Burman: Let's become Ryman Kings on Saturday

Friday 09th April 2010

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has told his side to go and clinch the Ryman Premier League title at Kingstonian tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

A repeat of the glorious 5-0 success over the Surrey giants at Princes Park back in August would certainly cap off an excellent season for the Kent club.

But since the fourth game off the season, Kingstonian have climbed up the table into second place and will do their hardest to keep the champagne on ice for another three days at least.

The Darts have been top since the second game of the season and deserve to be playing Blue Square South football when the new season kick’s off in August.

Burman, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the top-of-the-table clash at Kingsmeadow, wants things wrapped up in their 36th league game tomorrow.

“Obviously we’ve got quite a few games to play, but like we said last weekend, on (Easter) Monday, I don’t worry about what anyone else was doing.

“We just had three points to play for and we got those three points and it didn’t matter how we played or how below par we played the three points was the most important thing.

“The same again (at Kingstonian) on Saturday. It’s going to be a difficult place to get three points but that’s what we want. We don’t want to play for draws or anything like that - we want to try and win the game and things work out right for us.”

The two giant clubs have had a mixed last seven days. After beating Sutton United, Kingstonian suffered embarrassing defeats to relegation threatened sides Bognor Regis Tow and Waltham Abbey on their travels, whilst Dartford picked up maximum points against Hastings United and Canvey Island.

“I was at the game on Wednesday night,” revealed Burman. “As I said, Waltham Abbey is a difficult place to go and if you’re not right for the game, you’ll get punished.

“Kingstonian are second in the league, their the second best team, the league table is not lying.

“I feel we will get a little bit of a backlash from their last two performances and they will want to beat us that’s for sure, like every team does.

“We’re very strong at the moment, the injuries have cleared up and this team know they’ve got something to go for. They know their within touching distance now and if it doesn’t happen Saturday it moves onto Tuesday’s game (away to Harrow Borough).

“I would love it if we’ve go and win the game on Saturday.”

Burman watched Kingstonian's 1-0 defeat at Waltham Abbey in the middle of last week.

“Listen, Waltham Abbey is a tough place to go to,” said the Darts boss, who takes his side to Capershotts next Thursday.

“It wasn’t quite right what they done and they got punished with a 1-0 defeat. To be fair to Waltham Abbey, they done alright.

“Maybe some of Kingstonian’s players haven’t been there before - I don’t know - that’s how this league is the teams at the top can be beaten by the teams at the bottom. It happened to us (when we lost at home to Margate).

“Anyone who says this league is easier than last year is talking absolute crap!

“Last Saturday we needed eleven points to mathematically win this league and by Monday afternoon all of a sudden I needed two points and Wednesday night we basically need one point with the goal-difference.

“It’s a strange game and things change so quickly and yet again the Easter weekend has been a major turning point in the season.”

Dartford officials expect over 400 fans will make the trip to Kingsmeadow, and Burman insisted his team will make the trip worthwhile.

“It’s a nice ground over at Kingstonian and they’re good people over there,” he said. “I’ve got a cousin whose on the supporters committee and on the board and I would love to go there on a Saturday afternoon and hopefully it will be a cracking game and we can come out and get the three points to clinch the title and that’s what we’ll endeavour to do.

“We trained last night and we’re very much up for the game and I hope lots of supporters from Dartford will travel - I’m sure they’re going to. We need their support and I wouldn’t want them to miss anything.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

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

Kingstonian v Dartford

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 10th April 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Kingsmeadow Stadium, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 3PB