Burman plotting FA Cup upset

WITH SEVEN points from their last three Ryman Premier League games, Dartford have the confidence to cause an upset in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Princes Park outfit found life in their new surroundings tough going after clinching the Ryman League Division One North title last season, picking up just a win and a draw from their first seven games, but Tony Burman’s side have seemed to have turned the corner recently.

The recovery began with a 1-1 home draw against struggling Heybridge Swifts, but that has been followed up with wins over Horsham (4-0) and last night’s 2-1 win at arch-rivals Maidstone United.

Despite Hampton & Richmond Borough sitting in seventh place in the Blue Square South table with four wins and four draws from their opening ten games, the Darts go into the Princes Park showdown full of belief that they can extend their FA Cup campaign.

“Obviously getting results breeds a little bit of confidence and belief,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We’ve played well in some of the games that we’ve played (and lost) this year and probably deserved a little bit better than what we’ve got.

“But the chances we’ve created (in our last three games) we’ve taken and we’ve thoroughly deserved the results we’ve had.”

Goals from Steve Butterworth and Rob Haworth inside the opening 21 minutes, sealed a satisfying 2-1 win over the Stones.

“We started off the first thirty minutes and we were 2-0 up but we could have been three or four nil up if I’m honest,” expressed Burman.

“We started off really well and Maidstone got back into the game but we knew it was going to be difficult because they’re a strong side and we thoroughly deserved our win on the night.

“They didn’t bother us too much. You always come under pressure but we were organised throughout the game last night.”

Another crowd of at least 1,000 is expected at Princes Park for the visit of the Beavers on Saturday and Burman wants to give the fans something to be proud off.

“We’ve got a home draw, which you look for first, and we’ve been drawn against a very good side from a higher league,” said Burman.

“We’ll be up for the game and I want the players to go and enjoy themselves and we want an upset so whose to say it won’t be Saturday!”

Burman wants to put one over his opposite number, West Ham legend Alan Devonshire.

“We know they’re going to be a good side and they’re managed by an excellent player of his time who is doing a good job in non-league management,” he said.

“The FA Cup is for the players to get publicity and the clubs to get financial rewards and we want to stay in the FA Cup for as long as we can.

“It’s been quite a while (when we reached the first round proper). We’ll just do our best.

“I want it to be an enjoyable game and we go into the game on a high because of the results recently and that’s what I’m pleased about.”

Midfielder Jamie Day is available for selection, having completed his three-match suspension, and Burman revealed that solid midfielder Alex O’Brien (tendonitis) started jogging this week and that full-back Steve Norman goes in for his hernia operation on Monday week.

Burman added: “Because of the results hopefully we can get over 1,000 fans again, which is fantastic and they’re going to get behind us.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this match

Mike Green from BBC Radio Kent - 96.7fm - will also be covering this match - listen live to the match updates at www.bbc.co.uk/kent/

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

Dartford v Hampton & Richmond Borough
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 27^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT