Ashford Town (Middlesex), Ramsgate, Heybridge Swifts, Tonbridge Angels and Harlow Town have all attempted to take points at fortress Perrys Crabble this season - and all have failed, as Hessenthaler’s men have a 100% home record.

And Burman said: “They deserved to be where they are because they’ve been consistent throughout the season with their results and performances and that’s where you need to be.

“It’s a fantastic performance so far from them this season.”

Burman has asked for a five-class performance from Ashford based referee, Martin Yerby.

“I don’t want to be coming off talking about referees,” he said. “Yes, it’s a derby game, so league positions go out of the window and it’s people who want to win it more.

“We’re going to give a good account of ourselves and I’m sure it will be a very good game.”

Dartford stalwart Tommy Osborne scored his first goal for the club - in his 233^rd appearance - as Hendon were beaten 1-0 at Princes Park last Saturday.

It proved to be a crucial win for ten-man Dartford as they’ve climbed up to 15^th place in the Ryman Premier League table - five points above the drop zone.

Burman was pleased that the long-serving defender broke his goalscoring duck.

“It’s a long time coming, but he’s taken a few penalties in shoot-outs after games,” recalled Burman.

“He wanted to take the penalty against Hendon. He took two, the first one was saved as the goalkeeper came off the line, but he put the second one in.

“Tommy has been fantastic for this club. He’s helped them through over some bad times over the six or seven years.

“He was rewarded last year when he was part of the championship winning side and he’s been in the team for the majority of the season.

“He’s one of those players who is a dream for a manager. Wherever you play him he gets on with the job. He’s not a sulker, like you sometimes get. He does his job with the best of his ability. I’m pleased he’s with us.”

Despite having James White red carded early on, Burman was pleased his side dug in to claim the three points.

“I said to the players before the game I thought it was our toughest game. We needed the three points,” he said.

“Not only we got the three points with ten men for 70 minutes of the game, we deserved the win and we got a clean sheet for the second time in the league, which is another bonus.”

Left-back Steve Norman, meanwhile, has signed for Ryman League Division One North outfit Concord Rangers, joining former Darts midfielder Nick Barnes at the Canvey Island based outfit.

“Steve had a hernia operation and he’s been out for most of the season,” explained Burman.

“I had some discussions with Steve and we said it would be better for both parties that he was going to leave the club.

“He knows the manager at Concord and he’s decided to go to them.

“I would like to thank him for all his help last season in the league winning side and wish him all the best for the future.”

Jamie Day (hamstring) is rated 50-50 to play against his former club on Saturday, but defenders Adam Flanagan and John Guest are in contention after getting through 90 minutes of Tuesday night’s low-key Kent Senior Cup 4-2 defeat at Blue Square South Bromley.

Visit Dartford’s websites:  www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Visit Dover Athletic’s websites: www.doverathletic.com & www.dafctv.co.uk

Dover Athletic v Dartford
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 13^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Perrys Crabble, Lewisham Road, River, Dover CT17 0JB