Soccer Shorts: My side can hold their own in the Ryman Premier - Burman

Don’t forget that Tommy Sampson’s benefit night takes place on Saturday night from 8pm at The Green Lion Public House, High Street, Rainham. Tickets are available on the door for £10 each.

DOVER ATHLETIC are opening their turnstiles at 12 noon tomorrow to allow fans to watch the first FA Cup Semi-Final on their big screen. The FA Cup clash between West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth kick’s off at 12:15 at Wembley Stadium. The Whites, meanwhile, will take another step towards the Ryman League Division One South title with a victory over Burgess Hill Town.

DARTFORD travel to Potters Bar Town tomorrow and manager Tony Burman is delighted with his players’ work-ethic during their two training sessions this week.

“We have trained a couple of times this week and I have to say that I am delighted with the response that I have received from the players in those two sessions,” Burman told www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk.

“They have worked very hard and are all very positive on what has to be done to achieve our goals.

Burman was at Princes Park on Wednesday night to watch Ramsgate lift the Ryman League Cup after beating AFC Sudbury - Darts title challengers - 5-4 on penalties after the game finished goal-less after 120 minutes.

And he said: “I have to say that I am delighted with the squad of players that we have put together this season and just for the record I was at the Cup final the other night and in my opinion I think my team would have more than held it’s own against two very good sides that I hope to play in the same league (Ryman Premier) next season.”

Left-back Steve Norman, meanwhile, has declared himself fit, although Brad Potter is still out for their trip to strugglers Potters Bar.

But playmaking midfielder Eddie McClements has come through two training sessions unscathed and will be added to the squad for their trip to Hertfordshire.

Striker Tom Bradbrook had another two wisdom teeth removed during the week and spent two nights in hospital and did not train last night and will play for the under 21’s tomorrow.

Burman has urged the excellent Darts faithful to get them through their remaining four games.

He said: “We are in the last month of the season and for me the supporters are going to play a major part in the next four games.

“The support has been great but for the next four games it’s got to be the best it’s ever been.

“I am never going to keep everybody happy but this is the most important month since the club reformed and it’s not about keeping everybody happy. It’s about Dartford achieving it’s goals for this season (clinching promotion) with the best help possible.”

MARGATE striker James Pinnock is looking forward for the visit of Heybridge Swifts tomorrow.

Former Margate favourite Leon Braithwaite is expected to play for the Essex side at Hartsdown Park.

“I know the manager there, Brian Statham, and he always has his teams well drilled and they’re tough to beat,” Pinnock told www.margate-fc.com.

“But we’ve got to just keep plugging away and give 100% because that’s all we can do and we owe that to the fans to keep going until the last game.”

Robin Trott’s men go into the game in eleventh place in the Ryman Premier League table, six points behind fifth placed Horsham with only twelve points up for grabs.

Meanwhile, Kent County League outfit Cray Valley (PM) have Saturday afternoon pitches available for hire next season.

For more details please contact their chairman Dave Wilson on 07715 961 886. Please mention that you read this on www.kentishfootball.co.uk when making contact.

The entire Kentish football family were saddened to hear the tragic death of Jack Maddams, the 17-year-old Tonbridge Angels' youth-team player.

Gillingham, his previous club, held a perfectly observed minute’s silence before their 2-1 win over Luton Town on Tuesday night and the League One club have offered the family their boardroom facilities for the after-service function next Tuesday, which would have been Jack’s 18^th birthday.

“We are requesting that instead of flowers, any donations should go to setting up a memorial fund for Jack via his school, Sir Joseph Williamsons Maths School in Rochester,” said his father Jack.

“This will go towards a lasting bursary prize for sporting and academic endeavour.”

All donations are respectfully requested to be made to “SJWMS Voluntary Fund” via John Weir Funeral Directors, 31 Parkwood Green, Rainham, Kent ME8 9PW.