We will fly past the Angels, says Burman

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says he hasn’t given up the ghost of catching Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels and finish in third place in the Ryman Premier League table, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts travel to Margate on Saturday in fifth place in the table and are eight points adrift of the Angels, who have consolidated third place for a number of weeks.

Dover Athletic (86 points) have already secured their place in the play-off’s at least and Staines Town (66) are destined to finish as runners-up.

Tommy Warrilow’s Angels follow on 56 points; Carshalton Athletic (49) and Dartford (48) also occupy the play-off places, with Sutton United (48), Canvey Island (42) and Horsham (42) ready to pounce if anyone slips up.

“I think it’s so close up there,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight. “I think, for us, Staines are out of the question, but I don’t think Tonbridge are.

“We’re eight points (behind Tonbridge), eight points at this stage is not that much. It’s all to play for.

“First of all we want to be in the play-off’s. Tonbridge are eight points (clear), it’s not a big gap and we’ve still got to play Tonbridge (at home) and Tonbridge have to play other teams.”

Burman took positives out of last night’s goal-less stalemate at Hastings United as the wet and windy conditions took their toll.

“We knew last night would be a difficult game,” said Burman. “What we didn’t know was the weather conditions, which spoilt the game for a spectators view, as well as a managers point of view as well.

“I felt we defended well, but I didn’t think we did enough going forward, where we’ve been strong.

“I don’t think we deserved to win - we deserved to get a point and we kept a clean sheet as well so overall we got a point away from home - with a clean sheet.”

Burman, meanwhile, has first hand experience of financial restraints, as is with the case with his counterpart at Margate, Terry Yorath.

Looking forward to the Hartsdown Park clash, which should attract a bumper crowd, Burman said, “Margate have been in some trouble off the field this season and it’s difficult to get a stable side together when that happens.

“To beat Canvey Island 4-0 is a fantastic result and we knew Hastings would be a tough game because they had a poor result Saturday and we know we’re in for a tough game this Saturday against Margate.

“Margate have had problems with their ground and problems off the field doesn’t help the players or the manager but you try to carry on the best you can.

“It’s a massive lift to get a result like they had last night. We’ve always said Kent derbies are Kent derbies and positions in the league are irrelevant.”

But Burman is confident his side will come away from Thanet with all three points in the bag.

“We’re on a good run and my players have done fantastic since November,” he said. “It didn’t go right for us last night but a point away from home isn’t such a bad thing as people might think.

“I was pleased with the players that they got something from the game in the conditions.”

Danny Dafter (ankle) and Ryan Hayes (hamstring) are both expected to be out of action for up to three weeks as they recover from their injuries.

Meanwhile, Margate have cleared up some of the mystery surrounding last night’s game at Canvey Island, which was abandoned after 82 minutes due to a power failure, with Margate leading 4-0 at the time.

“The League will review the referee’s report and then write to both clubs asking for their submissions,” said a Margate statement, issued on www.margate-fc.com.

“These will in turn be reviewed by the league, probably by an emergency board meeting at which a decision will be reached, and the clubs notified.

“If either club disagrees with the decision, they do have leave to appeal, firstly to the League and ultimately to the Football Association.

“It is unlikely that a decision will be reached until next week.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com

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

Margate v Dartford
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 7^th March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5QZ