Dover Athletic return to the Megger Community Stadium on Saturday for their first home fixture of the new National League South season, with Slough Town the visitors to Crabble. The Whites will be looking to respond following last weekend’s opening-day defeat at Billericay Town, while Slough arrive for their first league outing of the campaign after their scheduled fixture against Ebbsfleet United was postponed. With both sides keen to get points on the board, another competitive afternoon awaits at Crabble.

Dover Athletic

Dover Athletic began the new National League South season with a 2-0 defeat against Billericay Town at New Lodge. The Whites made a bright start and almost opened the scoring after three minutes when Baptiste’s free-kick from the edge of the area crashed against the crossbar. However, Billericay took the lead on 18 minutes from their first corner. Benton’s delivery found Bonne at the back post, where the striker volleyed beyond Walker. Dover continued to see plenty of the ball, with Oyenuga firing wide from the edge of the area, while Rendall made an important block at the other end shortly before the interval. The Whites started the second half positively, but Billericay doubled their advantage on 55 minutes. Porter’s overlapping run created the opening before his delivery found Merrifield, who finished strongly to make it 2-0. The hosts almost added a third moments later when another effort struck the crossbar. Jake Leberl introduced Sesay, Bates and Fish as Dover searched for a response, but the visitors were unable to break down a well-organised home defence. Former Dover man Odelusi fired narrowly wide late on before Billericay saw out six minutes of added time to secure all three points in front of 1,093 supporters.

From the Management

“Generally, since I’ve been back at the club, our away form has been better than our home form. I was looking at it during the week and we actually had a better away record than Dorking last year. But we need to win at home. It’s important to get results here for the supporters and to build some momentum, so we really need to improve our home form. Next week against Slough is a good opportunity to do that.”

Slough Town

Slough Town enter the new season facing a period of significant change following the departure of long-serving manager Scott Davies to Aldershot Town. Davies consistently kept the Rebels competitive despite modest expectations, making his exit a major loss both on and off the pitch. New manager Alan Julian is expected to encourage a positive and attacking style of football, but he inherits a squad that has lost considerable quality over the summer. Slough have traditionally recruited well from the lower levels of the pyramid, identifying players capable of stepping up and establishing themselves at National League South level. Several new arrivals have once again come from lower divisions, although it remains to be seen whether Julian can repeat the success Davies enjoyed with that approach. Retaining Henry Ochieng is a major boost, with the experienced midfielder providing leadership and control after injury disrupted his previous campaign. Jared Myers and Jaiden Drakes-Thomas are also players with the potential to develop further and take on greater responsibility. Slough head into the season with a new manager and a reshaped squad, with the coming weeks likely to provide a clearer indication of how quickly the group can settle and develop.

Slough Town have assembled an energetic squad combining established National League South experience with several promising new arrivals. In goal, Josh McNamara offers composure and strong distribution, having developed within the Manchester City and Southampton academy systems. Defensively, Joe Morrison provides strength, aerial presence and leadership after being named Gosport Borough’s Supporters’ Player of the Season. Josh Brooking adds athleticism and quality in possession, while the versatile Keenan Quansah can operate centrally or at right-back. Attacking full-back Tarik Gidaree also offers pace and threat from wide areas. In midfield, captain Henry Ochieng is a powerful and influential presence, supported by the energetic Dan Roth and experienced attacking midfielder Johnny Goddard. Jaiden Drakes-Thomas adds further creativity and goals after finishing as Slough’s leading scorer last season. Going forward, new signing Godlove Oppong arrives after scoring 32 goals for Leighton Town, while George Vorster contributed 17 goals and 13 assists for Burgess Hill. Louis Walsh provides another major threat after registering 25 goals and 14 assists for Thame United.

Slough Town will arrive at the Megger Community Stadium for their first National League South fixture of the season after their scheduled opening-day game against Ebbsfleet United was postponed. The Rebels had been due to host Ebbsfleet at Arbour Park on Saturday, but the fixture was called off following The National League’s decision to suspend the Fleet while its Compliance and Licensing Committee reviews the club’s financial position. As a result, Saturday’s trip to Dover will mark Slough’s first competitive league outing of the 2026/27 campaign.

Last Time

Last time the sides met, Dover Athletic battled back to earn a point at Slough Town as a late own goal secured a 1-1 draw at Arbour Park. The hosts made the brighter start and created the better chances during a disrupted first half, with Walker producing an excellent one-on-one save to deny Gidaree before Nikaj made a crucial goal-line clearance. Slough continued to threaten after the restart and Walker was again called upon, producing a superb double save as Dover struggled to gain a foothold in the final third. The breakthrough eventually arrived on 68 minutes. A Slough corner was only partially cleared and Clarke’s strike from the edge of the box was diverted past Walker by Makowski to give the hosts the lead. Dover responded with changes as Coker, Wilkinson and Baptiste were introduced in search of an equaliser. That pressure finally paid off five minutes from time. Soares-Junior sent a dangerous cross towards the near post and, under pressure, Oshilaja turned the ball into his own net to bring the Whites level. Neither side could find a winner during five minutes of added time, leaving Dover to return from Berkshire with a point.

The Venue

We look forward to welcoming Slough to the Megger Community Stadium. More information on getting to the ground can be found here: https://doverathletic.com/visit-crabble/

Megger Community Stadium. Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 0JB.

Admission  

Adults: £18
Concessions: £17
U18: £10
U11: FREE with a paying adult

We only accept card on the gate and operate a cashless ground.