The icing on the cake is to come hopefully, says promotion chasing Dartford boss Tony Burman

The Darts have consolidated second place in the Blue Square Bet South for a while now and they end their 42-match League campaign with a trip to Cornwall.

The Kent side begin their longest trip of the season on Friday afternoon, before spending two nights in Cornwall before coming back on Sunday for next week’s vital two-legged play-off clash against the side who finishes in fifth-place.

That side is currently Basingstoke Town, whose 2-0 win away to relegation threatened Hampton & Richmond Borough on Tuesday night, maintained Bromley’s Conference South status.

The first-leg will be away from home next Wednesday, 2^nd May, before the return leg takes place at Princes Park on Sunday, 6 May, with the one-legged play-off showdown seven days later at the club who finishes the highest in the League.

“It’s a long way to play so we’ll be on the coach for seven hours, I should think,” said Burman, whose side were beaten 1-0 by heroic Hythe Town in the Kent Senior Cup Final on Tuesday night.

“Listen, it was a great fixture when it came out at the start of the season because everyone was looking to go down there.

“I don’t mind playing Truro, but it’s a hell of a long way to go with such an important game on the Wednesday, but whatever you try to do (with team selection) there is no right way or wrong way. 

“All you can hope when the play-offs start on May 2^nd, we’re ready for it.  I’m sure that we will be.

“I just want to try and get everyone 90 minutes – to keep things ticking over.”

Dartford will be preparing for their first ever experience in the play-offs.  Neighbours Ebbsfleet United were successful by this method last season when Liam Daish’s side came away from Farnborough with play-off final victory and they have competed well in the Conference Premier after one season away.

Burman said:  “It’s a new competition really.  It’s two semi-finals and a final.  We’ve got to just to do our best to get things going our way.  If we stick to what we’ve done for the majority of the season and try to be consistent.

“I think play-offs are a little bit blood and thunder but you’ve also got to have a bit of intelligence when you’re out there. “It’s very important that sticks with us.  

“It’s decent enough in the semi-final you’ve got two games so it’s nice if things haven’t gone quite right or they’ve gone well, you’ve got a chance to adjust either way.”

Burman who admitted his players had the play-offs on their mind when they were humbled by Ryman League Division One South side Hythe Town in the Kent Senior Cup Final, wants to end their campaign on a high note.

“I want to get all my energy and all my thoughts going into the play-offs.  Whatever happens Saturday the boys will be going out in Truro on Saturday evening.  We’ll have a meal and a couple of drinks and we’ll reflect on what we’ve achieved.

“The icing on the cake is to come hopefully.”

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

Truro City  v  Dartford
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 28^th April 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Treyew Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2TH