I wasn't expecting six points over title-rivals, admits Burman

Thursday 24th September 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says that he’s absolutely delighted with his side after sweeping aside so- called title challengers Carshalton Athletic and Sutton United in the past week, writes Stephen McCartney.

Table-topping Darts are eight points clear at the top of the Ryman Premier League table, thanks to storming wins over Carshalton Athletic (4-0) and Sutton United (3-0) on their travels.

“Very pleased with the results and the six points,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today.

“I must admit, I wasn’t expecting that. I would have been well pleased with four points but to actually get six, I’m absolutely delighted.”

Burman’s men have dropped only two points in their opening nine games and Burman knows his side must keep on track for the remainder of the season as they bid to clinch promotion into Blue Square South next April.

“We always look at the first ten games to see how things have gone and we really couldn’t have asked for it to go any better,” said Burman.

“It’s nice to be top and it doesn’t mean we’ve won anything just yet. We’re just looking to get as many points as we can in the bag.”

Dartford travel to Ryman League Division One South side Worthing in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, and Burman expects a tough clash down on the west Sussex coast.

But we thought that for the games at Colston Avenue and Gander Green Lane, didn’t we!

“I don’t see it as an easier game or anything like that,” warned the level-headed Dartford chief.

“Worthing are on a very good run at the moment and my reports on them have been very good. We’ll have a difficult game but it’s a game that we need to go and win and we’ll do our best to go and win that game that’s for sure.”

The Rebels, who play one division lower than the Kent giants, are presently in ninth place in the table with a record of three wins and three defeats in six games - although Worthing have won their last two league games.

When asked that Worthing will be going all out to produce a giant killing, Burman replied, “They might look at it that way and it would be because of the position we’ve put ourselves in and the way we’ve been playing.

“We’ll give Worthing the utmost respect like we did at Chipstead and we’ll go down to Worthing in a professional manner and do our best to be in the cup draw on Monday morning.”

Burman revealed that Danny Dafter will be training tonight to see if he’s fit enough to play, having been nursing a calf strain.

Lee Noble went over on his ankle at Carshalton last Saturday and he was unable to play at Sutton and he’s also had a bout of flu.

James White’s fitness will also be assessed at tonight’s training session.

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

Worthing v Dartford

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round

Saturday 26th September 2009

Kick off 3:00pm

At Woodside Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7HQ