Kentish Football 
Dartford 6-0 Horsham YMCA. Burman: I'm thrilled about 4,000 Princes Park sell-out
Sunday 22nd October 2006
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round
Stephen McCartney reports from Ship Lane
Clinical Dartford stormed into the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy today, courtesy of striker Brendon Cass scoring four goals and a brace from right-winger Ryan Hayes at a soaked Ship Lane today.
Former Tonbridge Angels and Chatham Town striker Cass went nine games without scoring before he demolished their Ryman League Division One South rivals Horsham YMCA.
Dartford will be hoping to play slick, attacking football again when they welcome the west Sussex side to Princes Park on Saturday 11th November, finally end their 14-year exile from the town.
Horsham YMCA goalkeeper Jason Dumbrill, who was nursing a thigh injury, leaked three goals before being hauled off at the break.
He was at fault as Dartford opened the scoring after 19 minutes. Hayes’ left-footed free-kick from the right was missed by Dumbrill, who was distracted by Eddie McClements and Cass running in, and the ball bounced off the slippery surface and went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Midfielder McClements twice went close for the Darts earlier in the game. His drilled effort from distance skidded of the wet turf but past the left post after six minutes and then his next shot was comfortably saved.
A training ground free-kick gave Dartford another chance but Ryan Briggs skied his right-footed 25-yard drive.But Dartford doubled their lead in the 26th minute. Central defender Anthony Henry unleashed one of his trademark thumps up field, which was flicked on by Cass into Hayes’ path.
The former Slade Green winger’s low cross found Cass inside the penalty area, who dragged the ball behind him, twisted and dropped his shoulder to embarrass his marker and rifled the ball into the net from six-yards.
The shell-shocked visitors, however, went close in the 33rd minute when Darts’ ever-present goalkeeper Kevin Hudson tipped Tom White’s right-footed 35-yard drive around the post.
Two minutes later Matt Russell hooked a looping shot over Hudson’s head but the ball dropped just over.
But patient build-up play from Dartford created their third goal seven minutes before half-time.
Dartford sprayed the ball from right-to-left via Hayes, Lew Watts, and Anthony Hogg, who relished his new left-back role, to Dave Martin on the left.
Martin’s left-footed cross deflected off right-back Dean Garden and Cass headed down and into the net from eight-yards.
YMCA’s substitute goalkeeper Mike Wood was called into action after just 40 seconds into the second half when he spilt McClement’s left-footed shot.
James Grant’s penetrating run was blocked by the solid Darts defence but White’s powerful long-range drive was comfortably saved by Hudson.
Dartford made it four in the 58th minute when Hayes cut a corner back to McClements who passed the ball back to Hayes.
Hayes’ first time whipped in cross from the right was met on the half-volley by Cass, who rushed in at the far post, to score his hat-trick.
Hudson made another comfortable save from Scott Kirkwood’s long-range drive before Hayes’ stunning strike made it five with eighteen minutes remaining.
Substitute Steve Hafner’s low diagonal pass found Hayes and from 25-yards he curled a shot into the top far corner, giving the substitute goalkeeper no chance to score his fourth goal of the season.
Dartford completed the rout six minutes later when Cass’ initial shot was parried by Wood but he tapped home his tenth goal of the season.
Dartford manager Tony Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards that he was “very pleased” with the result.
”The lads have played well,” he beamed. “They performed very well in fact. We had some injuries before the game but the squad now has a little strength in depth and I’m very pleased with the result.”
Burman did reveal that he would have thrown on striker Jay May, if things didn’t go as planned.
”Jay’s had a little bit of a pulled muscle in his back,” revealed Burman. “If things hadn’t gone right today he would have been on but he wasn’t quite there.”
But Burman insists there is more to come from his side. “This team can play football,” he said. “It’s when they decide to kick everything long that’s when they look poor.
”We never preach to them to kick the ball long but sometimes it happens but today they played a good passing game.
”It was on a greasy pitch but maybe sometimes that’s what it takes. I stressed to the players we had a good run in the competition last year and the main thing was whether we win 1-0 or 6-0 just get in that hat tomorrow.”
