Dartford 3-2 Leiston - Burman cannot wait to entertain Port Vale in FA Cup

Tuesday 26th October 2010

DARTFORD 3-2 LEISTON
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Fourth Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 26th October 2010
Stephen McCartney reports from Princes Park Stadium

PROUD Dartford striker Carl Rook says playing in The FA Cup First Round for the second time in four years is something that he’ll tell his grandchildren in years to come.

In 2007, Rook was at Horsham when the Sussex side beat Maidenhead United 4-1 to reach the Second Round Proper where two games were played against eventual League One champions Swansea City.

The 27-year-old scored Dartford’s second goal tonight as the Kent club booked their place in the First Round of The FA Cup for the first time in 21 years and will now look forward to entertaining Robbie Williams’ beloved Port Vale at Princes Park on Saturday 6th November.

Dartford were held to a goal-less draw by Ridgeons League outfit Leiston at the weekend, but Rook was one of four changes made by manager Tony Burman and this had a desired effect and although the game finished 3-2 in Dartford’s favour, the game was a lot more comfortable for the Blue Square Bet South side.

“What he (Burman) asked for was a performance from us and he got it,” Rook told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

The former Tonbridge Angels striker added: “We’ve done the job tonight. It was a high tempo, we started the game really quick and it was tough to keep up!

“I think they only had two shots on target and they both went in so the score didn’t reflect how well we played.”

The Dartford contingent in the crowd of 1,074 - and boss Burman - demanded a good performance following recent disappointing showings - and they got off to a flyer by taking the lead within 187 seconds.

Skipper Elliot Bradbrook’s ball over the top of the Leiston defence should have been dealt with easily by Blake Saker but the hardworking Danny Harris chased a lost cause and stole the ball off the right-back on the edge of the box and went on to slam a right-footed shot into the bottom right-hand corner for his fifth goal of the season.

Leiston failed to cope with Dartford’s high-tempo opening 25 minutes and had Dartford taken the chances that they created tonight then the margin of victory would have been far greater.

Tom Bonner missed a couple of early sighters when he met two left-wing corners from Michael Shinn with his head, but the ball sailed off target.

Leiston keeper Jamie Stannard made his first save of the game when Rook won a foot-race against central defender Mark Goldfinch and unselfishly sprayed the ball out to Ryan Hayes and the right-winger cut inside and his low drive was parried away by the keeper.

But Dartford doubled their lead after 25 minutes through the same method.

Rook found Hayes in acres of space and once again he cut inside to scuff a low left-footed shot, which was parried by Stannard and Rook buried the rebound into the net.

They always say teams are most vulnerable immediately after scoring - and this was the case as Leiston pulled a goal back just 56 seconds later.

A shot from striker Danny Smy bounced off the right-hand post and in the scramble that followed midfielder Stuart Broadbridge smashed the ball into the top right-hand corner to the delight of the Suffolk club’s travelling fans.

The goal improved Leiston’s confidence and despite playing three league’s below Dartford they were making a game off it and changed their formation to play with three men up top to ask questions.

And Leiston almost levelled, following their first corner, five minutes into the second half.

Michael Brothers’ delivery from the left was met by a glancing header by Simon Head and pressurised goalkeeper John Whitehouse caught the ball low down.

An even better chance followed when Danny Cunningham had time and space to whip in an excellent cross from the right but an unmarked Smy’s glancing header, which was sailing towards the far corner, was caught by a diving Whitehouse.

Dartford’s front-two pairing of Rook and Harris was giving the visiting defence problems all night and the pair combined but Harris’ angled drive was flicked away by Stannard at his near post.

Dartford wrapped up the game in the 61st minute when Shinn whipped in an excellent free-kick from the left touchline to find Bonner lurking at the near post and his bullet header flew into the roof of the net.

Whitehouse made a smart save to his left to prevent Brothers’ right-footed drive from 25-yards from finding the corner - before Stannard dived to his left to turn aside Harris’ left-footed drive from similar distance - at the other end of the pitch.

Leiston’s reward for an impressive performance was to score a second inside stoppage time when Broadley’s cross from the right was met by Leon Ottley-Gooch and he steered the ball through a crowd of players to find the back of the net.

Had that goal been earlier then Leiston may have produced a grandstand finish but Dartford can now look forward to a lucrative home game against League Two side Port Vale on Saturday week and join Gillingham, Dover Athletic, Ebbsfleet United and Hythe Town in the First Round.

Rook added: “The atmosphere tonight, I’m not sure of the attendance tonight, and the noise they made, obviously they was all up for it!

And the striker, who took his goalscoring tally to four tonight, paid tribute to Burman for leading the club into the First Round for the very first time in 21 years.

He said: “He’s done brilliant as a manager. He’s got two promotions in what, four years and obviously now he’s got that nice added bonus of a little Cup run.

“You can tell your grandchildren, as you say, you’ve been in the First Round and now he’s done it as a manager so fair play to him and long may it continue.”

There’s nothing better than playing in the FA Cup - and that is the same for semi-professional footballers like Rook, who will be getting up early tomorrow morning to return back down to earth as a scaffolder.

“It’s something about the FA Cup,” he said. “I’ve had my mum, my dad, my brother and like I say the boys at work came and watch tonight and I’ll be in the yard tomorrow morning at half-six, back to reality, pushing the boards up.”

Dartford boss Tony Burman, meanwhile, remembered the bad times at the club and dedicated tonight’s win to the directors that were there before the club moved into Princes Park four years ago.

Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “It’s nice to go through. We haven’t played well in recent weeks and tonight I was delighted for them in the first 25 minutes.

“Leiston came out and had a goal, it’s a sloppy goal but these are the things we’ve got to cut out. I’m obviously disappointed with the two goals but they put us under a lot of pressure as well in the second period of the second half when they changed their formation and went for it.”

A delighted Burman added: “You shouldn’t go on the past but having said that we have to go into the future but it has been a roller-coaster.

“It’s an achievement which everyone involved around this club in respect to the directors and the board, who don’t get a mention. I’m pleased for them because they’ve put a lot of effort into this club and for them to have a little bit of publicity and the supporters, I’m really pleased for them as well.

“I’m delighted for all those people who have put in a lot of hard work before the (move into Princes Park) and in the four years (here) and fair play to them.”

Burman was full of praise for plucky Leiston, saying: “Tonight I thought they proved they are a decent side. We didn’t play well Saturday and they didn’t play well and some of their players are better than the level they’re playing at.”

The Dartford boss was also full of praise for Harris and Rook.

“They’ve done alright.” said Burman. “Danny chases lost causes and I think he did with the first goal and it’s a great start for us.

“Rookie’s worked hard. He came in last year and probably wasn’t fit as he should be and completely getting a load of stuck from the off supporter, who keeps having a go at the players, which I’m sorry I’ve got to say while I bring players here I think they’ve got to get over the abuse barrier first and hope they might be alright.

“But he’s done well Rookie, he’s worked his socks off and I’m pleased for him.”

Port Vale boss Micky Adams was seen at Princes Park tonight and will be facing a special Kent football club on 6 November.

“Listen, they’re going to be the favourites obviously in the game and the boot goes onto the other foot,” said Burman.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to get into the First Round for the first time in 20-odd years. I’m proud of that achievement by the way. It’s another milestone for me over the years I’ve been here to get this far.

“When they come here I hope we lift the roof off in support of the team and it’s a great day for a lot of people in Dartford.

“It’s the FA Cup and we’ve got a home draw, which is what we want and the second thing is we’ve got a League club and I’m delighted to have Port Vale here and we’ll be the ones where the hearts go bigger.”

The question is will Dartford born rock star Mick Jagger and Port Vale fan Robbie Williams turn up at Princes Park to claim the FA Cup bragging rights on 6 November?

Dartford: John Whitehouse, Billy Burgess, Tom Bonner, Tom Champion, Paul Goodacre, Michael Shinn, Ryan Hayes, Danny Harris, Carl Rook (Charlie Sheringham 82), Lee Burns, Elliot Bradbrook.

Subs: James White, Lee Noble, Joe Bruce, Oliver Berquez, Adam Burchell, Andrew Young.

Goals: Danny Harris 4, Carl Rook 25, Tom Bonner 61

Leiston: Jamie Stannard, Blake Saker, Leon Ottley-Gooch, David Head, Mark Goldfinch, Simon Head (Lee Norfolk 66), Stuart Boardley, Gareth Heath, Danny Smy, Danny Cunningham, Michael Brothers.

Subs: Neil Calver, Danny Block, Toby Kerslake.

Goals: Stuart Broadley 26, Leon Ottley-Gooch 90

Booked: Danny Cunningham 13

Attendance: 1,074

Referee: Mr Adrian Quelch (Reading, Berkshire)

Assistants: Mr Ian Douglas (Thatcham, Berkshire) & Mr Andy Roberts (Ash Vale, Surrey)

Fourth Official: Mr Richard Hailstone (Ash, Aldershot, Hampshire)