Team morale is excellent, reveals Darts boss Burman

Dartford manager Tony Burman was pleased his side kept their third successive clean sheet when they defeated Wivenhoe Town 3-0 at Stonebridge Road on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

After being held to two goal-less draws at home against Arlesey Town and Sittingbourne, Burman’s side secured three vital points to climb into fourth place in the Southern League Division One table - seven points adrift of second place.

“I have to admit that I was a little bit nervous before the game,” Burman told www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

“To me it was such an important game that we needed to win to keep our momentum going.”

Ever since the club saw their local council start work on their new stadium at Princes Park in November, they’ve enjoyed a feel good factor both on and off the pitch.

“The players had trained well and the mood in the camp was excellent, well that carried on in the changing room Saturday,” revealed Burman.

“You cannot coach this to happen but as a manager you just want it to be there when you turn up - and it made me feel so much better.”

After losing Richard Avery to ‘flu, Burman, whose side travel to Waltham Forest next Saturday, was forced to move Tommy Osborne to centre-back alongside Anthony Henry, but he admitted 18-year-old Lee Craig had an “excellent game” at left-back, which is the youngsters normal position.

Reflecting on the game, Burman said: “I felt the result was an excellent team performance and from our point of view converted three quality goals and kept another clean sheet.”

But the Darts stalwart has been frustrated having not been able to strengthen his squad, adding: “I have not managed to persuade any new payers to strengthen our squad at present mainly due to the seven-day rule and yes I did lose out on Friday as a player had made up his mind to join a Ryman League club.”