Hopefully we can carry on where we left off, vows Dartford boss Tony Burman

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman says his side will have the utmost respect for Wealdstone when they finally get their delayed FA Carlsberg Trophy clash underway on Tuesday night.



The Last Sixteen clash has already been postponed twice owing to the freezing conditions over the course of the last two weeks – but Burman insists his players are raring to go to seal a place in the quarter-finals.

The cold snap put paid to the entire Kent football programme at the weekend and groundstaff at Princes Park have been working tirelessly to ensure tomorrow’s game gets the go-ahead.

Burman said: “One way it’s frustrating, but the other way it obviously helps players who are recovering from some knocks so they’re fit enough to recover for the games.  It’s been disappointing but hopefully we can carry on where we left off."

The cold snap throughout February has enabled Paul Goodacre to battle back from injury.

Burman revealed:  “Paul came through a good couple of training sessions last week and we had a game amongst ourselves on Saturday and he came through that.  He’s not quite there but it’s very encouraging, that’s for sure.”

Burman was at Princes Park at lunchtime today to help the groundstaff prepare the pitch for the game against Ryman Premier League side Wealdstone – who held the Darts to four draws in two years when the two clubs were two league rivals.

Burman said: “I can’t really remember all of them but I think that’s what happened.  Listen, we know that Wealdstone are a decent side and we know they want to come here and try to cause an upset and we won’t be taking Wealdstone lightly.  We’ll be showing them the utmost respect.

“The teams that we’ve played that were lower than us in the division and we’ve gone there with the right attitude and the right commitment and that’s why we’ve come through games and we’ll be doing exactly the same with Wealdstone.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’re playing the best team there is and we’ll be giving them that utmost respect.”

Dartford go into the game on the back of winning all of their seven games that they played last month.

A proud Burman said: “We had a great January that’s for sure and the players have been absolutely excellent.  It’s been nice that we’ve had a little break and hopefully we’ll get the job done on Tuesday night.

“We want to enjoy the Cup competition side of things on and off the field and I hope there’s a decent crowd there tomorrow night and the supporters get behind the guys, which I’m sure they will do and hopefully we can progress to the next round.”

The Stones will certainly trouble the Dartford defence as striker Richard Jolly has scored 28 goals this season.

Burman said: “Richard Jolly has been the main threat for whatever side he’s played for.  I think he’s a good player, he’s a proven goalscorer and we have to watch him.  They’ve got other men in there.  They’re not a one man team.  They’re a decent side and Richard is a player to be watched and that’s what we will do.

With a place in the quarter-finals of The FA Trophy and a top-of-the-table clash at Woking to look forward to, this is a massive week for the Kent club.

“Absolutely,” agreed Burman.  “I want to enjoy the Wealdstone game tomorrow night. It’s a Cup competition, there's not three points (to play for).  It’s not goals for or goals against. It’s trying to get through to that next round of The FA Trophy, which could be great.

“Saturday’s game is back to the nitty-gritty.  It’s a big game for us and for Woking.  Hopefully we’ll play on Tuesday night and Woking have had a little break as well. 

“Hopefully we can get back to doing things what we’ve done and carry on where we’ve left off. We’re looking forward to the Woking game. I’m sure the players will be up for the game and if you can’t get up for a massive game like Saturday, you shouldn’t be in football.”

Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfconline.com & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Dartford  v  Wealdstone
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Round
Tuesday 14^th February 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT