Category: First Team News

PREVIEW: WHITES V GATESHEAD

Play-off chasing Dover will be aiming to continue their impressive home record against the Heed in front of a bumper Community Day crowd this weekend.

Chris Kinnear’s men have won three consecutive matches against the Tyne & Wear side at Crabble since promotion to the National League in 2014.

Gateshead are yet to score at Dover’s ground in three attempts, although Athletic boss Chris Kinnear will be wary of two of Gateshead’s dangermen this weekend.

Strikers Jordan Burrows and Danny Johnson have scored 10 league goals apiece this season for Steve Watson’s team.

The Dover Athletic end-of-season awards presentation will take place in the Centre Spot at 5.15pm.

GATESHEAD’S RECENT FORM

17/04/18:  ALDERSHOT 1-0 GATESHEAD

Scott Rendell’s strike just before half-time was enough to send the Shots up to third in the table.

The striker pounced on Jim Kellerman’s dangerous cross to fire in the game’s only goal.

Gary Waddock’s men had already hit the woodwork twice, including visiting keeper James Montgomery touching Matt McClure’s long range strike onto the post.

McClure blazed over as Town tried to extend their lead, but the home side held on to claim the three points.

PREVIOUS MEETING

21/10/17:  GATESHEAD 0-0 DOVER

Dover stayed top of the league ladder after battling to a goalless draw in windy conditions at the International Stadium.

Luke Hannant struck the bar once in each half for the hosts as Kinnear’s men held on for a point in Gateshead manager Steve Watson’s first home game in charge.

With the wind in their favour before the break, Heed midfielder Hannant blazed over and Jordan Preston dragged wide, with both efforts coming from outside the area.

Bird blazed over Mitch Pinnock’s accurate cross from close range, but it was Gateshead who went closest midway through the half.

Paddy McLaughlin’s ball into the penalty area found Hannant in space and the midfielder’s volley looped over Mitch Walker and bounced off the underside of the bar into the grateful arms of Dover’s keeper.

Hannant then struck an effort inches past the wrong side of the post and in a rare Athletic attack at the other end of the pitch, Pinnock fired into the side-netting after beating Newcastle loanee Callum Williams for pace.

An unmarked Giancarlo Gallifuoco headed Mitch Brundle’s corner well wide and Dover’s skipper then curled a free-kick into Dan Hanford’s arms.

And Whites were almost flying back home to Kent without a point after Gateshead hit the woodwork for a second time.

Hannant rose highest to meet Jordan Burrows’ cross, but his header struck the crossbar and bounced out of play, much to the relief of Walker.

OTHER MEETINGS

01/04/17:  Dover 2-0 Gateshead

08/10/16:  Gateshead 4-2 Dover

13/02/16:  Dover 4-0 Gateshead

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults: £17

Over 60’s: £14

Under 18s: £8

Under 11s: Free

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES (Kick off 3pm unless stated)

AFC FYLDE V SOLIHULL MOORS

ALDERSHOT TOWN V BARROW

BROMLEY V BOREHAM WOOD

CHESTER V MAIDSTONE UNITED

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V MAIDENHEAD UNITED

EASTLEIGH V MACCLESFIELD TOWN (12:30)

EBBSFLEET UNITED V SUTTON UNITED

FC HALIFAX TOWN V TRANMERE ROVERS

GUISELEY V WOKING

HARTLEPOOL UNITED V TORQUAY UNITED

LEYTON ORIENT V WOKING

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach going to Woking at 9:15am on Saturday 28th April and it’s not too late to book your seat on it.

Costs are: Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.

WHITES LOSE TO TRANMERE

Dover’S play-off hopes hang in the balance following a narrow defeat to fellow promotion chasers Tranmere at Crabble on Tuesday night.

Andy Cook capitalised on Manny Parry’s error six minutes before the break and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, in spite of Connor Essam’s attempts to clear the ball off the line.

And Cook could have added to his tally of 25 goals this season earlier in the match, racing through on goal within seconds of the kick-off, but Mitch Walker was equal to the National League’s top scorer’s low drive.

Cook and strike partner James Norwood then combined with the latter seeing his strike blocked by Essam.

Visiting stopper Scott Davies misjudged a free kick into the area, but his backline spared the keeper’s blushes after the ball flew over the former Fleetwood Town man’s head.

Livewire Cook almost stunned the home crowd, turning his man and curling inches wide from 25-yards.

And at the other end, Parry skied from over close range following a corner and the same player rose highest to meet Mitch Pinnock’s cross, but nodded over.

But it was Cook who opened the scoring and Rovers almost doubled their lead following the restart..

Connor Jennings sprinted clear, but was unable to find a way past Walker.

Cook could only direct Larnell Cole’s cross into Walker’s arms and James Norburn’s 20-yard rocket had Athletic’s stopper scrambling across his goal.

And hotshot forward Cook went for glory from distance after Norwood nodded the ball into his path, missing the far post by inches.

Athletic pressed for an leveller, but were unable to find a way past a resolute Rovers defence.  The loss sees Whites drop once place to ninth in the standings, three points outside the play-offs.

Earlier boss Kinnear made one change to the side that started at Maidenhead on Saturday.  Azeez replaced Ryan Bird, who started as a substitute.

Dover:  Walker, Ilesanmi, Gallifouco, Parry, Essam, Brundle (c), Pinnock (Marsh-Brown 69), Jeffrey (Daniel 69), Lokko, Bellamy, Azeez (Bird 73).

Subs not used:  Passley, Nortey.

Tranmere:  Davies, McNulty (c), Buxton, Hughes, Jennings, Norwood, Sutton, Ridehalgh, Cole (Harris 83), Norburn, Cook.

Subs not used:  Taylor, Mangan, Ginnelly, Clarke,

Referee:  David Rock

Yellows:  Jeffrey (Dover), Buxton, Ridehalgh (Tranmere)

Attendance:  1,231

PREVIEW: WHITES V TRANMERE

Dover will be aiming to complete a league double over Rovers when the two sides meet in Tuesday night’s rearranged fixture.

Ryan Bird’s penalty handed Athletic all three points at Prenton Park back in September and Whites’ boss will be confident of another home win.

Chris Kinnear’s men have won their last four National League matches at Crabble, though he will be wary of Tranmere’s prolific attack.

Andy Cook has scored 25 league goals so far this season and his strike partner James Norwood has found the net 19 times this campaign.

THE MATCH WILL BE SEGREGATED

TRANMERE’S RECENT FORM

14/04/18:  TRANMERE 2-0 ALDERSHOT

James Norwood’s brace kept alive Tranmere’s slim chance of winning the National League title.

The striker opened the scoring on 70 minutes, latching onto Larnell Cole’s pinpoint pass and slotting past visiting keeper Lewis Ward.

The three points were sealed ten minutes later as Norwood slammed home after strike partner Andy Cook was unable to get his shot away.

Town almost had an early lead following a defensive error, but Jeff Hughes was on hand to clear the ball away for Rovers.

PREVIOUS MEETING

02/09/17:  TRANMERE 0-1 DOVER

Ryan Bird’s 79th minute penalty stunned a 4000-strong home crowd as Dover won 1-0 in front of the BT Sport cameras at Prenton Park on Saturday.

The striker rammed the ball down the middle of the goal after being fouled in the box by Ritchie Sutton.

The home team were first to register a shot on target as Ollie Norburn curled a free-kick into the arms of Mitch Walker.

And Dover’s stopper was in the thick of the action as Rovers pushed forward.

He dived onto Sutton’s drive at the second attempt after initally parrying the defender’s effort, then blocked Hughes shot after Jay Harris’ cross-field ball found the midfielder in space.

Andy Cook then tried his luck with a twenty-yard rocket that fizzed past the post much to the relief of a diving Walker.

Walker had to be alert to block Cook’s close range header from a Harris cross and at the other end Femi Ilesanmi’s shot whistled past the far post after Mitch Brundle found the winger in space.

Ilesanmi then went even closer to giving Whites the lead, heading sub Loui Fazakerley’s cross against the bar.

James Norwood’s flick from sub Liam Ridehalgh’s set-piece went agonisingly wide for the hosts.

