We've got a mountain to climb but mountains do get climbed, says Dartford boss Tony Burman

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has issued a rallying cry to his supporters to make it uncomfortable for Grimsby Town’s players on Saturday.



Burman admitted his side face a mountain to climb after losing 3-0 at Blundell Park in The FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final First Leg last Saturday.

But Burman, who has clinched three promotions in the past six years to reach the Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier, has challenged the Princes Park faithful to crank up their passionate support and keep believing that their side can produce a heroic comeback to snatch a place in the Wembley Stadium Final to face either Wrexham or Gainsborough Trinity.

Arrogant Grimsby Town supporters’ have written on Dartford’s fans forum and revealed that they have already booked hotel rooms for the 24 March Final.

Surely that is motivation enough for Dartford’s players to turn the tie around?

But for Grimsby to think that they are already home and dry is a dangerous game and part-time Dartford have big hearts and have already dumped some big named outfits at Princes Park – Luton Town being one of them!

The maths is simple. If Grimsby score then the dream dies. But Dartford have the players capable of romping to a famous 3-0 victory inside 90 minutes – and then finishing the job in extra time or on penalties.

It can be done – and we need everyone singing from the same hymn sheet both on and off the pitch for it to happen!

Cast your mind back to May 2005 and that famous Champions League Final in Istanbul.

AC Milan were coasting at 3-0 at the break and Liverpool fans were seen on television with tears of despair rolling down their faces. 

But up stepped skipper Steven Gerrard to inspire his home-town club to a famous nine minute comeback, before winning 3-2 on penalties.

Saturday is a day for big hearts, a big Dartford performance and three or four goals and a clean sheet.

”We’re 3-0 down and we have to go for it at home now,” said Burman, as he plots the greatest comeback in FA Trophy semi-final history.

”If we’d lost 1-0 you still would have to score two goals and now we’ve got to score four goals haven’t we?

”So we’re going to make it uncomfortable.  Let’s try and make it uncomfortable for them.  Let’s hope that our crowd make them as uncomfortable.

”We know what we have to do and we’ll have a go at it again. The onus is on us now to have a go at Grimsby.  They’re a good side, they’re like us.  They might want to catch us on the break and do their bits and pieces.

”It’s always been a two-legged affair. We’ve got to now have a go on Saturday.”

Winger Ryan Hayes was kept in the pockets of Aswad Thomas and Marcus Marshall last week – but Burman has challenged the club’s longest serving player to supply the ammunition on Saturday, backed by a supportive home following.

”I was concerned whether to start Ryan (last week) in all honesty but I started with him but the game passed him by and it wasn’t to be,” said Burman.

”Hopefully, maybe, we’ll have him on his day maybe on Saturday. He’ll do something for us, who knows, we just have to see. 

”We know what we have to do. We’ve got a mountain to climb but mountains do get climbed!

”We’re in the land of the gods. If there with us, who knows what can happen.

”It’s not over, but we’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb, that’s for sure!”

Don’t forget, there’s an easy way and then there’s the Dartford way!

The alternative is a depressed home dressing room, filled with players soaked with regret at the final whistle.
 
Simon Halsey, 48, led Herne Bay to the FA Carlsberg Vase Semi-Finals last season, going down to a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat on aggregate to Northern League outfit West Auckland Town, who went on to lose to Dunston UTS at Wembley Stadium.

It was a tearful journey back home from the North East after the heartbreaking second-leg.

”It is the worst ever experience in my footballing career,” recalled Halsey, who went on to clinch the Kent League title.

”It was the longest journey home from up north. It was the most horrific and worst changing room that I’ve been in my life ever.

”That was an awful changing room to be involved in after, not nice at all.”

But the former Dartford under 18 coach has faith in Burman’s side that they can grab the victory.

Halsey said: ”Three-nil down, lots of stuff can happen in football.  Anything can happen in football. It’s not over. If they can turn some of that form on like they have all season, who knows what can happen.

”I wish Tony and all the boys the greatest luck on Saturday.”

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


Dartford  v  Grimsby Town
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final Second Leg
Saturday 23^rd February 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT