Category: First Team News

PREVIEW: MACCLESFIELD TOWN V WHITES

Dover will aim to keep their 100% record on the road this season intact with a win at The Moss Rose on Friday evening.

With the rest of the division’s fixtures scheduled for Saturday afternoon, three points for Athletic will see them move into top spot.

But Chris Kinnear’s men are yet to beat the Silkmen in Cheshire since promotion back to the National League, losing twice and drawing once.

Like Whites, It’s been a summer of change for John Askey’s Macclesfield, with 15 new players signed.

One of those arrivals, Tyrone Marsh, will be familiar to travelling fans.

The striker made 16 appearances for Dover during the last two seasons.

MACCLESFIELD’S RECENT FORM

The Silkmen lost 3-0 at Gateshead on Saturday, their second consecutive league defeat and fourth match without a win.

The Heed led after just five minutes when Fraser Kerr netted at the far post, in spite of the linesman initially flagging for offside.

Jordan Burrow doubled the lead prior to the break, heading in Kerr’s corner.

Jordan Preston made the game safe on 72 minutes, calmly slotting past Billy O’Brien in the Macclesfield goal after being sent clear by Richard Peniket.

The defeat leaves Town 18th in the table with five points.

PREVIOUS MEETING

25/04/17: DOVER 2-2 MACCLESFIELD

Dover’s hopes of reaching the National League play-offs were all but over following their draw with the Silkmen at Crabble.

Olly Norburn stunned the home crowd on 32 minutes, tucking home Andy Hall’s cross to give the visitors the lead.

Ricky Miller levelled before the break, converting from the spot following Danny Whitaker’s handball in the area.

Anthony Dudley restored the away side’s lead, racing clear on 70 minutes and slotting through Mitch Walker’s legs.

Ross Lafayette handed Athletic a lifeline with three minutes to go, firing home Moses Emmanuel’s pass.

Whites almost won the match at the death, but Joe Healy glanced his header wide.

OTHER MEETINGS

10/01/17: Macclesfield 2-1 Dover
12/04/16: Macclesfield 0-0 Dover
17/10/15: Dover 2-1 Macclesfield

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant manager Jake Leberl confirmed on Wednesday boss Chris Kinnear should have a full squad to select from. Josh Passley is fit again after missing the last game through illness and Giancarlo Gallifuoco is a slight doubt after coming off early in the same match.

DOVER COLOURS

For fans wanting to show their colours at the game by wearing the matching tops as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing yellow shirts.

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £19 (Seating), £15 (Terrace)
Over 65’s – £15 (Seating), £10 (Terrace)
Under 25 – £5 (Seating or Terrace)
Under 12 – £3 (Seating or Terrace)

All away ticket collections and away match day tickets can be purchased from the away ticket office, which is located on the corner of the London Road stand. It is advised that fans should buy tickets as soon as they arrive at the ground to avoid queuing nearer kick off.

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.

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

FC HALIFAX TOWN V GUISELEY (12:30pm)
ALDERSHOT TOWN V CHESTER
BARROW V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V BROMLEY
EBBSFLEET UNITED V GATESHEAD
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V AFC FYLDE
LEYTON ORIENT V EASTLEIGH
SUTTON UNITED V MAIDSTONE UNITED
TORQUAY UNITED V SOLIHULL MOORS
TRANMERE ROVERS V BOREHAM WOOD
WREXHAM V WOKING

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Tranmere on Saturday 2nd September and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 9:15am and the cost is as follows:

Adults 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 game against Ebbsfleet on Bank Holiday Monday.

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

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

LEWINGTON SIGNS ON AT CRABBLE

Boss Chris Kinnear has added a second goalkeeper to his squad with the signing of Chris Lewington.

The 28-year-old was voted Welling United’s Player of the Season in 2016-17 before leaving the Park View Road club earlier this month.

Prior to joining the Wings, Lewington, who will compete with Mitch Walker for the No.1 shirt, had a brief spell playing for Margate in Vanarama National League South in 2016 after having his contract terminated by mutual consent at League One side Colchester United in the summer of 2015.

He had signed for Colchester, where he made two appearances, after making 143 appearances for then League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge.

Lewington started his career in the youth ranks at Charlton and also had stints with Dulwich Hamlet, Fisher Athletic, Sittingbourne and Leatherhead.

He will wear the number 24 shirt for Dover.

Welcome to Crabble Chris !!

 

VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION

See Captain Mitch Brundle’s reaction following Dover’s 1-1 draw with Barrow on Saturday afternoon at Crabble.

BIRD EARNS POINT FOR DOVER

Ryan Bird rescued a point for Whites as they drew 1-1 with Barrow at Crabble on Saturday.

The big striker headed home his second home goal in as many games to level the scores on 72 minutes after Jordan White had nodded the Cumbrian side ahead 20 minutes earlier.

Dover skipper Mitch Brundle fired in the first shot on target of the game, but his free-kick went straight at visiting keeper Stuart Moore.

Barrow also had some chances early on as Harry Panayiotou dragged an effort wide when well placed and Dave Nieskens volleyed an attempt from the edge of the box out for a throw in.

Femi Ilesanmi’s ball into the penalty area narrowly evaded the onrushing Bird and Panayiotou’s cross at the other end appeared to strike the bar.

Home defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco was taken off with an ankle injury on the half hour mark, with George Essuman, making his first competitive appearance for Dover, his replacement.

Panayiotou could only stab Dan Jones’ lob into the box straight at Mitch Walker from yards out as the away side grew into the match.

Thierry Audel almost opened the scoring before the break in stunning fashion.  The Frenchman slalomed through the Athletic defence having picked the ball up on the halfway line, but was unable to beat Walker at his near post.

Ilesanmi positioned himself to shoot from Jamie Allen’s lofted ball into the box five minutes after the restart, but the Nigerian’s miscontrol saw the ball to roll out for a goal kick.

A minute later the away side took the lead as White powered in Jones’ accurate left wing cross.

It was almost an instant reply with Bird poised to fire home Ilesanmi’s assist.  But the striker was denied by Moussa Diarra’s last-ditch challenge.

However, Dover’s striker was not to be kept out for long.

Bird flicked home substitute Kadell Daniel’s cross to level matters with 20 minutes to go.

But it was Barrow who could have won the match late on.  Sub Sam Cockerline opted to shoot at Walker instead of passing across the box to an awaiting Alex-Ray Harvey.

And Bedsente Gomis ballooned an injury time effort over the bar after Cockerline found the midfielder in space with only Dover’s stopper to beat.

The draw sees Whites drop two places to fifth in the table, two points behind leaders Sutton United.

Earlier, boss Chris Kinnear made one change to the side that started Tuesday night’s 2-1 win at FC Halifax Town.  Loui Fazakerley replaced the ill Josh Passley.

Next up for Dover is a trip to Macclesfield Town on Friday 25th August.  Kick off 7:45 pm.

Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco (Essuman 29), Essam, Parry, Fazakerley, Brundle(c), Nortey, Ilesanmi, Richards (Sho-Silva 62), Bird, Allen (Daniel 62).

Subs not used: Pinnock, Adebowale.

Attendance:  927

Referee:  Neil Hair

PREVIEW: WHITES V BARROW

Dover could end the weekend top of the table with a home victory against Barrow on Saturday afternoon at Crabble.

Chris Kinnear’s men recorded back-to-back victories over Wrexham and FC Halifax Town over the last week to move up to third in the ladder, level on points with second-placed Sutton and one point behind Aldershot in top spot.

Athletic have a good record in previous home matches against the Bluebirds, winning their last two matches 3-1.

Barrow boss Paul Cox lost two of his squad to Football League clubs over the summer, including star striker Richie Bennett to Carlisle.

But he has signed five new players in the close season, including Bedsente Gomis from Sutton and Jordan White from Wrexham.

The Cumbrians currently sit 13th in the table on five points, having won one, drawn two and lost one in their opening four matches.

BARROW’S RECENT FORM

Ten man Bluebirds salvaged a point with an injury time equaliser at Solihull Moors in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

The visitors raced into a two goal lead through strikes from Dave Nieskens and Dan Jones.

Barrow had Jimmy Dunne sent off in the second half as Moors turned the match around with three goals after the break.

Joel Kettle headed in to reduce the deficit and Dapo Afolayan levelled nine minutes later. Darren Carter looked to have won the match with 17 minutes to play, but Harry Panayiotou’s injury time penalty saw both sides take a point apiece from the match.

PREVIOUS MEETING

29/04/17: BARROW 2-3 DOVER

Ricky Miller signed off his Whites career in style with his fifth treble of the season.

Jordan Williams opened the scoring for the hosts, picking the ball up on the halfway line and weaving through the Athletic defence before firing home on 20 minutes.

Miller’s stunning volley levelled the match two minutes later and the National League’s top scorer converted from the spot to put Dover ahead.

Moussa Diarra equalised with 23 minutes remaining, but Miller made it 40 goals for the season, taking advantage of a defensive error to score with the last kick of the match.