But the away team did go ahead ten minutes later thanks to Bird’s penalty.  The forward was felled in the area after sneaking in ahead of Sutton as the defender went to clear the ball, leaving referee Peter Wright no choice but to award a spot-kick.

With the clock ticking towards full-time, Walker pulled off two fine saves to confirm Dover’s second win in three games at Tranmere.

The keeper firstly blocked Ridehalgh’s effort with his legs, with Connor Essam on hand to clear the ball off the line as it rolled towards goal.

Walker then somehow pawed behind Norwood’s volley following good work from Sutton.

OTHER MEETINGS

28/03/17: Tranmere 1-0 Dover
29/10/16: Dover 1-4 Tranmere
12/03/16: Dover 0-0 Tranmere

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults: £17
Over 60’s: £14
Under 18s: £8
Under 11s: Free

COVERAGE

The game starts at 7:45pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 7pm.

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

ALDERSHOT TOWN V GATESHEAD

BROMLEY V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

EASTLEIGH V EBBSFLEET

GUISELEY V BARROW

HARTLEPOOL UNITED V LEYTON ORIENT

MAIDENHEAD UNITED V SUTTON UNITED

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach travelling to Woking on Saturday 28th April and it is not too late to book your space on it.

The prices are as follows:

Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the game against Gateshead.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.

.

WHITES LOSE TO LATE MAGPIES STRIKE

MAIDENHEAD 3-2 DOVER

Hyde (52), Upward (60), Kilman (90)

Jeffrey (49), Parry (54)

Whites missed the chance to move into the play-offs after Maidenhead’s injury time winner.

Max Kilman strode forward And fired a deflected 30-yard shot into the top corner to hand the home team the points in a game Whites’ twice led.

Early in the game, Mitch Brundle lashed a 25-yard effort on goal, which home stopper Carl Pentney held onto.

And Femi Ilesanmi then saw his close-range effort from Mitch Pinnock’s lay-off blocked by the United defence. 

Sam Barrett fired goalwards from the edge of the area, with Mitch Walker able to get his whole body behind the ball.

And a frantic start continued with Pinnock curling a shot narrowly wide of Pentney’s post.

And Ryan bird went close just moments later.

The striker rose above the home defence to meet Femi Ilesanmi’s cross, but could only head over the crossbar.

Pinnock headed Pentney’s punch back towards goal, but Maidenhead’s keeper was quick to get back onto his line and catch the ball.

And Whites thought they were ahead on 37 minutes.

Pentney parried Pinnock’s drive with Giancarlo Gallifuoco ready at the back post to head home, but the Australian’s celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Alan Massey then came to the rescue for the hosts just before the break, clearing Anthony Jeffrey’s deflected cross from underneath the bar.

But Whites were ahead four minutes after the restart thanks to that man Jeffrey.

The pacy winger’s cross seemed to deceive Pentney and found it’s way into the far corner for the Sutton loanee’s first goal for Dover.

However Athletic’s lead did not last long as Jake Hyde swept in Barrett’s set piece just minutes later.

The response from Chris Kinnear’s men was instant thanks to Manny Parry’s fifth National League goal of the season.

The defender collected Pinnock’s flick and fired into the bottom corner to put the away side ahead for a second time.

And the goals kept coming in an entertaining half.

Barrett’s long throw found it’s way to Upward at the back post, who had the simple task of blasting United level.

As the game drew to a close, sub Sean Marks volleyed wide and at the other end, no Dover player was able to connect with Ilesanmi’s cross-cum-shot.

But the home side had the final say as Kilman fired home the winner that secured safety for Maidenhead in their debut campaign in non-league’s top flight.

Earlier, Kinnear made two changes to the side that started against Torquay last week.  Liam Bellamy and Pinnock replaced Josh Passley and Nortei Nortey, who started as substitutes.  

Maidenhead:  Petney, Steer, Massey, Goodman, Kilman, Odemetey, Upward, Comley, Barrett, Hyde (Marks 80), Clifton (Pritchard 86).

Subs not used:  Emmanuel, Owusu, Smith.

Dover:  Walker, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Bellamy Okosieme 90), Pinnock (Daniel 65), Bird, Jeffrey (Azeez 80)

Subs not used:  Passley, Nortey.

Attendance:  1,155

PREVIEW: MAIDENHEAD V WHITES

Dover will be looking to rise into the play-offs with victory in Berkshire on Saturday.

Chris Kinnear’s men, currently two points behind seventh-placed Wrexham in the standings, will be aiming to end their three-match winless National League run on their travels.

But Athletic, victorious on their last four visits to York Road, will be wary of a United side who ended their own six-game winless league streak with victory against Woking on Tuesday night.

Alan Devonshire’s men have won eight of 20 home games so far during their debut campaign in non-league’s top flight.

MAIDENHEAD’S RECENT FORM

02/04/18:  MAIDENHEAD 2-1 WOKING

Maidenhead completed a late turnaround with two late goals against Woking.

With nine minutes remaining, substitute Adrian Clifton cancelled out Jonathan Edwards opener five minute earlier, heading in Ryan Upward’s free-kick.

Devonshire’s men grabbed an 89th minute winner thanks to Sean Marks after the striker tapped in Sam Barrett’s pinpoint cross for his fifth league goal of the season.

Earlier, Harry Pritchard went close for the hosts and at the other end, Regan Charles-Cook sliced over when well placed.

PREVIOUS MEETING

21/10/17:  DOVER 1-1 MAIDENHEAD

JAKE Hyde’s last minute tap-in denied Whites a fourth consecutive league home win at Crabble.

The striker pounced at the death to tap in sub Adrian Clifton’s knock down following Rene Steer’s run and cross.

Ryan Bird’s header seemed to have secured the win for Dover after he headed sub Kadell Daniel’s deep cross back across visiting keeper Carl Pentney and into the net via the post.

Mitch Brundle tricked past his marker, but his low curling effort was comfortably held by Pentney. 

Dover’s skipper then let fly from twenty-yards, this time narrowly missing the post.

Mitch Walker beat away Alan Massey’s tight drive and Hyde blazed wide after following up on Inman’s initial shot, which deflected into his path.

Mitch Pinnock’s low goalbound drive was cleared away by Massey and Manny Parry nodded a corner from the winger wide shortly after.

Jake Goodman’s turn and shot seemed to catch Walker off-guard, with the ball striking the bar and bouncing over much to the relief of the Whites keeper.

Bird opened the scoring and Dover had further opportunities to seal victory.

Daniel struck the outside of the post with a vicious twenty-five yard drive and Paul Lewis aimed too high with a shot from outside the box.

Bird fired into the side-netting and then flicked Daniel’s pass the wrong side of the post with Pentney beaten.

But Hyde had the final say with the last kick of the game following a scramble in the box..

OTHER MEETINGS

15/03/14:  Maidenhead 1-2 Dover

11/02/14:  Dover 2-0 Maidenhead

05/03/13:  Maidenhead 1-2 Dover

TEAM COLOURS

For travelling fans wanting to show the same shirts as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing their blue ones.

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults:  £15

Concessions:  £10 

Under 16s:  £5

Under 11s:  Free (With an accompanying adult)

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES (Kick off 3pm unless stated)

MACCLESFIELD V LEYTON ORIENT (12:30)

BAROW V EBBSFLEET UNITED 

BOREHAM WOOD V CHESTER

GATESHEAD V EASTLEIGH

MAIDSTONE UNITED V AFC FYLDE

SOLIHULL MOORS V GUISELEY 

SUTTON UNITED V HARTLEPOOL UNITED

TORQUAY UNITED V FC HALIFAX TOWN

TRANMERE ROVERS V ALDERSHOT TOWN

WOKING V BROMLEY 

WREXHAM V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach travelling to Woking on Saturday 28th April and it is not too late to book your space on it. 

The prices are as follows:

Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the game against Gateshead.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.

WALKER IS MARCH WINNER

Dover Athletic goalkeeper Mitch Walker has been named as the Vanamara National League Player of the Month for March.

The 26-year-old kept four consecutive clean sheets in the National League including the wins against Leyton Orient (1-0), Chester (2-0) and table-topping Macclesfield Town (2-0) before the 0-0 draw at Barrow AFC.

The only goals he conceded came in the last game of the month, the 2-1 defeat at Eastleigh.

Well done Mitch!!