Terrors are in a false position, warns Burman

Dartford can return to the summit of the Ryman League Division One South table tonight, if they can win at underperforming Tooting & Mitcham United, writes Stephen McCartney.

Dartford, who welcome Horsham YMCA to Ship Lane in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Sunday, moved to within two points of surprise leaders Fleet Town with a 3-1 win over Godalming Town at the weekend.

“We managed to secure another three points which was the main priority,” Darts boss Tony Burman told www.dartfordfootball.co.uk

“Again I felt the game was not the best we have played in but I thought our opponents worked very hard and I wanted the players to match that effort and then let the quality come through. To their credit I felt the players achieved this.

“I was very disappointed to concede a goal just after half-time from a corner as we have enough height in the side to deal with this type of cross.

“I also felt we hit the target enough times to increase the score line but to be fair their keeper pulled off some very good saves throughout the game.”

Burman was, however, pleased that his side bagged their sixth league win of the season despite missing Eddie McClements, Ryan Hayes, Danny White, John Farley, Teddy Ansell, James Carter and Craig Maguire.

“Over the last few weeks I have added players to the squad and I am still active in this area as it is important to have a strong squad in depth,” he said.

“With these players missing it was a credit that we could put out a strong side last Saturday.”

Burman feels George Wakeling’s and Billy Smith’s side should be higher than the position they currently occupy in the bottom three, adding: “We face a tough test at Tooting & Mitcham, who in my opinion are in a false position in the table at this stage of the season.”

Despite finishing slowly the Terrors under previous management reached the play-off’s last season, before losing at Tonbridge Angels in the semi-finals at the Betterview Longmead Stadium, but the former Bromley management team have the ability to emulate what they did at Hayes Lane two season's ago and climb up into a play-off berth.

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