Category: First Team News

PREVIEW: WHITES V EASTLEIGH

Athletic will aim to continue setting the pace in the National League standings following a two-week break.

And boss Chris Kinnear will be hoping his side can keep up their impressive record against this weekend’s opponents.

Dover have won five and lost just once in six National League matches against the Spitfires.

However Richard Hill’s side come to Crabble in confident mood, having won 2-1 at Macclesfield in their previous away game.

Top scorer Ryan Bird and centre-back Connor Essam both started the last campaign as Eastleigh players and could feature against their former side.

Home fans might also recognise some familiar faces from the visiting squad.

Goalkeeper Ross Flitney made 55 appearances for Whites over a two year period and defender Ayo Obileye featured three times during a loan spell last season.

And Assistant Manager Andy Hessenthaler managed Dover during a three-year spell, winning two successive promotions.

EASTLEIGH’S RECENT FORM

EASTLEIGH 2-2 CHESTER

Strugglers Chester came back from two goals down at the Silverlake Stadium to claim only their second away point since Marcus Bignot took over as manager.

Ben Williamson put the home side ahead from 18 yards on two minutes and Gary McSheffrey doubled the Spitfires lead shortly after the restart.

James Akintunde tucked in Kingsley James’ cross seven minutes later to reduce the arrears and the visitors were denied a second after home keeper Ross Flitney saved Ryan Astles’ effort.

But the big defender was not to be kept out for long, powering in Lucas Dawson’s corner in the last minute.

PREVIOUS MEETING

25/02/17: DOVER 3-0 EASTLEIGH

Ricky Miller’s fourth hat-trick of the season ensured there was no happy return to Crabble for Richard Hill.

Caretaker boss Hill, who was in charge of his first game since Martin Allen’s sacking, could only watch as Dover condemned the Hampshire side to a fourth consecutive National League defeat.

Home fans did not have to wait long to celebrate a goal as Miller opened the scoring on three minutes. Visiting goalkeeper Rya Clarke parried Nicky Deverdics’ shot and predator Miller finished it off from close range.

James Constable’s turn and shot whistled past Steve Arnold’s post and Ross Lafayette, sporting a bandage from a cut to the forehead earlier in the match, saw a deflected effort fly wide.

Whites doubled their advantage on 71 minutes, with that man Miller on the scoresheet again. The striker’s half-volley slipped from Clarke’s grasp and rolled into the net.

Miller completed his treble eight minutes later after robbing Adam Dugdale and curling into the far corner.

OTHER LEAGUE MEETINGS

16/08/16: Eastleigh 2-4 Dover
10/11/15: Dover 1-2 Eastleigh
22/09/15: Eastleigh 2-5 Dover

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £17
Over 60’s – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – Free with an accompanying result.

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 (3pm unless stated).

ALDERSHOT TOWN V AFC FYLDE
BARROW V MACCLESFIELD TOWN
BOREHAM WOOD V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
FC HALIFAX TOWN V WOKING
GUISELEY V BROMLEY
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V GATESHEAD
SOLIHULL MOORS V SUTTON UNITED
TORQUAY UNITED V MAIDSTONE UNITED
TRANMERE ROVERS V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
EBBSFLEET UNITED V LEYTON ORIENT (5:30pm)

AWAY TRAVEL

There are coaches travelling to Leyton Orient (Saturday 18th November), Dagenham (Tuesday 21st November) and Bromley (Saturday 2nd December).

It’s not too late to book a seat and prices are per game:

Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £5

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

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

 

 

 

FOLKESTONE DERBY CUP TIE

CUP DATE SET

Our Kent Reliance Senior Cup Quarter-Final against Folkestone Invicta will be played at Crabble on November 14th at 7.45pm.

Dover, the defending champions after beating Welling United 2-0 in the final at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium last May, beat Sittingbourne on penalties in the previous round while Folkestone beat Hythe, also on penalties.

The club have reduced the admission price for the game down to £10 for adults, £5 for concessions while under-11s get in for free.

 

ORIENT TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets for our National League game at Leyton Orient on November 18th (3pm) are now on sale at the club office at Crabble.

Prices are as follows:

Adults £18

Concessions £16

Under-18 £5

Office hours are 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

You will also be able to buy tickets on Saturday November 11th, the day of the Eastleigh game, in the Centrespot between 12.30-1.30pm.

Please note that there is a charge for debit / credit card purchases, this is to cover the cost of providing the service.

VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION

Captain Mitch Brundle has his say following his first return to the International Stadium where it ended goalless between Gateshead and Dover.

WHITES IN HEED STALEMATE

GATESHEAD 0-0 DOVER

WHITES kept their place at the top of the league ladder after battling to a goalless draw in windy conditions at the International Stadium on Saturday.

Luke Hannant struck the bar once in each half for the hosts as Chris 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.

Jordan Burrows then volleyed over Scott Barrow’s cross from ten yards as the Tyne and Wear side continued to press.

Home keeper Dan Hanford blocked Ryan Bird’s stabbed effort at goal following a Mitch Pinnock knock-down and at the other end Paddy McLaughlin blasted Burrows’ lay-off narrowly wide from 20-yards.

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

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.

Hannant twice flashed balls across the box after the break, but out of reach of any of his teammates.

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

Burrow headed Barrow’s long throw straight at Walker and the same striker then blasted sub Richard Peniket’s knock-down wide.

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

Earlier, Kinnear made two changes to the side that beat Woking 3-1 on Tuesday night at Crabble.  Loui Fazakerley replaced the suspended Femi Ilesanmi and Nortei Nortey came in for Paul Lewis, who returned to Cambridge following his loan.

Dover now have an extended break in the league, with their next game against Eastleigh at Crabble on Saturday 11th November.

Gateshead: Hanford, Barrow, Kerr, Byrne(c), Burrow, Preston (Peniket 64), McLaughlin, O’Donnell, Maxwell, Hannant, Williams.

Subs not used: Montgomery, York, Johnson, Penn.

Dover: Walker, Passley, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Brundle(c), Pinnock, Fazakerley, Bird, Nortey, Alabi (Daniel 73).

Subs not used: Richards, Adebowale, Okosieme, Deen-Conteh.

Attendance:  816

Referee:  Peter Wright

PREVIEW: GATESHEAD V WHITES

Dover will be aiming to stay in top spot when they make the long journey north to Tyne and Wear on Saturday.

Chris Kinnear’s men, unbeaten in seven league matches, moved into first place on goal difference after beating Woking 3-1 at Crabble on Tuesday night.

And Mitch Brundle returns to the International Stadium for the first time since signing for Dover.  The midfielder made 34 appearances for Gateshead last season.

Ahtletic’s skipper will no doubt notice there has been a change in the host’s dugout since then.

The Heed appointed former Macclesfield assistant Steve Watson as their new manager earlier this month after previous boss Neil Aspin moved to League Two Port Vale.

And after three games on the road, it will be the former Newcastle star’s first match in charge at the International Stadium.

GATESHEAD’S RECENT FORM

LEYTON ORIENT 0-2 GATESHEAD

Jordan Burrows’ double handed Steve Watson his first win as boss of the Heed.

Luke Hannant’s cross was powered home by Burrows on nine minutes and home keeper Charlie Grainger saved Patrick McLaughlin’s volley as the visitors searched for a second.

Jordan Preston also went close, firing into the side-netting from JJ O’Donnell’s pass.

Orient’s David Mooney shot tamely at Dan Hanley, but the Burrows pounced on Mark Ellis’ short back-pass ten minutes from time to seal the win.

PREVIOUS MEETING

01/04/17: DOVER 2-0 GATESHEAD

Ricky Miller enhanced his reputation as the National League’s leading marksman after his double sunk play-off chasing rivals Gateshead at Crabble on Saturday.

The striker took his tally to 34 after a goal in each half, including a sublime free-kick, as Dover ended the Heed’s 10-game unbeaten run in front of crowd of 2,507 on the second Family Day of the season.

Visiting stopper James Montgomery comfortably dealt with a couple of probing crosses, including one from Moses Emmanuel which just failed to find an outstretched Ricky Modeste.

But there was nothing he could do to prevent Miller from opening the scoring with a stunning free-kick in the 33rd minute.

The striker was brought down by Hogan 25 yards out and he picked himself before unleashing an unstoppable curling effort into the top corner of Montgomery’s goal.

Another Miller free-kick brought a flying save out of Montgomery before the keeper raced off his line to clear from Modeste.

The pressure finally told in the 78th minute when Miller made it 2-0 after he cut inside and drilled a low shot past Montgomery at his near post to seal the win for Chris Kinnear’s men.

OTHER LEAGUE MEETINGS

18/10/16: Gateshead 4-2 Dover
13/02/16: Dover 4-0 Gateshead
03/10/15: Gateshead 2-3 Dover

DOVER COLOURS

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

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Family (Two adults & two under 16’s) – £25
Adults – £15
Concessions – £8
Aged 16-17 / Student – £5
Under 16’s – £3

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

BARROW V ALDERSHOT TOWN
BOREHAM WOOD V BROMLEY
MACCLESFIELD TOWN V EASTLEIGH
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
MAIDSTONE UNITED V CHESTER
SOLIHULL MOORS V AFC FYLDE
SUTTON UNITED V EBBSFLEET UNITED
TORQUAY UNITED V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
TRANMERE ROVERS V FC HALIFAX TOWN
WOKING V GUISELEY
WREXHAM V LEYTON ORIENT

AWAY TRAVEL

The supporters coach due to travel to Gateshead on Saturday 28th October has been cancelled due to low numbers.

But there are coaches travelling to Leyton Orient on Saturday 18th November and Dagenham on Tuesday 21st November and the prices are per game:

Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £5

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

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

WHITES SEE OFF CARDS TO GO TOP

DOVER 3-1 WOKING
(Bird 5, 21) (Ward 54)
(Parry 56)

WHITES soared back into top spot after beating promotion rivals Woking in an entertaining match at Crabble on Tuesday night.

Ryan Bird’s brace and a Manny Parry header two minutes after Joe Ward had reduced the deficit saw Chris Kinnear’s side move into first place on goal difference.

Anthony Limbrick’s men, looking to bounce back from defeat at Bromley three days earlier, fashioned the first chance with Josh Staunton heading Chez Isaac’s early corner narrowly wide.

Nathan Baxter was forced to tip over Mitch Brundle’s dipping volley, but there was nothing the visiting keeper could do about Bird’s fifth minute opener.

The striker pounced at the back post to slot in his eighth of the season after Mitch Pinnock’s corner eluded all the yellow shirts in the box.

Brundle then tried his luck again from range, but this time the skipper’s lob cleared the crossbar.

On the counter-attack, Inih Effiong outpaced Manny Parry on the wing, but could only blast wide and James Alabi headed over Josh Passley’s cross at the other end.

After tackling Nathan Ralph, Passley surged into the penalty area and passed to Bird, but the goalscorer miskicked when well-placed.

But the forward made no mistake with his next chance on 21 minutes.

Pinnock’s long throw was inadvertently flicked on by Joey Jones into the path of Bird, who fired in his ninth of the campaign to move joint top of the National league scoring chart.

Woking went close before the break, but Jamie Philpott headed Ralph’s cross wide and then fired at Walker with a low drive.

Dover’s stopper also held onto Regan Charles-Cook’s curling shot, but his best efforts were not enough to prevent the away team from pulling a goal back on 52 minutes.

The keeper superbly denied Joe Ward following a clever pass from Effiong, but the ball ricocheted off Femi Ilesanmi and back into the striker’s path to reduce the arrears.

Pinnock unleashed a 30-yard sizzler that flew past the upright and Jordan Wynter was relieved to see his interception bounce over the bar following a dangerous run and cross by Alabi.

But Whites restored their two-goal cushion on 54 minutes as Parry rose highest at the far post to head in Pinnock’s deep corner.

Paul Lewis almost grabbed the hosts fourth of the evening, but Baxter tipped away the midfielder’s inswinging shot.

Jamie Philpot fired wide under pressure from Passley and Isaac blazed over from distance as Whites extended their unbeaten run to seven league matches.

Earlier, Kinnear made one change to the team that started Saturday’s draw with Maidenhead as Giancarlo Gallifuoco replaced Loui Fazakerley, who started as substitute.

Dover travel next to Gateshead on Saturday 28th October. Kick off 3pm.

Dover: Walker, Passley, Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Brundle(c), Pinnock, Bird, Alabi (Daniel 59), Lewis.

Subs not used: Richards, Fazakerley, Nortey, Deen-Conteh.

Woking: Baxter, Young, Wynter, Staunton, Ralph, Jones(c) (Appau 70), Isaac, Philpot, Ward, Charles-Cook, Effiong.

Subs not used: Stojsavljevic, Saraiva, Banton, Mason.

Referee: Alan Bale