Category: First Team News

Carney taking England call-up in his stride

There was never any danger the thrill of an England call-up would go to teenage forward Noah Carney’s head.

The 17-year-old was taking the news all in his stride when he discovered he’d been named in the England U18 Schoolboys side on Monday evening.

Carney, who came off the bench for manager Andy Hessenthaler’s team in Saturday’s FA Trophy Third Round defeat against Bromley at Crabble, got the fantastic news after he had attended the third and final England trial in Birmingham on Sunday.

More than 240 players from throughout the country had started the trial process before the final 32 attended on Sunday.

Carney admitted his selection had come as a pleasant ‘surprise’.

The Academy starlet said: “To be honest, I didn’t think I had done enough in the final trial to get picked, so It was unbelievable when Mike (Academy manager Mike Sandmann) called me to tell me.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am feeling over the moon and I am really looking forward to wearing an England shirt sometime next year, but my focus is now on playing as much as I can for Dover Athletic and the Academy when I can.

“I’ve just got to keep working hard and take any opportunities that come my way to play for Dover.

“I really also want to thank my family, Mike (Sandmann), and the Gaffer (Andy Hessenthaler) for all the encouragement and support they’ve given me throughout this journey of mine  – it has been fantastic.”

While the modest Carney was not about to get carried away by his selection, Mike Sandmann said his young charge fully deserved everything he got.

He said: “All of us at the Dover Athletic Academy and The Abbey School are extremely proud of Noah. To get the opportunity to represent your country at any level is a truly fantastic achievement.

“I am so pleased for him that his hard work and determination to succeed is getting the recognition it deserves.

“His family I know will be extremely proud and they also deserve to enjoy this exciting news for the part they continue to play in Noah’s success.

“I know this experience will be invaluable for Noah’s development and we are all looking forward to seeing how his journey continues to develop.”

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Manager Andy Hessenthaler speaks to BBC Radio Kent‘s Matt Gerrard after the 1-0 FA Trophy Third Round defeat against Bromley at Crabble.

Khale Da Costa’s first-half own goal proved to be the difference as the Ravens booked their place in the next round.

 

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER VS BROMLEY

Our FA Trophy campaign starts with a Third Round tie against Bromley at Crabble this afternoon.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT US?

You can read Bromley’s preview of the game HERE

LAST MEETING 

This will be the second time this season that the two sides have played each other at Crabble.

An early goal from Corey Whitely was enough to secure the Ravens a 1-0 win in September.

TEAM NEWS

Maidstone United loanee Alfie Pavey is not eligible to play today.

Midfielder TJ Bramble (back) joins defenders Seth Twumasi (knee), Reda Johnson (thigh), Will Moses (ankle), Alex Green (ankle) and Travis Gregory on the injury list.

Watford loanee, goalkeeper Adam Parkes,  also misses out after picking a hip injury while training.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be bought at the turnstile only.

Both cash and card are accepted.

The prices are as follows:

Over 18’s – £10

11-17 years old – £5

Under 11’s – FREE

There is also NO extra charge to sit in the Family Stand or the main stand.

COVERAGE

If you are unable to make the game, which kicks-off at 3pm, 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.

 

YOUNG GUN READY TO FIRE

Teenager Noah Carney is loving every minute of being part of manager Andy Hessenthaler’s squad.

The 17-year-old Academy forward, who is in the squad for Saturday’s FA Trophy Third Round tie against Bromley at Crabble, admits he had no idea he’d be in and around the senior team this season.

He said: “Sometimes I pinch myself to make sure it’s not all a dream.

“It has happened all so very fast, but I am not complaining about it!

“Training and playing with the first team is really an unbelievable experience for someone as young as me – it’s an amazing feeling.

“It’s a huge step up in intensity both in training and games to what I am used to, but I am learning all the time.

“The senior players such as Willo (Ben Williamson) have been great in offering advice and I am taking it all on board.

“It is certainly making me a better player and I am grateful to the Gaffer for giving me this opportunity.”

Carney, who is in his second year at the Academy under the guidance of manager Mike Sandmann, signed his first professional contract with the club in August.

Since then, he’s come off the bench in the pre-season games against Watford and Tonbridge Angels.

He scored his first senior goal in our 4-0 win at Tonbridge.

Carney has also made substitute appearances in the National League against Eastleigh, Wealdstone, and at Yeovil.

But it seems it’s not only Andy Hessenthaler who has been impressed by Carney.

Carney, who supports Chelsea, has played his way into the third and final England U18 Schoolboys trial which takes place this Sunday.

More than 240 players started the trial process and it’s now down to the final 32.

Carney (pictured above in blue during England trial action) will head to Birmingham to hopefully continue his impressive form in the trials to date.

He said: “I’ve scored in both previous trials, so it would be good to do it again!

“Whatever happens, I hope my exploits at Dover, the Academy, and the England trials will inspire more youngsters like me to keep working hard because the opportunities will come.”

VIDEO: MATCH REACTION

Defender Harry Ransom gives a brutally honest interview after the 2-1 National League defeat at King’s Lynn Town.

