Category: First Team News

MANAGER REACTION

Grimsby Town ensured Dover’s long trip to Lincolnshire was as miserable as the weather at a rain-soaked Blundell Park.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side was 5-0 down at half-time before the table-topping hosts added a sixth with 20 minutes to play.

Hessenthaler labelled the performance as “unacceptable”.

He said those 60 plus Dover fans who made the 475-mile round trip didn’t deserve to see that.

“Let me start by saying that I thought that it was an absolutely outstanding effort by our fans who made the long journey and who, in truly horrendous conditions, stayed to the bitter end and clapped the players at the final whistle.

“That’s true fans for you and believe me, we owe them and every other Dover fan for what we produced on the day.

“The way we lost the game was unacceptable and we should all be hurting after it.”

Although the final scoreline doesn’t suggest it, it was Dover who started the better of the two teams in front of the near 6,000 strong crowd.

Hessenthaler said: “I said before the game we needed to start well and silence the crowd and we did for the first 15 minutes or so.

“We played some positive football and created some decent chances and they (the crowd) were quiet.

“However, that changed when Harry (Ransom) was booked and they were calling for him to be sent off – that changed the tempo of the game.

“It was like waving a red flag at a bull – they came charging at us and we couldn’t handle it and once we conceded that second goal, our heads dropped and we cannot afford to do that.

“The gulf in the size of the clubs really showed and they looked fitter and sharper than us, but as a group, we made too many errors defensively through a lack of experience and naivety.

“We’ve got to keep fighting, but on Saturday we didn’t show anywhere near enough fight against a massive club in this division.”

The manager also named Yannis Drais on the bench for the first time.

The 27-year-old French midfielder, who will wear the number 31 shirt, made his debut as a second-half substitute, replacing Da Costa as Hess changed shape.

Drais arrived on non-contract late last week after training with the side for a couple of weeks.

Hess said: “We are lacking central midfielders with Ryan Hanson out injured and he’s looked OK in training, so we’ll see how it goes.”

MATCH PREVIEW – GRIMSBY VS DOVER

Dover travels to high-flying Grimsby Town on Saturday as they look to get their first three points on the board.

Andy Hessenthaler’s men will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Crabble against Kent rivals Bromley.

Grimsby currently sits third in the National League table and two points below league leaders Chesterfield with a record of five wins, two draws, and a single defeat in their opening eight games.

That defeat was 3-1 at Bromley n Tuesday.

This will be the first time since 2016 that these two sides will face each other.

That game finished 1-1 after Omar Bogle gave The Mariners the lead from the penalty spot before Jack Parkinson equalised for Whites just before the hour mark.

GRIMSBY’S PLAYER TO WATCH

Summer signing John McAtee has had a good start to his Grimsby career, having scored four goals in his first eight games this season.

TEAM COLOURS

For fans wanting to show the same colours as the players, we will be wearing our purple kit.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Stadium – Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, DN35 7PY

The match kicks off at 3pm and ticket prices are as follows:

Adult – £20

65+ – £13

18-22 – £13

12-17(Unaccompanied) – £7

3-17(Accompanied) – £5

Student/unemployed – £13

Information on how to buy tickets can be found here – Please click on the away section on the ticket page to access away tickets.

COVERAGE

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

Alternatively, there will be coverage from BBC Radio Kent, which can be found by going into the non-league section on the BBC Sport webpage – or by clicking this link https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/national-league

SATURDAY’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Aldershot Town vs Wrexham

Barnet vs FC Halifax Town

Dagenham & Redbridge vs Altrincham

Eastleigh vs Boreham Wood (5.20pm)

Maidenhead United vs King’s Lynn Town

Notts County vs Woking

Solihull Moors vs Southend United

Torquay United vs Wealdstone

Weymouth vs Stockport County

HELP NEEDED!

Dover Athletic is looking for volunteers to join the media team and we currently have opportunities available in a number of key roles.

We are in need of people to provide help with our website and social media channels, including DAFC Live Text on Twitter on matchdays.

You would also be writing articles, updating statistics, conducting interviews with players and staff, and posting news on social media as and when required.

If you are keen to get involved and can commit to doing it on a regular basis, please drop us an email to: [email protected]

CURRY ON MENU AT CRABBLE

Bookings are now being taken for our curry night in the VIP Platinum Suite for next Tuesday’s (October 5th ) National League game against Aldershot Town at Crabble.

This package costs £15 (plus the price of a matchday ticket for any non-season ticket holders) and on the menu will be chicken curry with rice and naan bread.

A vegetarian curry will also be available.

The experience includes:

Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and projector showing the game
A one-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 6.15 pm and food will be served at 6.45pm.

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 book and watch the match from the best seats in the house, call the office on 01304 822373, email [email protected] or pop into our main reception during office hours.

Payment is required at the time of booking.

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Manager Andy Hessenthaler speaks to the media after the 1-0 defeat to Bromley on Saturday afternoon.

MATCH REPORT: DOVER 0 – 1 BROMLEY

An early goal sealed Dover’s fate as they were defeated by Bromley at Crabble.

Corey Whitely gave the visitors the lead inside the first five minutes, before Adam Parkes saved Michael Cheek’s penalty to keep the deficit at one.

Bromley looked the more attacking threat throughout the game, but Dover came into the game towards the end and almost salvaged a draw through Ben Williamson’s stunning strike which hit the post.

Earlier in the day manager Andy Hessenthaler made one enforced change from the midweek draw against Solihull Moors, with Sam Wood coming back into the side for Junior Tiensia.

Bromley looked to attack from the off and were almost ahead inside five minutes, but Whitely’s shot was well saved by Parkes.

