Catch up on the best of the action from Tuesday night’s win.
Category: First Team News
VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION
Midfielder Liam Bellamy speaks to the camera following Whites 1-0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night.
VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION
Goalscorer Mitch Pinnock has his say following Whites 1-0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge.
VIDEO: ASSISTANT MANAGER REACTION
Jake Leberl speaks to the camera following Whites’ win against Dagenham & Redbridge.
PINNOCK WINNER SEES OFF DAGGERS
DOVER 1-0 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
Pinnock (29)
A STUNNING goal from Mitch Pinnock saw Whites secure a narrow win against Dagenham & Redbridge at a wet and muddy Crabble on Tuesday night.
With his back to goal and surrounded by a couple of Daggers defenders, the midfielder’s audacious 25-yard overhead kick flew over a stunned Mark Cousins and into the back of the Dagenham net as Dover ended a run of two consecutive league defeats.
But it was John Still’s men who started the brighter, with home keeper Mitch Walker forced into action with seconds of the kick off as he beat away Charlee Adams’ piledriver.
Giancarlo Gallifuoco thought he had given the home side the lead after slotting in Mitch Brundle’s set piece, however the Australian’s effort was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Brundle then created a chance of his own making, beating the visiting defence for pace, only for Cousins to smother the ball at the captain’s feet.
Pinnock struck the opener and within ten minutes Whites almost doubled their lead.
Femi Ilesanmi powered a shot towards goal, only for Cousins to parry the ball towards Liam Bellamy. However the midfielder, making his first start since rejoining the club in December, could only head the rebound onto the roof of the net.
And Bellamy went closer still after the restart, prodding inches wide from Pinnock’s long throw.
Pinnock then almost scored directly from a corner, only for Luke Howell to head the ball away from underneath his own crossbar.
Walker was then alert to hold onto Fejiri Okenabirhie’s firm shot after the winger stole the ball off Ilesanmi.
At the other end, Ryan Bird flashed an effort past the post after latching onto Pinnock’s back heel on the edge of the penalty box.
The striker then looked to turn provider, flicking the ball on for Connor Essam to volley inches wide of the far post.
And those misses almost proved costly as Dagenham wasted a couple of chances to earn a point late in the game.
Substitute Michael Cheek dragged the ball just off target from an angle and Gallifuoco was well placed to clear Okenbirhie’s goalbound effort off the line.
Ilesanmi almost sealed the win in injury time, but Cousin punched clear his cross-cum-shot.
But Chris Kinnear’s men held on to seal their first win against Dagenham at the fifth time of asking.
Earlier, boss Kinnear made two changes to the side that started away at Solihull on Saturday. Bellamy and Josh Passley replaced Nortei Nortey and Ejiro Okosieme, who were both named as substitutes. Kevin Lokko, signed on loan from Stevenage earlier in the day, was also on the bench.
Athletic next travel to AFC Fylde on Saturday 24th February. Kick off 3pm.
Dover: Walker, Passley (Okosieme 85), Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Bellamy, Pinnock (Nortey 89), Bird, Jeffrey (Daniel 54).
Subs not used: Alabi, Lokko.
Dag & Red: Cousins, Nunn, Pennell, Robson (c), Robinson, Howell, Okenabirhie, Sparkes (Kandi 72), Adams, Bloomfield (Cheek 60), Howells.
Subs not used: Moore, N’Gala, Bonds.
Referee: Carl Brook
Attendance: 677
WHITES SIGN DEFENDER
Manager Chris Kinnear has bolstered his defensive options with the loan signing of Kevin Lokko from Stevenage until the end of season.
Lokko, an England C international, who can operate both at centre-back and left-back, joined the League 2 club from Maidstone United for an undisclosed fee last August.
He then joined Dagenham and Redbridge on loan, making 25 National League appearances, including one against Whites in November, before being recalled by his parent club in February.
His last appearance for Stevenage was last Saturday when he came on as a second half substitute in the 4-1 win against visiting Yeovil Town.
The 22-year-old former Norwich, Colchester and Welling man played in 41 National League games for Maidstone last season, scoring four times in the process.
Lokko will wear the number 26 shirt and is contention to make his debut at home to Dagenham tonight.
Welcome to Crabble Kevin!!
Lokko may not be the only new player to arrive this week with chairman Jim Parmenter not ruling out further signings before Saturday’s trip to AFC Fylde.
PREVIEW: WHITES V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
Dover will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive league defeats when John Still’s side come to Crabble on Tuesday night.
Chris Kinnear’s men lost at home to Sutton and away at Solihull, though still sit just one point outside the play-offs in the standings.
And they host a Dagenham side with their own off-field issues.
For financial reasons, the Daggers recently sold Corey Whiteley, Sam Ling and Morgan Ferrier to rival National League sides, plus their former captain Scott Doe left by mutual consent.
But our visitors will be in confident mood after ending a run of four straight league defeats with a win at Torquay last week.
And home fans will recognise a familiar face amongst the visiting squad.
Defender Bondz N’Gala featured five times for Dover last season.
DAGENHAM’S RECENT FORM
17/02/18: TORQUAY 0-3 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
John Still’s men scored three second half goals to end their recent poor run with a win in Devon.
Luke Pennell headed against the crossbar and Fejiri Okenabirhie was denied by the offside flag in a lively start by the visitors.
And Daggers had a deserved lead shortly after the restart thanks to Okenabirhie’s drive.
Captain Craig Robson doubled the lead after nodding in from a free kick.
Ruari Keating missed a good chance for United and Okenabirhie sealed the win in injury time as his shot deflected off Michael Efete and into the net.
PREVIOUS MEETING
21/11/17: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 1-0 DOVER
Whites 10-match unbeaten league run came to an end following a narrow defeat at a rainy Victoria Road on Tuesday evening.
A first-half header from Morgan Ferrier and some stunning saves from home keeper Mark Cousins saw Dover relinquish their grip on top spot in the National League standings as Chris Kinnear’s men slipped into second place, two points behind new leaders Wrexham.
Visitors Dover should have gone ahead two minutes later, but Cousin flung himself across his goalmouth to tip away James Alabi’s header after Mitch Brundle’s mishit volley fell kindly for the loanee.
The striker then blasted narrowly over following a powerful surge into the area.
Cousin’s opposite number Mitch Walker then performed his own acrobatics, stretching to divert John Robson’s dipping header from the edge of the box from underneath the crossbar.
But there was nothing Athletic’s stopper could do about the home side’s opener midway through the first half.
The impressive Ling latched onto Cousin’s inch-perfect throw and sent in a delicious ball for Ferrier to head home from close range.
Dagenham’s keeper denied Alabi once again in first half stoppage time. The attacker powered Mitch Pinnock’s pinpoint cross towards goal, only for Cousins to somehow claw the ball away to safety.
And the 30-year old goalie made his best save just after the break to prevent what seemed a certain equaliser for Whites.
Having beaten Jake Howells out wide, Pinnock’s goalward volley appeared destined for the top corner, but Cousins clearly had other ideas and was somehow able turn the winger’s shot behind for a corner.
And John Still’s team should have doubled their lead in injury time, but sub Dan Sparkes blasted past the post when put in the clear by Whitely.
OTHER MEETINGS
03/12/17 – Dover 1-2 Dag & Red
13/09/16 – Dag & Red 2-0 Dover
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £17
Over 60’s – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – Free (With an accompanied adult).
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 BROMLEY
BARROW V GATESHEAD
BOREHAM WOOD V MAIDSTONE UNITED
CHESTER V LEYTON ORIENT
EBBSFLEET UNITED V WOKING
FC HALIFAX TOWN V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
GUISELEY V AFC FYLDE
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V EASTLEIGH
SOLIHULL MOORS V WREXHAM
TORQUAY UNITED V SUTTON UNITED
TRANMERE ROVERS V MACCLESFIELD TOWN
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Fylde on Saturday 24th February and it is not too late to book your space on it.
It departs Crabble at 7am and the the prices are as follows:
Adult members £30, adult non-members £45 and accompanied child (Under 16) £15.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the match against Dagenham & Redbridge.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.
VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION
Chris Kinnear has his say following Whites 3-2 defeat at Solihull Moors on Saturday.
WHITES LOSE AT MOORS
SOLIHULL 3-2 DOVER
Storer (29) (Bird pen 22)
Thomas (75) (Pinnock 60)
(Reid 84)
WHITES promotion hopes were dented by Alex Reid’s late winner at Damson Park on Saturday.
The substitute collected Darren Carter’s pass and fired past Mitch Walker to give his side the lead after Whites had twice gone ahead thanks to Ryan Bird’s penalty and Mitch Pinnock’s finish. Moors twice hit back via Kyle Storer and a Kwame Thomas spot kick.
The hosts started brightly and test Walker early on with Dover’s stopper saving from Carter.
But it was Athletic that had the lead midway through the first half following Storer’s clumsy challenge on Anthony Jeffrey.
Bird slotted the ball into the middle of the goal from 12 yards and though home stopper Max O’Leary initially stopped the ball with his legs, the Bristol City loanee was unable to prevent the ball from trickling over the line.
But Mark Yates’ side were level just seven minutes later through Storer.
The midfielder volleyed a loose ball into the bottom corner after following up on Jamey Osborne’s blocked shot.
Walker then prevented his side from going behind, turning behind Adi Yussuf’s close range shot with his foot.
Osborne tried his luck from range after the restart, curling a deflected effort just past the wrong side of the post. Nortei Nortey then chested the ball off the line following a corner, with the subsequent cross from Storer clipping the top of the bar.
And a defensive error by Tyrone Williams handed Whites the lead once more.
A wayward header from the centre back fell for Pinnock, who strode onto the ball and slotted into the net, in spite of Daly’s last-ditch attempt the clear the winger’s effort off the line.
Osborne blasted wide and Yussuf fired into Walker’s arms as the away side searched for a second leveller.
And that equaliser arrived with fifteen minutes remaining as Whites gave away their first penalty of the season.
Manny Parry fouled Thomas in the area and despite the centre half protesting the ball had gone out of play, winger Thomas picked himself up to slam the ball into the middle of the goal, through the already diving Walker’s outstretched hand.
Pinnock’s spectacular long ranger flew straight down the throat of O’Leary as Chris Kinnear’s men looked to go in front for a third time, but it was Moors who grabbed a winner six minutes from the end.
A counter attack saw Carter escape down the left wing and the midfielder passed inside to sub Reid, who checked inside and fired past a statuesque Walker in goal.
The hosts held on to condemn Whites to their second consecutive league defeat and keep Kinnear’s side ninth in the standings, one point outside the play-offs.
Dover next host Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday 20th February. Kick off 7:45pm.
Solihull: O’Leary, Williams, Keleher, Carter, Daly, Reckord, Osborne, Storer, Yussuf (Edwards 90), Hylton (Reid 69), Thomas.
Subs not used: K.Green, P.Green, Carline.
Dover: Walker, Ilesanmi, Nortey (Bellamy 61), Brundle, Parry, Okosieme, Essam, Pinnock, Gallifuoco, Jeffrey (Daniel 83), Bird.
Subs not used: Fazakerley, Alabi, Passley.
Referee: Peter Gibbons
PREVIEW: SOLIHULL V WHITES
Whites will be looking to bounce back into the play-off places when they travel to Damson Park this Saturday.
Last weekend’s home defeat to Sutton United saw Chris Kinnear’s side drop out of the play-off places for the first time since August.
But Dover’s gaffer will be confident mood, with his team currently unbeaten in four league matches on their travels.
