Hours of hard graft on training pitch pays dividends for Darts - EXCLUSIVE

DARTFORD maybe unbeaten in seventeen league games but keeping clean sheets is the most important thing for goalkeeper coach John Macrae, writes Stephen McCartney.

Goalkeeper Tony Kessell has kept eight clean sheets during that time as the Kent giants go into their last nine games at the top of the Ryman League Division One North table.

Leading AFC Sudbury by five points - the Suffolk side play their game in hand at Canvey Island on Tuesday 8^th April - keeping things tight at the back is what’s needed as the Princes Park club go in search for the title and with it promotion into the Ryman Premier League.

Macrae stressed that the solid back four of Steve Norman, John Guest, Adam Flanagan and Jamie Coyle - with Tommy Osborne and Richard Avery doing well when they’re drafted in - has helped with their excellent run.

“Even when we changed the formation with John Guest and Adam Flanagan out, Tommy Osborne has come in and done a great job,” Macrae said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“He’s been really solid and every time he comes in he puts in a good performance.

“Richard Avery is out on loan at Chatham and he’s had three games and two clean sheets. We’ve got quality at the back and that shows the standard of defenders that we’ve got.”

Macrae is delighted when Kessell keeps clean sheets on match days, as the work put in during training - one or two nights a week - comes to fruition.

“That’s all I’m there for,” he said. “Developing and helping the keepers and after 90 minutes with a clean sheet that’s all I can help for - that’s my weekend.

“You do have a different bond that the outfield coaches and players have. James Tedder is on loan at VCD Athletic and doing very well. He’s still with us and if he has a few problems we have a chat about things and that’s the kind of relationship that a goalkeeper coach has with his keepers.”

With AFC Sudbury on their backs waiting to steal the title away from the Dart’s grasp, Macrae knows the pressure is on Tony Burman’s side until the end of the season.

And keeping things tight at the back will help the Princes Park outfit’s cause.

“The pressure’s been on all season,” said Macrae. “People have got that in their mind from the start of the season but the coaching staff and players have to deal with it.

“We have to get more points than Sudbury and Ware. No matter how we do it.

“Ware drew last night and that puts them nine points behind us. It’s so tight to call.”

Dartford needed a dramatic 104^th minute Jamie Coyle penalty to defeat a Waltham Forest side that came to Princes Park looking for a goal-less draw.

“I had my hands across the face as their keeper played out of his skin and I thought he would save it,” admitted Macrae. “Jamie Coyle was immense - all that pressure.”

Dartford travel to Bury Town on Saturday backed by tremendous vocal support, something that will assist with the club’s title bid.

“We’re going there, we’ve got 90 minutes to play but we’ll give 100%,” said the goalkeeping coach.

“We’ve got a very talented squad with a lot of heart and commitment - we’ll do our best.

“I meant to say our home and away support has been magnificent this season and most clubs that we go to it’s their biggest crowd of the season.

“Eighty percent of the club’s we’ve visited we’ve been the best supported club and it helps fill up their coffers.”

The second Keeper Wars takes place on the community pitch at Princes Park Stadium on Sunday, 25^th May.

And Macrae wants to hear from all Kent goalkeepers - playing Blue Square, Ryman and Kent League football - to take part.

Hoping for better weather than the first event last year, Macrae said: “This year I’ve been chatting to John Whitehouse (Dover Athletic), Steve Northwood (Maidstone United), Dale Brightly (AFC Hornchurch) and other keepers that I’ve chatted to after games.

“We’re looking to have between 40-50 goalkeepers minimum this year, which would be more than last year.

“Hopefully we’ll make more money for the local charity,”

This years charity will be DGS Mencap, who have officers located in Dartford Town Centre and the event will be sponsored by 60 Minutes TV.

Dartford fan Steve Hookins, 39, who took part in the first even in June last year is taking more of a supporting role for this year’s tournament.

Four players from Kent League side VCD Athletic contested the last year’s final. Daniel Burke and Jack Parkinson - the only outfield player to take part - defeated brothers Joe and Alex Hyde.

“I did hang up my gloves last year and step down from top-flight keeping,” Hookins told www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk.

“This year I am in a more supporting role, however, I may take my kit bag along on the day just in case.”

RULES

Goalkeepers are formed into pairs for the duration of the competition. It took four hours to complete last year

The idea is for each pair to score as many goals as possible against the opposing pairing by shooting from off the deck, from the half volley or from throws. Each pairing has approximately 20 shots per game

The goals are set 20 yards (60 feet) apart and each pairing has a two-yard area from which to take their shots.

On the day pairings will be split into groups and will be required to play all pairings in those groups to determine the group winners that will move on to the knock-out stage

The action is fast and furious and keepers are given very little time to react to their opponents’ shots and tactics

Keeper Wars will stretch a keepers reflexes and reactions but will also determine that the art of goal-keeping is a highly skilled discipline and one not for the faint hearted

WHO TO CONTACT

Ring John Macrae on 07729 170 687 for more details and to take part

Macrae revealed that Dartford Borough Council are going to build another astro turf at Princes Park for the under 10s - to enable three games to played at the same time.

Princes Park has been selected as a training venue for the 2012 London Olympics and Macrae beamed: “What about that hey! What a fantastic thing to come to Dartford.

“To have an international professional team using our facilities is going to be fantastic, to enhance Dartford as a town.”

Who knows which league the Darts will be playing in at that time. “It’s been a sleeping giant and the giants been awaken - it’s stretching it’s arms.” added Macrae.

Visit Dartford’s websites:

www.dartfordfc.co.uk

www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Bury Town v Dartford
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 8^th March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Ram Meadow, Cotton Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1XP