It was a warm afternoon in Kings Langley as Dover thrashed Potters Bar Town 0-8 in the season opener, putting the Whites at the top of the table for the first match week! 

The game started evenly, with Potters Bar arguably having the best chance of the first 20 minutes, as they got in behind and forced Walker into a fantastic stop to his left. The hosts also had other chances in the first half to go a goal up but did not convert. Dover looked nervous for the first 25 minutes and were struggling a bit to find their feet. 

However, the first goal did eventually come and it went the way of Dover. A lovely clipped ball from Stewart was nodded home at the back post by George Nikaj, who carried on his scoring run from preseason into this opening game. 

Nikaj then set up the second not long after, assisting Baptiste with a nice ball across the box for the Dover man to jab home for goal number two. 

The scoring for the first half was nowhere near finished, as another lovely ball came in from the left which landed at the feet of Soares Junior, who rifled his effort into the top left corner to make it 0-3 to the Whites. 

One more goal was to follow for Dover, with Nikaj pouncing on a short back pass from the centre half. Our number 10 rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home his second and Dover’s fourth before half time. The game was fully in the control of Jake Leberl’s men. 

The second half started just how the first ended, with Dover dominating the play. Chances were coming for the away side, mainly from wide positions with Sesay and Stewart being the most dangerous on the left with their excellent deliveries.

It wasn’t until the 65th minute that Dover added a fifth. A good effort by substitute Drakes-Thomas was parried straight into the path of Nikaj, who tapped in his hattrick with ease. Soon after, Sesay delivered a fantastic cross into the box which was headed out only as far as Pont, who smashed in number 6 for the Whites. 

Dover weren’t finished there either. Goal number 7 came from a well delivered corner and it was Tennent who found himself free in the box to head home for his first goal for the club. 

Drakes-Thomas was the last of the scorers in Hertfordshire, his goal coming in the 89th minute and what a goal it was. Some nice footwork in the box allowed him some extra space and he finished past the goalkeeper on his weaker right foot to seal a memorable victory for Dover. 

It was a record equalling win for the Whites in the season opener, but a tough derby against local rivals Folkestone Invicta awaits us all on Tuesday night, with Jake Leberl’s men looking to make it two wins from two to start the season off. 

Match Report by Fred Deveson

Potters Bar Town 0

Dover Athletic 8
George NIKAJ (33′)
Luke BAPTISTE (42′)
Ruben SOARES-JUNIOR (45′)
George NIKAJ (47′)
George NIKAJ (65′)
Harrison PONT (68′)
Joe TENNENT
 (80′) Jaiden DRAKES-THOMAS (89′)

Lineups:

Potters Bar Town: 1 Seb Stacey, 2 Prosper Keto, 3 Layne Eadie, 4 Jamie Dicks, 5 Isaac Currie, 6 Ronnie Henry, 7 Samrai Gebrai, 8 Joe Re, 9 Steve Cawley, 10 Max Jessop, 11 Ore Bello. SUBS: 12 Daniel Aldana, 14 Calvin Ekpiteta, 15 Ryan Hayes, 16 Hamid Salam, 20 Finn Rushton

Dover Athletic: 1 Mitch WALKER, 2 Roman CHARLES-COOK, 3 Fuad SESAY, 5 Joe TENNENT, 6 Luca COCORACCHIO, 7 Luke BAPTISTE, 10 George NIKAJ, 11 Lindell STEWART, 14 Ruben SOARES-JUNIOR, 16 Harrison PONT, 23 George WILKINSON. SUBS: 4 Jeremiah GYEBI, 9 Eniye AMGBADUBA, 15 Tamas AMGBADUBA, 19 Jayden SILCOTT-BROWN, 20 Jaiden DRAKES-THOMAS

Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 204
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: The Orbital Fasteners Stadium

We are delighted to offer fans the opportunity to purchase a replica of this seasons pink ‘home’ keeper shirt.

As worn by Mitch Walker, the keeper shirt will be short sleeve. In order to pre-order, we will need shirts to be prepaid before 5pm on Friday 6th September. Turn around time will be 6-8 weeks, but should be here just in time for Christmas!

Price: £46.50 – kids shirts will also be available.

For more information and to order please email [email protected], phone the office on 01304 822373 or pop in to the office on a match day.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/qnJumXQw31U

In the second part of this interview with Justin Allen, Jake discusses the recent squad rebuild, talks through each of the players signed, and highlights his aims for a positive season.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/LLKDgbPmMGA

In this interview with Justin Allen, Jake discusses the end of preseason and the start of the competitive season. He reflects on the challenges of rebuilding the team.

Jake emphasises the importance of community involvement and a positive atmosphere, fan support and commercial backing for the club’s success. Jake stresses his commitment to contributing positively to the club he loves, hoping to build a strong and united team and community.

In Part 2 Jake talks through all of this summers signings and what they bring to the squad.

We are delighted to announce the signing of forward Alfie Matthews.

The 23 year old began his youth career at Arsenal, joining their academy at the age of eight and spending over a decade there. During his time at Arsenal, he trained with the first team and made notable progress through the youth ranks​. He was capped for England at U16 level, where he scored on his debut. He later joined Crystal Palace U23s. Matthews has most recently played for NLS sides Hemel Hempstead, Braintree and Welling.

Alfie has made 69 National League South appearances scoring 10 goals, he has also featured in U18 Premier League and Premier League 2.

Welcome to Crabble, Alfie!

(Subject to clearance)

We are delighted to announce the signing of defender Fuad Sesay. The left-back started his career with Sheffield Wednesday, where he made a significant impact in the U18 and U21 teams. Fuad rejoins us after being part of last season’s squad having made 3 appearances in our National League South campaign.

Welcome back to Crabble, Fuad!

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Sesay this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. You’ll be named in our Matchday Magazine for duration of the season and named on doverathletic.com for the season. You’ll have the chance to meet Fuad and receive his shirt at the end of the season. All sponsors are entered into a prize draw to win 2 X Premier Club day passes for the last game of the season. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that midfielder Jaiden Drakes-Thomas has agreed terms to remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2024/25 season.

Before joining Dover Athletic in March last season, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas was part of the Colchester United U21 squad and had previously featured for Sevenoaks Town.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Jaiden this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. You’ll be named in our Matchday Magazine for duration of the season and named on doverathletic.com for the season. You’ll have the chance to meet Jaiden and receive his shirt at the end of the season. All sponsors are entered into a prize draw to win 2 X Premier Club day passes for the last game of the season. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

The new season for Dover Athletic is already upon us, and with one preseason game left to go against Lancing FC, there’s no better time to look at what’s ahead in this new season for the Whites.

Dover will be looking to try and bounce back this season, after last season’s relegation from the National League South. Joining the Whites in step 3 are Dartford, who will be eager to correct their wrongs last season and jump straight back into the National League South. The two fixtures between Dover and Dartford will be tasty ones indeed, particularly if there are certain league places up for grabs at the end of the season, with the two facing off in the third to last match of the season. 

Ties against the likes Hastings United, Hashtag United, promotion chasing Billericay and, of course, local rivals Folkestone Invicta gives the fans plenty to look forward too. The local derby against Folkestone is less than two weeks away, with the two coming head to head against each other on Tuesday 13th August, and again on the 5th November, which is also controversially on a Tuesday night. 

There are also plenty of new faces around the club, with new signings coming in to try and push Jake Leberl’s Whites to a much better season than last. Mitch Walker returning will also inject a positive atmosphere in and around the club, on and off the pitch, and his history at the club and experience is no doubt going to be vital for the team in this upcoming season.

Joining him from Whitehawk are the defensive duo of Joe Tennent and Luca Cocoracchio, who will add solidity to the defence, alongside Gyebi. 

There’s also some familiar faces who have signed for another season, with Baptiste, Nikaj and Wilkinson all confirmed to be staying on for the season, alongside others like Young, Holness, Hatcher and Roman Charles-Cook. These names will give continuity in the team and, having been at the club for some time now, they will bring with them huge amounts of passion and will undoubtably be playing for the badge. 

Dover head to Potters Bar for the first game of the season, which kicks off at 3pm on August 10th, which is just next week. The Whites will be looking to make a good start to the season at a tricky place, with the hopes of picking up all 3 points on the road. 

I hope it will be an incredible season for Dover, but first, the final preseason game against Lancing FC takes place at Crabble this Saturday with kick off at 3pm. Can the Whites end a positive preseason with a win?

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/xdq83Dz8XCE

George Wilkinson discusses his decision to stay with Dover Athletic. Emphasizing the importance of gaining more playtime and improving his game, with hopes of scoring more goals and assists in the coming season.

Wilkinson, a local talent who came up through the club’s youth system, shares memories of playing in the National League and reflects on the team’s difficult times, including relegation and the impact of COVID-19.

He speaks fondly of his first season in men’s football, the positive changes under the current manager and the team’s efforts to improve and recruit new talent.

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that midfielder George Wilkinson has agreed terms to remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2024/25 season.

George, a Dover Athletic Academy graduate, signed his first senior deal with the club in January 2022. The then 18-year-old made his first start for Andy Hessenthaler’s side in the 2-1 National League defeat at Wealdstone that January. He went on the make a further 22 appearances in the National League, scoring once – that spectacular effort at Wrexham. Wilkinson has gone on to make 50 National League South appearances, finding the net three times.

Boss Jake Leberl has said:

We are delighted that George has agreed to stay for another season. I thought he did very well last season and I look forward to working with him again. I know George will work hard to reach his full potential and fulfill his own personal goals whilst helping us move forward as a team. He’s a local lad and academy graduate and a key part of bringing the feel good factor back to this club. 

Jake Leberl

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Wilkinson this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. You’ll be named in our Matchday Magazine for duration of the season and named on doverathletic.com for the season. You’ll have the chance to meet George and receive his shirt at the end of the season. All sponsors are entered into a prize draw to win 2 X Premier Club day passes for the last game of the season. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.