Dartford 1-0 Welling United - My best moment in football management, says proud Tony Burman

DARTFORD  1-0  WELLING UNITED
Blue Square Bet South Play-Off Final
Sunday 13^th May 2012
Stephen McCartney reports from Princes Park Stadium

PROUD Dartford manager Tony Burman hailed his club’s promotion back into the top flight of non-league football after 26 years’ as a great achievement.

The Darts, who finished nine points behind champions Woking as runners-up on 88 points, sealed promotion against a Welling United side that finished seven points behind in third place, thanks to midfielder Lee Noble’s quality strike inside the opening four minutes.

It proved to be a decisive goal for Dartford, who will be locking horns with Welsh giants Wrexham – and traditional rivals Ebbsfleet United - in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier next season.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the result,” said Burman, who in his third spell at the club has transformed them from Southern League strugglers, Ryman League Division One North champions, Ryman Premier League champions and Blue Square Bet (Conference) South play-off kings since taking over from Tommy Sampson back in January 2005.

“I think it was thoroughly deserved over the season.  I think we were the second best side in the league.  To come through the play-offs as well with flying colours is a great achievement and it’s fantastic for everybody involved.”

Today’s success was for the people who brought the club back off its knees back in 1995, people like co-chairman Dave Skinner, Bill Archer, Steve Irving, Peter Martin et all and the 300 or so supporters who were supporting the club during darker days.

But the club have gone from strength-to-strength ever since moving into Princes Park back in November 2006.

Burman said: “There’s many supporters who were around at that time who have done that.  It’s a great accolade to them for all that hard work back then is paying off.  

“We’ve been fortunate to have a council who were positive in their thinking and Jeremy Kite who pushed to get a ground for the community, not just for Dartford Football Club and that’s what we wanted.  There was a lot of hard work to get that passed through but it happened and the rewards are now at this moment. 

“We’ve got to still keep growing and we have to make the foundations as strong as we can.”

Welling United player-manager, Jamie Day, was bitterly disappointed about the outcome but the former Dartford play-maker was pleased with his side’s passing game.

He said: “I’m disappointed.  I thought we passed the ball really well today, probably didn’t create as much as we probably liked.

“I felt we was on top during the game today and the early goal killed us a little bit, but I don’t think they created after that.

“They obviously showed why they’re second.  They defended and they were hard to break down.

“In my opinion it was an even game. I thought we slightly edged it footballing side. We didn’t create enough.”

The passion coming from both sets of supporters before and during the game was immense, as a full-house of 4,088 crammed into Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium.

And with 3,000 Dartford supporters cheering them on, the home side started off in an explosive manner and Noble’s champagne strike was timed at 183 seconds.

James Rogers played the ball inside to Noble, who was left in acres of space, who took two touches before cracking a stunning right-footed drive from 25-yards with his third, which dipped over the diving Craig Holloway and the ball bounced into the left-hand corner to send the home fans – and bench – into mass celebration.

Burman was full of praise for the former Brentwood Town midfielder.

He said: “They backed off, off Nobes and he’s hit one and he does that.  He done that against us a few years’ back and that’s one of the reasons he signed because he’s got that sort of shot on him.

“He’s been excellent in the play-offs and the play-off final. It was a great goal because it settled us down and I think, If I’m thoroughly honest, second half we showed what our fitness was about and I think we should’ve increased our lead.”

Day was disappointed that his players failed to close down Dartford’s hero during that crucial moment.

He said: “We gave him too much time and we know Nobe’s, he’s got a decent strike on him – obviously he showed it!

“It was a good strike from 25-yards after four minutes and it’s put them on the front foot, but we responded well.  I’m disappointed, but I’m pleased with the way we played at times.”

Welling United just couldn’t cope with Dartford’s powerful display inside an intense opening 20 minutes and Dartford almost doubled their lead, before Welling could settle down.

Powerfully built target-man Jacob Erskine hurled a long throw into the penalty area beside the corner flag and skipper Elliot Bradbrook glanced his header wide from six-yards.

Burman added: “It’s always great to get a goal in the first four minutes, it obviously settles you down.  We know that if we play at a high tempo that’s when we’re at our best.” 

Welling United braved forward and they created a half-chance when left-back Jack Obersteller floated in a free-kick into the Dartford penalty area, which was cleared and Joe Healy clipped a left-footed curling effort into Louis Wells’ gloves.

Burman was pleased that his side kept Welling United’s dangerous attacking players quiet.

“We were in training yesterday and we spoke about what their good at and their weaknesses. I think we got a better of their weaknesses rather than they got the better of ours today.” 

The most disappointing thing about Kent’s biggest ever derby was that either keeper were hardly called upon as both defensive lines provided a solid wall.

Welling United eased themselves into the game towards the half-way point of the first half and played the neater passing football of the two sides.

A flicked pass from quiet striker Luis Cumbers put in his strike partner Loick Pires but an excellent sliding block from Dartford defender Tom Bonner denied the gangly fourteen goal striker.

Welling United’s best chance of the entire game arrived ten minutes before the break.

Day clipped a ball down the line for Cumbers down the inside left channel and he did well to cut inside right-back Lee Burns and he cut the ball back to Healy, who unleashed a rasping left-footed drive from 20-yards, which sailed over Wells’ crossbar.

Dartford were thwarted by a fine save from Holloway inside the opening six minutes of the second half.

Bradbrook played the ball into Erskine’s feet with his back to goal and his flicked pass was floated into the penalty area by hardworking striker Danny Harris, which was met by Bradbrook’s head and his looping header was clawed out, high to his right, by the Welling keeper.

Dartford stepped up a gear around the hour mark, when they created chances to seal the victory.

Burman added: “I thought as the game went on, especially second half, we got stronger and we should’ve increased our lead.”

Keeper Wells pumped the ball straight down the middle of the pitch and Erskine used his strength to knock the ball down with his chest into Harris, who hooked a right-footed shot towards goal from outside of the box, which deflected wide of the left-hand post.

Noble was then once again given space outside of the Welling penalty area but this time his deflected 25-yard right-footed drive looped over.

Left-back Adam Green joined an attack in the 63^rd minute and unleashed a low left-footed drive from 25-yards, which slid in between Erskine’s legs on the edge of the penalty area and Holloway got down low to his left to make a comfortable save to prevent the ball finding the bottom corner.

Dartford created the game’s last chance seven minutes later when Green swung in a free-kick, which was cleared out to Rogers, whose left-footed shot on the turn from 20-yards rose high above Holloway’s crossbar.

Welling United skipper, Jack Parkinson, was forced off the pitch through illness with twenty minutes to go and they brought on understudy Anthony Acheampong, and shortly afterwards Harry Baker replaced Dean Cracknell, but the winger was kept in Burns’ pocket.

With Day pulling the strings in the middle of the park, Welling United played a neat passing game but unfortunately for 1,000 of their supporters they couldn’t break down a solid Dartford back four and Wells had a comfortable afternoon.

Day added: “I don’t think there was that much, chances wise. We had one or two half chances which we should’ve done better with in the first half.

“Second half, probably had good spells with the ball, but I agree we didn’t create enough.  We had good possession of the ball, but probably just didn’t do enough with it.

“I’m pleased with all of them. They put in a good shift today.  I thought we played the better football but at the end of the day they’ve won the game and got promoted.”

Referee Mr Paul Rees blew the final whistle and sprinted down the players tunnel, which marked the start of Dartford’s promotion party and once all the Blue Square Bet branded signage was erected onto the pitch skipper Bradbrook held aloft the play-off winning trophy and Burman can now plan for Conference Premier football.

“Brilliant! It was the best moment,” Burman said of that final whistle blown by the Bristol based referee.

“Over the season we’ve worked so hard. I’m pleased for the people who haven’t won anything.  They’ve now won something and the ones that have won something have experienced it again.  I think they thoroughly deserve it.

“I think we were the second best side in the league.  We’ve been consistent and they’ve been brilliant.”

Burman admitted Dartford have reached the top flight of non-league football four years earlier than expected.

“We had a ten year plan to get there and we’ve got there in six I think it is and it’s going to be the most difficult time I think I’m ever going to have that, but we can’t think we don’t want to go up there.  You’ve got to go up there and try it and see what happens.

“No one’s going to expect us to do anything so the expectation levels are to stay in that league but who knows?  We’ll see what happens.  It’s going to be tough.   There’s plenty of travelling, there’s a lot of talking to do about the league but at the moment I want to enjoy about winning the one that we’re in, the one that we’re going to be leaving.”

Burman added today’s glorious days is better than winning two Ryman League titles.

“Best moment in football as a manager, definitely,” he said.  “It’s always nice to win leagues. I’ve done that.  I’ve been fortunate enough to win two leagues before this and I love it every time, but the higher you go it’s difficult and this is an achievement. 

“We’ve gone up and had a season where we consolidated and we try to win something in the second year and I think we thoroughly deserve it.”

To his credit, Day wished Burman and Dartford the best as they enter a division which has so many former Football League clubs and some very long distances.

Day said: “I’m disappointed we’ve lost, but I’m pleased for Tony. He’s a friend of mine. He’s done a really good job. If you look at his record, every two years he’s got promoted. He’s got a good set of lads. 

“It’s a club that’s geared up to go into the Conference so I’m pleased for them in that respect and obviously disappointed that we’ve lost, but I enjoyed my time here and I wish them all the best next season.”

Burman was quick to praise his backroom staff for their backing over the years’.

“Listen, I’m immensely proud, but I’ve got a team behind me and it’s not just me. I think Paul Sawyer and Steve Mosely have got to be mentioned in all of this,” said Burman.

“They’ve been an absolute rock for me and the rest of the backroom staff.  They’re the two guys’ who keep me going. They’re the two guys who I listen to and they don’t agree with me all the time, which is a great feeling.

“We’ve come up through the ranks, but we’ve worked hard.”

Day insists today’s disappointment will make his players come back stronger.

“We had it similar with Braintree last year. We went there when they lifted the (championship) Trophy when we played them and it’s happened this year so hopefully third time lucky next year!”

Dartford: Louis Wells, Lee Burns, Adam Green, Tom Bonner, Luke Wilkinson, Tom Champion, Lee Noble, James Rogers, Jacob Erskine (Tony Garrod 90), Elliot Bradbrook, Danny Harris.
Subs:  Ryan Hayes, Paul Goodacre, Richard Graham, Andy Young

Goal: Lee Noble 4

Booked: Lee Noble 36, Danny Harris 61, Jacob Erskine 90

Welling United: Craig Holloway, Loui Fazakerley, Jack Obersteller, Jamie Day, Ben Martin, Jack Parkinson (Anthony Acheampong 70), Dean Cracknell (Harry Baker 75), Lee Clarke, Luis Cumbers, Joe Healy, Loick Pires.
Subs: Andy Sambrook, Scott Kinch, Jamie Turner

Attendance: 4,088
Referee: Mr Paul Rees (Portishead, Bristol)
Assistants: Mr Vince Penfold (Addlestone, Surrey) & Mr Alan Dale (Ipswich, Suffolk)
Fourth Official: Mr Charles Breakspear (Walton-on-Thames, Surrey)