OTHER MEETINGS

20/08/16: Dover 3-1 Barrow
21/11/15: Dover 3-1 Barrow
08/08/15: Barrow 2-1 Dover

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant Manager Jake Leberl confirmed on Thursday morning Kadell Daniel is a slight doubt, otherwise boss Chris Kinnear has a fully fit squad to select from.

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £17
Seniors (Over 60’s) – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – free (With an accompanying adult)

Please note the match will be segregated.

COYW MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Captain Mitch Brundle is the cover star for Saturday’s programme while the feature interview is with Femi Ilesanmi.

You will also be able to read the thoughts of boss Chris Kinnear and catch up with Lee Hook’s humorous take on the trip to Halifax in his regular column.

All this and much more for just £2.50.

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

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Macclesfield on Friday 25th August and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 11am and the cost is as follows:

Adults 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 game against Barrow on Saturday.

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

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION

Watch what striker Tobi Sho-Silva had to say after his last minute winner helped Dover secure a 2-1 victory at FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night.

WHITES BEAT SHAYMEN IN LAST MINUTE

Tobi Sho-Silva’s last-gasp winner saw Dover win 2-1 at FC Halifax Town and maintain their 100% winning record on the road this season.

The forward pounced on Connor Essam’s header into the area following substitute Mitch Pinnock’s deep corner as Dover won at the MBi Shay Stadium for the first time in three attempts.

It looked like the match would end in a draw after Tom Denton netted in the 90th minute to cancel out Mitch Brundle’s header four minutes earlier, but Sho-Silva struck his first league goal of the campaign to take all three points back to Kent.

Whites were almost ahead early on.  Defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco flashed a volley just wide from Brundle’s low corner.

Home keeper Sam Johnson seemed to be caught cold by Femi Ilesanmi’s cross two minutes later, but the ball narrowly missed the target.

The home side’s first effort came courtesy of Matty Kosylo.  The midfielder collected Cliff Moyo’s pass and fired a sighter narrowly over.

The Shaymen went even closer at the midway point of the first half.  Josh Wilde’s dangerous cross was met by Denton, but Manny Parry was able to track back and nod the lanky striker’s looping header off the line.

The best chance of the half fell for Athletic.  Brundle’s free kick was cleared to Nortei Nortey, who delivered a clever through ball to Jamie Allen in space, but the forward could not force the ball past Johnson from an angle.

Allen was also unable to flick Femi Ilesanmi’s drive goalwards following Ryan Bird’s lay-off as both sides went into the break without scoring.

Sam Johnson was called into action shortly after the restart, finger-tipping Allen’s curling effort from outside the area onto the bar.

The pacy striker was in the thick of things again minutes later, hitting the stanction with a 25-yard strike.

Kosylo collected Sub Josh MacDonald’s low cross and fired goalwards, but Brundle was back in time to stop the ball on the goal line and clear the danger.

Allen struck the woodwork a second time with twenty minutes left on the clock.  Brundle’s corner caused mayhem in the box and the attacker fired against the woodwork from six yards.

Home dangerman Kosylo continued to cause problems for the home defence, evading the attentions of Josh Passley and firing just wide. The same player then volleyed Connor Oliver’s corner the same side of the left-hand post moments later.

Midfielder Brundle appeared to win the game in the 86th minute.  A lightning counter attack ended with Dover’s skipper heading in Allen’s pinpoint cross in spite of Johnson’s best efforts to claw the ball away.  Oliver’s cross had missed every player in a blue shirt at the other end of the pitch seconds earlier.

But Halifax levelled one minute into injury time as Denton powered home Wilde’s lofted ball into the box.

However it was Dover and Sho-Silva who had the final say with the last kick of the game to send the 32 travelling fans who made the trip to West Yorkshire wild.

Earlier, manager Chris Kinnear named an unchanged side for the fourth match running, with no changes on the bench either.

The win sees Dover move up one place in the ladder to third and they face Barrow at Crabble this coming Saturday. Kick off 3pm.

Halifax: Johnson, Moyo, Wilde, Brown (c), Garner, Kosylo, Denton, Oliver, Lynch, Dixon (Morgan 59), Charles (MacDonald 45).

Subs not used: McManus, Nicholson, Tomlinson.

Dover: Walker, Passley, Parry, Essam, Gallifuoco, Ilesanmi, Brundle, Nortey (Pinnock 77), Richards (Daniel 75), Allen, Bird (Sho-Silva 66).

Subs not used: Essuman, Adebowale.

Referee: Marc Edwards

Yellow cards: Kosylo, Brown (Halifax) Allen (Dover)

Attendance: 1486 (32 Dover fans)