Cass still has a future at Princes Park - Burman

LOAN DEAL:  Striker Bradley Woods-Garness, who has "searing pace," had a trial at a Blue Square Premier club before signing for Dartford on loan until the end of this season.
Photograph courtesy of www.billericaytownfc.co.uk

Cass has been sitting on the sidelines for a large chunk of the season as Burman had kept his faith in Cody McDonald (now at Norwich City) and big target man Rob Haworth.

When he’s been handed a chance, Cass has scored seven goals from 22 appearances this term, but Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this evening, feels a loan spell playing for the current Ryman League Division One North leaders will do him the world of good.

He said: “Well, Brendon has been excellent for us and we both felt he needed to get some games in. The loan deal was set up last week, but I couldn’t let Brendon go because I hadn’t brought anyone in.

“Things haven’t gone quite right and it hasn’t all been Brendon’s fault. He will return to us with three games - and hopefully five games - left of the season.

“He wanted to go and get some games in; he didn’t want to keep sitting on the bench and having ninety minutes here and there.”

Burman, however, also unveiled the loan signing of striker Bradley Woods-Garness, 22, from Billericay Town this afternoon, securing his services until the end of the season.

The 5’8” London born striker had made his Billericay Town debut in 2007, and has also played for Barnet and Farnborough Town.

He joined Billericay from Farnborough in the summer of 2007 and is described as an exciting talent with searing pace, who is capable of playing on the wing or through the middle.

In his first season with the Essex club, he banged in 23 goals.

Billericay Town have re-jiged their squad in recent weeks due to budget cuts, and they have also re-signed midfielder Adrian Deane from Bulmers Cider Kent League outfit Erith & Belvedere.

“Bradley was put on the transfer list a couple of weeks ago at Billericay, because they wanted to cut their budget,” explained Burman.

“I enquired about him then, but he was having a trial with a Conference side at the time, so we waited until this week and was able to sign him last night and cleared the paperwork today.

“He’s had a bit of a problem with injuries at the start of the season, but he’s trained with the lads last night, and he’s quick.

“He’s looking for a new challenge and hopefully he can do that with us.”

With third-placed Tonbridge Angels also bringing in a new striker this week, signing Paul Booth, 32, from Blue Square South outfit Havant & Waterlooville on a lengthy contract, Burman knew it was important to strengthen for their remaining nine league games, ahead of their play-off quest.

The Darts travel to AFC Hornchurch tomorrow, a side that are one place lower than them in the Ryman Premier League table in seventh place.

“We’ve always been going for it and we just wanted to strengthen the squad in certain areas,” said Burman.

“We have been looking for forwards, and I’m pleased Bradley’s accepted the challenge to come over to us.”

Looking ahead to their clash at AFC Hornchurch, Burman said, “It’s a tough game, I’ve watched Hornchurch recently, they’re on a good run after playing some difficult sides in the last two to three weeks and they’ve got themselves in the position to attack a play-off position.

“Whoever wins tomorrow, it doesn’t guarantee them a play-off position. There’s going to be some strange results, the nerves will definitely kick in between now and the end of April. It may comes down to who dares wins.

“We’ve got a big week coming up, it’s imperative we pick points up from the next games and that’s what we’ll try and do.”

Burman added he will make a last minute decision whether Ryan Hayes and Danny Dafter are fit enough to feature.

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

AFC Hornchurch v Dartford
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 21^st March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Stadium, Bridge Avenue, Upminster, Essex RM14 2LX