Category: First Team News

PREVIEW: FC HALIFAX TOWN V WHITES

Dover will be aiming to build on Saturday’s home win over Wrexham as they make the five-hour trip to face FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night.

But the MBi Shay Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Athletic, with Chris Kinnear’s side losing on their last two visits to West Yorkshire.

Our hosts made an instant return to non-league’s top flight following their relegation from the National League last April.

The Shaymen needed extra time to beat Chorley 2-1 in the National League North play-off final after finishing the campaign 3rd in the ladder.

Manager Billy Heath has made five new signings in the summer, including goalkeeper Sam Johnson.

The stopper had been with Halifax on loan and has helped his side keep two clean sheets in three league matches so far this season.

HALIFAX’S RECENT FORM

Town came away from Chester’s Deva Stadium with a point after the match ended goalless.

Visiting striker Tom Denton saw a 36th minute header cleared off the line in the first half and sub Josh Macdonald crashed a header onto the bar after the break.

Chester’s James Akintunde was denied late on by a stunning save from Sam Johnson.

The draw leaves Town 19th in the table with two points.

PREVIOUS MEETING

03/04/16: DOVER 1-0 FC HALIFAX TOWN

Nicky Deverdics’ early strike moved Whites up to fourth in the table.

The midfielder cut inside from the left and drilled a shot past Sam Johnson in goal to put Athletic ahead in the eighth minute.

Sub Jordan Burrow hit the bar late on for Town, but Dover held on to keep their play-off bid on track.

OTHER MEETINGS

28/11/16: FC Halifax Town 4-2 Dover
14/02/15: FC Halifax Town 3-2 Dover
09/08/14: Dover 0-1 FC Halifax Town

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant Manager Jake Leberl confirmed on Sunday evening boss Chris Kinnear has a fully fit squad to select from.

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £18
Concessions (Over 65’s and students with ID’s) – £15
Under 16’s – £5
Under 7’s – £3

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

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

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 19th August.

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

Find out why defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco had a sleepless night prior to Whites 1-0 win over Wrexham at Crabble on Saturday afternoon.

VIDEO: FIRST TEAM COACH REACTION

Mark Newson shares his thoughts following Dover’s 1-0 win over Wrexham at Crabble on Saturday afternoon.

WHITES BEAT WREXHAM

Ryan Bird’s first goal of the season helped Whites bounce back from their Tuesday night loss with a 1-0 win on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Crabble.

The striker struck home Kane Richards’ unselfish lay-off on 19 minutes as Athletic made it seven games unbeaten, including four victories, against their Welsh counterparts.

Mitch Walker had to be at his best to stop the visitors going ahead early on. The Dover stopper bravely blocking Mark Carrington’s close range effort after Manny Parry’s attempted clearance landed in his path.

But Bird put the home side in front and the forward almost had a second via his head, but he directed Femi Ilesanmi’s cross over the bar.

Nortei Nortey almost stunned his former side with a 25-yard shot with Chris Dunn at full stretch to tip his effort away.

The travelling fans had to wait until the half-hour mark to see their side’s next goal attempt. Sam Wedgbury caught the Dover defence unawares and his thumping header from James Jennings’ cross flew the wrong side of the post.

Walker got down smartly to cling onto Jack Mackreth’s low effort after the break and at the other end Jamie Allen was denied by Wedgbury’s goalline clearance.

Athletic’s keeper also had to be alert to grab onto Sub Ntumba Massanka’s low cross.

Ilesanmi could not match his driving run with a finish as he drove an effort narrowly off-target.

Substitute Kadell Daniel almost sealed the win late on, but his glorious curling strike fizzed just wide of the far post.

The away side almost stole an unlikely point at the death, but Shaun Pearson could only direct his header wide with the goal gaping.

The win sees Dover move up the table four places to sixth.

Earlier, manager Chris Kinnear named an unchanged line-up to the team that started on Tuesday night. George Essuman replaced Chris Barnard on the bench.

Whites next face a trip to FC Halifax Town on Tuesday 15th August. Kick off 7:45pm.

Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Passley, Brundle(c), Nortey, Ilesanmi, Allen, Bird (Sho-Silva 89), Richards (Daniel 90).

Subs not used: Pinnock, Essuman, Adebowale.

Wrexham: Dunn, Roberts, Pearson(c), Smith, Jennings, Carrington(Rutherford 59), Wedgbury, Wright, Kelly (Hurst 79), Mackreth, Boden (Massanka 66).

Yellows: Ilesanmi, Richards (Dover). Wedgbury, Pearson (Wrexham).

Subs not used: Dibble, Marx

Referee: Carl Brook

TRAINING GROUND CHAT

Nortei Nortey has a chat after training on Thursday night ahead of the game against former club Wrexham on Saturday.

PREVIEW: WHITES V WREXHAM

Boss Chris Kinnear will be hoping his team can bounce back from their 2-1 home loss to Bromley on Tuesday and keep an impressive statistic intact when Wrexham come calling at Crabble on Saturday.

Whites are unbeaten in six games against the Dragons since winning promotion to non-league’s top-flight, but the Reds boss Dean Keates has been busy transforming his squad in the close season, signing 12 new players.

One of those is James Hurst, who needs no introduction to the home fans.

The midfielder made 10 appearances for Dover last season before joining Wrexham in the summer.

WREXHAM’S RECENT FORM

The Reds registered their first win of the campaign on Tuesday night, winning 2-1 at Maidenhead. Defender Manny Smith scored a header in each half to cancel out Dave Tarpey’s leveller before the break.

Wrexham lost their previous match to Macclesfield 1-0 at the Racecourse Ground last weekend.

PREVIOUS MEETING

11/02/17: DOVER 1-1 WREXHAM

Whites impressive unbeaten record against Wrexham continued but in frustrating fashion at a bitterly cold Crabble.

Dover created plenty of chances but failed to capitalise on them as the Dragons salvaged a point with a late equaliser.

Midfielder Joe Healy scored for the second consecutive home National League game to put Whites ahead 20 minutes into the second half before substitute Jordan White equalised 10 minutes from the end.

OTHER MEETINGS

06/08/16: Wrexham 0-0 Dover Athletic

09/04/16: Wrexham 0-1 Dover Athletic

10/10/15: Dover Athletic 2-1 Wrexham

31/03/15: Wrexham 1-1 Dover Athletic

20/01/15: Dover Athletic 2-0 Wrexham

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant Manager Jake Leberl confirmed on Thursday morning captain Mitch Brundle (back) is a doubt after coming off in Tuesday night’s match.

TICKET NEWS

Tickets can still be purchased on the day but supporters should note that this match IS segregated.

Prices are as follows:

Adults (19+) – £17
Seniors (60+) – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’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 (Kick off 3pm unless stated)

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

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Halifax on Tuesday 15th August and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 12:30pm 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 after in the Centre Spot after the games 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: MANAGER REACTION

Boss Chris Kinnear talks to the camera following Dover’s 2-1 home loss to Bromley on Tuesday evening.

WHITES SUFFER HOME LOSS

Dover were unable to extend the winning start to their National League campaign after losing 2-1 to Bromley at Crabble on Tuesday evening.

Joshua Rees slotted Bromley in front midway through the first half and a quick breakaway strike from Louis Dennis extended the visitor’s lead after the break.

An own goal from David Gregory gave Whites hope after substitute Kadell Daniel’s (Pictured) free-kick struck the underside of the bar and went in off the keeper, but Athletic were unable to find an equaliser.

Both teams fired early warning efforts at goal, but neither Dennis or Jamie Allen were able to trouble their opposition keepers.

Ryan Bird then went close for the home side, heading agonisingly wide from Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s cross-cum-shot.

The big striker then turned provider for Allen to try again from outside the box, but the striker blazed over.

A driving run and pass from Brett Williams sent Rees clear, but he fired his effort wide for the away side when well placed.

But the midfielder did hit the target on 34 minutes to give Bromley the lead.

Dennis outpaced Gallifuoco out wide and cut back for the onrushing Rees to slot past Mitch Walker.

