Losing on our big day was a bitter pill to swallow, admits Burman - EXCLUSIVE

Dartford boss Tony Burman admitted losing 3-2 to Waltham Abbey, in front of a crowd of 1,402 at Princes Park, on Saturday was “a bitter pill to swallow”, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Essex side inflicted the Darts’ third league defeat of the season - and Burman was not happy that his side lost in front of their largest crowd of the season.

“I think we ourselves spoilt our party,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I felt we pressed the self destruct button in areas where we have been so good after the last seven games - defensively.

“To go into the lead twice at home and then conceded two goals - at home - is not right.

“And for being so solid defensively in the last seven games, conceding only one goal, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“And also to concede the third goal, which cost us the game, which was a defensive mix-up between John Guest and (goalkeeper) Tony Kessell, who have been superb in the run that we’ve had, is disappointing.”

Dartford were held to a goal-less draw by an impressive Edgware Town in midweek, and after yesterday’s defeat, Dartford are finding teams in their division are not going to turn up at Princes Park and die.

“I think we have to show that Ryman North is a little bit better than everybody thought and teams from lower positions are beating the teams at the top, which was similar to the Ryman League South last season,” said Burman.

He added: “I think we now have to realise that the league is at the same level as the Ryman League South.

“We’re not invincible, we had a big day yesterday because it’s twelve months being in our new stadium, but although no-one let me down, decision making by my experienced players, that have been excellent for me in our seven game (unbeaten) run, made mistakes.”

Burman will make changes for Tuesday night’s long-awaited Ryman League Cup Second Round tie against an Aveley side that will be pumped up and seeking revenge from their 4-0 league defeat in Kent in August.

“Although I’ve thought long and hard about what I’m going to do on Tuesday because of the result yesterday, we have one or two injuries and suspensions, which will not enable me to put maybe our strongest side (out),” explained Burman.

Eddie McClements (calf strain), Alex O’Brien (infection in his calf), Junior Kadi (knee ligament) and Adam Flanagan (one match ban) have all been ruled out.

Burman said: “I also have to realise that some of the players have played over twenty games and we are in the middle of November and I think that they deserve a rest,”

“But I feel we will put out a strong side for some of the players’ who have patiently waited on the sidelines.

“They will include some players who have impressed in Paul Hennessey’s under 21 side.”

Tommy Youle (striker), Jamie Lawrence (central midfield), Joe Hurlock (central midfield) and Daniel Westerman (wide right or striker) will all be given a chance to impress against their near neighbours from Essex.

But Burman vows to enhance the ability of his new signing, Jamaican winger/striker, Phil Williams.

The 21-year-old, who signed from Dulwich Hamlet on the eve of the match, came off the bench yesterday.

“Phil trained with us on Thursday night,” said Burman. “His registration didn’t clear until 4:45 on Friday.

“Phil has got pace to burn and I hope he brings something to the squad that I felt we was lacking.

“I just feel the squad lacks a bit of pace and Phil can come in and give us that something that we’ve missed.

“Phil came on yesterday and showed his pace to all the spectators that were watching the game.

“But now I have to improve his quality so he can be a big threat to the opposition.

“He’s a player who I enquired about during the summer and enquired about in September and when I did, Dulwich wanted a fee for him, which I was not willing to pay.

“And through disagreements at Dulwich, Phil was released from his contract last Tuesday.”

Burman also warned that next Saturday’s trip to Redbridge will not be a walk in the park.

The Barkingside outfit are unbeaten in their last seven games, winning four of them and have crept up to seventh place - just five points behind the Kent giants.

“We have a very difficult away game against Redbridge. They’re a team (that) I have seen this season, and who are improving with every game they play,” warned the boss.

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

Dartford v Aveley
Ryman League Cup Second Round
Tuesday 13^th November 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Princes Park, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT