We can bring the Trophy back to Hayes Lane, says Bromley boss Hayden Bird

BROMLEY boss Hayden Bird says he wants his side to become the best side in Kent on Monday afternoon, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Lilywhites aim to bring the Kent Senior Cup back to Hayes Lane for the seventh time in their history when they travel to Princes Park Stadium to lock horns with Dartford.

Bromley hold the physiological advantage having taken four points from Tony Burman’s side in Blue Square Bet South this season.

Bromley came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw at the £7.5m Princes Park last September and claimed a morale-boosting 4-1 win over stunned Darts at Hayes Lane on Good Friday.

Bird, speaking ahead of his first ever Kent Senior Cup Final, said, “It’s a fitting way to end the season.  Two sides that are currently in good form.  Dartford showed a perfect response to the result at Hayes Lane on Good Friday by thumping Dover and I think it will be a really contested competitive Cup final.”

Bird added, “It’s too close to call, I suspect.  Dartford’s record at Princes Park is a good one – their home form is significantly better than their away form, I think, but our away form is better than it is at Hayes Lane.

”They clearly have an advantage, there’s no doubt about that.  It’s a unique situation, where it’s a Cup final, but they’re at home.

”However, we’re going into the game upbeat and confident that we can bring the trophy back to Hayes Lane.”

The last time Bromley achieved that was in 2007, but you will have to go back to 1988 for the last time that Dartford lifted the county’s highest honour.

Bird said: “It’s a competition that’s an important competition.  I said at the start of the season it’s a competition we’re taking seriously and one we want to win.

”Bromley want to be the biggest team in Kent and to be the biggest team in Kent you’ve got to win the Kent Senior Cup on a regular basis.

”I think this will be a really close affair.  I don’t think the result at Hayes Lane will have any significance to the result on Monday.  Strangely enough, I think it will help them then it will help us as it will spur them on after the 4-1 result.”

With both sides knowing each other inside out, Bird was asked how the Cup will be won – or lost – on Monday afternoon.

”That’s a secret.  There’s a few things that I have in mind tactically how to win the game, but I’m sure if you speak to Tony (Burman) he’ll say exactly the same.  I don’t think any of us will show our hand until the game starts.”

Striker Warren McBean ended his frustrating 17 game barren run without a goal against the Darts on Good Friday.

”Warren’s had a frustrating season but I think against Dartford he showed that he’s a quality player and potentially a match winner and that’s something that they’re aware of – as we’re aware of players of the likes of (Lee) Noble’s and (Charlie) Sheringham’s ability.”

Meanwhile, the Kent County Football Association have confirmed the four match officials for Monday’s Final.

Stuart Butler is the match referee, with Graeme Ions and Paul Beadle running the line, with Darren Blunden taking up fourth official duties.

A crowd of at least 1,500 is expected.  Tickets are priced (at the turnstiles) at £10 (adults), £5 (under 16s and over 60s), £2 (children under 12), whilst children under the age of 12 will be admitted free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult.

Striker Leon McKenzie, meanwhile, serves the last of his three-match suspension and misses the Final.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net

Dartford  v  Bromley
Kent Senior Cup Final
Bank Holiday Monday 2^nd May 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT