Kentish Football 
We'll give Chipstead respect, insists Darts boss Burman
Wednesday 28th October 2009
DARTFORD boss Tony Burman insists his side will give lowly Chipstead the respect they deserve when the two clubs meet in the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Darts have dropped only two points as they lead the Ryman Premier League by a whopping FOURTEEN points after 13 games.
Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, was pleased with the professionalism shown by his side as they came away from two tricky away games at Aveley and Ashford Town (Middlesex) with maximum points.
“We spoke before the two away games and felt they were two games where we all had to be focused and had the desire and the attitude to try and go and win them,” Burman said.
“We didn’t want to fall short of that and to be fair to the players they haven’t - they’ve been absolutely excellent in both games.
“It’s a fantastic start, no-one can deny that. It’s just been something really special and I hope, we all hope from our point of view, it continues.
“We want to get three points from each game and we also know every team wants to beat us and be the first team to beat us.
“We talk about that quite a lot in the changing room and I can’t tell you how hard the players have worked to put us in this position. Their part in all of this has been absolutely fantastic.”
Chipstead, who are managed to Mark Tompkins, won their only Ryman League Division One South game of the season last weekend when Scott Simpson scored the only goal to win a poor game at Chatham Town.
Dartford cruised to a comfortable 6-1 win over Chipstead at their modest High Road ground in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup earlier in the season, so Burman knows what to expect when the two sides meet in the FA Carlsberg Trophy at Princes Park on Saturday.
“We gave Chipstead a lot of respect when we played them in the FA Cup,” said Burman.
“We went there with a full squad and we went there to win the game. Fortunately we had a good start in the game where we scored early goals and it doesn’t always go like that.
“They’ll be delighted to come to Princes Park to play in front of a big crowd and that will give them more of a lift.
“We will still show them a hell of a lot of respect like we have done to every team.
“We know we’ve got quality within the squad in every position, but you don’t get nothing without hard work.”
Burman added that he wants to finish off the Surrey minnows at the first attempt.
“I’d love to have a little run, the only thing I don’t want to get involved in are replays to be honest with you,” he added.
“There’s some serious money (£3,000) up for grabs and we hope we can get into the next round and continue. I don’t want to get involved in replay’s - let’s get it done on the day.”
Billy Burgess (hip), Rob Haworth (chest), Jamie Day (calf), Elliot Bradbrook (injured) and Adam Flanagan (three-match ban) have all been ruled out.
Dartford v Chipstead
FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 31st October 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd