Category: Academy News

PLACE IN HISTORY BECKONS

FA Youth Cup history is within our Academy’s grasp.

Manager Mike Sandmann’s squad of talented young players take on Langley in the First Round proper at Crabble on Thursday (7.45pm) and should they win, they will become the first team to reach the Second Round for the first time in the 12-year history of the Academy.

The campaign so far has been a story of guts, passion, and hunger to succeed in the four games they have played.

First-team squad member Kieron Agbebi (pictured) and his teammates started their journey with a 9-1 win against Hollands & Blair at Crabble before backing up that performance with wins against Margate (5-0) and Ebbsfleet United (5-1).

They then won 6-2 at Walton & Hersham to secure their place in the First Round.

Admission is £10 and £5 for concessions.

So please come along and support the youngsters – they love having you there.

 

 

 

 

 

MATCH PREVIEW: BATH CITY V DOVER

Andy Hessenthaler’s squad makes the long trip to Somerset on Saturday aiming to bounce back quickly from the disappointment of Tuesday’s National League South defeat against Concord Rangers at Crabble.

Bath drew 2-2 at Havant & Waterlooville on Wednesday with former Dover defender Josh Passley scoring a 97th-minute equaliser for the home side.

The point sees Bath start Saturday’s game in sixth place, seven points ahead of Whites.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

You can read the Bath preview HERE

LAST TIME WE MET  –  FEBRUARY 10th 2015

Dover Athletic bowed out of the FA Trophy after losing 2-1 at Bath City in the quarter-final replay at Twerton Park.

The hosts led 2-0 at half-time after scoring twice in five minutes.

Dave Pratt opened the scoring in the 24th minute before Chas Hemmings doubled the Romans advantage minutes later.

Defender Tyrone Sterling reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when he swept home a cross from substitute James Poole.

The two sides had drawn 3-3 at Crabble the previous Saturday.

Dover: M. Walker, T. Wynter (R. Modeste 46′), C. Essam, R. Orlu, S. Raggett, T. Sterling, N. Deverdics, B. Cogan (J. Poole 63′), C. Kinnear Jnr, T. Murphy, J. Reid (S. Taiwo 76′)

Subs not used: L. Hook, S. Francis

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Defender Myles Judd won’t be making the trip as he’ll be serving a one-game ban after collecting his fifth booking of the campaign during the 3-0 loss against Concord.

Mitch Brundle (knee) will again be missing while George Nikaj remains out on loan at Ashford United.

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 3pm and if you are unable to make it, we will be providing live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

Please note that BBC Radio Kent will not be covering the game, but Bath City Radio will be HERE

TICKET INFORMATION

You can get all the details you need HERE

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Chelmsford City v Eastbourne Borough
Cheshunt v Havant & Waterlooville
Concord Rangers v Chippenham Town
Dartford v Weymouth
Farnborough v Oxford City
Hampton & Richmond v Braintree Town
Hemel Hempstead Town v Ebbsfleet United
St Albans City v Dulwich Hamlet
Taunton Town v Tonbridge Angels
Welling United v Hungerford Town
Worthing v Slough Town

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER V FARNBOROUGH

Andy Hessenthaler’s squad will be looking to win a third consecutive National League South game on home soil on Saturday.

Whites, unbeaten in four games, host a Farnborough team heading to Kent on a high after beating Biggleswade Town 7-0 in their FA Cup tie last Saturday.

They won 1-0 at Worthing in the league the previous week and are currently 19th on the ladder, seven points behind Dover.

The Hampshire side is captained by someone who needs no introduction to the Crabble faithful … defender Kevin Lokko.

Lokko joined us from Stevenage in July 2018 and made 80 appearances in all competitions before leaving for EFL side Harrogate Town in the summer of 2020.

During his two-year stay with us, Lokko won the Supporters Player of the Season and Players Player of the Season awards.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

You can read the Farnborough preview HERE

LAST TIME WE MET IN A LEAGUE GAME AT CRABBLE  –  MARCH 25 2004

A very poor performance from Dover saw Chris Kinnear’s side fail to register a single shot on target.

Farnborough secured the three points with a scrambled goal three minutes from time.

Dover: Mitch Walker, Craig Stone, Tom Wynter, Liam Bellamy, Richard Orlu, Terrell Forbes, Moses Ademola (Ricky Modeste), James Rogers, Jeff Goulding (Nathan Elder), Barry Cogan, Tom Murphy.

Subs not used: Michael Kamara, Elliott Charles,

Attendance: 511

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Captain Lee Martin is serving a one-game ban after collecting his fifth booking of the campaign during the 3-0 win against Slough at Crabble last Saturday.

Mitch Brundle also misses out for a third consecutive game because of a knee injury.

George Nikaj remains out on loan at Ashford United

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 3 pm you are unable to make it, we will be providing live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

BBC Radio Kent will also be covering the game with Matt Gerrard on commentary duties HERE

PROGRAMME

Printed matchday programmes will be available for sale around the ground and from the club shop.

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be purchased at the turnstile only.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Bath City v Cheshunt
Chelmsford City v Hemel Hempstead Town
Dulwich Hamlet v Hungerford Town
Eastbourne Borough v Braintree Town
Ebbsfleet United v Welling United
Hampton & Richmond v Concord Rangers
Havant & Waterlooville v Oxford City
Slough Town v Weymouth
St Albans City v Dartford
Tonbridge Angels v Chippenham Town
Worthing v Taunton Town

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER V SLOUGH TOWN

Dover returns to National League South action at Crabble for the second consecutive Saturday with Slough Town making the trip to Kent.

Andy Hessenthaler’s squad made it seven points from a possible nine in the past three games after a 3-0 win against visiting Braintree Town last time out to extend their unbeaten run to three games.

The Rebels, who are currently 10th on the table, three points ahead of Whites, lost 2-0 at home to Hemel Hempstead Town last Saturday.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

You can read the latest from the Slough Town camp HERE

LAST TIME WE MET IN A LEAGUE GAME AT CRABBLE  –  AUGUST 14th 2004

Chris Wright’s double ensured Dover’s Ryman League debut started with a win against Slough Town at the then-named Hoverspeed Stadium.

Rob Smidmore gave Whites the lead on the stroke of half-time before Wright made it 2-0 from close range just after the hour mark.

Wright’s stunning long-range effort made it 3-0 nine minutes later before the visitors reduced the deficit via a header from Hodges 15 minutes from time.

Dover: Pat Mullin, James Farrier, James Rogers, Dale Skelton, Craig Cloke, Tom Hickman, Rob Smidmore (Michael Smissen, 83), Billy Bone (Micky Lane, 74), Shaun Welford, Chris Wright, John Mee (Danny Welch, 74). Subs not used: Shane Hamshare, Paul Rogers.

Attendance: 637

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Andy Hessenthaler’s player/assistant manager Mitch Brundle misses his second consecutive game because of a knee injury.

Midfielder Jordan Higgs is back in the matchday squad after serving a one-game ban against Braintree after collecting his fifth booking of the campaign.

Forward Reece Grant is also back in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.

George Nikaj remains out on loan at Ashford United

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 3 pm you are unable to make it, we will be providing live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

Please note that BBC Radio Kent will not be commentating on the game due to their FA Cup coverage.

PROGRAMME

Printed matchday programmes will be available for sale around the ground and from the club shop.

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be purchased at the turnstile only.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Braintree Town v Worthing
Concord Rangers v Bath City
Dartford v Tonbridge Angels
Hemel Hempstead Town v Cheshunt
Welling United v St Albans City

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | DOVER 3-1 BRAINTREE TOWN

Andy Hessenthaler spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard after the National League South win at Crabble on Saturday.

Whites extended their unbeaten run to three games thanks to goals from Chike Kandi, substitute Luke Baptiste (pictured), and Alfie Pavey.

Hessenthaler, his staff, and players all wore black armbands in the game and there was a minute’s silence prior to kick-off in memory of long-time supporter and local referee Ken Williams who passed away on Friday.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd (Baptiste 46mins), Goodman, Sterling, Moses, Paxman, Krasniqi, Martin, Pavey, Wanadio, Kandi (Carney 74mins). Subs not used: Byford, Wilkinson, Green.

Braintree Town: Strizovic, Davies, Farrell, Muscatt (Payne 46mins), White, Altintop, Matthews, Anderson (Rush 57mins), Amantchi (Clemons 46mins), Regis, Reynolds. Subs not used: Clements, Niemczycki.

Attendance: 672

 

 

SUPPORTERS CLUB COACH TO SOUTHPORT

FIXTURES CONFIRMED

We can confirm that the dates for our National League South game at Oxford City and Kent Senior Cup tie at Chatham Town have been arranged today.

The trip to Oxford will be on Tuesday, November 15th with kick-off at 7.45pm while we will head to Chatham a week later on November 22nd for a 7.30pm kick-off.

 

 

PRINTED MATCHDAY PROGRAMME IS BACK!

We are delighted to confirm, that after taking on board supporter feedback, we will now have a printed matchday programme available for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

The first edition of the programme will be on sale around the ground and in the club shop for the visit of Braintree Town on Saturday for £3.

This week’s edition features the manager’s notes, Matt Gerrard’s column, a look back at yesteryear, together with an update on the Academy.

 

ACADEMY OVERPOWER FLEET IN CUP

Leo Dodds scored a sensational hat-trick as the Academy advanced to the next round of the FA Youth Cup in style after beating their Ebbsfleet United counterparts 5-1 at Crabble on Wednesday.

The visitors opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half of the Second Qualifying Round tie before the young Whites responded with two goals before half-time from Kieron Agbebi and  Archie Hatcher.

Dodds stole the show in the second half with his treble to ensure his team was in the hat for Friday’s draw for the next round.

After the game, Academy manager Mike Sandmann said: “I am really proud of the boys tonight – they produced a fantastic reaction after conceding early.

“Despite being disappointed with our first-half performance, I thought we were excellent after the break and scored some really great goals.

“We didn’t give them any opportunities in the second half and created plenty of chances ourselves through passion, commitment, and desire to win the ball.

“We have a really good group of young players, but I know there is still plenty to come from them.”

Sandmann also took time to praise the fans who came along to watch.

“We really did appreciate it – the boys love having a crowd backing them and they responded to it, so thank you from us all.”

 

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER V DARTFORD

After the weekend’s fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Dover return to action against Kent rivals Dartford at Crabble tonight.

We, like all other clubs in action today, will observe a one-minute silence before kick-off while management, staff, and players, will also be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.

The visitors’ squad will include a couple of familiar faces to Dover fans  – defenders Connor Essam and Tom Bonnor – both of who have captained Dover in the past.

As for Dover, winger Luke Wanadio will be playing against a club he had three spells with while Tyrone Sterling had a loan spell at Princes Park. Striker Alfie Pavey also played for the Darts and scored 22 league goals for them in the 2017/18 season.

LAST TIME WE MET IN A LEAGUE GAME – 17th JANUARY 2015

Tom Murphy (pictured) scored twice as Whites extended their unbeaten run to 12 Conference Premier games with a big win against Dartford at Crabble.

DAFC 6-1 DARTFORD

The win, Whites’ biggest of the season at that stage, was also their first league triumph against their Kent rivals since the 4-2 success in December 2008.

Nicky Deverdics headed Whites ahead in the fifth minute before former Dover forward Harry Crawford equalised.

Richard Orlu’s restored the lead in first-half stoppage time.

Murphy’s curling finish made it 3-1 before Liam Bellamy fired home a fourth, Barry Cogan’s penalty made it five before Murphy completed the scoring 10 minutes from time.

Dover: Rafferty, Essam, Raggett, Francis, Deverdics (Modeste 82′), Bellamy, Orlu, Cogan (Taiwo 77′), Sterling, Murphy, Payne (Reid 80′).
Subs not used: Wynter, Mekki

Attendance:1,042

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Jordan Higgs and Mitch Brundle are both back in the matchday squad after missing the game at Eastbourne through injury.

Alex Green (elbow) and Kieron Agbebi (hamstring) are both unavailable.

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 7.45pm but if you are unable to make it, BBC Radio Kent will be providing commentary HERE

We will also have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

PROGRAMME

You can download your COYW digital matchday magazine for the game HERE

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be purchased at the turnstile only.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Bath City v Weymouth
Dulwich Hamlet v Hemel Hempstead Town
Eastbourne Borough v Welling United
Ebbsfleet United v Braintree Town
Hampton & Richmond v Chippenham Town
Slough Town v Taunton Town
Tonbridge Angels v Farnborough
Worthing v Cheshunt