Hayes can win us the game, says Flanagan - EXCLUSIVE

Essex based defender Adam Flanagan believes winger Ryan Hayes will have a big influence for Dartford in Tuesday night’s FA Carlsberg Trophy first qualifying round replay, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts played out a boring goal-less draw at Ryman Premier League side AFC Hornchurch on Saturday, but 30-year-old Flanagan, a former resident of Hornchurch, believes Hayes can set up a home clash against Northwood in the next round.

“I think it will be another tough game to be fair, but I fancy we’ve got that little bit extra at home,” the former Folkestone Invicta skipper said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“The pitch is wide, we can get it out wide to Ryan and he gets a little more space, a little bit more confidence.

“The fans get behind him, give him some noise early on (and) a couple of tricks pulled off, he’s a totally different player.

“We’re undefeated at home, we’ve been tough to beat away recently, but at home that’s where we seem to get the goals.”

The Billericay based defender, although disappointed with the lack of goalscoring chances, praised the Darts faithful for their passionate support at Bridge Avenue.

Despite the public address announcer doing his best to send the Urchins’ fans into a frenzy before the game and just before the start of the second half, by blaring out “let’s make some noise for the boys!”, the Darts contingent out-sung their counterparts throughout.

Flanagan said: “It was a very tight game, both teams didn’t really create too many chances so I guess when you reflect back on it, it was definitely both defences (that) came out on top.

“It was whose going to make a mistake and over ninety minutes, there wasn’t one glaring chance that either team got.”

He added: “The Dartford support was brilliant. I think Hornchurch fans were good as well and that rallied up Dartford fans, who are noisy anyway.

“I think they had a little battle in the stands as we did on pitch.”

Meanwhile, Colin McBride, the AFC Hornchurch boss, has a big decision to make ahead of his first ever visit to Princes Park.

Midfielder Mark Janney pulled his hamstring after the team-sheets were handed in, and was forced to withdraw during the warm-up.

McBride, however, must decide whether to risk him on Tuesday - or wait until their FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash against full-time outfit Team Bath on Saturday.

Speaking after Saturday' draw, he said: “His hamstring got a little tight. We’ve got FA Cup (on) Saturday, last qualifying round here.

“You’ve got to weigh it all up, balance it all out," he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“If he declares himself fit for Tuesday, he’ll play. We’re not going to win either (FA Cup or FA Trophy) off them!

“I think the point is it’s the last qualifying round and everyone’s looking for Leeds United away and £100,000 or whatever, (a crowd at Elland Road of) 30,000 so I suppose if someone asks me which one you want to win, you could play devils advocate and it don’t work out.

“The most important game’s the next one and the next one’s Tuesday night at Dartford and we’ll be doing everything in our power to win that one.”

Dartford boss Tony Burman can call upon Tom Bradbrook back into the ranks after the striker missed the last two matches, on an autumn break in America.

But Jay May sits out the last of his three match ban, returning when Potters Bar Town visit Princes Park on Saturday.

And Burman will see it John Guest has recovered from flu, as he lost his place to Richard Avery, who slotted alongside Flanagan at the heart of the defence.

Burman said: “I had to make a change, Guesty’s got flu and he struggled to get out of bed so Richard’s come in and he’s had a really good game.

“They’ve kept a clean sheet again but it’s all the back four and it’s all the team, from front to back.

“We’ve got a clean sheet but to be fair the front four and Kess (Tony Kessell) done well (to keep their eighth clean sheet of the season).

Burman, whose side played six games in the FA Cup this season, despite going down 1-0 to Blue Square South outfit Bromley, wants to enjoy a good Trophy campaign.

“It’s nice if we had a result either way but this specific competition would take priority over the Ryman League competition and I want to stay in this one,” he said.

“Whether that happens Tuesday, we’ll have to wait and see, but we’ll have a good go.

“I think sometimes when you come away home it’s not easy. I think we’ve worked really hard, they’ve got to beat us, and they didn’t.”

Burman admitted there’s no pressure on him in cup competitions but his remit is to clinch promotion out of the Ryman League Division One North division.

“It’s the same rules as the FA Cup, it’s enjoyment for the players, enjoyment for the club,” he explained.

“I’m not going to be judged how far I get in the FA Trophy. We know we’ve fallen behind a little bit with the league, that’s why the most important game (last) week was to win against Great Wakering.

“It’s managed to keep us in there (in sixth place) and that’s what we want to continue to do.

“The pressure is slightly off, if you can say that, but having said that, we know what we’ve got to do but it’s enjoyment and I want the players to enjoy it and it brings the players’ and supporters closer together.”

Despite having home advantage at Princes Park, Burman warned: “Although we’ve got home advantage, we’re playing against some very experienced players, who have got Conference level experience and League experience and they play in the league above.

“We have to respect that and if we don’t we’ll get beat.”

Dartford are expecting their first four-figure crowd of the season.  Admission prices are £9 (adults), £5 (concessions) £1 (kids).  But if you can't get to Princes Park then www.kentishfootball.co.uk are providing LIVE COVERAGE of the game.

Visit Dartford’s websites:

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/forum