Cup football always has a different way of thinking and it’s not always the favourites that win the game, says Dartford boss Tony Burman

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman says his side held their own against higher-league Boreham Wood on Saturday.

The Darts are top of the Vanarama National League South table and held their seventh-placed Vanarama National League visitors to a 1-1 draw in The Buildbase FA Trophy at Princes Park.

“I thought we done very well on Saturday, it was against a good side,” said Burman.

“I thought we were a bit unfortunate not to win the game but circumstances dictated that in the final 20 minutes. 

“I thought we gave a good account of ourselves and played the best we have played for a few weeks, so all round it was a good performance.”

Midfielder Alex Brown picked up two yellow cards and will start his suspension against Braintree Town on Saturday.

“Alex had been booked earlier on for handball and within five minutes he’s made a challenge in no-man’s land really in our opponents half and it was a booking,” reflected the Darts boss.

“It was a silly tackle and he should know better than to do that but it’s alright to criticise on the sidelines but in the heat of the moment that’s what’s he done and he’s got a red-card.”

Boreham Wood hold home advantage for Tuesday night’s replay at Meadow Park.

These are the games where Burman can assess just how far his side are away from a top-flight club, if they are to win promotion back into the Vanarama National League at the end of the season.

“Boreham Wood have really reinforced the strength-in-depth of their squad enormously and we played against some real experienced players, that’s for sure,” said Burman.

“We’ve held our own.  We’ve got a good team and a good squad ourselves.

“At home, I think we’ll be a match for everybody.  We’ve got to improve away from home. 

“There wasn’t much in it but we’ve got to respect we’re playing a team in a higher division.  Cup football always has a different way of thinking and it’s not always the favourites that win the game.

“We’re going to go there to enjoy ourselves and try to win the game as well.”

The winners on Tuesday night will face a trip to Vanarama National League sides Gateshead or Guiseley in the Last 32 on Saturday 13 January 2018.

Burman could do without tomorrow night’s trip to Hertfordshire owing to the crammed festive period that’s fast approaching.

Braintree Town visit Princes Park in the top-of-the-table clash, before the double header with Welling United (away on 26 December, 1pm, home on 1 January, 3pm), followed by their trip to Concord Rangers on 6 January.

“No, that’s right. That’s the same for both club’s but having said that it is what it is,” added Burman.

“We had to do a similar situation when we played Dover in The FA Trophy last year and went to beat them on a Tuesday night before Christmas.

“It’s a similar situation, you have to get on with it. That’s why we’ve added to our squad to have a little strength-in-depth when things happen and you’re not expecting them to.

“Alex is now suspended for Saturday, that’s why I want the strength-in-depth so that we can cope over the coming months.”

Both Dartford and Braintree Town have picked up 38 points from their 21 league outings ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

Burman said: “It’s first and second so it makes it a more spicier game if you like but we’ll try to endeavour to keep top of the league and concentrate on what we’re trying to do and pull away from other clubs.  That’s the name of the game at the moment and there doesn’t seem to be many teams who want to do that.”

Visit Dartford’s website:  www.dartfordfc.com

Boreham Wood  v  Dartford
The Buildbase FA Trophy First Round Replay
Tuesday 19^th December 2017
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire WD6 5AL