However, Whitely was not to be denied as The Ravens took the lead moments later when his drilled effort from outside the area hit the back of the net.

Whitely was controlling the game on the left hand side and won the visitors a penalty with the game not even 15 minutes old.

Last season’s National League top scorer, Cheek, stepped up and struck it down the middle, however Parkes did well to make the stop with his feet after already diving to his left-hand side.

Shots kept coming at Parkes as the first-half continued, but the Watford loanee looked composed in the net as he saved first from Marcus Sablier’s half volley, before making a great one-on-one save with his feet to deny Jude Arthur’s attempt from inside the box.

Cheek couldn’t have come much closer to doubling the away side’s lead early in the second half as is brilliantly struck free kick struck the inside of the bar before bouncing down onto the line and cleared away by Dover.

It was then George Alexander’s turn to go close as his effort, whilst one on one with Parkes, went just wide as he looked for the far post.

Whites, who struggled going forward up to this point, then would have felt aggrieved that they weren’t awarded a penalty when Wood’s effort struck a Bromley body out for a corner, with both fans and players alike bemused that a penalty wasn’t given.

Williamson then went close to equalising as Whites grew into the game as his shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Mark Cousins.

Shortly after, Cousins had to be aware again as Ricky Miller’s free kick was tipped over the bar by the Bromley goalkeeper.

Danny Collinge then went close to equalising late on, but his header from a Wood’s corner was held well by Cousins.

Williamson, and most of the crowd, then thought he’d got the equaliser in the first minute of added time when his shot smashed off the inside of the post.

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER VS BROMLEY

Dover host Kent rivals Bromley on Saturday afternoon as they look to continue closing the gap to the teams above them.

Whites earned their third point in four games on Tuesday evening as they held Solihull Moors to a goalless draw at Crabble. It is their second consecutive goalless draw at home after holding league leaders Chesterfield to a draw earlier this month.

Meanwhile, our opponents did not have a midweek game and last played lon Saturday where they defeated second from bottom Barnet 2-0 at Hayes Lane.

The Ravens have had a mixed start to the season and sit in 12th after their first five games having won two, lost two, and drawn one.

Despite being in 12th, they’re tied fifth in the top scorers so far this season with 11 goals, however, most of the teams above them have played two games more, with Grimsby the only side to only play one more game.

This is mainly down to last season’s top-scorer Michael Cheek who has had a brilliant start to the season having scored in every game in the National League. He currently sits third on the top scorers’ list with six goals in his first five games.

BROMLEY’S PLAYER TO WATCH

As already mentioned, Michael Cheek has started the season in brilliant form having scored in each of Bromley’s first five games this campaign.

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

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Grab your digital programme now for just £1 ahead of tomorrow’s game 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

Aldershot Town vs FC Halifax Town

Altrincham vs Notts County

Barnet vs Weymouth

Boreham Wood vs Yeovil Town

Chesterfield vs Torquay United (5:20pm)

Dagenham & Redbridge vs Solihull Moors

Eastleigh vs Woking

King’s Lynn Town vs Wealdstone

Maidenhead United vs Grimsby Town

Stockport County vs Wrexham

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Manager Andy Hessenthaler speaks to Ryan Clark after the draw against Solihull Moors at Crabble.

NEW STRIKER ARRIVES AT CRABBLE

We are delighted to confirm the signing of Matthew Bentley.

The forward, who will wear the number 27 shirt, made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 0-0 draw with Solihull Moors at Crabble on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Londoner originally trained with Andy Hessenthaler’s squad before the national lockdown last year before heading back to university in the United States.

He played for the Missouri State Bears and then Minnesota United.

Welcome to Crabble, Matt!

MATCH REPORT: DOVER 0 – 0 SOLIHULL MOORS

Dover got their third point of the season as they held Solihull Moors to a goalless draw at Crabble.

Both teams would have felt like they could’ve picked up all three points in a game where chances went begging for both sides.

Earlier in the day, Andy Hessenthaler made two changes from the draw with Weymouth on Saturday with Ricky Miller and Jake Goodman coming in for the injured Koby Arthur and Travis Gregory.

The away side almost went ahead immediately when Jordan Cranston’s fizzing shot was deflected wide.

The pressure kept coming by the visitors when the National League top scorer Joe Sbarra picked up the ball in the Dover half before running at the defence and testing Adam Parkes who was able to tip the curling effort around the post.

Parkes then did tremendously well to keep the scores level as the ball was threaded through to Sbarra who was through on goal, however the on loan goalkeeper made himself big to make a great save.

Whites grew into the game and almost went ahead twice in the space of thirty seconds. First, Aaron Cosgrave’s superb solo run didn’t prove rewarding as his shot was blocked by the defender, before Miller tested out Ryan Boot, forcing a save from a solo effort.

A mistake from the visiting defence, then allowed Cosgrave to run after a loose ball which would have seen him be through on goal, however Boot was able to put him off long enough for the ball to go out for a goal kick.

It was the Parkes’ turn to make a great save as he reacted really well to stop Adam Rooney’s bullet header at the front post from a corner.

All of Whites’ attacking threat looked to be coming from Cosgrave, with the on loan attacker going close again towards the end of the half as he picked up the ball from Miller, cut inside the defender, but could only hit his shot straight at Boot.

Moors started to press harder and faster in the second half and Danny Collinge did well to stop what looked like would’ve been a guaranteed goal when he got in the way of a dangerous cross towards Rooney who was the only man in the box.

Second half sub Matt Bentley looked dangerous for Whites when he came on the pitch and almost set up Junior Tiensia, however the full-back shot was deflected into the hands of Boot.