Bradbrook boost for Burman

Thursday 03rd December 2009

AFTER losing their unbeaten Ryman Premier League record to AFC Hornchurch last weekend, Tony Burman this weekend takes his Dartford side to Grosvenor Vale knowing that their host's too are coming into the game off the back of a heavy defeat last Saturday, writes Mike Green.
Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the defeat to Hornchurch, Burman was surprised to hear that Wealdstone had been beaten 5-0 at Gander Green Lane by Sutton United.

He said: "I honestly don't know if that makes me feel better or not. We know that they are a very good side - when we played them here (at Princes Park in August) they scored in the first two minutes and then we battered them; their keeper had a great game that day (the game finished in a 1-1 draw) but we'll got there knowing that they're a good side."

Burman then admitted that his sides eight point lead at the tables summit seems to be having an undesired effect on the Darts opponents.

He said: "Thing is that they know that if they are going to close the gap on us they must win their games and that means getting something against us, but we'll travel after having had two good sessions this week with a manager and a group of players who are absolutely gutted at having lost to Hornchurch intent on trying to win the game."

For the Darts have had a rare midweek without competitive football, a point that Burman wishes wasn't the case - especially this week.

"When you lose games you sometime prefer to have a game immediately afterwards on the Tuesday" he said.

"But when we play away, the home team’s have to come at us and hopefully that means that we're going to get a bit more space.

“At this moment in time people are playing with numbers behind the ball against us and trying to hit us on the break - even if that wasn't the way Hornchurch beat us," bemoaned the Darts boss still bitterly upset that his side lost their unbeaten record to a side that failed to have one shot worthy of the name in the whole game last weekend - the only goal coming from a driven right cross that skidded through the goalmouth.

"You know, it still wrangles with me that we've lost to a side that in all fairness haven't had what most people would call a shot on goal in the whole game - it is a funny game isn't it?" smiled Burman

The Darts should have a full squad to choose from - a squad that could soon include Elliott Bradbrook once more.

Bradbrook, who hasn't played for six weeks after suffering ligament damage himself against Tonbridge early in October, has surprised his manager with the speed of his recovery.

"He's making good progress," Burman admitted. "Its scary sometimes that he's making such good progress - he's started to jog on Thursday of last week; he's done a bit more today (Saturday) and so far there's been no adverse reaction."

But the manager at least isn't going to get carried away with the former Maidstone United man's progress.

"What I would say if he's back during January I'd be absolutely delighted, and it goes without saying that if he can get back before then, it would be even better! There's no doubt that we've missed him - he's a quality player and we've missed him without any doubt, but" said Burman adamantly, "the main thing, and the most important thing is that when he does come back he comes back 100 percent!"

Wealdstone have confirmed that a pitch inspection shall take place at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning.

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

Wealdstone v Dartford
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 5^th December 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 6JQ