Dover’s stopper did prevent the away side from doubling their lead prior to the break, blocking William’s drive after neat interplay had left the forward one-on-one.

At the other end, Kane Richards’ opted to head Allen’s cross back across goal instead of at an open target and Gregory pushed Brundle’s thirty-yard free kick into Manny Parry’s path minutes later, but the visiting goalie was up quickly to deny the centre back.

The Raven’s keeper then had to be at his agile best to deny Allen’s drive and Richards’ point blank shot as Whites applied the pressure.

But the game was decided by two moments on 71 minutes.

Connor Essam’s header was cleared off the line and a lighting counter attack up the other end saw Dennis slip the ball past Walker following good work from substitute Iffy Allen.

Dover cut the lead in half four minutes later after Daniel’s free kick bounced down off the bar and in off the unfortunate Gregory.

And Daniel, introduced to the action for the final 20 minutes, forced the visiting stopper into a flying save from a tight angle.

With time running out, Bird volleyed sub Mitch Pinnock’s cross past the top corner and Jamie Allen went for glory with seconds to spare, but fired wide leaving Bromley to take maximum points.

Earlier, manager Chris Kinnear named the same team that started at Hartlepool. Chris Barnard replaced George Essuman on the bench.

The result sees Whites drop five places to tenth, three points behind leaders Aldershot.

Next up for Whites is a home match against Wrexham on Saturday at 3pm.

Dover: Walker, Passley, Essam, Parry(Sho-Silva 77), Gallifuoco, Ilesamni, Richards (Daniel 73), Brundle(c)(Pinnock 82), Allen, Bird, Nortey.

Subs not used: Adebowale, Barnard.

Bromley: Gregory, Rees, Sutherland, Chorley, Holland(c), Williams, Dennis (Dunne 85), Mekki (Porter 65), Sterling, Wanadio (Allen 62), Wynter.

Subs not used: Johnson, Higgs.

Booked: Essam, Bird, Pinnock (Dover) Chorley, Williams (Bromley)

Attendance: 1145

Officials:

Referee: Christopher O’Donnell
Assistants: Mike Desborough, Gareth Viccars.
Fourth official: Isaac Searle.

PREVIEW: WHITES V BROMLEY

Dover go into Tuesday night’s Kent derby at Crabble with maximum points following their 1-0 win at Hartlepool United on Saturday.

Jamie Allen’s first half strike saw Athletic win their opening National League fixture for the first time in four attempts.

Whites Tobi Sho-Silva(Pictured) came close to scoring late on at Victoria Park and the striker will be aiming to open his league account against his old side after signing from our north Kent rivals in the summer.

Bromley boss Neil Smith has signed eight players during the close season, including former Dover players Tyrone Sterling and Adam Mekki.

Brett Williams has also moved to Hayes Lane.

The forward has scored four goals on his last three visits to Crabble, including a brace in Dover’s 2-1 loss to Torquay back in April.

BROMLEY’S RECENT FORM

The Ravens started their league campaign with a goalless home draw with Eastleigh on Saturday.

Reda Johnson headed against the bar in the first half for the away side while Brett Williams had a close range effort blocked at the other end after the break.

Chris Zebroski went close at the end for the Hampshire side, but nodded wide when well placed.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant Manager Jake Leberl confirmed boss Chris Kinnear has a fully fit squad to select from on Tuesday.

ADMISSION PRICES

Prices are as follows:

Adults (19+) – £17
Seniors (60+) – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – Free (With an accompanying adult)

COVERAGE

The game starts at 7:45pm but if you are unable to make the trip to Crabble, 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 TORQUAY UNITED
BARROW V FC HALIFAX TOWN
BOREHAM WOOD V DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE
CHESTER V AFC FYLDE
EASTLEIGH V SUTTON UNITED
EBBSFLEET UNITED V MAIDSTONE UNITED
GATESHEAD V GUISELEY
LEYTON ORIENT V SOLIHULL MOORS
MACCLESFIELD TOWN V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V WREXHAM
TRANMERE ROVERS V WOKING

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Halifax on Tuesday 15th August and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 12.30pm 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 after in the Centre Spot after the games on Tuesday or 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.