Burman wants to claim bragging rights over arch-rivals

TONY BURMAN has urged every Dartford and Dover Athletic fan to flock through the Princes Park turnstiles on Tuesday night to watch the mouth-watering tussle between Kent’s two biggest clubs, writes Stephen McCartney.

A passion-filled crowd of 2,000 is expected to watch the first Ryman League Kent derby of the season - and they don’t get any bigger than this.

Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic top the table following their 4-0 win over Harrow Borough at Perrys Crabble - all four goals being scored during the second half, a brace from James Rogers and new boy Sammy Moore.

But the Darts endured a miserable day, losing 3-0 to Hendon at Claremont Road. They endured travelling problems and defender John Guest was sent off during the first half.

Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the Kentish showdown, admitted Jamie Coyle and Nick Barnes’ missed chances proved costly.

“It’s not what we wanted or expected but circumstances beyond our control a little bit didn’t help our cause and unfortunately we were on the end of a 3-0 defeat,” bemoaned Burman.

“I think the turning point was just before that (red card for Guest). We missed two clear cut chances when it was 11 v 11 and we were 1-0 down,

“If one of those gone in it would have given us a lift and put pressure back on Hendon, but it wasn’t to be and just after John got sent off to play 65 minutes with ten men, on the first game of the season, was a bit of a tall order.”

No-other county in the Ryman League can draw so much interest for a match between two of their heavyweights.

“It is a huge game, we’re two big clubs now,” said Burman. “We’ve been down in the doldrums, if you like, for a few years and both clubs are on the climb now and it’s good to see.

But one thing is for sure, Burman and his opposite number, Hessenthaler, will be best of buddies after the game - once the fireworks are over.

“I’ve known Andy for a long time, he’s a good friend and we’ve got a lot of respect,” said Burman.

“At a quarter-to-eight, for an hour and a half we’re not. But again, we will definitely have a drink after the game to discuss what’s happened.

Burman, however, wants the bragging rights from their first league Kentish showdown for over a year.

He said: “We’ll do our best to get our first points on the table tomorrow night.

“We’ve got to asses the season ten or twelve games in. Things didn’t go for us on Saturday, you have to pick yourselves up and start again and get things sorted for the next game and we’ll do our best to do that.

“It’s always disappointing to lose your first game but as you say there’s a long way to go. There’s a lot of games in a short space of time and we’ll do our best to pick up points.”

“There are some bragging rights and that’s what makes it interesting. Andy’s got his team playing some good football and they’re a good side.

“Whoever wins the game doesn’t guarantee them the league and whoever loses the game doesn’t get relegated,” said Burman, whose side sit second from bottom after just one game.

“Let’s hope it’s a really fantastic game and it’s a show for all the supporters that come to the match - obviously I hope we take the points.”

Burman wants both sets of supporters to show their colours and raise the decibels.

“I think it could have been for a Saturday to be honest,” he said. “On a Saturday the crowd might be more because Dover fans have to travel a long way to get here.

“But I hope they get here. It’s a Tuesday night and hopefully there will be a big crowd, I’m sure there will be.

“It’s a game you want to be involved with and I’m sure there will be a big crowd and it’s nice two clubs in Kent can generate that following.

“Hopefully we can put on a good show and it will give the crowd something to go on about.”

Burman expects his players to be fit and raring to go.

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

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

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

Admission prices: £10 (adults), £5 (concessions), £1 (concessions)

Dartford v Dover Athletic
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 19^th August 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT