Burman cursing his side's bad luck

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman is still in a state of shock as to how his side did NOT knock lucky St Albans City out of the FA Carlsberg Trophy last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

St Albans City, in sixth place in the Blue Square South table, having won seven of their last eight league games, were battered by excellent Dartford in what turned out to be an epic third qualifying round replay at Princes Park.

A quality finish from James Quilter gave the Hertfordshire side the lead, against the run of play, after 33 minutes, but the introduction of winger Ryan Hayes after 56 minutes, tore St Albans to shreds as they couldn’t live with his pace - or the pace of striker Cody McDonald.

The Darts thoroughly deserved their 78^th minute leveller; striker Rob Haworth thumping his six-yard header into the net, following Hayes’ right-wing cross.

But the game will be best remembered with the heroics of 38-year-old Saints’ goalkeeper, Paul Bastock, who pulled off numerous WORLD CLASS saves.

Dartford also struck the woodwork twice during the 90 minutes and had a goal ruled out in extra time; McDonald back-heeling the ball into an empty net after a jumping Bastock dropped the ball at his feet.

But lady luck shone in St Albans favour as they won 4-2 on penalties as Steve Butterworth skied his spot-kick and Hayes struck the underside of the bar, although Jamie Day and Tommy Osborne scored from their efforts from 12-yards.

Dartford were so dominant that had last night’s football match been a boxing match the referee would have halted proceedings early as St Albans were on the ropes for over an hour.

“The players have played exceptionally well and to be fair they were the better side from the second half onwards,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“But you’ve got to hold your hand up and say the keeper’s had an absolutely fantastic game and he’s pulled off five or six outstanding saves, double saves, which has kept his team in the game.

“It was great for a 38-year-old to be throwing himself around the penalty area. It was excellent for their point of view, but not ours.

“We’ve hit the bar and the post, what more can you do. We were the best team by far but have not gone through to the next round.

“Reality has set in today and I feel for all the players as they all did so well.”

Burman admitted pace murdered St Albans City last night, but felt sorry for substitutes Butterworth and Hayes for their heart-wrenching penalty misses.

“Our game plan sort of worked really,” said Burman. “We wanted to play with the same side that started on Saturday and we knew we would introduce Ryan and Steve as the game went on.

“At the end of the day the whole match we were excellent, especially in the second half and extra time, but that is football for you.

“You do your best sometimes and you sometimes don’t get through.

“What I would say the four lads who took the penalties were brave enough to take them. It’s not the nicest position or situation to be in. Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don’t.

“It didn’t happen for Butterworth or Hayes. I’m no way blaming them for us going out of the competition.”

On a night of many plusses, another one was the introduction of nineteen-year-old Seun Eferakorho, who impressed at right-back during his cameo role during the second period of extra time.

“He’s been on the bench a couple of times now,” explained Burman. “Our luck with injuries in the back four have not been the kindest to us this season. He has his chance and he done very well.”

Last night’s performance has now raised the bar and Boreham Wood visit Princes Park on Saturday as the Darts bid to climb the Ryman Premier League table.

With only one win at home in the league this season, the Darts find themselves in the bottom six, just three points above the drop zone.

“The players are very, very disappointed but we’ve got to try to lift them now for Saturday’s game,” said Burman.

“We have got to take the positives out of Saturday’s game (the goal-less draw at Clarence Park); the belief that we could do something last night.

“That’s what they (the players) have to take in; they have to believe we can win league games and once we take that it will be a good positive and I’m sure we can do it.

“We’ve had some good games with Boreham Wood over the last few seasons; they’ve lost their last four league games but they won a game in the county cup last night.

“They had a great start to the season and having a little spell that all teams in this league, apart from Dover, have.

“We’ve got to believe in ourselves; remember all the good things we did in the second half last night and the first half against Tonbridge and get the three points on Saturday.”

And Burman warned Dartford’s Ryman Premier League rivals' that McDonald can only get better.

“He’s still learning at this level,” he said. “He’s only played nine games but he’s been exceptional since he’s been here.

“If we can improve on what I want him to do then who knows what might happen. I’m very pleased with his progress at the moment.”

Last night’s epic, however, did come at a cost, with Adam Flanagan; Danny Dafter (calf); Lee Noble (groin) and McDonald (ankle) all picking up knocks and don’t forget that John Guest is still nursing a hamstring strain.

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

Dartford v Boreham Wood
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 29^th November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Princes Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT