Burman given Noble boost for season opener

Wednesday 12th August 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says he is not taking their first two opponents lightly, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent giants welcome Horsham to Princes Park on the opening day of the season on Saturday - before travelling to Margate next Tuesday night.

“We’ve done over six weeks of pre-season training and you can only do so much where the results don’t count,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today.

“The fitness is good and now you look for that little momentum and start to play for points, winning games and now we’re ready to do that.

“We’ve so many games in the next two weeks. We’ve got six games in the next fifteen days. It would be nice to get off to a good start. We’ll do our best to try and do that.

“We have to start with Horsham but it’s not an easy game. They’re a good, experienced side and they will come to our place and want to perform but we have to overcome those kind of things and concentrate on what we need to do.

“The squad know what’s expected and we’ll do our best to try and get three points.”

Burman goes into the opening day without striker Jay May, who has been ruled out with a groin strain, but midfielder Lee Noble could be in line for a return.

“Lee trained for the first time on Monday night and you just wouldn’t have though he’s not been doing any training,” said a pleased Burman.

“He’s had a little crack on his toe which has caused him grief when kicking the ball. But to be fair he’s kicked the ball Monday night with no reaction.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anybody fitter than Lee Noble and that could be a major boost for us.”

One player that will not feature against the Hornets on Saturday is central defender John Guest, who has joined Ryman League Division One South side Ashford Town on a months loan.

“John has come back a lot fitter than what he was last season and that’s a credit to him,” explained Burman.

“He had a slight injury in pre-season, which has held his progress up a little bit. He won’t be making the starting back four but I didn’t want him sitting on the bench because it’s stopping him from progressing.

“Steve Lovell (the Ashford manager) needed someone for a month so John will get a number of games and will be coming back fighting for his shirt.”

Burman takes his side to Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night to lock horns with Margate.

“We’ve got a Kent derby early on in the season as we did last year,” he said.

“Margate look like they have been doing ok and we know we’re going to have a tough game.

“We know there’s not going to be any easy games. We know that from our experiences last year we have to concentrate on what we’re going to do and focus on us and try and win three points every game.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game - courtesy of Mike Green.

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

Dartford v Horsham

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 15th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford DA1 1RT