If Bromley finish in the top 10 and win the Kent Senior Cup that will be an excellent season - Bird

Wednesday 20th April 2011

BROMLEY manager Hayden Bird says the dress rehearsal against Dartford on Good Friday holds no relevance to the Kent Senior Cup Final between the two sides ten days later, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Lillywhites will move six points clear of Tony Burman’s side with a victory on Good Friday and they will be favourites to cement a top-ten finish.

The two sides will then play their last two league games before contesting the Kent Senior Cup Final at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, 2 May (3pm).

The Kent County Football Association have set the prices for that game:

Tickets can be purchased at the turnstiles at the Stadium, located at Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT.

Adults £10

Under 16s and Over 60s £5

Under 12s £2

All children aged under 12 will be admitted FREE OF CHARGE when accompanied by a paying adult.

Bromley have won the Kent Senior Cup on six occasions, the last time being four years ago, whilst Dartford have tasted success nine times.

This season’s final will attract a crowd of at least 1,500.

Before the showpiece Final, Bird wants to claim three points over their Kent rivals - a game that should attract a crowd of over 1,000 to Hayes Lane as Dartford fans travel in numbers.

“I think it will be a very competitive fixture,” said Bird. “Local pride’s at stake, it’s a Kent derby as you say.

“Dartford are a team that took a little while to find their feet at this level as it were but having done so in the second half of the season they’ve made their mark in the league.

“I think it will be a good game. I think it will be a very competitive game and a dress rehearsal for the big one in a week or so.”

When asked who ever wins the league game will hold any advantage going into the Kent Senior Cup Final, Bird replied, “I don’t think so. I don’t think there will be any advantage whether it will be physiological or tactical going into the Cup Final. I think the two games will be completely different.”

Bromley claimed a thoroughly deserved three points with a 2-0 win at Staines Town last weekend, courtesy of Harry Harding’s early opener and a strike from the highly-rated Harrison Dunk.

“It was an excellent performance,” hailed Bird. “I think that was one of Bromley’s best performances of the season away from home.

“We controlled the game from start to finish. We passed the ball very well and if anything we could have won by more.”

Bird added: “The first goal was scored by Harry Harding in the 48th second, which came from an excellent passage of play and the second goal was scored by Harrison Dunk, who scored after a great assist from Warren McBean.

“I think actually Staines’ first real touch of the ball was when they re-started the game for the kick-off, so we started very brightly and we continued that throughout the game.”

Bird confirmed that no concrete offers have come in for Dunk.

He said: “Harrison is a player that has undoubted potential and as I’ve said to you before, as much as I would love Harrison at Bromley next season, I think there is every chance he’ll be a professional footballer and if he does, I will be absolutely thrilled for him.

“I think there’s been interest throughout the season but there’s never been an offer for Harrison during his two-years he’s been here to the best of my knowledge I’m not aware that there’s anything about to be lodged.”

Bird, meanwhile, wants to finish their campaign on a high.

“If we beat Dartford on Friday they’ll find it hard pushed to catch us so that will secure Bromley’s place effectively in the top ten, which we wanted to set out to achieve from day one.

“If Bromley finish in the top 10 and win the Kent Senior Cup that will be an excellent season for the club.”

Youngster Peter Wedgeworth (knee ligament damage) is Bromley’s only injury concern at present.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net

Bromley v Dartford

Blue Square Bet South

Good Friday, 22nd April 2011

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF