Burman pleased with his strength in deptth

TONY BURMAN took the positives out of Dartford’s Kent Senior Cup exit at the hands of their Blue Square Premier neighbours Ebbsfleet United last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts, table topping the Ryman League Division One North table, had taken the lead - against the run of play - inside the opening 12 minutes thanks to Phil Williams’ first goal for the club.

But the Fleet levelled proceedings through Liam Coleman twenty minutes later and a header from striker Raphael Nade - just 61 seconds into the second half - was the killer blow.

And a brace from Chukki Eribenne wrapped up a comfortable 4-1 win as the Fleet booked their place in the semi-finals.

A larger than normal crowd for a Kent Senior Cup tie of 1,287 - of which at least 400 made the five-mile trip from Dartford - saw the visitors take the lead when former Dulwich Hamlet winger Williams opened his account with his new side when his shot from the edge of the box looped off Frenchman Sacha Opinel and into Sam Mott’s net.

Just the perfect start against full-time opposition, said Burman when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game at Stonebridge Road - the Dart's first visit since vacating the ground in May 2006.

“It was a little bit lucky with the deflection but I thought we started off quite brightly really,” he said.

“It was good for us to score which made it, I wouldn’t say easy for us, it made us settled down a little bit and obviously Gravesend to go, it helps them to get us to go maybe into fourth of fifth gear.

“The first half we got our enthusiasm going and the fitness was only going to last for 45 minutes really.

“But we was quite pleased with the first half. We felt we mustn’t give the ball away cheaply against very good opposition with some quality players so I’m disappointed with the scoreline.

“But at the end of the day it’s served it’s purpose for what we wanted to do. We have some players a full ninety minutes in our quest for our main concern, which is to get promotion.”

Although both sides fielded players’ with first-team experience, Fleet boss Liam Daish made six changes to his side that ended Burton Albion’s unbeaten away record on Saturday.

Burman on the other hand made nine with only goalkeeper Tony Kessell and Williams retaining their shirts from their 1-0 win over defensive minded Arlesey Town at Princes Park.

“I’d like to put out a full-team but there’s no excuses. I expect Liam hasn’t put out his full-team out but nevertheless I think it’s been a reasonably good game and they’ve not let anyone down,” said the Darts boss.

But Burman admitted that he was disappointed with the way his side allowed Nade to head home Coleman’s corner so early into the second half.

He said: “That’s what’s really hurt us more than anything else. We said in the changing room whatever happens (don’t let in a quick goal) and unfortunately they’ve scored.

“The corner’s a little bit of a mistake but it’s how they got the corner. One of our players thought it was going out and their lad’s chased everything and he’s forced a corner and that’s what I’m disappointed about.

“But it’s something that the players have got to learn.”

He added: “The third goal’s an individual error and that’s killed the game off really so from our point of view they’re stronger as the game went on and being full-time and sharper and fitter and it’s difficult for our (part-time) lads but having said that I’m pleased with them.

“There’s no disgrace or anything, we’ve gone out to some good players who are a good side.”

Pleased with the strength in depth at Princes Park, Burman added: “Two years ago I’d have been delighted to have put that side out.

"But it’s strength in depth but you have got to try and keep players’ happy and they’re disappointed that their not in the starting eleven some of them, which I just have to try my best to keep them happy and when they get their chance they’ve got to take it.”

Burman praised both sets of fans’ for turning out in their droves and bringing back some glitz and glamour to a dying competition.

He said: “The crowd was brilliant. I’m well pleased and it’s nice to be involved in these games.

“This season we’ve had crowds of over a thousand, which we’re delighted about obviously but the old Boxing Day games (against the Fleet) and Easter Monday games are missed and I wish Ebbsfleet every success,” said Burman.

“I just hope we’re up at that level in the next few years, that’s what we want and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.

Missing former Fleet midfielder Eddie McClements (groin) and defender John Guest (ankle), attention now turns to the visit of Northwood in another must-win match at Princes Park on Saturday.

“We’re back to our own level and we need to concentrate on that and try and win the game on Saturday,” highlighted Burman, whose sole aim this season is to clinch promotion to the Ryman Premier League as the club bid to climb the league’s in order to play Ebbsfleet United in the highest tier of non-league football - that is if the Fleet are still there!

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

Dartford  v  Northwood
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 2nd February 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT