There will be no lapses in concentration at Chipstead, insists Burman

Wednesday 09th September 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman insists his side will adopt a professional approach to their trip to lower league strugglers Chipstead in Saturday’s FA Cup tie, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts have dropped just two points from their opening seven games this season and top the Ryman Premier League table by five points.

But all that counts for nothing when the Kent giants travel to Chipstead’s modest ground at High Road in the first qualifying round of the world’s greatest cup competition at the weekend.

Kent football fans will know that former Erith Town and Croydon manager Mark Tompkins is now managing the Surrey club and former Dartford striker Micky Collins - who was apart of Tonbridge Angels reserve team management last season - has signed in time for this match.

Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, hopes veteran striker Collins doesn’t dump his side out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

“The funny thing is,” said Burman. “I played in the vets tournament with Micky and he was going to give us a run down on Chipstead but then he said he couldn't as he’s signed for them!”

Looking forward to the game, Burman said, “We’re treating it like a league game. We have a fully fit squad to go there and we’re going to try to progress into the next round of the FA Cup.

“There will be no sort of lapses in concentration from us at all. We’ll be preparing in the right way.

“Everyone wants to stay involved in the FA Cup as long as they can and we’re no different. We all like the publicity and the financial reward that it brings to the clubs - we want to go through to the next round.”

The Darts seem to emulating what Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic side did to the Ryman Premier League last season - running away with the title - but Burman is pleased with their seven match unbeaten run.

“It’s a great achievement by the players to get that many points,” praised Burman. “We’ve got 19 points out of 21 and they deserved their results and points.

“They’ve worked very, very hard and you don’t get anything if you don’t work hard in the league games and I’m sure they will do that on Saturday as well.”

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

Chipstead v Dartford

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round

Saturday 12th September 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF