Dartford 1-1 Carshalton Athletic - I am happy we didn't lose, says Burman

Saturday 23rd January 2010

DARTFORD 1-1 CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Mike Green reports from Princes Park Stadium

DARTFORD extended their lead at the top of the Ryman Premier League despite being held at home by Carshalton Athletic at Princes Park.

Tony Burman’s side now lead the table by 12 points despite the fact that Carshalton belied their league position (although they do have games in hand) more than held their own and deserved to leave Princes with a point - a point that wasn't lost on manager Burman as he spoke to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“We didn't lose and fair play to Carshalton, as they came here to play,” said Burman.

“First half we did all right except for the last minute - you can’t allow a player like Richard Jolly the room we did at the end of the first half.

“Second half we were much, much better and got the lift of the goal just after half time. I'm happy with that - we didn't lose!"

Burman continued "We didn't make as many chances as I'd have liked in the first half when they were playing the controlled football - nevertheless I think that its a very fair result!

“The final ball into the box didn't happen for us today. Its hard for me to criticise the way we played today but when I look in the programme we're top of the League and top of the Form Table - and we're in the middle of lean spell!!!

“The boys have trained hard and deserve to be there. We haven't won but we haven't lost and after the break we've had I'm happy with that today.

“We've just got to keep going and do what we're good at - the lads are learning all the time and we don't want to complicate things down the line. Today's game was a 1-1 draw; it was a better 1-1 draw than against Cray in our last home game on Boxing Day - I'll take that..."

Early on it was a strange game as the clearest chance in the opening half hour came from Ryan Hayes' vicious in-swinging corner which Carshalton keeper Nick Hamann clawed out from under the cross bar.

The visitors first chance saw Jolly denied by a fine block on the edge of the box by Darts keeper Andrew Young.

Adam Birchall was then denied by Hamann when put clean through as the game spluttered into life as the half wore on.

And on the stroke of half time, Jolly put Carshalton into the lead, taking full advantage of hesitation in the Darts defence before drilling the ball past Young.

It could have been even worse as in stoppage time Young had to be at his agile best to keep out Jolly’s deflected shot that looped off Jon Beales and seemed to be creeping into the top corner!

The Darts levelled seven minutes into the second half with a goal straight off the training ground.

Hayes long corner was met by Jamie Coyle at the far post and Coyle gleefully thumped home the equaliser.

The goal sparked the Darts into life - Rob Haworth drilled a shot wide after good work from Ryan Johnson, Hayes had a curling shot parried away by Hamann before Danny Harris blazed over after a cross from substitute Joao Carlos seemed perfect to head home!

With Tuesdays Kent Cup tie with Welling United coming up and a very busy February ahead of them, Burman admitted that he was happy to have a large and happy squad!

He said: "We'll still be missing Lee Noble for Tuesday with suspension, but Lee Burns will be back as will Elliott Bradbrook back from injury. Allan Tait didn't play today - neither did Jay May.

“The players on the bench today will all definitely be involved Tuesday night - there's still another 21 league games to play and we need the squad - I don't want anyone to go and every single player knows that - we've won nothing yet!"

Dartford: Andrew Young, Billy Burgess, Adam Gross, John Beales, Jamie Coyle, James White, Ryan Hayes (Joao Carlos 71), Ryan Johnson, Rob Haworth, Adam Burchall, Danny Harris (Danny Crouch 89).

Subs: Danny Dafter, Adam Flanagan, Tony Kessell.

Goal: Jamie Coyle 52

Carshalton Athletic: Nick Hamann, David Ray, Rob Watkins, David Woozley, Justyn Roberts, Kenny Beaney, Barry Stevens, Karl Murray, Craig Faulconbridge, Richard Jolly, Orlando Smith.

Subs: Michael Charles, Jones Awuah, Joe Dolan, Gerry Gonnella, Claudio Miguel.

Goal: Richard Jolly 45

Attendance: 1,217

Referee: Mr Dave Bushell (Tottenham, London N17)

Assistant referees - Mr Liam Walshe (Northwood, Middlesex) and Mr Mark Engelbretson (Uxbridge, Middlesex)