Today’s game might be the last home game in exile for the Darts, depending on cup results and draws.
Leatherhead are due to visit Ship Lane on Monday, 30th October, but that game will be postponed if the Tanners are involved in a FA Cup replay 24-hours later.
The next round of the FA Trophy takes place on Saturday, 4th November, and Burman cannot wait for the club’s long-awaited homecoming on 11th November.
“can’t come quick enough!” he said. “I’m just absolutely thrilled that it’s sold out with 20 days to go.
”The excitement is just fantastic and I’m just so pleased for everybody. We can’t wait to get in there now. It’s been a long time coming.
With a 4,000 sell-out at Princes Park’s opening game, Burman admitted players’ injuries will heal very quickly as his players vie for a starting place in Dartford’s historic game.
He said: “I wish I was playing I can tell you. It’s a little bit beyond belief it’s sold out three weeks before it’s actually opening.
”I said in the changing room, I’ve got no doubt in my mind that we’ve got a few injuries at the moment, but everyone will be fit for that week and they all want to play.
”They know the situation that we’re in. We can only play 11 on the field and our 5 subs and there’s going to be people disappointed.
”But I asked in the summer I wanted everyone who was with me last year who helped the club along to be involved in some way or another on that day and hopefully I can keep that sort of promise.”
It is, however, going to be surreal for both sets of players, playing in front of 4,000 fans.
”For both sets of players it’s going to be their cup final,” said Burman. “Horsham (YMCA) have come up a league and are doing ever so well.
”If they hold their own I’m sure they will be ok but it will be a cup final for them playing in front of 4,000 people.
”I’m hoping it’s going into the lions den but nevertheless it’s a day some of their players weren’t expecting – they’ll be up for the game.”
As Dartford’s temporary stay at Ship Lane comes to an end, Burman thanked Thurrock’s officials for their hospitality.
”We’ve got to be thankful that Thurrock have let us use their ground,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough, their committee, Tommy South their chairman, for letting us play over here.”
And Burman revealed the latest situation with left-wing wizard Dave Martin.
”His future is at Dartford,” he insisted. “He will be here until anyone makes a good offer.
”I promised Dave if any league club showed interest in him we’ll let him train with them and that has happened.
”He started training with Millwall on Thursday and he’ll be with Millwall tomorrow and Tuesday.
”We don’t know where it’s going to take him. He’s gone there purely to see what it’s like.
”Millwall have given us no promises whatsoever and that’s rightly so and all we’re looking at David is getting experience how a professional footballer works during the day time. If anything more comes of it we’ll let everybody know.”
With so much attention on the winger, who was playing for Slade Green reserves before former first team managers Phil Miles (now coaching at Greenwich Borough) and Terry Malin (Eirth Town’s assistant manager) gave him his first team chance before Burman gave him his chance to shine at a higher level.
Burman, however, insists the Darts faithful haven’t seen the best of him this season – yet.
”I think the last month I feel that David has known about the situation with the clubs,” said Burman.
”There’s been some Conference clubs as well making tentative enquiries and I want him here to help us to go up the league.
”I think it has been on his mind. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of David but again we knew this year would be difficult simply because all the other teams know about David.
”He’s going to be a marked man and he has been a marked man so it’s difficult for him week-in week-out to perform but he’ll learn and he’ll be a better player for it.
”The other club that was interested who he’s due to go for a week’s trial is Hereford.”
Subs: Jay May, James Tedder
Goals: Ryan Hayes 19,72, Brendon Cass 26, 38, 58, 78
Horsham YMCA: Jason Dumbrill (Mike Wood 45), Dean Garden, Nick Levett, Ellis Hooper, Matt Ottley, Tom White, Matt Russell (Peter Brackley 77), Scott Kirkwood, Steve Davies (Richard Greenfield 73), Andy Ottley, James Grant.
Subs: Mo Shug’a’a.
Attendance: 235
Referee: Mr Simon Long (Ipswich)
Assistants: Mr Carl Fitch (Ipswich) & Mr James Smith (Ipswich)
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