Interview with Tony Burman following the 4-2 victory versus Boston United in the FA Carlsberg Trophy.
Archives for : January2012
Dartford return to F.A Trophy action this weekend with a home tie against Conference North side Boston United.
The Darts last played The Pilgrims in an F.A Cup match twelve years ago. That day the fourth qualifying round fixture ended 1-1 at Watling Street. Dartford bowed out in a replay having been defeated 2-1 by the then Conference side. The last league meetings between the two clubs were way back in the 1985/86 season. Boston United won 1-0 at Watling Street and 3-0 at York Street.
Tony Burman’s squad have lost just once in the last twelve competitive matches and that was to league leaders Woking. An excellent away trip to Havant and Waterlooville has given Burman’s team more confidence having swept aside The Hawks 4-1.
Burman spoke to PURE DFC and said: “It was a really good performance, all the team was excellent, it was a good all round performance”. Specifically the Dartford manager praised captain Elliot Bradbrook for his two goals as well as his two chances stopped by Havant and Waterlooville. Burman was also delighted with Danny Harris’ work rate, commenting “he worked his socks off”.
Victory at Westleigh Park closed the gap on league leaders Woking to fourteen points who lost to lowly Staines at home. However Dartford have two games in hand and could close the gap to eight points. Burman added: “It’s too early to say the league is over, so many things could happen. We got three points back off them but we are a long way off, we have to believe”.
Dartford reached the last sixteen in the F.A Trophy last time and hope to replicate if not better last seasons performance. Burman is looking forward to the tie and the occasion, he said: “I’m deligted we are still in the trophy, it’s a big game. I’m hoping we can get near to what we got when we played Welling at home in the last game, it was a great atmosphere.
He continued: “Boston are a big club they have been up there, they’ve come down and they are trying to get back up again. It will be a tough game but we will go into it in good form. If we can get the supporters to support like they did against Welling then that will breed confidence”.
Being a Boston United supporter in last dozen years has been full of ups and downs. Currently occupying eleventh spot in the Conference North, The Pilgrims have seen off Workington and Hyde FC to reach this far of the F.A Trophy. On Tuesday night they were defeated by Bishop’s Stortford at home, losing 2-0.
The Lincolnshire club are now managed by former Premier League striker Jason Lee who was appointed as boss in May after a successful spell as Caretaker Manager. Lee still puts on his boots and has netted seven times in the league so far this term, only Marc Newsham with eight league goals has scored more for Boston United. In defence Jason Lee can rely on 41 year old Paul Bastock. The ex St Albans City goalkeeper will be familiar with Dartford fans after outstanding performances against The Darts last season.
Boston United were founder members of the old Alliance Premier League in 1979 and stayed at the top of non league football until 1993. The Pilgrims best finish was third during the 1988/89 season but four years later they were relegated. Promotion back to the top flight was achieved in 2000.
After just two seasons and first as a professional club Boston fans witnessed a memorable campaign when Football League status was earned by the slimmest of margins. The Pilgrims went up as champions by goal difference. The Conference championship was tarnished by an F.A investigation in which Steve Evans (now Crawley Town boss) was banned for twenty months.
Five years in the Football League ended in dramatic fashion. On the last day of the 2006/07 season defeat at Wrexham relegated the side as Macclesfield Town stayed up. Boston United entered a CVA in that summer and dropped an extra division to compete in the Conference North. A season later after finishing tenth a second demotion left the club in the Northern Premier League. However, Boston United’s attempt to bounce back was successful when they were promoted via the playoffs in 2010 back to the Conference North after beating Bradford Park Avenue.
Road To Wembley
First Round
Brackley Town 0 Dartford 3
The Darts negotiated their way into round two with a comfortable display in Northamptonshire. Dartford were awarded a dubious penalty which Elliot Bradbrook scored from placing a powerful shot into the top corner. In the second half Lee Burns and Jacob Erskine traded one two’s up the pitch before Erskine curled a delightful shot in off the bar. Erskine then slid in to make it 3-0 and secure Dartford’s passage to round two.
