Category: Club News

DOVER ATHLETIC 0 WORTHING 3

Dover fall to defeat as play-off chasing Worthing taste victory.

Worthing began the brightest of the two sides, forcing two early corners as the Whites tried to settle into a rhythm. Dover managed to weather the storm with Josh Ajayi breaking the offside trap in the 5th minute to race onto a through ball, only for Harrison Male in the visiting goal to clear with his head.

The visitors took the lead inside ten minutes when a nod down in the box from Joel Colbran was neatly finished by Kane Wills. It had been coming with Worthing applying early pressure.

Dover looked to hit back immediately when a beautiful whipped free-kick by Martin on the right was met by Myles Judd, only for his header to sail over the bar and the linesman to raise his flag. Moments later and Worthing nearly doubled their lead when a cross on the left by Meekums evaded everyone including the far post. It was a let off for Dover who were looking a little shell shocked after the goal.

In the 18th minute, neat play between David Boateng and Josh Ajayi unlocked the Worthing defence, only to see Ajayi’s shot saved smartly by Male. Almost immediately it was the turn of the Dover goalkeeper to make a save when Nelson palmed away Oliver Pearce’s effort for a corner.

Ajayi looked the most likely to score last Saturday and he nearly opened his Dover account on 24 minutes when again Boateng linked up with the forward, only to see his effort graze the roof of the net.

A minute later and the Whites had a mountain to climb. Again Colbran doing the damage down the right with a superbly weighted slide pass into the path of Pearce who slotted into the bottom corner to double Worthing’s lead.

With Dover now chasing the game, Boateng, who had been teeing up Ajayi, decided to go on his own and arrowed a low drive across goal that Male seemed to get a finger too. From the resulting corner, that man again Colbran, headed off the line from under his own crossbar.

It was a flurry of corners for the visitors at the tail end of the first half that brought about some fine defending and a cracking save by Nelson, diving down to his near post. It was vital for Dover to not concede again before the break with the manager preparing his half time notes.

Dover never took their chances in the first period and it continued after the restart when Boateng fired tamely into the keepers hands from close range. At this point you are just thinking its going to need someone to score off their backside to break the goal drought.

George Wilkinson had entered the fray at half time and nearly halved the deficit when a curling shot was deflected wide for a corner. There were huge shouts from the home players who turned to the referee, only to see him pointing to the corner flag. It looked like a penalty but nothing doing.

Worthing began to apply some pressure of their own with a succession of corners causing chaos in the River End penalty area that Stuart Nelson was glad to claim at the second attempt.

And it was the River End again that was the centre of the action in the 70th minutes as Jake Goodman was deemed to have tripped Meekums In the penalty area which resulted in a spot kick and a red card for the Dover defender, for presumably being the last man. It was a harsh decision at a time when Dover were looking to take control. Kealy stepped up and struck the ball straight down the middle to put the visitors 3-0 up.

Alfie Pavey had replaced Josh Ajayi and nearly made an impact, cutting inside his man and forcing a smart save from Male who was largely a spectator in the second half.

Myles Judd was sticking to the cause with first a saving tackle when it looked like Worthing were about to score and secondly when he received a harshly given yellow card for what looked like a fair tackle on the halfway line.

With time ebbing away, Pavey again jinxed his way into the box, turning his defender inside out before unleashing a shot that was palmed away for a corner. It was a bright cameo from the substitute who was keen to get his name on the score sheet.

We were all keen for anyone to get on the scoresheet for the home team but for the third successive match it was not to be the case. The difference between the two sides was the fact that Worthing took their chances and we didn’t.

Slough away this Saturday will be another stern test. Hopefully we will see you there.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Sterling, Paxman A, Goodman, Higgs, Martin, Carney, Ajayi, Paxman J, Boateng

Subs: Pavey, Wilkinson, Baptise, Byford, Oliver

Worthing: Male, Colbran, Livesay-Austin, Wills, Racine, Rodari, Chambers, Pearce, Kealy, Myles-Meekums

Subs: Bowry, White, Beresford, Akanbi, Thorn

Attendance: 566

COME AND JOIN OUR ACADEMY

Are you a school leaver who aspires to become a footballer? Well this is the opportunity for you.

You will be studying at the Abbey School in Faversham as well as training and playing matches. Trial dates are attached and who knows, you could be the next player to join the long list of academy graduates playing in our first team.

Date: Tuesday 14th February

Contact: [email protected]

A POINT ON THE ROAD AS THE WHITES DRAW BLANK

Whites fail to break the deadlock in a much improved performance away from home.

All three new signings were thrust straight into the starting eleven for Mitch Brundle’s side as the gaffer looked to make changes from the previous defeat. In came Jack Paxman, David Boateng and Josh Ajayi, replacing Alfie Pavey, Luke Baptiste and Luke Wanadio but it was the hosts who nearly took the lead in the opening minute when Charlee Hughes flashed wide when it looked easier to score.

Dover’s first real chance of the game came in the 9th minute when Carney delivered a lovely cross into Boateng, who’s first time shot was block away for a corner. Just four minutes later and debutant Paxman looked to have opened his Dover account from a direct free-kick only to see it edge past the post by a whisker, via a nick off the defending wall. It was a bright start from the Whites with lots early possession and plenty of neat passes.

However Hemel nearly took the lead in the 19th minute when a low cross from Elftheriou was sliced behind by Sterling with the subsequent corner being cleared to safety. In the 26th minute Dover really should have scored when Carney’s header came back off the bar from a lovely worked cross by Myles Judd. Dover looked to capitalise on the rebound but the referee blew for a foul on a defender.

Judd was in the mix again when he fired a long range effort on 33 minutes which was easily gathered by King in the Hemel Hempstead goal. With the half ticking to a close, a long ball over the backline by Judd was met by the run of Ajayi but the debutant fired narrowly wide. It was the last action of the half as both teams headed to the changing rooms with no goals to show for their efforts.

Ajayi had looked lively in the first half and should have opened the scoring early in the second after just one minute when he shot straight at the keeper instead of finishing when put through on goal. It was a huge chance for the Whites in a game in which we had controlled.

Noah Carney then broke the offside trap and rounded King in the Hemel goal but the angle was not ideal to shoot. Turning back into traffic, Carney slid the ball into the path of the lively Ajayi who’s shot was blocked by two defenders on the line.

The game had become quite stretched mid way through the half with both sides now playing on the counter. Kaylen Hinds shot low into the bottom corner but Nelson saved smartly to keep the scores at 0-0. Just moments later and it was Lee Martin who was warming the hands of King with a left footed shot.

With four minutes of injury time shown on the board, it was down to someone to try and make the headlines but the two teams couldn’t be split and the game was tied. The Whites had the best of the chances but goals pay the rent and unfortunately it wasn’t to be in terms of paying the landlord.

Dover looked a lot more positive in their play than against Tonbridge but only have a point to show for their efforts. It’s now two games without scoring but the chance to put that right comes in a couple of days at home to Worthing. 0-0 but a clean sheet.

The manager was disappointed not to take the three points but could see the positives from the performance. ‘I wanted to win the match but the team looked alot more hungry and I was pleased after Tuesday night. We could have won the game had Josh scored those chances but that will come. The new lads have barely had time to train with us but already I can see they will fit in well.’

We face Worthing on Tuesday at Crabble. See you there.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman A, Goodman, Higgs, Martin, Sterling, Carney, Ajayi, Paxman J, Boateng

Subs: Wilkinson, Agbebi, Baptiste, Byford, Oliver

Hemel Hempstead Town: King, Eleftheriou, Williams, Poku, Westbrook, Ajayi, Hill, Young, Hughes, Castiglione, Hinds

Subs: Mukendi, Brown, Roberts, Holness, Kane

Attendance: 515

EUROPEAN DARTS CHAMPION ROSS SMITH VISITS CRABBLE

Can Dover hit the bullseye against Worthing with Ross Smith in attendance?

Local lad Ross Smith will be in the Centre Spot prior to kick off on Tuesday night before our match against Worthing. Smith, who won his first major televised final by beating the now World Champion Michael Smith 11-8 back in October, will be happy to take autographs with a special page in the matchday programme designated to the champ and a space for you to grab his signature.

Smith will also be signing a shirt and a set of darts of which there will be a raffle. Tickets can be brought on the evening in the Centre Spot so keep your eyes peeled for these. We hope to see as many of you as we can as Ross is from the Dover area and we like to celebrate our own.

Well done Ross, carry on the good work and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

COYW

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

INCOMINGS AND OUTGOINGS AS JOSH AJAYI PUTS PEN TO PAPER

Brundle bolsters his forward line with latest signing but others set to leave.

With Jack Paxman and David Boateng coming through the door the gaffer had wasted no time in bringing in more reinforcements. Josh Ajayi signs a deal with the Whites from Ramsgate amidst interest from Tottenham Hotspur and League Two Stevenage. It’s a deal which will run till the end of the current campaign with an option to extend into next season.

The 19-year-old, who’s scored 17 league goals for the Rams this season, had been invited back for a second week of training with Tottenham under-23s but despite the interest has decided to stay on the south coast. Ajayi had previously been at Crystal Palace in the under-18’s and then had trials at both QPR and Cardiff before finding his feet with Ramsgate.

Welcome to Crabble, Josh.

Dover are now willing to listen to offers for Alfie Pavey and Luke Wanadio with the pair both being transfer listed, while Chike Kandi will be released by mutual consent.

BOATENG BOLSTERS BACKLINE

David Boateng pens a loan move until the end of the current campaign.

David Boateng has joined the Whites on a temporary loan deal which will run until the end of the season. The Eagles man will link up with the squad and could well be in the running to make his debut as early as Saturday against Hemel Hempstead Town.

Playing mainly in the full-back role but with the ability to fill in in midfield, he became a regular for the Crystal Palace Under-18s before moving up to the Development side, with no player appearing more during the U18s’ Professional Development League victory in 2017/18. His importance to Shaun Derry’s Under-23s was demonstrated by starting the last 12 games of the 2020/21 season, as Palace’s managed to seal promotion to the Premier League 2 Division 1 via the play-offs. In 2021/22, David Boateng made 19 appearances for Paddy McCarthy’s U23s, including three appearances in the Papa John’s Trophy.

He made the first-team bench in the Carabao Cup tie against Oxford United in August 2022. In September 2022, on transfer deadline day, he joined Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park on loan until the turn of the new year.

Welcome to Crabble, David.

TRAVEL TO HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN FC

The supporters club are running a coach to our match tomorrow.

We have confirmed that a coach will be going to Hemel Hempstead on Saturday. Seats can be booked by calling or texting 07934 300335 or by emailing [email protected].

We hope to see as many of you there as we can.

COYW

WHITES ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Dover head north as once again we hit the road, this time to Hemel Hempstead.

The Whites face Hemel Hempstead Town in the Vanarama National South tomorrow, looking to get back to winning ways after tasting defeat in our last outing. With new additions coming straight into the squad, the gaffer will be looking for a much better performance following the 4-0 defeat to Tonbridge Angels.

‘We have a fully fit squad to choose from but be prepared for changes to be made, that’s for certain. We beat them 4-0 earlier in the season so they will have something to prove against us,’ said Brundle in the build up to the game.

Hopefully we can get a good support to get behind the boys as we look to take another three points.

Unfortunately there will be no DAFCLive Text updates but there will be some updates on the official Twitter page @DoverAthletic

Individual matchday prices are as follows:

Adult: £15
Concessions: £10
Under 18s: £5

For anyone wishing to travel to the game, please see the below:

Stadium: Vauxhall Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 4HW

Travelling by car

M25 – Leave at junction 21 for M1 North

M1 – Leave at junction 8 for Hemel Hempstead

A41 – Leave at Hemel Hempstead

Nearest Train Station: Hemel Hempstead

The stadium is a 45 min walk from the station or a 6-8 min ride in a taxi.

WORTHING TIKKA MASALA – VIP CURRY NIGHT AT CRABBLE

Watch the Whites take on Worthing in style with our midweek curry night.

Bookings are still being taken for our curry night in the VIP Platinum Suite for our National League South game against Worthing at Crabble on the 31st January.

This package costs £15 (plus the price of a matchday ticket for any non-season ticket holders) and on the menu will be chicken curry with rice and naan bread.

A vegetarian curry will also be available.

The experience includes:

A one-course meal served at your table
Reserved undercover premium padded seating
Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus a dedicated paid bar before and after the match
Complimentary matchday team sheet

Arrival at the ground should be at 6pm and food will be served at 6.15pm.

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

The dress code is smart casual.

To book and watch the match from the best seats in the house, call the office on 01304 822373, email [email protected] or pop into our main reception during office hours.

Payment is required at the time of booking.

THE MANAGERS REACTION

Mitch Brundle’s thoughts on the Tonbridge defeat.

We were just poor. No sugar coating around it. Man to man, eleven v eleven, their eleven was better than ours. We had a couple of players who really gave it a go whereas I don’t believe the others did. I gave them the treatment at half time, like most managers would and they came out for five minutes and were fantastic but we never really gave ourselves a chance to be in the game. In the first half we were 2-0 down before we had even got a foothold in the game, which is disappointing.

We dictated the play for large portions of the match but we just lacked that bit of penetration or the final threaded ball. We lacked the will and the want to actually run past players. Just really disappointed. I stand on the sides like the fans do and it hurts me because I am watching what they are watching and that team doesn’t represent me and that’s what I am most disappointed about.

Up till now the team have performed to a certain standard and I couldn’t really change the starting eleven. They performed against Ebbsfleet, Taunton and Hungerford, where we were undone by a freak goal from the wind. Last night just proves that deep down I know what is needed with this team and this is why there will be new additions. I have inherited this squad and the squads done well up till now but we haven’t really found that consistency. Myself and the chairman are working as hard as we can, day in day out, to try and out to the squad but when we do eventually add to the team that will mean players will have to go out.

For me it’s now time to stamp my authority on the team and as much as I hate losing, at this stage it has probably done me the world of good as now we can change the philosophy and how we want to play, the personnel I want to play, for three games I couldn’t question the lads hunger and desire.

Looking ahead to Hemel Hempstead Town.

We have a fully fit squad to choose from but be prepared for changes to be made, that’s for certain. We beat them 4-0 earlier in the season so they will have something to prove against us. In football I never like to say it but only poor teams bounce back. I want my team to be consistent throughout the season but at the moment I will be asking them to bounce back. There will be additions and changes to the squad, there will be a change to the team and I hope that we can put on a performance that will be as far away as possible of that from Tuesday night. Their manager has come in and done fantastically well, but we will try and implement our game plan and hopefully our new additions will make sure of that.