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Dartford FC boss Tony Burman on the 3-1 win against Bognor Regis Town

Burman praised Dartford's patient approach in their win over Bognor on Saturday.

Against a side who like to pass and play out from the back, Darts were quickly into a pressing game to nick the ball back and keep the Rocks in their own half.

The first half ended 1-1 but Dartford were on top and they made their dominance count with two more goals in the second period.

Dartford manager Tony Burman with assistant Steve Mosely Picture: Andy Payton
Dartford manager Tony Burman with assistant Steve Mosely Picture: Andy Payton

"I’m very pleased," Burman said. "Bognor are a good footballing side and you have to be patient when you’re trying to win the ball back.

"I thought we had enough chances in the first half to come in 2-1 or 3-1 up but the guys showed a lot of patience, waited until they got opportunities and they’ve won the game.

"We said that even if we went 3-0 up, they’d still continue to play the way they do.

"Where we put a lot of pressure on them in the first half to stop them passing the ball out, they got tired and that’s when the mistakes happened for them."

Alfie Pavey's seventh-minute strike - his ninth goal in 10 games - had Dartford in front but the lead only lasted 10 minutes before Bromley loanee Kristian Campbell equalised.

Burman said: "We knew the left full-back got forward a lot. We wanted to show him down the outside but he’s managed to get on the inside. With all due respect, he’s probably gone round Keaton (Wood) too easily and he’s gone round Richard (Sho-Silva) too easily in the box.

"That’s disappointing but it’s happened. We haven’t kept a clean sheet but we responded OK.

"I felt that when we went 1-0 up, we didn’t get into fourth or fifth gear - we stayed in third and went down to second if I’m honest. That’s when I think we can play the game at our tempo and it didn’t quite materialise."

Ryan Hayes on the ball against Bognor Picture: Andy Payton
Ryan Hayes on the ball against Bognor Picture: Andy Payton

But after Elliot Bradbrook had fired Darts back in front from the penalty spot, Andy Pugh put the result beyond doubt when he headed home a cross from Ryan Hayes.

Burman said: "Ryan can be brilliant and he can be not so good. I didn’t think his crossing was that great today and that was probably his first decent cross but that’s what you wait for, that’s why you keep him on.

"His passing was better than his crossing. When he came inside, there was one for Alfie which was a great knock. There was another one for Murph (Tom Murphy), across the field, which was great. We know he can do those things but he’s there to cross the ball as well and I didn’t think the crossing was that great.

"He’s very frustrating sometimes but then, on the other hand, he’s brilliant.

"He’s made 400 starts which you’ve got to congratulate him on. I’m absolutely delighted for him that he’s been here this long and over the years there won’t be many better players putting a Dartford shirt on."

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