We will bounce back from FA Cup exit, insists Burman

Sunday 11th October 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says his side will not suffer from a FA Cup hangover when they lock horns with Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Both sides were knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Blue Square South sides yesterday and will need lifting ahead of their Ryman Premier League clash at Princes Park.

Tonbridge Angels suffered their SEVENTH successive defeat to Bromley, as goals from Ryan Hall and Donal O’Sullivan sent Mark Goldberg’s side through to the final qualifying round.

Dartford’s 12-match unbeaten start to their campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion, as Chelmsford City stunned the Darts with a clinical 4-1 win in front of an excellent passionate support of 1,830.

“I’m disappointed but I’m not downhearted that’s for sure,” Darts boss Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game yesterday.

“We’ve lost and I think the scoreline was a little bit more flattering than the game actually was and we move on.

“The enjoyment of the FA Cup, for us, is now over and we concentrate on the league, which is what we wanted to do.

“The players are disappointed, I’m very disappointed but I’m not downhearted with the way things have gone.”

Burman learnt lessons from their defeat to Chelmsford City yesterday and bouncing back against the Angels will help clinch promotion at the end of the season.

The Darts go into the game sitting proudly at the top of the Ryman Premier League table with 28 points from 10 games (dropping only two points against Wealdstone) and are eight points clear of surprise package Hastings United, who under former Tonbridge Angels boss Tony Dolby, are second.

“It’s obviously important (to bounce back), there’s that little added pressure but I’m sure once we get in on Tuesday, down their bits and pieces and we come in firing on all cylinders to try and win the game on Tuesday night,” added Burman.

Big target man Rob Haworth will need a fitness test ahead of kick-off due to picking up a painful rib injury during the second half yesterday.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE of this game.

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

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Dartford v Tonbridge Angels

Ryman Premier League

Tuesday 13th October 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT