It's a big weekend for a lot of clubs, says Dartford boss Tony Burman

After mathematically securing their play-off place in Blue Square Bet South in midweek with a win at Eastbourne Borough, Dartford boss Tony Burman is determined to keep his side focused as they keep up their pursuit of leaders Woking.


Indeed, when it was suggested to Burman that by beating 5th placed
Chelmsford City at Princes Park on Saturday his side could possibly open the play-off door for Nicky Forster's Dover Athletic, the Darts boss laughed "We don’t do anyone else favours except for ourselves" he joked, "especially in this sort of football at this time of year and its a big game! 

“That said they're all big games now, and you could quite easily drop points against anyone at the bottom in the League, which is something thankfully that we haven't done this season, and we've been reasonable against teams around us and Chelmsford definitely fall into that category, and you know it will be a very tough game, which was why it was so important for the boys that we won at Eastbourne the other night!"
 
There is a traditional rivalry between the Darts and the side from Essex that goes back to their respective Southern League days, but going into this weekend, Burman admitted that his side have made huge strides in the past few seasons. 

"A few years ago we played Chelmsford in the Cup and they've been a big club.  They've done really, really well, but we're catching them up now - we're in the same League and we've caught them up over the last six years. 

“For us to be up there with these teams shows just how far we have come and for us to be up there above Chelmsford - if you'd have said that to me at the start of the season, then I was convinced that we'd be top because I felt that they are always there or there abouts and always difficult to play against."
 
Turning his attention to Easter Monday's trip to Hayes Lane and a game that now becomes vital at both ends of the division, Burman said thoughtfully, "Bromley beat us in the FA Cup which they were very pleased about and delighted about, and I was bitterly disappointed about. 

“They're one of the teams that still need a few wins you know to keep from being drawn back into the relegation side of things, and that’s why it’s an important weekend for a lot of clubs. 

“Bromley will be a tough game; a tough place to go and it'll depend how things go on Saturday as to how you're placed.  You can’t be down if you lose Saturday and you can’t be too excited if you win as you've got that next game so quickly, but you've just got to concentrate on winning both games."
 
"I think we've done brilliant to make our Easter so very interesting and I can’t fault the players at all as they've been absolutely outstanding all season long.  Now for one last push..."

Both of Dartford’s games over Easter kick-off at 3pm.

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

Dartford  v  Chelmsford City
Blue Square Bet South
Easter Saturday 7^th April 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT