We must not mess about in our play-off quest, says Burman - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Dartford boss Tony Burman has made it clear to his players what he expects from them until the end of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Fourth placed Darts picked up a crucial three points in a 3-1 win at second from bottom side Godalming Town yesterday, courtesy of goals from Mark Green, Jay May and Ryan Hayes.

“It was a good win,” Burman said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today. “We needed three points away from home, playing against a side who need points to stay in the division.

“I have to say the pitch was very poor and with the wind as well gong from side to side it wasn’t very pretty.

“We managed to play better than them on a difficult surface and this time we managed to get a win.”

Burman’s side travel to third from bottom side Ashford Town on Tuesday night before basement boys Corinthian Casuals visit Princes Park next Saturday.

“We want to stay in the top five,” explained Burman. “We gained a couple of points on the two teams above us. It was a big game yesterday and we had to get the three points and that’s the name of the game at the moment and we keep (ourselves) in the hat so to speak.”

Dartford travel to The Homelands on Tuesday night to play an Ashford Town side that are just one point above the drop zone, albeit with at least three games in hand.

But they fought back after being 2-0 down after just fifteen minutes at Leatherhead yesterday - then 3-1 down - to claim a point in a 3-3 draw, courtesy of goals from leading goalscorer George Fenwick, Anthony Allman and Walid Matata.

Burman, meanwhile, isn’t expecting an easy game against their Kentish rivals.

He warned: “We know it’s going to be a difficult game as Ashford seem to be in a false position with the players that they’ve got.

“But they’re in that position and they’re fighting for their survival as well.

“It’s a Kent derby which can always be a one-off match and we know we have to go there and win.

“There’s no point in messing about now. We’re in the last part of the season and we have to win the game and we’ll go there to try to do that.”

Princes Park should be a daunting venue for an amateur Corinthian Casuals side that have picked up just two draws from their last five league games.

And Burman believes another four-figure crowd will enable his players to collect another three points.

“I just feel our preparation for all the games are the same,” he said. “We have to take chances and win the games.

“I will say our home games are even more important and I feel it’s going to be important that the supporters at home get behind the side, which they have done and (we) keep clocking up the points, putting points on the board and don’t worry about anyone else.

“We know we feel what we have to do. We’ve got a possible 24 points and we have to get as many points on the board to keep us in that top five.”

“I’ve got a target myself but I’m not telling anyone that but the atmosphere is very good at the club and we feel we need to get as many points as we can in every single game.”

Midfielder Eddie McClements (dead leg) is Burman’s only injury doubt but his fitness will be assessed during Monday night’s training session.

Visit club websites:

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Ashford Town v Dartford
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 20^th March 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