Boston United 1 Workington 0
Marc Newsham scored the only goal in fifty eighth minute in a workmen like performance. Paul Bastock made numerous vital saves in the Boston United goal as The Pilgrims defeated Workington for the third time this season.
Third Qualifying Round – Replay
Dartford 2 Eastbourne Borough 1
At the second attempt Dartford knocked out Eastbourne Borough in a replay. Tom Champion’s long range effort in the second half was a stunning way to open the scoring. After a second goal from Danny Harris, Eastbourne Borough were awarded a bizarre penalty when two Borough players fell over each other. Former Dart Carl Rook scored a consolation goal which wasn’t enough to complete a comeback.
Third Qualifying Round
Eastbourne Borough 0 Dartford 0
Dartford’s F.A Trophy adventures started at Priory Road in blustery conditions. The Darts dominated the first half but had with very few chances. Jacob Erskine powered a header wide and a couple of long range efforts never really tested Clark Masters in the Eastbourne goal. Eastbourne’s Ben Watson squandered a one on one with Louis Wells in the second half and Dartford’s Adam Green hit the woodwork from a swirling cross. James Rogers almost won it in the last minute when his volley was acrobatically cleared off the line.
Boston United 2 Hyde FC 1
Scott Spencer gave the visitors a 1-0 half time lead on forty minutes when he slammed home a shot at the far post. On the hour Kevin Austin scored his second goal in thirteen years with a header from Ben Milnes corner. Hyde’s Adam Griffin was not pleased that the goal stood and received his second booking for dissent. Ian Ross whipped in a cross thirteen minutes from time for Ben Fairclough, who nodded the winner with a diving header.
Statistics
Dartford (4th – Conference South) versus Boston United (10th Conference North)
Current Form (league and cup) – FAT = F.A Trophy
Last five Dartford matches at home | Last five Boston United matches away |
Won 1-0 v Welling United | Drew 2-2 v Eastwood Town |
Drew 1-1 v Dorchester Town | Lost 1-2 v Guiseley |
Lost 2-3 v Woking | Lost 0-3 v Stalybridge Celtic |
Won 3-1 v Dover Athletic | Won 3-1 v Gainsborough Trinity |
Won 2-1 v Eastbourne Borough (FAT) | Lost 0-1 v Solihull Moors |
F.A Trophy Performances
Season | Dartford | Boston United |
2010/2011 | 3rd Round Proper: Gateshead | 2nd Round Proper: Gloucester City |
2009/2010 | 3rd Qualifying Round: Dover Athletic | 2nd Qualifying Round: Quorn |
2008/2009 | 3rd Qualifying Round: St Albans City | 1st Round Proper: AFC Telford United |
2007/2008 | 1st Qualifying Round: AFC Hornchurch | 3rd Qualifying Round: Gateshead |
2006/2007 | 2nd Qualifying Round: Evesham United | Competed in the Football League |
2005/2006 | 3rd Qualifying Round: AFC Wimbledon | Competed in the Football League |
2004/2005 | 1st Round Proper: Redbridge | Competed in the Football League |
2003/2004 | 1st Round Proper: Ashford Town (Middlesex) | Competed in the Football League |
2002/2003 | Preliminary Round: Salisbury City | Competed in the Football League |
2001/2002 | 1st Round Proper: Braintree Town | 3rd Round Proper: Northwich Victoria |
Attendances (league only) *Attendances taken from www.bluesqsouth.com
Dartford average home attendance: 1313
Highest home attendance: 2559 v Welling United / Lowest: 924 v Dorchester Town
Boston United average away attendance: 549
Highest away attendance: 804 v Altrincham / Lowest: 301 v Solihull Moors
Did you know…
Dartford have scored in every competitive home game this season. Scoring once on 5 occasions, twice on 5 occasions, three times on 4 occasions and scored five once.
It has been fourteen league games since Boston United kept a clean sheet
Boston United have won five of their last eight league and cup meetings against Dartford between 1982 and 1991
Both Dartford and Boston United have never won the F.A trophy but both sides have finished runners up. Dartford lost 2-1 to Morecambe in 1974 and Boston United lost 2-1 to Wealdstone in 1985.
Matches on this day…
1893: (H) Chatham Hill – W7-2 (Friendly)
1899: (H) Bromley – W4-2
1905: (H) Crayford – L1-4 (Kent Senior Cup)
1911: (A) Orpington – D1-1
1922: (H) Chatham – D2-2
1928: (H) Gillingham Reserves – W2-0
1933: (A) Norwich City Reserves – W2-1
1939: (A) Newport County – L0-3
1950: (A) Ashford Town – W2-1 (Kent Senior Shield Replay)
1956: (A) Chelmsford City – D1-1
1961: (H) Kings Lynn – W2-0
1967: (H) Barry Town – W6-1
1975: (A) Met Police – W5-3
1978: (H) Sutton United – W2-0 (FA Trophy)
1984: (A) Barnet – L0-3 (FA Trophy)
1986: (H) Tonbridge – W2-1 (Kent Senior Cup)
1989: (H) Dorchester Town – W4-0 (FA Trophy)
1992: (H) Merthyr Tydfil – L1-2 (FA Trophy Replay)
1995: (H) Thamesmead Town – L0-1
2006: (H) Wivenhoe Town – W3-0
Against our visitors – last five matches
01/12/1984 (H) – Drew 1-1
31/08/1985 (H) – Lost 0-1
11/01/1986 (A) – Lost 0-3
27/10/1990 (H) – Drew 1-1 (FA Cup)
31/10/1990 (A) – Lost 1-2 (FA Cup Replay)
Versus Boston United
Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | |
Total | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 22 |
Home | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 |
Away | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 16 |
The Darts travel to Hampshire for the third time this season when they visit Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday.
A trip to Westleigh Park last season ended in defeat back in April. Sammy Igoe’s cross was turned into the net by Wes Fogden in the thirty third minute. Fogden’s first half strike earned The Hawks victory which helped the Hampshire club finish a point above Dartford in ninth place last campaign. The Darts will be pleased with the departure of Wes Fogden who scored in both fixtures against Dartford last season. Fogden was signed by AFC Bournemouth teaming up with former Dart Charlie Sheringham.
It will be the thirty ninth meeting between the two clubs including when Dartford’s opponents were two separate entities as Havant Town and as Waterlooville. Despite defeat away from home to Havant and Waterlooville last season, Dartford fans will have fond memories of their Conference South début which ended 2-2 at Princes Park.
Dartford had a fantastic festive period taking four points off high fliers and Kent rivals Welling United. A draw at Park View Road on Boxing Day was followed up by a 1-0 win at Princes Park on Bank Holiday Monday. With an even and uneventful first half Welling United took control after half time. Dean Cracknell hit the cross bar and Adam Green cleared Ben Martin’s shot off the line. Louis Wells made a number of fine saves, Matt Jones and Elliot Bradbrook cleared efforts off the line and The Darts were hanging on. A corner taken by Dartford winger Ryan Hayes on the hour mark was headed towards goal by Tom Bonner and flicked in by Danny Harris for the all important winner. The Darts came away with the points thanks to a stunning goalkeeping display by man of the match Wells.
Tony Burman spoke to PURE DFC after the match and said: “I’m really pleased with the result and with the performance as well. The support was absolutely fantastic for the guys which has given them a lift”. The win at Princes Park was the first win in three league fixtures and first clean sheet in seven. Burman recognises that it’s not just goals that win you points but a tight defence too, he added: “The conversation is about what formation we play and how we are going to replace Charlie Sheringham but at the end of the day teams who are up the top don’t concede goals.”
Havant and Waterlooville only played once over the festive period and drew 0-0 at home to Eastleigh on Boxing Day. The stalemate was The Hawks third in a row at home where they are five league matches unbeaten. The return fixture on New Years Day was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The Hawks sit in fifteenth position on twenty five points and are unbeaten in five leagues matches and have lost just one in nine Conference South games. Over their last nine fixtures the Hampshire club have won three and drawn five. Burman told PURE DFC that he expects a tough match, he commented: “We are now facing teams that are not at the right end of the table and they are going to be decent sides. We’ve got to show that passion and that will to win which we showed today (against Welling United)”.
Manager Shaun Gale has added more experience to his squad this season. Sammy Igoe has made over 450 appearances for eight football league clubs and has been joined by Lee Peacock and Vincent Pericard. Peacock was signed in the summer from Grimsby Town and has played over 500 games for six league teams including scoring 122 times. Pericard has played over 159 times for teams including Portsmouth, Stoke City and Swindon Town and has been a French under 21 international.
Dartford Team News
Jon Wallis will return from his one game suspension for five cautions this season.
Defender Paul Goodacre will still be out for a few weeks, Burman said: “Paul has had a scan and he has no damage which is great news but his bruised around the cartlidge which is going take a little bit of time to heal up. His probably going to be another two or three weeks at least”.
Lee Burns and Tony Garrod could be back for Saturday, The Darts manager added: “Lee Burns hopefully should be ready for Saturday and Tony Garrod had a bit of a chest infection and was on antibiotics”.
In other squad news the Dartford boss said Jack Pallen “came back from VCD Athletic on loan and because VCD didn’t a game for a couple of weeks he went out to Leatherhead to try and get some games there”.
Statistics (league only)
Havant and Waterlooville (15th) v Dartford (4th)
Current Form
Last five Havant and Waterlooville matches at home | Last five Dartford matches away |
Drew 0-0 v Eastleigh | Drew 1-1 v Welling United |
Drew 1-1 v Weston Super-Mare | Drew 2-2 v Eastleigh |
Drew 0-0 v Eastbourne Borough | Won 2-1 v Salisbury City |
Won 5-0 v Farnborough | Won 3-0 v Thurrock |
Won 4-2 v Dorchester Town | Lost 1-3 v Boreham Wood |
Attendances
Havant and Waterlooville average home attendance: 691
Highest home attendance: 938 v Eastleigh/ Lowest: 502 v Truro City
Dartford average away attendance: 839
Highest away attendance: 1815 v Welling United/ Lowest: 441 v Boreham Wood
Did you know…
Dartford have now scored in their previous 17 league matches and in their last 7 away league games
Away from home The Darts are unbeaten in four league fixtures
Havant and Waterlooville have scored the most league goals (10) in the final 15 minutes of the first half
The Hawks have conceded the most league goals (14) in the first 15 minutes of the second half
Only Maidenhead United have conceded more second half league goals (26) than Havant and Waterlooville (24) this season
Matches on this day…
1893: (H) Horton Kirby – Unknown Score (Friendly)
1899: (A) Maidstone United – D1-1
1905: (H) Holmesdale Sevenoaks – W4-0
1911: (H) Metrogas – W4-0 (Friendly)
1922: (H) Grays – D1-1 (Friendly)
1928: (A) Kettering Town – L0-2
1933: (A) Folkestone – L2-5
1935: (A) Clapton Orient Reserves – L2-3
1950: (H) Hastings United – W4-2
1956: (A) Dover – D1-1 (Kent Senior Cup)
1961: (A) Worcester City – L0-4
1967: (A) Merthyr Tydfil – W4-1
1969: (H) Charlton Athletic – W2-0 (Friendly)
1971: (H) Ashford Town – W5-0
1978: (H) Grantham – W4-0
1984: (H) Hastings United – W2-1
1989: (H) Alvechurch – W2-1
2006: (H) Arlesey Town – D0-0
Against our visitors – last five matches
06/04/1999 (H) – Lost 0-2
29/04/1999 (A) – Drew 1-1
15/10/2000 (H) – Lost 0-4 (FA Cup)
14/08/2010 (H) – Drew 2-2
18/04/2011 (A) – Lost 0-1
Versus Havant and Waterlooville/Havant Town/Waterlooville
Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | |
Total | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 72 | 38 |
Home | 19 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 43 | 19 |
Away | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 19 |
Commentary for the following matches:
Dover Athletic 3rd December 2011 1st Half
Dover Athletic 3rd December 2011 2nd Half
Woking 14th December 2011 1st Half
Woking 14th December 2011 2nd Half
Dorchester Town 17th December 2011 1st half
Dorchester Town 17th December 2011 2nd half
Welling United 2nd January 2012 1st half