Burman set to make changes despite awesome display

Wednesday 26th August 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has promised changes for Saturday’s home game against Wealdstone - despite an awesome 5-0 home win over Kingstonian last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts remain at the top of the Ryman Premier League table with a 100% record from their opening four games - and newly promoted Kingstonian had no answer to Dartford’s scintillating display.

The Darts stormed to a 3-0 lead at the break and also had two goals (from Elliot Bradbrook and Rob Haworth) ruled out as they dealt a killer blow to a side that comfortably clinched the Ryman League Division One South title by seven points last season.

Lee Burns, a right-back turned striker, scored a hat-trick, also missed a penalty, as Bradbrook and influential winger Ryan Hayes also got on the score sheet.

Shell-shocked Kingstonian had midfielder Tommy Williams - and manager Alan Dowson - sent off for dissent on a night that they would like to forget.

“I’m going to be open about it, I had seven players who didn’t play, the five subs if you like, Jay (May), Adam (Burchell) and they’re good enough to be in the (starting) eleven,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night.

“There will be a good chance that I’ll swap it all about over the weekend because it doesn’t matter who we put in, they’re good enough to be in that eleven.

“I know we’ve got a winning side at the moment, but we’ve got two difficult games in three days and I’ll try and use the whole squad.”

Wealdstone are the next side to visit Princes Park on Saturday, before Dartford travel to Essex to lock horns with AFC Hornchurch on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Stones are currently 15th in the table, having played Billericay Town (0-0), Tooting & Mitcham United (0-2), Maidstone United (2-2) before winning 1-0 at Boreham Wood last night.

The Urchins, meanwhile, will be playing their third Kent side already this season, having stole three points at Tonbridge Angels on the opening day of the season (2-1) in what was a smash-and-grab raid at Longmead Stadium.

The Essex side followed that up with a 2-1 home win over Boreham Wood, a 1-0 home defeat to Tooting & Mitcham United, before playing out a goal-less draw at Maidstone United last night.

When asked about keeping his table-topping side’s feet on the ground, Burman replied, “There’s no problem with that at all. We’ve decided we wanted to assess things after the first six games.

“We’ve had a great first week with three wins and we’ve started the second week with a win and then we go into two difficult games in three days.

“We’ve got a strong squad and will more than likely use everybody in that squad.”

A crowd of 1,038 turned up at Princes Park last night - Dartford officials were expecting a figure of up to 900 - and last night’s performance should entice another 200 (or more) to turn up against Wealdstone on Saturday.

Burman praised those fans, adding, “They’ve supported us since we’ve been here and are a credit to the club, especially when we’re winning but they get a bit down when we lose.

“Let’s be patient. We want people to come here and to enjoy themselves but we want them to go away and say what a great team Dartford Football Club have put together.”

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

Dartford v Wealdstone

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 29th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

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