Former Bristol Rovers midfielder Joshua Barrett gave the hosts the lead in the 20th minute before Alfie Pavey equalised 11 minutes later.

Barrett added a second with a long-range effort four minutes into the second half to keep Whites winless this season.

Ransom, on loan from Crawley Town, didn’t pull any punches with what he said.

 

 

TROPHY HOSPITALITY ON SALE

Tickets are now on sale for our VIP Platinum Suite for our FA Trophy Third Round tie against Bromley at Crabble on December 18th (3pm).

They will only be on sale until 5pm on Wednesday December 15th.

To see the match 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 the reduced price of £10 entry on the turnstile on the day.

The experience includes:

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

  • A three-course meal, served at your table

  • Reserved undercover premium padded seating

  • Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus 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.

MATCH PREVIEW: KING’S LYNN TOWN VS DOVER

Andy Hessenthaler’s squad travel to fellow National League strugglers King’s Lynn Town on Saturday in a must-win game for both sides at The Walks.

Whites continue to look for their first win of the season, while the hosts have lost their last eight league games, a run that cost manager Ian Culverhourse his job last month.

Tommy Widdrington was announced as the new manager today.

The Norfolk outfit has won twice in 17 games and currently sits second-bottom, seven points from safety.

LAST TIME OUT 

Dover fell just short of holding promotion-chasing Wrexham to a goalless draw last weekend when a Jordan Davies’ goal six minutes from time secured all three points for the Red Dragons.

Kings Lynn hasn’t played a game for two weeks, last playing on the 27th November in a 1-0 home defeat to Aldershot Town.

LAST MEETING

A goal in each half secured Kings Lynn a 2-0 win in the corresponding fixture in November 2020.

Rory McAuley headed his side ahead a minute before half-time before substitute Adam Marriott sealed the victory with a penalty four minutes from time.

TEAM NEWS

Defenders Seth Twumasi (knee), Reda Johnson (thigh), Will Moses (ankle), and Alex Green (ankle) will all miss the trip as will midfielder Travis Gregory.

Defender Danny Collinge is back in the squad after missing the Wrexham game through suspension while Crawley Town loanee Harry Ransom is also available again after missing last week’s game through illness.

DOVER COLOURS

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

COVERAGE

The game kicks off at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, BBC Radio Norfolk will be broadcasting live and the link is HERE

Unfortunately, due to a lack of staff, there will be no LiveText coverage on our Twitter account for this game.

TICKET INFORMATION 

Ticket information can be found below. To buy tickets click here for further details.

Away General Admission

Adults – £18

Concession – £16

16 and under – £5

Away Seating

Adults – £20

Concession – £18

16 and under – £5

SATURDAY’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES 

Altrincham vs Bromley

Eastleigh vs Aldershot Town

Grimsby Town vs Chesterfield

Maidenhead United vs Solihull Moors

Notts County vs Southend United

Torquay United vs Stockport County

Wealdstone vs FC Halifax Town

Woking vs Boreham Wood

Wrexham vs Weymouth

Yeovil Town vs Barnet

Reduced admission prices for FA Trophy opener

Dover Athletic are pleased to announce that our Buildbase FA Trophy Third Round tie against Bromley will feature reduced admission prices at Crabble.

With Christmas just around the corner, both clubs have agreed to reduce the price for the December 18th clash.

The prices are as follows:

Over 18’s – £10

11-17 years old – £5

Under 11’s – FREE

There is also NO extra charge to sit in the Family Stand or the main stand.

Winning clubs at this stage collect £4500 while the losing clubs collect £1250.

There are no replays at this stage, so if a match is drawn after 90 minutes, the winner shall be determined by a penalty shootout.

If a match is postponed, this must be rescheduled and played within the postponement window, on or before Thursday 23 December.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Manager Andy Hessenthaler speaks to BBC Radio Kent after the 1-0 National League defeat against Wrexham at Crabble.

MATCH REPORT: DOVER 0-1 WREXHAM

Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s patched-up side suffered late heartbreak after Jordan Davies’ goal six minutes from time secured all three points for the promotion-chasing Red Dragons at Crabble.

Hessenthaler was forced to play players out of position with on-loan Crawley Town defender Harry Ranson pulling out on the morning of the match due to illness.

Millwall loanee Junior Tiensia played at right-back rather than left with Danny Collinge suspended, while Seth Nana Twumasi, who only turned up to get treatment for his knee injury, found himself replacing Ranson, and doing it in a pair of borrowed boots too!

Twumasi hasn’t trained for three weeks either, but it didn’t show as he produced an outstanding performance at the back in substitute Noah Carney’s boots.

Despite the changes, Whites made the visitors work hard and it could have been such a different result with Hessentahler’s team seeing a penalty claim waved away after TJ Bramble was bundled over by visiting captain Luke Young four minutes before half-time.

Whites hit the woodwork three times in the second half before Wrexham won it at the death after Davies’ corner eluded everyone.

The win sees Wrexham move up to fourth while Whites remain winless and bottom.