Dover head to Billericay in our Isthmian Premier Division Play Off Semi Final.

Dover Athletic

On Saturday, Dover Athletic secured a play-off place with a 3-1 win at Chichester City in a tense final-day clash. Lewis Rustell’s spectacular overhead kick gave the hosts a 25th-minute lead, but George Nikaj equalised before half-time. Ruben Soares-Junior tapped home in the 70th minute after great work from Roman Charles-Cook, and a late penalty from Luke Baptiste—his 20th league goal—sealed victory deep into stoppage time. Mitch Walker made key saves on his return from injury, ensuring Dover finished fifth

In our away meeting earlier in the season Dover earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Billericay on a hot afternoon in Essex. The hosts started strongly, testing Mitch Walker early, but Dover weathered the storm. As the Whites grew into the game, George Nikaj set up Luke Baptiste for a saved effort, while Lindell Stewart and Baptiste both missed late first-half chances. The breakthrough came on 70 minutes when Baptiste cut back for Nikaj to tap home. However, Billericay quickly responded, capitalising on defensive uncertainty to equalise. Both sides pressed for a winner, with Alfie Matthews going close, but it ended level.

In the home encounter, Dover Athletic fell to a narrow 1-0 home defeat against Billericay Town, with Montel McKenzie’s deflected first-half free-kick proving decisive. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances—most notably through George Wilkinson, who was twice denied brilliantly by keeper Sam Donkin—Dover couldn’t find a breakthrough. Roman Charles-Cook and George Nikaj combined early on, while Alfie Matthews and Luke Baptiste impressed in midfield. Late efforts from Fuad Sesay and substitutes Eniye Amgbaduba and Francis Mampolo couldn’t beat a resolute Billericay defence.

Billericay Town

On Saturday, Billericay Town beat Cheshunt 4-2 in a thrilling finale but fell short of securing the Isthmian Premier Division title. Cheshunt stunned the hosts early, with Tommy Davis and Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite putting them 2-0 up. Frankie Merrifield struck before half-time to give Billericay hope. After the break, Matt Johnson and Decarrey Sheriff turned the game around, putting the Blues 3-2 ahead. Sheriff then missed a penalty as Constable pulled off a fine save. Despite dominating late on, Billericay couldn’t add the crucial goal. Jay Porter netted a late fourth, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the title on a dramatic afternoon.

Billericay Town finished in 2nd place in the Isthmian Premier League with 87 points from 42 matches, level on points with leaders Horsham but behind on goal difference. Their impressive season included 26 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses, with a goal tally of 83 scored and 42 conceded, giving them a goal difference of +41. At home, Billericay played 21 games, winning 15, drawing 3, and losing 3, a dominant record. Away from home, they were also formidable, winning 11, drawing 6, and losing 4 from their 21 away fixtures.

Last 5

09/04 – Chatham Town (N) – Won 3-2 (Alan Turvey Trophy Final)
12/04 – Potters Bar Town (A) – Won 2-0
18/04 – Folkestone Invicta (H) – Won 2-0
21/04 – Canvey Island (A) – Won 3-0
26/04 – Cheshunt (H) – Won 4-2

The Venue

New Lodge, Blunts Wall Rd, Billericay CM12 9SA

Admission  

Adult £13
Concession £8
Young Adult (12-17) £5
11 or Under £1

This game is an all ticket match, we have been allocated 450 tickets. Fans travelling to our game against Billericay will need to pre-purchase tickets on the following link: https://billericaytownfc-awayfans.ktckts.com/event/bil2425pos/billericay-town-v-dover-athletic-playoff-semi-final

The match will be streamed by the Isthmian League on ClubberTV via the following link for a one off payment of £10.99 : https://www.clubbertv.co.uk/sports/football/isthmian-football-league

Dover Clinch Play-off Spot with Composed Win at Oaklands Park

Dover Athletic secured their place in the 2024/25 Isthmian Premier Division play-offs with a crucial 3-1 win away at Chichester City on the final day of the regular season.

With both sides vying for the final play-off spot – Dover in fifth and Chichester in sixth – the stakes could not have been higher. Only a win would do for the hosts, while a draw would be enough for the visitors. Dover did the job on a nervy afternoon.

The hosts started brightly in front of a strong home crowd. Their possession-heavy approach put Dover under early pressure, and an injury to Curtis Da Costa forced an early reshuffle, with Charlie Bennett introduced in the 16th minute.

Chichester’s persistence paid off in the 25th minute when Lewis Rustell executed a stunning overhead kick, looping the ball past a stranded Mitch Walker, who made his first start in five months for Dover following injury.

Dover grew into the game and, after weathering the storm, found their equaliser in the 39th minute. Luke Baptiste’s inswinging corner was met at the near post by George Nikaj, whose glancing header nestled into the bottom corner. The goal spurred Dover into life. They dominated the closing stages of the half, pressing high and creating chances, leaving Chichester pinned back.

Dover came out after the break with renewed energy. Within a minute, a powerful header from Luca Cocoracchio was denied by a superb save from Kieran Magee, keeping Chichester level.

The hosts had their moments but failed to capitalise, with efforts from promising positions flying over the bar. Dover’s dominance gradually told, and in the 70th minute, they took the lead. A surging run and cross from Roman Charles-Cook found Ruben Soares-Junior lurking at the back post for a simple tap-in.

As the hosts chased an equaliser, spaces opened up. Dover nearly extended their lead through an audacious bicycle kick from Soares-Junior and a powerful drive that Magee parried away.

With six minutes added on, Mitch Walker proved his worth, making two critical saves to preserve Dover’s lead. The second came just before the breakaway that led to a penalty deep into stoppage time.

At 90+7 minutes, the referee pointed to the spot after a foul in the box. Up stepped Luke Baptiste, coolly converting in 90+9 to round off a clinical away performance. The goal marked his 20th of the league season, joining Nikaj and Soares-Junior in an elite trio for the Whites.

Dover Athletic finish the season in fifth and now turn their focus to a play-off semi-final against Billericay Town on Wednesday night. Chichester’s brave campaign ends in heartbreak, falling just short of a historic play-off push in their first season at Step 3.

Isthmian League Premier Division
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2025
Venue: Oaklands Park
Attendance: 1,356
Referee: Daniel D’Urso
Kick-off: 3:00 PM

Dover Athletic:

1. Mitch Walker, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Fuad Sesay, 4. Jeremiah Gyebi, 5. Joe Tennent, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 7. Luke Baptiste, 8. Alfie Matthews, 9. Eniye Amgbaduba, 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior, 15. Tamas Amgbaduba, 24. Francis Mampolo, 26. Jacob Mensah, 28. Kweku-Conrad Lucan, 29. Ryan Hanson

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Chichester City

1. Kieran Magee, 2. Ryan Davidson, 3. Rob Hutchings, 4. Joe Clarke, 5. Curtis Da Costa, 6. Ben Pashley, 7. Isaac Bello, 8. Emmett Dunn, 9. Lewis Rustell, 10. Lloyd Rowlatt, 11. Mo Jammeh, 14. Oliver Munt, 15. Charlie Bennett, 16. Joe Moore, 17. Ethan Prichard, 18. Josh Clack

Frank Clarke to Step Down as Club Secretary, Appointed Honorary Club President

After more than two decades of dedicated service, Frank Clarke will be stepping down as Club Secretary of Dover Athletic at the end of the season. A figure synonymous with the club’s behind-the-scenes success, Clarke has been an instrumental part of the club’s journey for over 23 years. Frank, who celebrated his 85^th birthday this year, will now be taking on a new role as Honorary Club President and will remain actively involved in the club’s future in a different capacity.

Chairman Jim Parmenter praised Frank for his unwavering dedication and contribution to Dover Athletic, saying, “Frank has been associated with the club as secretary for 23 years and has been a close friend and colleague of mine since 2005. He has an extensive knowledge of football administration which has been invaluable to the club over the years.”

Frank’s work as Secretary, and before that as Club Physio, has played a pivotal part in ensuring the smooth operation both on and off the pitch. Clarke’s extensive experience has seen him serve as a trusted advisor to multiple managers, staff, and board members, becoming an institution at the club.

Manager Jake Leberl has said, “This is my third stint working alongside Frank and my admiration and respect for him has continued to grow. Frank deals with a magnitude of tasks and an even bigger number of characters and his approach is always relaxed, considered and professional. He’s been a tremendous personality to have in and around the club and the players and management team all value his company and even his stories. Whilst I’ll be sad he’ll no longer be the one to assist on the administration side, I’m thrilled to see him in his new role ambassador where his infectious nature will brighten the boardroom. Thank you Frank for your help and support, wishing you all the best in your ‘semi’ retirement.“

While stepping down from his day-to-day secretarial duties, Frank will remain closely involved with the club in his new role as President. Parmenter added, “Even though he has the opportunity to take things a little easier, he will still be around the club and his wealth of knowledge will still be available to the club and to Simon Brooker, who will take over the secretarial role. Frank will remain as a Director of the Club and play an active role in its development.”

Frank Clarke’s departure from the role of Club Secretary marks the end of an era at Dover Athletic. His contribution to the club’s administration has been invaluable and we wish him all the best has he moves away from a role he has held for so long.

Ruben Soares-Junior Up For Chichester Challenge

Whites skipper Ruben Soares-Junior tells Justin Allen the team will be massively up for the Chichester trip on Saturday as they bid to make the play-offs.

Dover head to Chichester in our final Isthmian Premier Division league game of the season. Dover need at least a point to secure a top-five playoff spot finish.

Dover Athletic

On Monday, George Nikaj’s second-half goal rescued a 1-1 draw for Dover Athletic against 10-man Hastings United, keeping their playoff hopes alive with one game to play. After a cautious start, Hastings took a controversial lead through Davide Rodari just before half-time. Dover responded with urgency after the break, dominating possession and creating chances. Hastings’ Finley Chapman was sent off on 63 minutes, and Dover capitalised when Nikaj scored in the 74th. Despite sustained late pressure and several close efforts, Dover couldn’t find a winner.

In the reverse fixture, Ruben Soares-Junior netted a superb hat-trick as Dover Athletic thumped Chichester City 5-2 in wet Bank Holiday weather at Crabble. George Nikaj bagged a brace and Alfie Matthews impressed, assisting Soares-Junior’s opener. Despite a missed penalty and two first-half equalisers from Chichester, Dover dominated after the break. Nikaj scored twice early in the second half before Soares-Junior sealed his treble and a deserved win.

From the Management

“All in all, I think we’ve had a tremendous season but it’s not finished yet and we really want to finish it off next week and secure a spot in the playoffs. If you can, get down to Chichester and support the lads and we’ll give it our all – like we have done from the first game to the last game.”

Chichester City

In their last outing, Chichester City claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Whitehawk, thanks to a brilliant 20th-minute strike from Josh Rustell after fine work by Davidson and Rowlatt. Chichester dominated the first half with inventive play from Jammeh, Pashley, and Da Costa, creating multiple chances and forcing key saves from Osaghae. The second half turned scrappy, with Whitehawk pressing but failing to break through. Maguire-Drew hit the woodwork from a free kick and Chichester rode their luck amid a series of late corners. A late red card for Whitehawk captain Charlie Walker helped Chichester secure a fifth clean sheet in six matches.

Chichester City sits in 6th place in the Isthmian Premier League with 73 points from 41 matches. They have recorded 22 wins, 7 draws, and 12 losses, scoring 71 goals and conceding 56, giving them a goal difference of +15. At home, Chichester have played 20 games, winning 11, drawing 5, and losing 4. Away from home, they’ve played 21 matches with a record of 11 wins, 2 draws, and 8 defeats.

Last 6

22/03 – Hastings United (A) – Won 2-0
29/03 – Lewes (H) – Won 3-0
05/04 – Hendon (A) – Lost 1-2
12/04 – Chatham Town (A) – Won 1-0
18/04 – Cheshunt (H) – Won 4-0
21/04 – Whitehawk (A) – Won 1-0

The Venue

Oaklands Park, Oaklands Way, Chichester PO19 6AR

Admission  

Gates Open: 1PM
Adults – £10
Concessions – £6
Students/16-18s – £4
Under-16s – £2
Youth Parent (Youth player must be in attendance) – £4

Fans travelling to our game against Chichester are advised to pre-purchase tickets on the following link: https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=11335

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the Hastings team and their supporters to the Megger Community Stadium for our final home Isthmian League fixture of the season.

Regardless of the final outcome in these last two games, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of this season’s journey.

A tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into bringing smiles back to faces and turning the club’s fortunes around. To the board, players, staff, media team, volunteers, sponsors, and our fantastic supporters – thank you. Everyone has come together as a team and helped put us back on the right path.
There’s still work to be done, but we’re rebuilding a stable and happy club where the community and youth play a bigger role. I believe this is vital for the long-term future of this wonderful football club.

On the field, we couldn’t be prouder of this squad. They are a young, dedicated, and ambitious group of players who have been a pleasure to work with. Personally, I’ve relished every moment. I want to publicly and sincerely thank Mike for everything he’s done. He’s a brilliant coach and a great guy. We absolutely wouldn’t be in this position without him.

Let’s hope we can finish the season on a high and secure a play-off spot. That would be a remarkable achievement for a new team that was thrown together at the last minute and has gone toe-to-toe with clubs boasting far bigger budgets and more experienced personnel. I can’t stress enough how proud I am of this team. They’ve exceeded all expectations, and with time, they’ll only get better. Many of these lads have bright futures ahead, hopefully with us.

Enjoy the game, and here’s hoping for a positive result. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Chichester on Saturday.

Jake

COYW