Hopefully home advantage will count against Wealdstone, says Dartford boss Tony Burman

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says his side have enough firepower to progress into the quarter-finals of The FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday.

The Darts – second in Blue Square Bet (Conference) South – welcome Ryman Premier League side Wealdstone to Princes Park in the last sixteen, with a big day out at Wembley drawing closer.

The Stones, who never lost to Dartford when the two sides met in the Ryman Premier League, presently sit in eleventh place in the table with 10 wins and 11 draws from their 27 games.

But Dartford go into the tie having won all seven of their games in January and are now unbeaten in nine games.

They progressed through to the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup last night as goals from Jack Pallen, Richard Graham (2) and Lee Burns saw them come away from Tonbridge Angels with a 4-2 win after extra-time.

Dartford have a lucrative home tie against neighbouring League One side Charlton Athletic in the semi-finals, while Hythe Town’s reward for their shock 4-1 win over Ebbsfleet United (after extra-time) is a home tie against Dover Athletic.

But Burman’s attentions now turn to their home clash against Wealdstone.

“It is a massive game,” he said.  “I’m pleased that we’ve been drawn at home.  I want the supporters to be nice and positive around the place and I want us to be positive.

“I been and watched Wealdstone and we’ve had a couple of reports on them and I know they’ve done ok.  They’ve always been a decent side and we know we’ll have a good game.

“It’s nice that we’ve moved on from the Ryman Premier but I know they’ll be up for the game but I’ve got to say one more time my players’ attitude over the last week with teams that we’ve played against in our around the relegation zone has been absolutely spot on.

“We’re doing well at the moment. We’re playing really well and our fitness levels, I think, have been superb.

“I’ really looking forward to it and hopefully we can continue with our good run.”

Dartford started the game against Tonbridge Angels last night with Elliot Bradbrook, Jon Wallis, Danny Harris, Jacob Erskine (and goalkeeper Louis Wells) on the bench and those four outfield players have scored 37 goals between them.

The Darts have scored 14 goals in their last three games and Burman said:  “The players are confident and they’ve got a belief in there and we’ve always created chances.  Alright, sometimes they haven’t always gone in.   We’ve created a lot of chances in games.  I’m just pleased it’s not just one person scoring, now we’ve got a lot of people who are scoring, which is great.

“We’re favourites obviously because of the league position and home advantage, which hopefully will count.”

Burman believes Wealdstone will bring plenty of supporters with them to Princes Park on Saturday and that the game has the makings of creating a good atmosphere between two well supported clubs.

He said: “I think Wealdstone will bring a lot of supporters and they’re going to make a lot of noise.  They’re going to get their players up for it. 

“We’ve got to be as professional as we can but on our day, at this moment in time, we’re playing well and hopefully the things are going right. 

“It’s not a forgone conclusion, Cup games never are.  Hopefully we can progress through to the next round.”

Naturally, Burman would like to avoid a replay, but if one is needed it will take place at Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, next Tuesday, 7^th February. 

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

Dartford  v  Wealdstone
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Round
Saturday 4^th February 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT