Dover Athletic return to the Megger Community Stadium on Saturday as Maidenhead United make the trip to Crabble in National League South action. The Whites head into the fixture following a 2-2 draw away at Chesham United, where goals from Euan Williams and Sheriff had put Jake Leberl’s side two ahead before the hosts fought back in the second half. Maidenhead also come into the game off the back of a draw, having been held 1-1 at home by AFC Totton on Bank Holiday Monday despite playing more than half the match with 10 men. With both sides looking to build momentum in the early stages of the season, another competitive afternoon is in prospect at Crabble.

Dover Athletic

Dover Athletic were forced to settle for a point at Chesham United after the hosts came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw. The Whites started positively and took the lead in the 36th minute. Corie Andrews worked the ball to Euan Williams on the edge of the box, and the midfielder struck first time beyond Goode and into the side netting. Chesham threatened before the break, but Dover carried their advantage into half-time and doubled it just four minutes after the restart. Sheriff linked up with Andrews on the counter, saw his first effort saved, then reacted quickest to the rebound and fired into the far corner. The hosts responded strongly and halved the deficit in the 66th minute when Eze reacted quickest inside the area to drive beyond Mitch Walker. Chesham then took control, with Walker called into action on several occasions as Dover looked to protect their lead. The pressure eventually told seven minutes from time. Connor Roberts picked out Karl Oliyide with a diagonal pass, and the substitute controlled before firing past Walker to make it 2-2. Neither side could find a winner in stoppage time, leaving Dover with a point from their trip to The Meadow.

From the Management

“Maidenhead are always a strong side. I thought they were really strong last year and, although they’ve got a bit of a new team this season, we know it’s going to be a tough test. Every game is tough at this level, and I think come the end of the season we’ll look back at getting a point here at Chesham as a good point.”

Maidenhead United

Maidenhead United were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Totton at York Road after playing more than half the match with 10 men. The Magpies made a strong start and created the better of the early chances, with Jayden Mitchell-Lawson denied by Totton goalkeeper Ryan Gosney before Remy Clerima headed narrowly wide. Their pressure was rewarded on 26 minutes when Alfie Pendlebury finished at the back post to put Maidenhead ahead. Pendlebury then went close to a second, seeing an effort diverted onto the post. The game changed eight minutes later when Josh Coley was shown a straight red card following a challenge on Reece Fleet, leaving Maidenhead to defend their advantage with 10 men. Totton levelled deep into first-half stoppage time when Clerima’s attempted clearance was blocked into the path of Excellent Ikpeama, who finished past Lars van Stappershoef. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Maidenhead remained dangerous after the break. Mitchell-Lawson forced another save from Gosney before substitute Finley Welch struck the outside of the post with 15 minutes remaining. The Magpies continued to press late on, with N’Guessan denied by Gosney in the closing stages, but neither side could find a winner as Maidenhead settled for another point at home.

Maidenhead United begin 2026/27 looking to build on last season’s seventh-place finish and subsequent appearance in the National League South play-offs. Ryan Peters was handed the managerial role permanently during the summer after an impressive spell in interim charge, during which Maidenhead collected 50 points from 27 matches. Their success was built largely on a strong defensive record, with the Magpies conceding just 41 league goals and recording 18 clean sheets across the campaign. There has nevertheless been some turnover. Liam Dulson, Josh Popoola, Corie Andrews, Sam Barratt, Ryan Bartley and long-serving midfielder Kane Ferdinand are among those to depart. Peters has responded by adding several experienced options. Josh Coley has returned to York Road following time with Ebbsfleet United, while Connor Hall and Daniel Nkrumah increase the competition in attack. Christian N’Guessan strengthens the midfield and former Dover Academy defender Joel-Michael Odeniran arrives after an impressive season with Folkestone Invicta. Josh Umerah, who led the scoring charts with 16 goals last term, remains a central figure as Maidenhead look to establish themselves once again among the division’s leading sides.

Last Time

The most recent meeting between Maidenhead United and Dover Athletic came at York Road late last season, when the hosts recorded a narrow 1–0 victory. Maidenhead started strongly and enjoyed most of the early possession, with Dillon De Silva testing Gillmore and Remy Clerima going close from a corner. Dover gradually grew into the contest, with Decarrey Sheriff causing problems and seeing penalty appeals waved away after being challenged by goalkeeper Jordi van Stappershoef. The sides went into half-time goalless, but Maidenhead found the breakthrough five minutes after the restart. A free-kick into the area was headed down by Will de Havilland, allowing Ryan Bartley to react quickest and finish from close range. Dover responded well and began to apply more pressure. Roman Charles-Cook nearly found a route through after rounding the goalkeeper, while Maidenhead threatened at the other end and struck the crossbar with a deflected effort. The visitors thought they had equalised midway through the half after finishing a move from the right, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on van Stappershoef. Dover continued to push late on, with Jalen Jones firing over and Sodje forcing a strong save from distance, but Maidenhead held firm through seven minutes of added time to secure the points.

The Venue

We look forward to welcoming Maidenhead 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.