Professional performance puts Dartford within touching distance

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman is delighted that his side have quietly climbed up the Ryman Premier League table in recent weeks - and are now within touching distance of the play-off’s, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts put in a “professional performance” to defeat Horsham 3-0 at Worthing’s Woodside Road ground yesterday, with Ryan Hayes finding the top corner and striker, Cody McDonald scoring a brace.

“I’m very, very pleased with the result away from home,” Burman told BBC Radio Kent yesterday.

“It’s a difficult place to come, playing against Horsham, they’re a good side. We’re delighted with the result.”

Burman added, “To be fair, it’s a professional performance from the players, it’s not gally-hoe playing football.

“We’ve defended very well and we’ve caught people on the break and Ryan Hayes has scored a good goal from about 20-30 yards, I think, that went into the top corner for the first, and then Cody McDonald has hit two opportunist goals really.

“Fair play to them, they’ve kept patient and got the goals at the right time.”

Thirteen points from their last five games has seen the Princes Park club climb up to sixth place in the table - four points adrift of Carshalton Athletic, who occupy the last play-off berth.

The Darts started their campaign off slowly, but now have the momentum to maintain their play-off push.

“At the start of the season every manager wanted to believe they can win the league and I was no different,” said Burman. “But realistically we were thinking we want to go into the play-off’s.

“The league is so close, you only have to lose two or three games and you’re back down thinking how many points you’re off relegation.

“But we’ve hit a good bit of form really. We’ve managed to get the players fit now, where as it does interrupt your plans, but we’ve got on with is and we’ve had a good spell.

“The belief is there from the changing room.”

A crowd of over 2,000 is expected for Saturday’s home showdown against arch-rivals Maidstone United.

The Stones are level with the Darts on 37 points, although they do have a game in hand, and are just one place lower than Burman’s side.

And Burman said, “Obviously the result (over Horsham) sets things up nicely for the game against Maidstone.

“They’ve had a great start in this league and they’ve been up there for the majority of the season.

“They’ve got some issues off-the-field, which no-one wants to see in football or in Kent football.

“They’ve still done very well since that’s been announced and I expect a really good game and a really big crowd, which will be fantastic for Kent.”

Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Kent: www.bbc.co.uk/kent

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

Concord Rangers  v  Dartford
Ryman League Cup Third Round
Tuesday 27th January 2009
Kick Off &;45pm
At Thames Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0HH