Ryman League News in Brief: Comings and goings

Dartford manager Tony Burman has released Anthony Henry and Glen Billenness but has brought central midfielder Alex O’Brien in on loan, writes Stephen McCartney.

Former Chatham Town utility man Billenness is going down under for a month and on his return he is going to start a new job which means he can not commit to football as he would like.

Burman said: “I would like to thank Glen for all his help over the last year and wish him all the best for the future.”

But the popular manager admitted releasing no-nonsense central defender Henry was “his most difficult decision”.

He said: “With Anthony I have had to make the most difficult decision since my return as manager.

“Anthony was in my opinion the best signing I made last season and without doubt was a major factor in the team and club having one of its best seasons.

“It looks like Anthony will sign for Harlow but I cannot thank him enough for the help he has given me over the last two seasons and I hope we all remember him as one of the better players the club has ever had.”

Burman has signed hard-working central midfielder O’Brien from Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels after watching their 7-3 Kent Senior Cup first round win over Gravesend & Northfleet in midweek.

O’Brien makes his debut at Fleet Town tomorrow, a game between two sides gunning for glory.

“It suited both clubs that Alex has come to us,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today. “It’s a month loan and Tonbridge Angels do want him back.

The Darts boss is relishing their trip to Hampshire to face Andy Sinton’s men.

He said: “It’s a massive game. They’re above us in the league and if we want to stay in contention in the league we have to go to Fleet and try to get a result.”

Midfielder Eddie McClements, whose had stitches removed from his ankle, has been ruled out.

Tonbridge Angels boss Tony Dolby, meanwhile, will hand defender Matt Hockin his debut at East Thurrock United tomorrow.

Hockin has been drafted into the squad from Nationwide Conference South outfit Fisher Athletic as John Beales is unavailable as he is attending a wedding.

Dolby added: “I’m not sure how long he will be with us.”

Chatham Town manager Phil Miles wants his side to win local bragging rights against Ashford Town at Maidstone Road tomorrow.

Ashford play their first game under John Cumberbatch as sole manager as their last two games - against Horsham YMCA and Sittingbourne - were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Miles, whose only injury concern is midfielder Darren Smith whose nursing a swollen ankle, is relishing the Kent derby.

“There’s big games at the top of the table but for sides like ourselves and Ashford these are big games for us as well," he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the game.

If Ashford collect all three points tomorrow they will have the same number of points as their Kentish rivals.

“Obviously we’d like to win just to keep our noses away from the wrong end of the table,” Miles said. “We need to win to be in a comfortable midtable position.

“But then on the other side of that if we do lose we’re looking at the wrong end of the table. Nobody wants to get sucked into (that).

Miles warns his players about complacency against a side under just a sole manager as Tim Thorogood moves outside the technical area to concentrate on his chairmanship at the Homelands.

“I’m sure each player is looking to impress the new manager but I know we’ve got a squad good enough to win tomorrow,” said Miles.

“It’s important to win your home games as you need to keep the interest from your fans at home.

“Obviously you're not expecting your local supporters to travel to Fleet or Met. Police and stuff like that so ideally if you win your home games it keeps your home fans happy and get what you get away.”

He added: “You need to impress in front of your home supporters.”