Beales making an impression while Darts boss Burman is away
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John
Beales is ready to put his long lay-off behind him by impressing
Dartford manager Tony Burman.
The 24-year-old defender, who lives just around the corner from
Princes Park, has been out of action since April of last year after
suffering a serious knee injury playing for former club Tonbridge
against Hendon.
Beales had run-outs in the Darts’
opening two pre-season games against Norwich and Gillingham, and
played his first full 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory at Met Police
last Saturday.
With Burman away on holiday, his
assistants Steve Mosely and Paul Sawyer have liked what they have
seen. Mosely said: "John spent time doing his re-hab at the club
last season, and has done very well so far.
"He played for an hour against
Norwich and had 45 minutes against Gillingham, and his performances
have been good.
"Tony will want to look at John
himself before he makes a decision."
Dartford were without several first
teamers at Met Police. Goalkeeper Andrew Young (dead leg), John
Guest (groin), Lee Noble (foot) and Danny Dafter (ankle) all missed
out.
Former Ebbsfleet youngster Sam Mott
and former Darts keeper Tony Kessell played 45 minutes each while
defender Danny Barber played his first 45 minutes competitive
football, after recovering from cruciate ligament damage on his
debut at Tooting last season.
One blow for the Darts was young
midfielder Kiran Dingi pulling up with a hamstring injury which
could sideline him for several weeks, while defender Adam Gross is
also nursing a slight groin problem.
Elliott Bradbrook scored the winner
in the second half at Met Police, converting the rebound, after
Adam Flanagan had challenged the Police keeper, following a good
run and cross by Adam Burchell.
Mosely added: "It was a good
work-out for us against non-league opposition."
Mosely and Sawyer were in charge at
the weekend but Burman will be back from holiday for tonight’s
(Thursday) hastily re-arranged friendly at home to Welling.
The game had been due to be played
on Tuesday but was put back 48 hours after a power failure affected
Princes Park.
The Darts then visit Witham this
Saturday, a fixture which was part of the original deal that
brought Cody McDonald to the club.
Dartford start their second season
in the Ryman League Premier Division at home to Horsham on August
15, before trips to Margate and Hastings.
The fixtures, which were released
last week, see the Darts face Christmas and New Year derbies
against newly-promoted Cray Wanderers.
The Darts end the season with a
home match against Aveley before a trip to Bognor Regis.
Wednesday, July 22 2009
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