Heybridge Swifts 0-0 Dartford - Burman begins search for Cody replacement

And so it proved, on a bitterly cold afternoon in deepest Essex, as Andrew Young took most of the plaudits, as once more against Kentish opposition Heybridge Swifts belied their position rooted to the bottom of the Ryman Premier League table.

On four occasions Young performed heroics to keep Heybridge out, whilst at the other end, Rob Haworth and the returning Brendon Cass worked tirelessly feeding off very few scraps.

After the game, boss Tony Burman, speaking to BBC Radio Kent, was somewhat begrudging in his praise for his number one.

“Keeper’s are paid to stop shots the same way striker’s are paid to score goals,” he said, before being reminded that perhaps somewhat tongue in cheek that was the striker’s opinion rather than a stoppers.

Smiling, Burman continued, “The save that he made in the opening five minutes was breathtaking and the one immediately after half-time was crucial as well.

“But you’ve got to look at it from a wider picture that something like the fifth league game in a row that we’ve kept a clean sheet and we’ve now just lost once in our last ten - and that was at Dover!”

Burman added, “I’ve always said that if we win our home games and get something away from home, we could do well in this league.” - an opinion that Young himself echoed, when speaking to BBC Radio Kent.

“After everything that’s gone on this week, with Cody going to Norwich (and believe me when I say he’s one of the best striker’s I’ve ever faced), it was important for us to get something today, and as Tony has just said to us in the dressing room, to get a point away from home is a point won rather than two lost.”

And to be fair to the Darts, and their large travelling support, that is the best way to look at ninety minutes which in all honesty will not live long in the memory.

Young’s first fine save came after only three minutes. Perry Sansford broke down the right and as he pulled the ball back his strike partner Gary Hill saw a first time shot brilliantly turned aside by the Darts keeper, going full length to his left.

On one of the biggest pitches in the Ryman Premier League - incidentally in near perfect condition despite the recent foul weather - the Darts struggled to get a foothold and despite the tirelessly running of Haworth and Cass, the final ball often disappointed.

This was the case on twenty minutes when Ryan Hayes’ flick released Howarth only for the Dartford front man to square the ball behind Cass, but too far in front of the arriving Jamie Day.

The home side then carved out another wonderful opportunity, when on 23 minutes, Hill’s cross from the left was met by the diving Reece Morgan only for his header to fly wide of the left post.

With tempers beginning to boil, the midfield battle was becoming more frantic by the minute and the only surprise when half-time was reached was the fact that only Russell Pond had been booked. That said, it was for a somewhat crude challenge on Danny Dafter.

Young again came to the Darts rescue as the second half began in similar fashion to the first.

First time, James Robinson found himself unmarked in the Dartford penalty area and his first time shot cannoned off the goalkeeper’s legs as Young raced from his goal-line.

As the Darts continued to probe, Howarth saw a header, from Hayes’ corner, flash narrowly wide.

As the minutes ticked by, it became clear that this was a one-goal game, and after 85 minutes, Morgan had a shot from the edge of the area, which Young had to be alert to save at the base of his left post.

As the game moved into stoppage time, substitute Lee Noble just couldn’t stretch far enough to divert Adam Gross’ cross into the net, whilst at the other end, Young was again the hero, bravely saving at Robinson’s feet.

So the Darts returned to Kent with only a point, but it’s a point that still keeps them very much in contention for the play-off places in the Ryman Premier League.

But the next few weeks at Princes Park could be very interesting indeed as manager Burman admitted that he wanted at least three fit strikers at the club following McDonald’s departure.

The Darts boss also admitted that he had made a seven-day approach for a player, who he would not name.

All in all, it was a frustrating afternoon for the Darts and their fans, but it’s afternoon’s like this that can often pave the way to glory come May.

Heybridge Swifts: Ollie Morris-Sanders, Mitchell Nelson, Ryan Hull, Russell Pond (Adam Brotherton 80), Ian Wiles, Frankie Everitt, Reece Morgan, Luke Fisher, Perry Sansford, Gary Hill (Steve Bourne 67), James Robinson.

Booked: Russell Pond 43, Ian Wiles 65

Dartford: Andrew Young, Jamie Coyle, Adam Gross, Adam Flanagan, John Guest, Tommy Osborne, Ryan Hayes (James White 81), Jamie Day, Brendon Cass (Lee Noble 67), Rob Haworth, Danny Dafter.
Subs: Sean Eferakoho, Scott Holding, Daren Ibrahim.

Attendance: 376
Referee: Mr Carl Fitch (Ipswich, Suffolk)
Assistants: Mr Peter Wilson (Chelmsford, Essex) & Mr Eddie Corcoran (Penmere, Cornwall)