Dartford 3-2 Horsham - We have to be strong enough to handle expectation, says Burman

Saturday 15th August 2009

DARTFORD 3-2 HORSHAM
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 15th August 2009
Mike Green reports from Princes Park Stadium

BUILT as one of the pre-season favourites in the Ryman Premier League, Dartford recorded an opening day victory over Horsham and although the performance perhaps lacked some style at the end of the day as manager Tony Burman put it “our goal today was the three points!”

Talking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Burman admitted that in the first half his side couldn’t get going.

“We played at pre-season pace and it was clear that we had to up the tempo. When we did so after the break we took control of the second half and made sure of the points.

“Although we need a lot more urgency in the weeks to come today was all about the three points.

“There’s a huge expectation around us this season and we’ve got to be big enough and strong enough to deal with it.”

The three points they may have won, but for the opening 50 minutes of this contest you did wonder whether the points were heading back to Sussex.

For despite creating the better chances, the Darts found themselves behind courtesy of a stunning 25-yard free-kick from Russell Eldridge - a free-kick which was given for a foul by Darts skipper Adam Flanagan on striker Ben Andrews, when it was clear to many of the 968 crowd that the foul should have been given the other way as the former Worthing striker was clearly backing into the central defender.

But referee Neil West had other ideas and from the resulting free-kick Eldridge curled home a really special free-kick.

It could have been worse for Burman’s side, however, had keeper Andrew Young not produce two magnificent saves either side of half-time, firstly to deny Eldridge and then 14 seconds after the break to deny a drive from striker Claude Seanla.

The former Ashford Town striker was denied magnificently by Young’s left hand as the giant keeper seemed to be wrong footed, but with the ball seemingly destined to beat him on his near post.

Whether it was their keeper’s brilliance or the words of manager Burman that rang in the Dartford players ears, they upped the tempo significantly and on 53 minutes Ryan Hayes missed a glorious chance to equalise as Elliot Bradbrook crossed from the left.

Hayes with the goal at his mercy failed to make contact with the ball and the chance was gone.

The Darts were level though just two minutes later, courtesy of Bradbrook’s first goal for the club since his move from Maidstone United.

Lee Burns got in behind the Horsham backline and his low centre was slammed home from the penalty spot by the arriving Bradbrook.

Seven minutes later it was 2-1. This time Bradbrook turned provider as the burly winger was pulled down in the penalty area by giant defender Tony Acheampong and the referee pointed to the spot.

Skipper Flanagan stepped forward and as Horsham keeper Rob Tolfrey dived to his left the ball was deposited into the opposite corner.

Bradbrook then scored a second midway through the second half. Substitute Adam Burchell beat the offside trap down the right and from his centre Bradbrook rammed home his second and the Darts third.

The two-goal hero admitted to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game that “it was nice to score but the most important thing was the win.”

When questioned about his new hero status at Princes Park, the former Stones midfielder smiled and said, “It was very pleasing, it wasn’t the best start to the afternoon but I’m reasonably pleased.

“Every game is going to be tough for us, but coming from a side who have struggled I know how important a win today was.

“We’ve got to get some consistency if we’re going to challenge.”

A point that was reiterated later by Burman.

“It’s nice to have the strength in depth that we’ve got now and although I’m delighted with the three points, I’m desperately disappointed that we allowed them back in the game at the death” - substitute Pat Harding being on hand to prod home an Alex Hadden centre in the last minute.

Burman also revealed that whilst striker Jay May played his first 45 minutes for six weeks for the second string that his striker would not be considered for the squad until next weekend.

“We did consider even starting with Taity (Allan Tait) today, but in the end decided on our eleven fittest players from pre-season,” he said.

“We’ll go to Margate on Tuesday and know it will be a difficult derby but here’s hoping that we’ll have enough intelligence and know how to bring the points back up Thanet Way.

“We know Hartsdown Park is a hard place to go but if we’re going to get more consistency in our game there hopefully won’t be too many problems.”

Dartford: Andrew Young, Billy Burgess, Adam Gross, Adam Flanagan, Jamie Coyle, James White, Ryan Hayes (Adam Burchell 64), Jamie Day, Rob Haworth (Allan Tait 84), Lee Burns (Lee Noble 75), Elliot Bradbrook.
Subs: John Beales, Tony Kessell.

Goals: Elliot Bradbrook 55, 66, Adam Flanagan 63 (pen)

Booked: Rob Haworth 10, Elliot Bradbrook 78

Horsham: Rob Tolfrey, Jack Page, Mark Knee, Tony Acheampong, Sam Page, Lee Carney (Jack Lyons 70), Russell Eldridge, Gary Charman, Ben Andrews (Pat Harding 64), Claude Seanla (Steve Davies 80), Alex Hadden.
Subs: James Nicholls, Ian Payne.

Goals: Russell Eldridge 30, Pat Harding 89

Booked: Mark Knee 27, Lee Carney 45, Jack Page 62, Tony Acheampong 62, Gary Charman 69

Attendance: 968
Referee: Mr Neil West
Assistants: Mr Mike Smith & Mr Jeff Stanley