FA CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW: THE PLAYERS MUST PUT IN A GOOD PERFORMANCE TO SET UP VALE CLASH - BURMAN

Monday 25th October 2010

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says his side must put in a good performance tomorrow night if they are to host League Two high-flyers Port Vale in the First Round of the FA Cup, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts came away from Ridgeons League side Leiston with a goal-less draw at the weekend and have a second chance of finishing off the Suffolk side on Tuesday night to set up a lucrative home clash against Port Vale on 6 or 7 November.

“It wasn’t the best of games,” admitted Burman, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk ahead of the make-or-break home replay.

“We started off the game ok, had a couple off chances that didn’t go in, and unfortunately there was a little lack of confidence in the side at the moment that we have to try and put right.

“They worked hard Leiston to be fair to them, and they closed us down, but having said that we created a couple of chances in the first half and Leiston could’ve scored near the end when they caught us on the break but I don’t think neither side deserved to win to be fair and I’m sure we will put in a better performance on Tuesday.

“Lots of people felt we might get knocked out of the Cup on Saturday because they’re a decent side, but we’ve come away from there and we’re still in the hat, although we haven’t won the game we haven’t been knocked out either.”

Port Vale - second in Npower League Two - await the winners of Tuesday night’s replay in the first round of the FA Cup.

Burman said: “We now know what’s going to happen if we win tomorrow night so the incentive is there without any doubt and I will do my best for my players to get as worked up for it.

“We have to work hard to get out of this little spell that we’re in and I’m sure that they will do.”

Burman added: “When the draw comes out you hope that you get a tie at home and the incentive tomorrow night is to try and go through and then it’s against a League side and that’s the prize, that’s the incentive and if we do it then it will be another good day out for all concerned.”

But be warned. A certain Blue Square Bet South side, with a playing budget of £6,000 per week, lost to a side three league’s lower - Staines Town away to Kent Leaguers Hythe Town.

“That’s what I’m trying to stress to our players and the supporters,” said Burman. “A lot of good clubs went on Saturday, Eastbourne (Borough) as well went out on Saturday (to Harrow Borough of the Ryman Premier League) and Staines as well.

“We’ve got a great opportunity, we’ve got the tie at home and we want to go hammer and tongs and we’re overdue a really good performance and I want to do that and put things right tomorrow night.”

The Darts needed penalties to see off brave Ryman Premier League side Canvey Island - 9-8 on penalties - in a Third Qualifying Round replay in the last round.

A laughing Burman said: “I don’t want another penalty shoot out like that, but it happens.

“The FA Cup are one off games. The league tables and what league you’re in is irrelevant. It’s what happens on the day and that’s what you got to be so careful off. We’ll be showing Leiston the utmost

respect like we do to every club we play.”

An honest Burman added: “We’ve been behind par and I’m not going to hide behind the fact. The players know it and I know it and we’ve got to get things right. I’ll be encouraging the players as much as I can to put in a good performance and they want to do it as well and that’s the name of the game tomorrow night.

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

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

Dartford v Leiston

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Fourth Qualifying Round Replay

Tuesday 26th October 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT