Kentish Football 
The hard work starts here, says table-topping Burman
Burman issued his challenge after seeing his side losing an amazing nine goal League Cup tie to Aveley at Princes Park on Tuesday night.
A disappointed Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following the nine-goal thriller said, "If there is a positive to come out of tonight is that Adam Burchell and Allan Tait have done very very well! Allan has been injured unfortunately for a while but he showed a bit of class tonight with his touch and an amazing goal; whilst Adam is doing alright - he chomping at the bit to have a go and wants to give 100 percent and he does and that's a big positive tonight and to be fair young Danny Crouch's done well too in the middle of the park.
“It’s awkward you know - a cup game is an opportunity to give people and game; give them a chance and have a look at them - it was just a crazy game, and being 4-3 up in the 89th minute we should be talking about going through to the next round/ We wanted to get though and I'm sure that our supporters did too, but to concede five at home is appalling really - and i cant think of any other word for it really but that's what's happened and now we have to go to Horsham on Saturday and get back on track in the league.”
Given that there is a weather warning in place for most of Kent and Sussex for Friday, most games this weekend if played could become a lottery. But that wasn't on Burman's mind when he said, "It will be a difficult game regardless of the weather - we've watched them a couple of times. They're a good solid side - they keep their shape well - and we'll go down there and I'm sure you'll have two teams desperate to beat each other."
It’s said that leagues aren't won at this time of year - a point that wasn't lost on the Darts boss.
He said: "Going into Christmas we must keep the players focused one game at a time - its a busy programme and you like to get through to the end of December still intact squad wise.
“We've had a great start and a bit of leeway between us which people are trying to gnaw away at. So we've got to try and take each game as it comes - I thought we performed badly in the first half last saturday yet got the three points - we were just as bad on Tuesday and got knocked out of the League Cup and now we go to Horsham trying to win the game.
“We can’t fault what the players have done to get us where we are now but there times in the season where you do have spells where things don't go quite right for you.
“Whether that's what we're going through at the moment I don't know but we mustn't be complacent and the minute I think that may be happening some of the players will be in for a shock.
“The hard work starts here - we've had a good start and now we must maintain that - get past Christmas and all types of weather and pitches with games coming thick and fast keeping away from injuries and suspensions and then all of a sudden its Easter! And that's where the fun really starts."
Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk
Horsham v Dartford
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 19th December 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Goring’s Mead, Brighton Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BP
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd