Category: First Team News

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER VS WEALDSTONE

Dover Athletic welcome Wealdstone to Crabble this evening in the Vanarama National League – 7:45pm kick off.

Whites continue to look for their first win of the season and hope to do that against Stuart Maynard’s men.

LAST TIME OUT 

While we lost 3-1 at home to FC Halifax Town, Wealdstone drew 0-0 at Wrexham.

You can read the BBC report from that game HERE

WEALDSTONE’S PREVIEW

You can read Wealdstone’s preview of the game HERE

You can also see what their manager had to say ahead of the trip to Crabble HERE

TEAM NEWS

Andy Hessenthaler still has injury concerns over midfielder Koby Arthur (calf), striker Ricky Miller (calf) and defender Seth Twumasi (knee).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets for this game must be bought at the turnstile only. Both cash and card are accepted.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £18

Over 60 – £15

Under 18 – £9

Under 11s free with paying adult

PROGRAMME

You can buy your digital matchday magazine HERE

COVERAGE

If you are unable to make the game, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

TUESDAY’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES 

Aldershot Town vs Torquay United

Boreham Wood vs Notts County

Bromley vs Yeovil Town

Chesterfield vs Altrincham

Dagenham & Redbridge vs Eastleigh

FC Halifax Town vs Wrexham

Solihull Moors vs Grimsby Town

Southend United vs Maidenhead United

Stockport County vs King’s Lynn Town

Weymouth vs Woking

VIDEO: MATCH REACTION

High-flying FC Halifax Town secured the points at Crabble thanks to Billy Waters’ double and a goal from Kieran Green.

Captain Ben Williamson replied for Andy Hessenthaler’s side.

After the game, defender Danny Collinge, whose long throw led to Williamson equalising, spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard.

 

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER VS FC HALIFAX TOWN

Whites welcome playoff contenders FC Halifax Town to Crabble on Saturday afternoon as they look to get their first win of the season.

This will be the Shaymen’s first league fixture since the end of October due to FA Cup commitments.

FC HALIFAX TOWN’S RECENT LEAGUE FORM

Pete Wild’s side has picked up four points from their last two league fixtures, having beaten Dagenham and Redbridge by a single goal before travelling to Kent to face Bromley in what would end in a goalless draw.

Last time out, they came out on top in an 11 goal thriller in the First Round of the FA Cup against fellow National League side Maidenhead United.

LAST MEETING 

Due to COVID and financial reasons at the club, these sides haven’t played each other since the 2019-2020 season. It was Saturday’s visitors who came out on top the last time we played, with on-loan Salford forward  Devante Rodney scoring a brace as Whites were beaten 4-2 at The Shay.

TEAM NEWS

Striker Ricky Miller (calf) and defender Seth Twumasi (knee) are both still missing through injury.

Winger James Caton and defender Alex Green are now fit again after injury and join young forward Noah Carney in the matchday squad.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets for this game must be bought at the turnstile only. Both cash and card are accepted.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £18

Over 60 – £15

Under 18 – £9

Under 11s free with paying adult

PROGRAMME

You can buy your digital matchday magazine HERE

COVERAGE

If you are unable to make the game, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

SATURDAY’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Barnet vs Torquay United

Boreham Wood vs Maidenhead United

Bromley vs King’s Lynn Town

Dagenham & Redbridge vs Yeovil Town

Eastleigh vs Notts County

Solihull Moors vs Chesterfield

Weymouth vs Altrincham

Woking vs Stockport County

Wrexham vs Wealdstone

VIDEO: MATCH REACTION

Torquay United came from behind to win all three points in stoppage time at Plainmoor on Saturday after Travis Gregory opened the scoring early in the first half with his first goal of the season.

After the game, we spoke with coach Nicky Southall to get his reaction.

PREVIEW: TORQUAY UNITED VS WHITES

Whites make the 520-mile round trip to Devon to take on the 16th placed Gulls at Plainmoor on Saturday.

Both teams have had a fortnight without a competitive fixture after their early FA Cup exits.

TORQUAY’S RECENT LEAGUE FORM

Saturday’s hosts have picked up four points out of their past two National League games following a 1-1 draw at Wrexham last time out.

They beat the visiting Kings Lynn Town 2-0 at Plainmoor on October 23 after suffering defeat by the same margin at Bromley in their previous league outing.

LAST MEETING

We lost 2-0 at Plainmoor last October after defender Kyle Cameron scored twice in the behind closed doors fixture.

Our last victory at Torquay was on October 7th, 2017 when goals from Cambridge United loanee Paul Lewis and Ryan Bird secured a 2-0 win.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT DOVER

Manager Gary Johnson and defender Dean Moxey both spoke to TUFC TV ahead of our visit.

You can watch what Gary Johnson had to say HERE

You can watch what Dean Moxey had to say HERE

TEAM NEWS

Striker Ricky Miller (calf) and defender Seth Twumasi (knee) will both miss the trip through injury.

Defender Jake Goodman is available again after missing the trip to Southend United with an ankle injury and he comes into the matchday squad along with young forward Noah Carney.

Meanwhile, we can also confirm that midfielder Yannis Drais, who arrived on a non-contract basis last month, has now left the club.

DOVER COLOURS

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

TICKET NEWS

You can book your tickets online HERE

COVERAGE

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

You can also listen to TUFC Radio coverage of the game 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.

SATURDAY’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Aldershot Town vs Grimsby Town

Altrincham vs Boreham Wood

Chesterfield vs Weymouth

King’s Lynn Town vs Wrexham

Maidenhead United vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Notts County vs Solihull Moors

Southend United vs Woking

Stockport County vs Bromley

Torquay United vs Dover Athletic

Wealdstone vs Barnet

Yeovil Town vs Eastleigh

 

 

WINGER GOES OUT ON LOAN

Khale Da Costa has joined National League South club Braintree Town on loan for a month.

The 27-year-old winger arrived at Crabble in June after leaving Tonbridge Angels.

He started his first National League game of the season for us in the defeat at Grimsby Town last month.

Da Costa is in line to make his debut for The Iron against visiting Tonbridge Angels at The Dunmow Group Stadium on Saturday.

We wish Khale and Braintree all the very best.

MATCH REPORT: SOUTHEND 4 – 1 DOVER

Dover’s winless run continued as they were defeated by Southend United at Roots Hall.

Rhys Murphy – a prolific goalscorer in the National League – scored twice in the first half to put his side into a controlling lead.

Dover made changes at half time and did look brighter, however went three down on the hour mark through Sam Dalby.

With 20 minutes to go, Ryan Hanson got his first goal for his hometown club as Whites looked go get back into the game, however moments later Southend’s regained their three goal lead through Jack Bridge.

Adam Parkes was forced into to good save early on after a cross into the box found Murphy, but the Watford loanee did well to deny the striker.

Murphy looked dangerous and went close for a second time in the first 20 minutes when a counter attack from the home side found its way to the ex-Republic of Ireland U21 international but his shot was just wide of the far post.

It would be third time lucky for the striker who gave the home side the lead on the half hour mark as the striker was in the right place at the right time to poke home from close range from a Zak Brunt corner.

The former Gillingham man doubled his tally and his teams lead five minutes later after sending Parkes the wrong way from the penalty spot after Travis Gregory took down Jack Bridge in the box.

Dalby added a third and put the game to bed on the hour mark after the attacker’s curling effort beat Parkes in Whites’ net.

Dover were still getting chances and almost got one back through Ben Williamson who’s shot deflected off the crossbar and over.

From the resulting corner, thoughts of a comeback was on as Whites got one back through Hanson, who was able to stick a foot out to poke the ball home.

However, the thoughts of a comeback was short-lived as moments later Southend got a fourth through Bridge when the ex-Bromley midfielder picked the ball up on the left hand side from a nice through ball and fired it into the far corner.

MATCH PREVIEW: SOUTHEND VS DOVER

Dover continue to search for their first win of the season as they travel to Southend this evening.

Despite coming from behind twice, three goals in the last 25 minutes against Stockport on Saturday sealed another defeat in what has been a disappointing season for Andy Hessenthaler’s men.

Likewise, this evening’s hosts are also struggling to get wins on the board this season, having picked up two in their first 12 games. This form led to the sacking of manager Phil Brown at the beginning of October, with Kevin Maher coming into replace him and ex-Barnet manager Darren Currie coming in as his number two.

Last time out, the National League newcomers suffered their 8th defeat of the season as a late Tyrone Marsh goal meant they were defeated away from home by Boreham Wood.

SOUTHEND’S PLAYER TO WATCH

Rhys Murphy knows how to score in this division, having done it consistently for Yeovil Town over the last few years. He is also top scorer for The Shrimpers with three goals this campaign.

LAST TIME WE MET 

The last time we played this evening’s host was in the FA Cup in 2019.

On that day Hessenthaler’s men came out on top against a side who were struggling in League One at the time.

With seven minutes left of the game, Ruel Sotiriou scored the only goal of the game shortly after coming onto the pitch.

The Orient loanee made a name for himself live on BT Sport by latching onto a long ball and firing past the goalkeeper to send Whites’ into the Second Round.

TEAM COLOURS

We will be wearing our all red kit tonight

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Stadium – Roots Hall, Victoria Ave, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6NQ

Matchday Prices are as follows:

Adults – £20

60+ – £15

17-22 – £15

Emergency services – £15

Disabled – £15

Student – £15

Junior – £10

Child – £5

COVERAGE

If you are unable to make the game, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Manager Andy Hessenthaler speaks to BBC Radio Kent‘s Matt Gerrard after the National League defeat against Stockport County Football Club at Crabble.

 

MATCH REPORT: DOVER 2-5 STOCKPORT COUNTY

By Alex Hoad

Koby Arthur’s stunning volley could not prevent Dover slipping to another Vanarama National League defeat at home to Stockport County on Saturday.

Whites produced perhaps their best performance of the season to battle back to go into the final half-hour level at 2-2 thanks to Arthur’s strike and Ben Wiliamson’s first goal for the club from the spot, however, the superior fitness and class of the hugely ambitious visitors proved decisive in the end as they ran-out 5-2 winners.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler handed starts to Reda Johnson and Yannis Drais and Dover made a bright start, though the early chances fell to the visitors as Ollie Crankshaw fizzed a shot past the angle of Adam Parkes’ post and bar after just four minutes and the on-loan Watford keeper held a low shot from Paddy Madden seven minutes later.

At the other end, some good hold-up play from Aaron Cosgrave saw him tee-up Arthur soon after, only for the Whites livewire to see his shot deflected just over the bar.

Ryan Hanson tried his luck with a low strike from 20 yards on 20 minutes but Scott Quigley broke the deadlock at the other end three minutes later when he collected a pull-back, cut inside, and fired in a shot that took a huge deflection and looped into the net past the helpless Parkes.

Dover rallied and were level just after the half-hour when Hanson’s quick feet saw him fouled in the box by Ethan Pye, allowing Williamson the chance to send Ethan Ross the wrong way and slot home his first Whites goal from the spot.

Dover continued to press and Danny Collinge saw a powerful goalbound header blocked on the line – possibly by teammate Johnson – as the hosts pushed for a second but three minutes before the break they were unable to clear a John Rooney corner allowing Madden to sweep home at the far post.

A thunderous 25-yard strike by ex-Bolton Wanderers captain Antoni Sarcevic came back off the underside of the bar in added time, with Quigley’s follow-up effort ruled-out for offside.

After the turnaround it took just five minutes for Dover to draw level as the impressive Arthur showcased superb technique to lash a dropping ball into the top corner on the volley from the edge of the box past the stunned Ross.

Rooney – brother of former England star Wayne -showed superb vision to beat the backpedaling Parkes with a 45-yard lob soon after but saw his audacious effort thud into the crossbar.

The pivotal moment arrived when sub Travis Gregory was denied by Ross at the far post with Williamson unable to turn in the rebound. Moments later Dover hearts were broken at the other end as the defence parted allowing Crankshaw to slot in the loose ball after a Parkes parry on 67 minutes.

The wind left Dover’s sails and the full-time visitors’ superior fitness proved telling in the final 20 minutes. Parkes had already denied Quigley and Rooney when defender Liam Hogan rose to nod home a far-post corner to make it 4-2 on 76 minutes.

Parkes patted down another rasping Quigley drive before he and Madden helped tee-up sub Ben Whitfield to tap in a stoppage-time fifth.

The defeat leaves Dover 17 points from safety with a game in hand and 32 fixtures remaining.

County, who were led by interim boss Dave Conlon after the midweek sacking of Simon Rusk, moved up to ninth, four points below the play-off places.