Eastbourne Borough 0-1 Dartford - Who knows what we can achieve now, says Dartford boss Tony Burman

Tuesday 03rd April 2012

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 0-1 DARTFORD
Blue Square Bet South
Tuesday 3^rd April 2012
Mike Green reports from Priory Lane

DARTFORD finally mathematically secured their play-off place in Blue Square Bet South with as comfortable a one nil win as many of the large Darts backing in the crowd has seen this season, as skipper Elliot Bradbrook flicked home the goal that meant the Darts are technically now just three games from promotion to the Blue Square Bet Premier.

That said, the division's top scorers now have a better goal difference than leaders Woking, who themselves are now just five points ahead of the Darts with five games to play, with Tony Burman's side seemingly ready to pounce if the men from Kingfield make a mistake in the final countdown.

There is a belief about the Darts at the moment that not even a penalty miss (Adam Green's effort being brilliantly save by Mitchell Walker in the 38th minute) could detract from the joy on boss' Burman's face at the end of the contest, as Bradbrook's brilliant side foot finish from Green's cross 13 minutes after half time in the end proved conclusive, as the skippers goal guaranteed Dartford play-off football for the first time in the clubs history.

"At the start of the season, our aim was to get into the play-offs, and now tonight we've achieved our goal with what was a very good performance,” said Burman.

“I'm absolutely delighted for the players and everyone at the club for what's been achieved.

“Ok tonight was a comfortable win but whilst we were only one in front there was always the danger that they might get back into it.

“We thought at half time that we should be in front, and that's what we told the boys - to keep going until we got what we felt that we deserved. All in all it’s a win; its three points and I'm absolutely delighted!”

With the home side still anxiously looking over their shoulders towards the relegation zone (Borough still possibly need another four or five points to secure their place in the division next season) there was a strange atmosphere around the Priory Lane Ground in the early stages with both sides almost nervous looking.

Indeed it almost seemed as though the Darts had left their legs on their coach as the only chances created in the opening half hour were in front of Louis Wells' goal.

On 18 minutes, a free kick was only half cleared by the Darts defence to Matt Smart who's first time swinging shot from 35-yards sailing towards the car park behind the ground.

Eight minutes later, the lively Charles Ademeno tested Wells with arguably his only real save of the night - cutting in from the left the Eastbourne striker stung the Darts stoppers hands from 20-yards.

Dartford, who had enjoyed bundles of possession in the opening half hour without creating anything, finally tested the Eastbourne goal - literally - just before the half hour.

Lee Noble, who probed constantly down the right, had a shot deflected by Borough skipper Ollie Rowe beyond the reach on keeper Walker and onto the post.

Then came Walker's moment of glory seven minutes from half time when the keeper brilliantly saved Green's well struck penalty - full length away to his left to palm the ball away after full back Ben Austin in explicably gave referee Cook no choice whatever by handling in the penalty area.

It was almost as though the missed spot kick inspired the visitors who quite easily enjoyed their best spell of the half just before half time, but it was a spot kick that the boss missed!

"Was it a good save?" asked Burman. "I'll never criticise anyone who misses a penalty as they have the courage to walk up and take a penalty - Greenie practices his penalties and I was told by others that it was a good save," Burman admitted.

It was only the frame of the Eastbourne goal that stopped Burman's side taking a half time lead as Luke Wilkinson (who along with Tom Bonner must surely now have one of the best central defensive partnerships in the division) rose to meet Noble’s corner majestically only for the ball to thump against the bar and drop agonisingly too far in front of Wilkinson as he followed up.

"It was almost as if the missed penalty spurred us on and in truth I was disappointed that we didn't come in with the lead at half time," admitted the Darts boss.

The second half began as it was to continue - with the Darts pressing and the home side content on counter attacking without seemingly having the needed cutting edge!

And from their first attack of the second period, Bonner thundered a 30-yard drive just too high after a cleared free kick fell to him.

Shortly afterwards it was Tom Champion's turn to shave the frame of the goal as he fizzed in a low drive which flew just wide of the right post.

Champion's continued form has played a big part in the Darts success this season and drew a glowing tribute from his manager - Burman said, "Tom's done really, really well, and when they put four up front late on, he's just sat in front of our back four supporting the defence and it really does take the pressure off, but he's been doing that for us every since I signed him."

Just as the Darts fans were beginning to wonder that perhaps it wasn't going to be their day, the visitors struck.

A delightful ball in from Green down the left dropped just right for Bradbrook - who had timed his run to perfection - to flick the ball past Walker and into the net to prompt scenes of utter jubilation amongst all this wearing white.

"We missed Elliot when he was out injured and he showed tonight just how much he means to the side and that's what he can do. We felt if we got some balls into the area and with Elliot being able to get across defenders we always knew that we had a chance."

Eastbourne huffed and puffed to try and get into the game with former Margate man Ellis Remy too often isolated up front but failed to really test Wells and his defence although the home side did show enough spirit to have encouraged their new management team of former Salisbury boss Tommy Widdrington and former Ebbsfleet assistant Alan Kimble that their future could be about to improve even if they do face a very tough Easter as they face two of the sides challenging for play-off Off spots - Jamie Day's Welling and then Chelmsford on Monday.

For Burman though, objective number one for the season has been achieved, but the Darts boss has no intention of simply going the motions for the final five regular season games.

He said, "It won’t be difficult to keep focused and keep going. We've said in the dressing room that we've achieved our first goal this season, and who knows what we can achieve now. One thing is though for certain," Burman went on, "and that it’s going to be a massive weekend without any shadow of a doubt.

“To win here tonight has lifted the players no end, and whatever happens now, we're not going to be disappointed if we "just" finish in the play-off’s. Make no mistake, we're up for this challenge ahead. Ideally obviously we'd like to finish second so that we could be at home for the whole play-off scenario but if we don't we don't.

“But remember other people have still got to do what they've got to do and come quarter to five on Monday afternoon could be a very telling time - it really is a telling weekend for a lot of clubs so its made things very interesting and that I'm delighted about!"

Eastbourne Borough: Mitchell Walker, Ben Austin (Ben Watson 84), Sam Cole, Matt Smart (Jason Mason 69), Alex Lacey, Ollie Rowe, Simon Johnson, Stuart Anderson, Ellis Remy, Charles Ademano, Matt Crabb (Gary Hart 64).
Subs: Gary Chapman, Darren Baker

Booked: Ellis Remy 70

Dartford: Louis Wells, Lee Burns, Adam Green, Tom Bonner, Luke Wilkinson, Tom Champion, Lee Noble, James Rogers, Jacob Erskine, Elliot Bradbrook, Danny Harris.
Subs: Ryan Hayes, Matt Jones, Jack Pallen, Paul Goodacre, Tony Garrod

Goal: Elliot Bradbrook 58

Booked: Jacob Erskine 54

Attendance: 823
Referee: Mr Daniel Cook (Gosport, Hampshire)
Assistants: Mr Saul Kay (Sittingbourne) & Mr Vincent Penfold (Addlestone, Surrey)