Releasing pair was a difficult decision I had to make, admits Burman

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has tonight explained his reasons behind the departures of both Nick Barnes and Ray Powell last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Central midfielder Barnes started his career with the Darts, playing at youth team level, before he forced his way into the first team. He has played for numerous Kent sides, including Tonbridge Angels, Fisher Athletic, Maidstone United and Ashford Town.

Powell, who can play at right-back or up front, only joined Dartford during the close season, following his release from Tonbridge Angels, where he was a crowd favourite. He has also played for Fisher Athletic and Maidstone United.

Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, admitted releasing the pair was a “difficult decision” to make.

“It’s a manager’s decision,” he said. “All managers have to make decisions and I’m no different.

“Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions regarding players and that’s what I’ve had to do. What else can I say, that’s what I’ve had to do.”

Burman is expected to use Barnes’ and Powell’s wages to bring new players to the Princes Park club.

“Well, I’m talking to players at the moment, yes,” said Burman. “There’s a number of reasons what I’m doing but at the end of the day I’ve let two players go to maybe use their money in different areas of the squad.”

Harrow Borough secured their first league home win of the season when they defeated Dartford 2-1 last Saturday.

Burman wasn’t pleased that his players didn’t roll up their sleeves in difficult decisions at Earlsmead.

“I was hoping I could play the same starting eleven that started against Oxford (City) in midweek,” he said.

“Saturday morning we lost Lee Noble with flu and after five minutes of the start of the game I lost John Guest to a hamstring injury.

“I felt in the first half we were good enough to come in at least 2-0 up and I felt we would need that two goal lead simply because of the conditions of the pitch and deteriorating weather.

“I felt we played ok in the first half but in the second half Harrow, in my opinion, out battled us, out fought us and that to me was very disappointing.”

Burman killed two birds with one stone when he travelled to Gander Green Lane last night to watch Sutton United’s 3-3 draw against Tonbridge Angels.

The Angels wasted an excellent chance to climb up into second place in the Ryman Premier League table, throwing away a 3-1 half-time lead.

Sutton United, who were knocked out of the FA Cup in the first round by Notts County last Saturday, visit Princes Park on Saturday, before Dartford travel to Longmead Stadium to play the sixth-placed Angels next Tuesday night.

Burman is pleased that he has down his homework on his next two opponents’.

“I was at Sutton last night and I think in our next two games we have two strong and powerful sides,” he warned.

“Sutton are (one place) below us in the league but their (17^th place) position in the league is down to their excellent Cup run that they’ve had.

“They’re two very powerful sides but as bad as last week’s result, teams in this league are beating each other.

“We look forward to all the games because we’re so pleased to be in this league playing against some very good teams and some very good players.

“Tonbridge are a good side and they’re in the mix at the moment.”

The Angels have publicly spoken about their promotion intentions this season and Burman knows what his side need to be challenging with Dover Athletic, Maidstone United and Tonbridge Angels in the top six.

“Well, we need to be consistent and we need to get some wins on the trot,” he said. “If any team get wins on the trot they’ll push themselves up into the play-off spot.

“It’s if they can maintain that level of performance over the coming weeks.”

Highly-talented Lee Noble sits out Saturday’s game with a one-match ban and John Guest and James White are both nursing hamstring injuries and are rated doubtful.

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

Dartford v Sutton United
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 15^th November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT