No side can keep up with our second half fitness - Burman

Sunday 01st November 2009

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman says no other side at their level - or below - can complete with his side’s superior fitness, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts booked their place in the final qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy, by beating negative Chipstead
3-0 at Princes Park yesterday.

Jamie Day, Danny Harris and Ryan Hayes all scored during the second half against a Chipstead side, threatened with relegation in the division below, who put many men behind the ball throughout the second qualifying round tie.

Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday, was pleased that his side remained patient against Mark Tompkins’ minnows.

“The fitness of the players is excellent,” said Burman, whose side remain 13 points clear at the top of the Ryman Premier League after 13 games.

“In the second half of games we’ve been proving that we are a lot, lot stronger. Teams are putting a lot of effort in against us in the first half, but not being able to stay with us in the second.

“I feel we are a very fit side and once we reach the 60 minute mark, we do push on.”

Kent sides that have played Bognor Regis Town admit the West Sussex side are a much better side than their position at the foot of the table suggests.

And Burman knows three points at Princes Park on Saturday is a must.

“We’ve got to keep getting the points,” he said. “Bognor won’t be an easy game. We’ve had some good reports about them, in spite of their position.

“We’ve got to try to get the three points to keep the run going.”

Burman was pleased with the performances of youngsters Danny Crouch and Connor Heffernan, who came off the bench against lowly Chipstead yesterday, although Karl Dent was an un-used substitute.

“We only have about 12 fit players at the moment,” he added. “We wanted to get all the youngsters on if we could.

“I’ve been getting good reports about them from the Academy and felt they are here, so let’s use them. Fair play to them, they’ve done well.”

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

Dartford v Bognor Regis Town

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 7th November 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT