We've got to solely concentrate on beating Canvey Island, says Darts boss Tony Burman

Monday 11th October 2010

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says his side must put Saturday’s disappointment behind them and take advantage of being at home and knock Canvey Island out of the FA Cup on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

An injury time penalty from Robbie King earned The Gulls a draw against Blue Square Bet South side Dartford at The Brockwell Stadium.

Danny Heale had headed the Ryman Premier League hosts into the lead early on, but two goals in the last 20 minutes from Ryan Hayes (penalty) and skipper Elliot Bradbrook, had seemingly won the game for the Kent side.

But after Dartford goalkeeper Andrew Young was adjudged to have fouled Jason Hallett, King stepped up to convert his fifth penalty of the season to set-up a replay at Princes Park on Tuesday night.

The winners will travel to Suffolk to face Leiston in the Fourth and final Qualifying Round on 23 October and Burman wants his side to be one win away from the First Round Proper.

“We had enough chances and we played well first half, but unfortunately cam in at half-time 1-0 down, which to be fair was a little bit unbelievable really,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“But the players played well on the day and we came back to take the lead at 2-1, but the game was won, but we didn’t kill the game off and we ended up getting punished.

“The referee made two decisions, in my opinion, in injury time which were wrong. The free-kick, which I felt the free-kick should have been for us rather than against us and the decision against Andrew Young was very harsh. I thought the guy looked for a penalty and the referee brought it.”

Burman declined to speak about facing Ridgeons Premier Leaguers Leiston in the final qualifying round - as his main focus is getting past Canvey Island on Tuesday night.

“We’ll give Canvey the utmost respect and we’ve got an opportunity to go through to the next round of the FA Cup and that’s what we’ll be concentrating on,” said Burman.

“Unfortunately we’ve been drawn away from home and our main concern is to get into that so that we can talk about Leiston.

“We’ve got to solely concentrate on beating Canvey tomorrow night before we can go further.”

Burman wants his side to click in front of an expectant Princes Park faithful.

He added: “We’re creating a lot of chances but we’re realised these chances aren’t being converted at the moment, but that can change very quickly and sometimes you think what was all the problem?

“We’ve just got to be professional and keep believing in the players that they can do the job and I’m sure that they will.”

Danny Harris is suffering from a slight knee injury and has been rated doubtful.

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

Dartford v Canvey Island

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Third Qualifying Round Replay

Tuesday 12th October 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT