Dover Athletic welcome Carshalton to The Megger Community Stadium.

Dover Athletic

On Tuesday night, Dover Athletic were denied victory by a stoppage-time equaliser as Lewes snatched a 1-1 draw at Crabble. Luke Baptiste put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute, and Dover dominated, creating several chances. Soares-Junior struck the bar, Nikaj missed a golden opportunity, and Mampolo hit the post. Despite their control, Dover failed to convert their dominance into a second goal. Lewes applied late pressure and, against the run of play, Jack Meeres bundled home an equaliser in the 92nd minute. A frustrating night for Dover, who rued missed chances and dropped two crucial points.

In our previous encounter with Carshalton this season Dover secured a dramatic 1-1 draw at Carshalton Athletic with a stunning 92nd-minute overhead kick from Luke Baptiste. The visitors started brightly, with Nikaj heading just over early on. Carshalton settled and took the lead in the 54th minute when Tommy Bradford’s half-volley struck the crossbar and went in. Dover pushed for an equaliser, with Amgbaduba and Charles-Cook both going close, but Carshalton’s Foley made key saves. Just as the hosts looked set for victory, a long throw-in led to Baptiste’s acrobatic finish, earning Dover a well-deserved point in dramatic fashion.

From the Manager

“Again, Carshalton are very similar to Lewes, they play that particular brand of football. The defenders will have a lot of the ball and they can frustrate you. I think this game will be very similar to how it was on Tuesday and hopefully we can secure the full three points.”

Carshalton

On Saturday, Carshalton Athletic secured a 2-1 victory over Hastings United at Colston Avenue, thanks to a stunning late strike from Nathan Paul-Lavaly. David Smith opened the scoring just before halftime, netting his 14th goal of the season. The Robins controlled much of the second half, but Hastings equalised through Davide Rodari. Undeterred, Carshalton pushed forward, and in the final moments, Paul-Lavaly rifled home the winner. The victory extended their winning streak to four matches, lifting them to eighth in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Carshalton Athletic sits in 8th place in the Isthmian Premier League with 42 points from 28 matches. Their campaign has been fairly competitive, recording 11 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses. At home, they have been solid, winning 7 of their 15 matches, while their away form has been more inconsistent, with 4 wins from 13 games. They have scored 39 goals and conceded 32, giving them a goal difference of +7.

Last 6

27/01 – Hastings United (H) – Won 2-1
25/01 – Hashtag United (H) – Won 1-0
18/01 – Hendon (A) – Won 3-0
13/01 – Whitehawk (H) – Drew 2-2
04/01 – Horsham (A) – Lost 0-3
01/01 – Cray Valley PM (H) – Lost 1-2

The Venue

We look forward to welcoming Carshalton 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: £15
Concessions: £14
U18: £9
U11: FREE with a paying adult

We now only accept card on the gate and operate a cashless ground.

Dover Athletic were left frustrated as a last-gasp equaliser from Lewes denied them a deserved three points at Crabble. The Whites had led from the 26th minute thanks to Luke Baptiste’s confident penalty, but despite controlling large parts of the game and creating numerous chances, they were punished for their profligacy in front of goal when Jack Meeres struck deep into stoppage time.

Dover started brightly, immediately forcing a corner in the fourth minute and looking to assert themselves early. However, it was Lewes who had the first real sight of goal, firing into the side netting a minute later. The game then settled into a cagey affair with little to separate the sides, but Dover were handed a golden opportunity midway through the first half when they won a penalty. A foul in the box saw Lewes’ keeper Toby Bull booked for a foul on Soares-Junior before Baptiste stepped up to convert from the spot for the second consecutive match, sending the Crabble faithful into celebration.

The hosts continued to threaten, with Luca Cocoracchio coming close to doubling the lead in the 31st minute, heading just over from an Alfie Matthews corner. Tolu Ladapo was then booked for the visitors as Dover held their advantage going into the break, having restricted Lewes to very little in terms of clear-cut chances.

The second half saw Dover start strongly once more, and they were inches away from doubling their lead in the 50th minute when Ruben Soares-Junior rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike from a tight angle. The momentum was firmly with the home side, and they came close again when Soares-Junior turned provider, setting up George Nikaj for what looked like a certain goal, only for the forward to fire wide. The Whites continued to push forward, with Baptiste and Francis Mampolo both seeing efforts narrowly miss the target, the latter striking the post from another tight angle in the 70th minute.

Despite Dover’s dominance, Lewes gradually grew into the contest as the game entered its final stages. They forced a dangerous corner in the 74th minute and began to apply late pressure. Dover still had chances to put the game to bed, with Nikaj breaking through on goal in the 76th minute, but he was denied by an excellent save from Bull. The home side looked to have weathered the storm and managed the game well heading into stoppage time, but disaster struck in the 92nd minute. A Lewes corner caused havoc in the Dover box, and Meeres reacted quickest to snatch a heartbreaking equaliser for the visitors.

It was a gut-wrenching conclusion for Dover, who had done enough to secure all three points but ultimately paid the price for not taking their chances. Despite a strong performance, the Whites were left to rue their missed opportunities, with two valuable points slipping through their fingers at the death.

Dover Athletic: 27. Jordan Gillmore, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Fuad Sesay, 26. Jacob Mensah, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 7. Luke Baptiste, 8. Alfie Matthews, 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior, 16. Harrison Pont, 24. Francis Mampolo SUBS: 25. Charlie Naylor, , 4. Jeremiah Gyebi, 9. Eniye Amgbaduba, 15. Tamas Amgbaduba, 23. George Wilkinson.

Lewes: 1. Toby Bull, 14. Shae Hutchinson, 3. Peter Ojemen, 4. Matt Warren, 5. Jack Meeres, 6. Marcus Sablier, 7. Danny Bassett (C), 8. Hamilton Antonio, 11. Tolu Ladapo, 15. Alfie Allen, 19. Josh Spinks SUBS: 18. Ethan Kaiser, 2. Izzy Jones, 12. Christo Nano, 10. Lewis Finney, 17. Calvin Ekpiteta.

Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 722
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Michael Butcher
Venue: Crabble Athletic Ground

Dover Athletic welcome Lewes to The Megger Community Stadium.

Dover Athletic

On Saturday, Dover Athletic claimed a vital 2–1 victory over Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian League. Tommy-Lee Higgs opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute, but Ruben Soares-Junior equalized for Dover with a header in the 35th. The second half saw chances for both sides, but Dover found the winner late on. Francis Mampolo won a penalty in the 87th minute, which Luke Baptiste coolly converted. Jordan Gillmore made key saves to keep Dover in the game, while Soares-Junior and Baptiste shone in attack.

In our previous encounter with Lewes this season Dover secured a 3-1 victory at the Dripping Pan. George Nikaj opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a precise header from Ruben Soares-Junior’s cross. Soares-Junior doubled the lead minutes later, and Luke Baptiste’s penalty made it 3-0 before halftime. Lewes responded in the second half with Danny Bassett scoring in the 60th minute, but Dover’s defence, led by key saves from Walker, held firm.

From the Manager

“It’ll be another similar sort of game game to Bognor, with the brand of football they play. Obviously, we had a fantastic performance and result down there, but Lewes are not an easy side to play against. We definitely need to start a lot better if we’re going to pick up another result.”

Lewes

On Saturday, Lewes salvaged a point in dramatic fashion with a last-gasp equaliser from Danny Bassett in the 94th minute, drawing 1–1 with Bowers & Pitsea at The Dripping Pan. After a goalless first half, Luke Reeve gave the visitors the lead in the 57th minute. Lewes pressed for an equaliser, making several attacking substitutions, but struggled to break through a resilient Bowers & Pitsea defence. Deep into stoppage time, Bassett, the captain, rescued a point for the hosts in front of 561 fans at The Dripping Pan.

Lewes have 8 wins, 10 draws, and 8 losses across 26 games, placing them 13th with 34 points. They have shown a balanced record at home and away, scoring 34 goals but conceding 37. Lewes began the season strongly, with key victories against teams like Chatham Town (2-0) and Bognor Regis Town (4-1), but they’ve struggled to maintain form.

Last 6

25/01 – Bowers & Pitsea (H) – Drew 1-1
21/01 – Whitehawk (A) – Lost 1-2
18/01 – Horsham (H) – Lost 0-2
04/01 – Cheshunt (H) – Drew 2-2
28/12 – Hashtag United (A) – Lost 1-2
26/12 – Folkestone Invicta (H) – Drew 0-0

The Venue

We look forward to welcoming Lewes 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: £15
Concessions: £14
U18: £9
U11: FREE with a paying adult

We now only accept card on the gate and operate a cashless ground.

Jake Leberl catches up with DAFCtv for a natter about the past month of games.

He tells Justin Allen that he has been pleased with some of the performances even though the form has dipped a little.

Jake also reflects on a difficult afternoon at Hashtag, marred by a small minority of spectators after our away defeat of the season in January.

He also talks about the upcoming games and expectations.

Dover aim to bounce back and head to Bognor Regis in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Dover Athletic

On Saturday, Dover Athletic fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Hashtag United in a hard-fought Isthmian League clash at Parkside. After a goalless first half, Hashtag struck twice early in the second period. Misha Djemaili converted a penalty after Josh Osude was fouled, and Osude doubled the lead following a defensive error. Dover dominated large spells and hit the bar twice but struggled to convert chances. George Wilkinson’s stoppage-time goal gave the visitors hope, but their late surge wasn’t enough to salvage a point.

In the reverse fixture, Dover Athletic secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bognor Regis Town at the Megger Community Stadium, with George Nikaj’s 77th-minute goal proving decisive. The evenly contested match saw both sides create chances but struggle to convert, with Nikaj denied in the first half and rattling the bar early in the second. Dover’s breakthrough came when Nikaj’s cross slipped through Bognor’s defense and found the net. Bognor pressed late, forcing Dover to defend resolutely against a flurry of corners and a dangerous free kick. The Whites held firm to claim three points

From the Manager

“The players are really disappointed after Saturday. They’re disappointed in themselves because they know that the two goals we let in are goals that we haven’t conceded all season, silly mistakes. They’re going to be desperate to bounce back against Bognor”

Bognor Regis Town

Our hosts remain bottom of the table after a 4-0 loss against Cray Valley PM. Defensive frailties resurfaced early, as goals from former Dover man Kurtis Cumberbatch and Tom Beere in the first 11 minutes left the visitors facing an uphill battle. Despite spells of possession and fine saves from Harrison Chamberlain denying Jasper Mather, the Rocks couldn’t find a breakthrough. Kenny Aileru and Adam Coombes added second-half goals to seal the defeat. Co-managers Michael Birmingham and Jamie Howell lamented costly naivety and a lack of pride. Bognor face Hashtag United on Tuesday night.

Bognor Regis Town sits in 22nd place in the Isthmian Premier League with 16 points from 25 matches. Their campaign has been a struggle, recording 4 wins, 4 draws, and 17 losses. At home, they have managed 2 wins from 12 matches, while their away form is similarly poor, with just 2 wins in 13 games. They have scored 29 goals but conceded 64, leaving them with a goal difference of -35.

Last 6

16/01 – Cray Valley PM (A) – Lost 0-4
04/01 – Dulwich Hamlet (A) – Lost 3-4
01/01 – Chichester City (H) – Lost 1-4
28/12 – Hastings United (H) – Lost 0-1
26/12 – Horsham (A) – Lost 1-2
21/12 – Potters Bar Town (A) – Drew 1-1

The Venue

MKM Arena Nyewood Lane Bognor Regis West Sussex PO21 2TY

Admission  

Adults: £12
Under-18: £6

An additional £1 is charged to access seating area situated in the main stand.

Dover Athletic fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Hashtag United in a thrilling Isthmian League Premier Division encounter at Parkside. Despite dominating large spells of the game and creating several golden opportunities, the Whites were undone by two second-half goals from the home side and left to rue missed chances.

The first half was a tightly contested affair with both sides showing flashes of attacking intent. Dover enjoyed the better chances during a lively period midway through the half. Luke Baptiste forced Hashtag goalkeeper Jack Giddens into a fine save, while Francis Mampolo’s looping header clipped the crossbar. Moments later, Baptiste struck the bar again with a powerful effort as Dover piled on the pressure. At the other end, Hashtag posed a threat on the counterattack, and Jordan Gillmore made a crucial save to keep the game level at the break.

Early in the second half, the momentum shifted decisively in Hashtag’s favour. Just four minutes after the restart, Josh Osude was brought down in the box, and Misha Djemaili stepped up to calmly slot the resulting penalty past Gillmore. Hashtag doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Osude capitalised on a defensive error, smashing home from close range.

Despite the setback, Dover pushed forward in search of a response. Baptiste and Charlie Naylor both went close shortly after the hour mark, but their efforts failed to trouble Giddens. Substitute Eniye Amgbaduba injected energy into Dover’s attack and nearly found the net in the closing stages, but Hashtag’s defence held firm under pressure.

The Whites finally broke through in stoppage time when George Wilkinson, introduced as a substitute in the 66th minute, rifled home a loose ball in the box to give Dover hope. The visitors pressed for an equaliser in a dramatic finale but were unable to find a way past Giddens as the game ended 2-1 in Hashtag’s favor.

Whites will now look to regroup ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Bognor Regis.

Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 324
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Chris Poole
Venue: Parkside (Aveley FC)

Hashtag United
1 Jack Giddens, 2 Matthew Wooldridge, 3 Nathan Smith, 5 Harry Haysom, 6 Max Cornhill, 7 Sakariya Hassan, 8 Misha Djemaili, 9 Toby Aromolaran, 12 Jermaine Anderson, 13 Josh Osude, 15 Joshua Rusoke SUBS: 4 Thomas Anderson, 10 Alex Bolovan, 11 Harrison Day, 16 Ayo Olukoga, 19 Luke May-Parrott

Dover Athletic
27 Jordan Gillmore, 2 Roman Charles-Cook, 3 Fuad Sesay, 6 Luca Cocoracchio, 7 Luke Baptiste, 8 Alfie Matthews, 10 George Nikaj, 14 Ruben Soares-Junior, 24 Francis Mampolo, 25 Charlie Naylor, 26 Jacob Mensah SUBS: 4 Jeremiah Gyebi, 9 Eniye Amgbaduba, 15 Tamas Amgbaduba, 16 Harrison Pont, 23 George Wilkinson

Fancy watching the Whites take on Lewes in style? Of course you do.

The boys will be looking to put on a show and where else would you rather watch it than here with us.

Watch the game from the best seats in the house and let our match day hospitality provide the ultimate way to spend your time with us.

The package includes:

• Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and a projector showing the game
• 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 match day programme

The very special experience costs £19 per person and is available for individual and group bookings, or as a gift voucher.

Please note that this price does NOT include entry for non-season ticket holders who do attend, and they will still need to pay at the turnstile on the day.

On the menu for the game will be :

Main:

Cottage Pie, Peas, Carrots and Gravy 

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 buy your VIP ticket please email enquiries@doverathletic.com or call the office on 01304 822373

We can confirm that midfielder Henry Young has joined Isthmian South East side Hythe Town FC on loan.

Defender Joe Tennent has also joined fellow Isthmian Premier Division side Whitehawk on loan and goes straight into their starting XI against Carshalton tonight.

Defender Marty Holness remains on loan with Lordswood AFC.

We can also confirm that forward Jayden Silcott-Brown has left the club.

Dover are back in action and head to Aveley to face Hashtag United in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Dover Athletic

Whites have been out of action in the last week as our game against Lewes was postponed. In our last game, Dover Athletic secured a dominant 3-0 win over Hendon at Silver Jubilee Park, rebounding after back-to-back defeats. Captain Ruben Soares-Junior shone, opening the scoring with a header in the 18th minute before doubling the lead with a superb strike. George Nikaj sealed the win in the 65th minute with a low shot after a strong wing run. Dover controlled the game throughout, stifling Hendon’s attempts to respond. Frustrations led to bookings for Hendon’s Kurtis Cumberbatch and Lewis Smith.

Dover were 4-2 winners in the reverse fixture. Alfie Matthews opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a composed finish, but Hashtag’s Sakariya Hassan equalised in the 19th minute. Harrison Pont restored Dover’s lead with a stunning long-range strike in the 30th minute, and Luke Baptiste added a third just before halftime. In the second half, Hashtag pushed to close the gap, but Dover’s defense and goalkeeper Mitch Walker held firm. George Nikaj sealed the win in the 85th minute with a spectacular long-range goal, despite a late consolation from Max Cornhill.

Hashtag United

Our hosts game on Saturday against Bowers & Pitsea was postponed. Last time out, Hashtag United extended their unbeaten streak to ten matches with a crucial 1-0 victory over Chatham Town at the Bauvill Stadium, moving up to seventh in the table. Matt Wooldridge’s 18th-minute goal proved decisive, but the turning point of the match came in the 33rd minute when Chatham’s Simon Cooper was shown a red card for a foul on Josh Osude, leaving the hosts to battle with ten men. The Tags have now secured three wins from their last four matches, sitting just four points shy of the top five as they continue their push up the table.

Last 6

07/01 – Chatham Town (A) – Won 1-0
04/01 – Cray Valley PM (A) – Won 5-1
01/01 – Billericay Town (H) – Lost 1-2
28/12 – Lewes (H) – Won 2-1
26/12 – Bowers & Pitsea (A) – Drew 2-2
21/12 – Whitehawk (A) – Drew 1-1

The Venue

Hashtag United men’s first, women’s first and men’s reserve teams play at Aveley FC.

Parkside
Park Lane
Aveley
RM15 4PX

There is a free car park at the stadium.

Admission  

£12 Adults
£7 Concessions
£3 Under 12s

Following the 4.30pm inspection we can confirm that tomorrow’s game against Lewes is postponed.

A new date for the fixture will be confirmed soon.