However Athletic have a tough task ahead of their trip to the midlands, with Mark Yates’ side victorious in their last three home games in the National League.
Moors boss Yates, appointed as manager in November following the resignation of previous boss Richard Money, won the most recent National League Manager of the Month award after his side won three and drew one of their four league matches in January.
One of Athletic’s squad will be familiar with his surroundings at the weekend.
Nortei Nortey featured 12 times for Solihull last season, scoring once.
SOLIHULL’S RECENT FORM
10/02/17 EBBSFLEET 1-0 SOLIHULL
Luke Coulson came off the bench to net the only goal at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.
The midfielder fired into the top corner on 73 minutes after cutting inside from the wing as Fleet scored for the first time in over seven hours of football.
Kwame Thomas went close for the visitors in the first half, while Moors keeper Max O’Leary denied Jack Connors at the other end.
Ater Coulson had scored his fifth of the season, Danny Kedwell almost doubled the hosts lead, dispossessing Liam Daly and running clear, only for Kristian Green to deny the striker with a last ditch recovery tackle.
But United held on to register their first home win of 2018.
PREVIOUS MEETING
30/09/17: DOVER 1-0 SOLIHULL
Ryan Bird’s late goal put Dover back onto top spot and sent a bumper Crabble crowd home happy.
In front of a season high of 2,795, the striker powered home Cambridge loanee Paul Lewis’ cross in the 81st minute to finally break the deadlock.
Bird had volleyed high and wide early on and Mitch Brundle was off target with a low drive as the home team took the game to the visitors.
Moors’ keeper Nathan Vaugan tipped over Mitch Pinnock’s fierce free-kick after Kadell Daniel had been felled just outside the box.
Pinnock then tried his luck with an acrobatic overhead kick that bounced the wrong side of Vaughan’s post.
A spectator for much of the half, home goalie Mitch Walker was quick off his line to deny Shepherd Murombedzi from poking the ball underneath his body.
The stopper then palmed away the same player’s strike from the edge of the area shortly after Mitch Brundle’s cross-sum-shot eluded both Manny Parry and Daniel at the other end of the pitch.
Joe Payne fired wide after the break for the away side and Pinnock’s header had Vaughan scrambling across his goalline to catch the ball.
Captain Brundle thought he had given his side the lead following a rampaging run from his own half, but his shot deflected agonisingly wide of the post.
But Athletic finally made the breakthrough thanks to Bird and the lead was almost doubled minutes later.
Lewis’ scorching drive from Brundle’s lay-off whistled the wrong side of the post leaving the home side to hang on for the remaining few minutes.
And Whites were nearly punished in injury time.
Firstly Darren Carter curled over a free-kick and goalkeeper Vaughan – up for a Solihull corner, headed over when well placed.
But Chris Kinnear’s men held firm until the final whistle to secure all three points.
OTHER MEETINGS
04/03/17: Dover 0-0 Solihull
12/11/16: Solihull 2-3 Dover
TEAM COLOURS
For those wanting to wear the same colour shirts as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing their white ones.
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £15
Over 65’s / Serving Military Personnel with a valid ‘Forces’ ID card, Students with a valid NUS card and young adults (16-17 year olds) – £10
12-15 year olds – £10
Under 12’s – 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
AFC FYLDE V LEYTON ORIENT
ALDERSHOT TOWN V MACCLESFIELD TOWN
BOREHAM WOOD V GATESHEAD
CHESTER V EASTLEIGH
FC HALIFAX TOWN V EBBSFLEET UNITED
GUISELEY V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V WOKING
MAIDSTONE UNITED V BARROW
SUTTON UNITED V WREXHAM
TORQUAY UNITED V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
TRANMERE ROVERS V BROMLEY
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Fylde on Saturday 24th February and it is not too late to book your space on it.
It departs Crabble at 7am and the the prices are as follows:
Adult members £30, adult non-members £45 and accompanied child (Under 16) £15.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the match against Dagenham & Redbridge.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.