Category: First Team News

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

VIP Platinum Suite tickets for our National League South game against Braintree Town at Crabble on Saturday are now on sale.

To watch all the action from the best seats in the house and to enjoy a very special experience costs £28 per person.

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

The experience includes:

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

  • A three-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 1pm and food will be served at 1.30pm.

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 passes please email [email protected] or call the office on 01304 822373

We very much look forward to welcoming you to the suite soon.

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | WELLING 1-1 DOVER

Andy Hessenthaler spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard after the National League South draw at Park View Road on Tuesday.

Former Dover defender Manny Parry put his side ahead with 13 minutes to go before substitute Chike Kandi equalised four minutes later.

Welling: Roberts, Howard (Papadopoulos 67), Ezennolim, Parry, Olomowewe (Aransibia 89), Azeez, Payne, Kassarate, Dunne, White, Maloney. Subs not used: Hyde, Francis, McKenzie.

Dover: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Krasniqi, Brundle, Higgs, Pavey, Wanadio, Martin, Sterling, Grant (Kandi 25). Subs not used: Moses, Carney, Baptiste, Byford.

Attendance: 720.

 

MATCH PREVIEW: WELLING UNITED V DOVER

Dover will go in search of their fourth National League South win of the season during back-to-back away trips as Andy Hessenthaler’s squad heads to Park View Road tonight (7.45pm).

Whites won 2-0 at Weymouth on Saturday before the quick turnaround sees them make the trip to another of their Kent rivals.

The Wings have started the season well and are currently fifth after winning three of their past four league games – they drew 2-2 at home against Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.

Welling’s squad will include some familiar faces to Dover fans.

The forward line includes Ade Azeez and Stefan Payne, while defender Manny Parry completes the former Whites in the line-up.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

You can read what Welling manager Warren Feeney had to say ahead of the game HERE

Welling preview HERE

LAST TIME WE MET IN A LEAGUE GAME  – MARCH 8th 2016

Dover closed in on the National League play-off places after a 2-1 win against the Wings at Crabble.

Michael Bakare took just 63 seconds to open the scoring for the visitors before Stefan Payne equalised midway through the first-half and Sean Raggett’s header completed the turnaround just after the break.

Dover: Walker, Magri, Raggett, Orlu, Modeste, Bellamy (Marsh 61′), Miller (Crawford 85′), Sterling (Kinnear Jr 18′), Deverdics, Parkinson, Payne. Subs not used: Diallo, Pinnock.

Welling: Rodak, Chesmain, Wanadio (Daniel 87′), Kashket (Kabba 68′), Nortey, Gayle, Lokko, Harris, Williams, Kargbo, Bakare (Adeloye 79′). Subs not used: Taylor, Vidal.

Attendance: 726

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Defender Jake Goodman will miss the trip through injury after being taken off in the opening half at Weymouth after receiving an elbow to his nose,

George Nikaj is still out on loan at Ashford United

DOVER COLOURS

For fans heading to the game wanting to wear the same shirts as the players, we will be wearing our all-blue kit.

COVERAGE 

We will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText

BBC Radio Kent will also be covering the game HERE

TICKET INFORMATION

Supporters can purchase their tickets in advance HERE

Tickets will also be available on the day.

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Braintree Town v St Albans City
Cheshunt v Dulwich Hamlet
Chippenham Town v Slough Town
Concord Rangers v Worthing
Dartford v Eastbourne Borough
Farnborough v Chelmsford City
Hemel Hempstead Town v Tonbridge Angels
Hungerford Town v Hampton & Richmond
Oxford City v Ebbsfleet United
Taunton Town v Bath City
Weymouth v Havant & Waterlooville

 

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | WEYMOUTH 0-2 DOVER

Second-half goals from Jordan Higgs and Luke Wanadio secured Dover a first away win of the National League South season at bottom side Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday.

The win also ended a run of four successive losses in all competitions and saw manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side move up to 16th ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Welling United.

A delighted Hessenthaler said: “I thought it was an excellent performance given the circumstances ahead of the game.

“Weymouth had a new manager in place and we knew that was always going to make it a lot harder for us – we were also coming into the game on the back of a mini-run of poor form.

“We needed to bounce back from our performances of late and we did.

“We were solid, we kept a clean sheet, and we got three points away from home – we can’t ask for any more from the players.

“Now we have to build on that performance and ensure we keep working hard together when we go to Welling.”

Finally, Hessenthaler praised the Dover faithful who had made the long trip to the Dorset coast to support his team.

“We owed them a performance and I’m glad that we gave them one.

“We really do appreciate the backing the fans give us at home and away and the commitment they make week in and week out to support us.”

Defender Jake Goodman is due to see a specialist on Monday after receiving an elbow to his nose late in the first half which led to him being substituted.

Weymouth: Sandford, Howe, Boutin (Kyprianou 72), Carlyle, Matsuzaka, McBurnie (Murray 46), Bearwish, Blair, O’Connell, Rose (Ofosu 46), Ash. Subs not used: Nippard, Gifford.

Dover: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Goodman (Krasniqi 45+2), Brundle, Higgs, Pavey, Wanadio (Baptiste 85), Martin, Sterling, Grant (Kandi 72). Subs not used: Wilkinson, Carney.

Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo

Attendance: 828

 

MATCH PREVIEW: WEYMOUTH V DOVER

Andy Hessenthaler’s squad will look to end a run of four successive defeats when they travel to the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday.

The trip to Dorset will see Whites take on a Weymouth team with a new manager, Bobby Wilkinson, in what will be his first home game in charge.

Wilkinson replaced David Oldfield last week and was in charge for the 3-1 FA Cup win at Winchester last Saturday.

Our opponents, who like us, were also relegated last season, are currently bottom of the league, five points worse off than Whites, and without a win in the league from their opening eight games.

Weymouth’s squad will include two familiar faces to Dover fans.

Millwall goalkeeper Ryan Sandford spent the opening month of this campaign on loan with us with Stuart Nelson sidelined through injury.

Forward Ahkeem Rose is in his second season with Weymouth after scoring two goals in 15 league appearances for Whites in the 20/21 season.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

You can read what Bobby Wilkinson had to say ahead of the game HERE

LAST TIME WE MET – MAY 15th 2022

Tom Blair netted a 95th minute winner as Weymouth ended their season with a 2-1 at Crabble in a clash between two sides already relegated from the National League.

Brandon Goodship put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute following a foul on Portsmouth loanee Haji Mnoga.

Academy forward Jack Nelson headed home his first senior goal to put Whites back on level terms with 15th minutes to go before Blair ensured the three points went back to Dorset deep into stoppage time.

Midfielder George Wilkinson was adjudged to have fouled Blair and was shown a second yellow.

Blair saw his spot-kick saved by Alexis Andre but tucked away the rebound to seal Weymouth’s first win in 15 matches, and first on their travels since October.

Dover: Andre Jr, Moses, Goodman, Ransom, Woods, Collinge, Byford (Nelson 64’), Wilkinson, Baptiste (Nikaj 86’), Krasniqi, Gyasi. Subs not used: Bexon, Wratten, Agbebi.

Weymouth: Scott, Greenwood, McBurnie, Goodship (Bearwish 83’), Mnoga, Robinson, Mampala (Blair 82’), Murray, Buse, Harfield, Carlyle. Subs not used: Mussa, Ash, Bruton.

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

We have no injury concerns and have a full-strength squad available for the trip.

Defender Alex Green is included in the matchday squad after recovering from an elbow injury.

George Nikaj is still out on loan at Ashford United

DOVER COLOURS

For fans heading to the game wanting to wear the same shirts as the players, we will be wearing our all-blue kit.

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, BBC Radio Kent will be providing updates HERE

TICKET INFORMATION

Please note that this game is segregated and Dover fans can buy their tickets online HERE 

You can also by cash or card on the day at the Weymouth ticket office at the ground

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Braintree Town v Slough Town
Cheshunt v Tonbridge Angels
Chippenham Town v Dulwich Hamlet
Concord Rangers v Eastbourne Borough
Dartford v Hampton & Richmond
Farnborough v St Albans City
Hemel Hempstead Town v Worthing
Hungerford Town v Ebbsfleet United
Oxford City v Bath City
Taunton Town v Chelmsford City
Welling United v Havant & Waterlooville

MATCH PREVIEW: EBBSFLEET UNITED V DOVER

Andy Hessenthaler’s squad heads back to the Kuflink Stadium for the second time this season when the sides meet in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup at 3pm.

The hosts have won all eight of their National League South games this season and are currently two points clear of second-place Havant & Waterlooville.

One of those victories included a 3-0 triumph against Whites in late August after a brace from former Dover frontman Dominic Poleon while Rakish Bingham got the other goal.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

Read what Fleet Manager Dennis Kutrieb had to say ahead of the tie HERE

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Once again, young defender Alex Green is the only player unavailable through injury for the game after he damaged ligaments in his elbow in training.

Green is on the road to recovery and started training again on Thursday.

George Nikaj is out on loan at Ashford United

DOVER COLOURS

For fans heading to the game wanting to wear the same shirts as the players, we will be wearing our all-blue kit.

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, BBC Radio Kent will be providing updates HERE

Please note that there will be NO live updates on Twitter @DAFCLiveText

TICKET INFORMATION

Please note that this game is segregated and Dover fans can buy their tickets HERE

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER V DARTFORD

After the weekend’s fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Dover return to action against Kent rivals Dartford at Crabble tonight.

We, like all other clubs in action today, will observe a one-minute silence before kick-off while management, staff, and players, will also be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.

The visitors’ squad will include a couple of familiar faces to Dover fans  – defenders Connor Essam and Tom Bonnor – both of who have captained Dover in the past.

As for Dover, winger Luke Wanadio will be playing against a club he had three spells with while Tyrone Sterling had a loan spell at Princes Park. Striker Alfie Pavey also played for the Darts and scored 22 league goals for them in the 2017/18 season.

LAST TIME WE MET IN A LEAGUE GAME – 17th JANUARY 2015

Tom Murphy (pictured) scored twice as Whites extended their unbeaten run to 12 Conference Premier games with a big win against Dartford at Crabble.

DAFC 6-1 DARTFORD

The win, Whites’ biggest of the season at that stage, was also their first league triumph against their Kent rivals since the 4-2 success in December 2008.

Nicky Deverdics headed Whites ahead in the fifth minute before former Dover forward Harry Crawford equalised.

Richard Orlu’s restored the lead in first-half stoppage time.

Murphy’s curling finish made it 3-1 before Liam Bellamy fired home a fourth, Barry Cogan’s penalty made it five before Murphy completed the scoring 10 minutes from time.

Dover: Rafferty, Essam, Raggett, Francis, Deverdics (Modeste 82′), Bellamy, Orlu, Cogan (Taiwo 77′), Sterling, Murphy, Payne (Reid 80′).
Subs not used: Wynter, Mekki

Attendance:1,042

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Jordan Higgs and Mitch Brundle are both back in the matchday squad after missing the game at Eastbourne through injury.

Alex Green (elbow) and Kieron Agbebi (hamstring) are both unavailable.

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 7.45pm but if you are unable to make it, BBC Radio Kent will be providing commentary HERE

We will also have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

PROGRAMME

You can download your COYW digital matchday magazine for the game HERE

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

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Bath City v Weymouth
Dulwich Hamlet v Hemel Hempstead Town
Eastbourne Borough v Welling United
Ebbsfleet United v Braintree Town
Hampton & Richmond v Chippenham Town
Slough Town v Taunton Town
Tonbridge Angels v Farnborough
Worthing v Cheshunt

FIXTURE UPDATE

The National League has today released the following statement, confirming our fixture against Dartford at Crabble on Tuesday will go ahead as scheduled.

“Further to the announcement that the funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held on Monday September 19, the League can confirm fixtures scheduled for week commencing Monday September 12 will go ahead as scheduled.

“Clubs are asked, for all fixtures up until the funeral, to observe a one-minute silence prior to the game and to wear black armbands as a mark of respect.”

It means we will return to National League South action on Tuesday, September 13, against Dartford at 7.45pm.

SLOUGH GAME POSTPONED

Our National League South game against Slough Town at Crabble tomorrow, like all other fixtures this weekend, has been postponed.

The National League and FA released the following statements:

“Firstly, the National League sends sincere condolences of all Member Clubs on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to His Majesty King Charles III and the further Royal Family.

“Further to this morning’s statement by Debbie Hewitt, chair of The Football Association, all National League System, FA Trophy, and grassroots fixtures scheduled for this weekend will not take place as a mark of respect. The Queen was the FA’s patron, and Prince William is its President.

“At this moment National League fixtures will go ahead as planned from Monday 12 September onwards although we understand no sporting event of any kind will be permitted on the day of The Queen’s funeral.

“The decision to postpone this weekend’s fixtures is taken in line with guidance from the FA in consultation with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The League fully supports this stance.”

The statement from the Football Association read: “Her Majesty the Queen was a long-standing Patron of The Football Association and has left a lasting and indelible legacy on our national game.

“As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures between 9-11 September. This follows Government guidance, which encourages sporting organisations to show respect in an appropriate way.

“The FA can confirm that all football fixtures across the Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, and the Isuzu FA Trophy, will be postponed this weekend. We can also confirm that all football fixtures across the National League System [NLS], Steps 1-6, including the Vanarama National Leagues, the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP], Tiers 3-7, and matches across grassroots football in England will be postponed.

“The Premier League and the EFL have all confirmed that their fixtures this weekend will be rescheduled for a later date.

“All flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will continue to fly at half-mast over the weekend.

“Our thoughts remain with our president, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, and the whole of the Royal Family during this time.”