Ryman Previews: Burman does not want Casual attitude

Friday 22nd December 2006

Dartford boss Tony Burman has told his players to be on their guard when they travel to Walton Casuals tomorrow.

The Franklyn Road outfit caused raptures throughout Kent on Tuesday night when they won 2-0 at Dover Athletic, but Burman does not want his side to follow suite.

Since losing 3-1 at home to Chatham Town earlier in the month, Casuals have gone on to draw Maidstone United and piled more pressure on Clive Walker at Crabble.

“This week has again thrown up some unexpected results, which I suppose you could say went in our favour,” Burman told www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk earlier today.

“Our opponents tomorrow have had two very good away results, this also coincides with them getting players back from injury and suspension. Yet they are at the wrong end of the table.

“I have said before that this league is stronger than last season and you can not underestimate any team you play just because of their position in the league in the bottom three.

“I have spoken to the players this week about being focused on what we want to achieve in the games we play.

“I also feel now is the right time to believe in their own ability, which they must bring out from now on in.

“As we approach the half way stage of the season I feel we have all done reasonably well considering that we have had to play our home games at Thurrock and then the home coming to Princes Park.

“Without doubt as we all try to get used to the surroundings of the new stadium, Princes Park is going to play a major part for the second half of the season.

“On and off the field we all know that there is room for improvement whether its the snack bar, communication or the team on the pitch , I have no doubt in my mind that this is going to happen sooner rather than later.”

Sittingbourne play three important games over the festive period, the result of which may well give a clue whether or not the Bourne Park club can be serious play-off contenders at the end of the season.

Weather permitting, Molesey are the visitors tomorrow followed by a Boxing Day derby against tenants Maidstone United.

Then Steve Lovell takes his side to Dover Athletic to try to make amends for their injury time defeat back in August. All games will kick-off at the usual time of 3pm.

Nine-goal striker Mark Lovell and goalkeeper Steve Williams are both expected to be fit to return for these three vital games.

Margate brave the holiday traffic to take on Ashford Town (Middlesex), a stones throw from Heathrow Airport, tomorrow as league leaders.

In the run-up to the crucial Christmas period concentration, consistence and complacency are the watch-words as Margate head towards the much-anticipated showdown with Ramsgate on Boxing Day then Folkestone four days later.

But whilst these big Kent derbies will be in the minds of most fans, the players will be expected to focus very much on the potential banana-skin at Short Lane tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens should come face-to-face with his former teammates as manager Robin Trott looks likely may keep faith with the 11 that finished the game against Hendon.

That should mean returns to the starting line-up for Justin Skinner and Jay Saunders – second half substitutes in Gate’s last match.

However, one enforced change is with Paul Abbott who is suspended for one game.

Margate are currently top of the form table as well top of the league so will undoubtedly start as favourites.

The Tangerines have found it tough going in the Ryman Premier League since their promotion from the Southern League. Currently below mid-table in the current form table, Ashford are two places and six points above the automatic relegation places.

The main threat for the home side is most likely to come from Gavin Smith. He has a respectable 14 goals from 22 goals for the Middlesex side this season.

Folkestone Invicta, who travel to highflying Horsham tomorrow, have received a boost following the news that striker James Corbett has put pen to paper on an eighteen month contract at the Buzzlines Stadium.

Manager Neil Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk this week: “I’ve seen enough over the past five games to believe he has got a lot to give this club and he’s still only 25 and he has definitely made an impact because he’s such a good footballer.

“Obviously he’s got a fitness issue which he’s got to sort and we’ve got every confidence in him doing so.

“With a lot of players in our team you’re looking longer term; Liam (Friend) will only get better, Damian (Abel) has already shown what he’s about and he’s young and then we have Ben (Sly) and Jimmy (Corbett) so its promising from that point of view.”

The Seasiders make the trip to third placed Horsham, a side that thrashed Tonbridge Angels 4-1 at the Betterview Longmead Stadium last weekend but lost 4-0 to Margate seven days earlier.

“They’re a very good footballing side,” said Cugley. “They line up in a 4-4-2 and have very good wide players. They’ve got Carl Rook up front who I tried to sign last season and he’s banging in some goals and thankfully they’ve lost their top scorer Jamie Taylor to Woking so they might not be as much of a handful as they could’ve been.

“I just hope we can put a strong enough side to force the issue and get something from the game but it’ll be hard for us, but we will have a good go.”

Invicta are likely to be without Adam Flanagan (stomach) and Paul Jones (groin), whilst Mark Saunders and James Corbett will have late fitness tests on back and thigh injuries respectively.

But loan signing from Gillingham Luke Howell, will be out for a month after sustaining an injury during a midweek friendly against Gillingham last week.

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