Category: First Team News

UP NEXT – HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH HEAD TO TOWN

The Whites host Hampton & Richmond Borough looking to get back to winning ways.

Mitch Brundle will be looking for a better result and performance than last time out with the Whites going down 3-1 away to Chippenham Town. With only four more home games remaining this campaign it will be important for the lads to not take their eyes off the ball and try and finish the season with a flourish.

‘We were weak,’ said the Gaffer following the defeat last week. ‘We weren’t aggressive enough and it showed in that performance.’

Speaking to Kent Online Sport, Brundle said ‘The Cheshunt game, the scoreline flattered them because it was not a 3-0 game. I took something from it. But Saturday was not good enough and completely out of character from us since I’ve been in charge. Hopefully, it was just one of those days. We did have our chances, don’t get me wrong, but nothing compared to what we’ve had previously. We came out after half-time and scored, and I thought ‘Maybe the half-time team talk livened everyone up’. But we were just not good enough.’

Hampton & Richmond have been on a decent run themselves, winning three of their last five fixtures. Dover will be looking to complete the double over the Beavers following the 2-0 win back in November at the Rocket Hospitality Stadium. The clubs previous meeting back in 2012 saw Hampton & Richmond take four points from six over the Whites.

COYW.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be purchased at the turnstile only. We do take both card and cash.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

CHIPPENHAM TOWN 3 DOVER ATHLETIC 1

Whites fall to the Bluebirds

Dover travelled west again in a hope to put right the defeat on Tuesday night, only to come unstuck on a pitch that resembled that of Melbourne primary school. (If you know, you know)

Mitch Brundle’s Whites couldn’t get out of second gear despite equalising in the opening moments of the second half.

Dover had an abundance of chances in the first period with Wanadio and Higgs both testing Will Henry in the hosts goal. Luke Wanadio should of opened the scoring when put clean through, only for Henry to rush out and save smartly. The Whites had plenty of the ball and played some good football up the hill and could have gone ahead but for some smart goalkeeping to keep the scores level.

Then in the 22nd minute, Chippenham broke down Dover’s right and shot across Nelson who could only parry the ball out into the path of Joe Parker, who slotted home for the Bluebirds.

Dover hit back almost immediately after the restart when a corner was played short along the ground to Myles Judd, who lashed the ball of the underside of the crossbar and into the far corner of the net. All of a sudden momentum was with visitors as the Whites poured forward down the slope. There was a flurry of attacks immediately after the equaliser but the hosts stood firm as Dover huffed and puffed to try and find a breakthrough.

With Dover piling forward to try and force a breakthrough, Chippenham broke and with the ball on the right flank, crossed for Fasanmade to head home from close range. It was a real sucker punch for the visitors who had began to gain momentum on the home side.

Again the Whites poured forward in search of an equaliser, leaving huge holes in behind which in the 80th minute, Owen Windsor swept home from a cross to send the home fans into a conga behind Nelson’s goal. Dover had been well and truly humbled in the last 20 minutes and the conditions hadn’t helped the legs after a long journey from the south coast.

The midweek games are over for a while now so the lads have a weeks rest between games. See you at Crabble next week.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Goodman, Sterling, Higgs, Martin, Wilkinson, Wanadio, Pierrick, Carney

Subs: Agbebi, Brundle, Moses, Janjeva, Baptiste

Chippenham Town: Henry, Jones, Richards, D’Abadia, Mehew, McClure, Fasanmade, Bray, Tizzard, Parker, Russe

Subs: Simpson, Windsor, Hanks, Bradbury, Kouisseoue

Attendance: 565

GAME ON!

Game is on!

We have been informed that today’s match against Chippenham Town will take place.

See you there… COYW

UP NEXT – CHIPPENHAM TOWN

The Whites head to Chippenham.

Dover are on the road this Saturday following a hat-trick of home matches, looking to forget Tuesday nights result against Cheshunt. Mitch Brundle’s side will face another lengthy trip, similar to Taunton a few weeks back, where the Whites came away with three vital points.

Dover received a bloody nose after the 3-0 defeat on Tuesday but there is always the next game to focus on for Brundle who was quick to point out to Kent Online Sport that the defeat is now put behind him. ‘You’re only two weeks away from being dragged back into it,’ said Brundle. ‘So we’ll just move onto the next one with a positive mindset. I get frustrated with these results. I could be really disappointed and really critical, but we always have our feet on the ground. It’s a real learning curve for us, especially me as a manager.

Stuart Nelson lept to the defence of his manager last week following the mention of the manager’s age but this time it was the Gaffer who was on the defensive when quizzed about his number one. ‘He does everything you could ask of a player. And he’s there to help. I’m 13 years younger than him but, any time I want to speak to him, I can speak to him. He’s been absolutely fantastic. He’s a very experienced professional and, to be honest, I love him. He does everything right.

He’s kept us in loads of games. With his experience, people listen to him. As a manager, you can say so much from the side but it’s also having players you can trust, and he trusts the team in front of him now. It’s a team that’s working hard and showing desire, commitment and passion. He’s one of those people that just demands that.’

The Whites drew 1-1 the last time we faced Chippenham back in November with Lee Martin seeing red before an Alfie Pavey goal levelled the game with 15 minutes to go.

Admission Prices for the 2022/23 Season

Adults: £14
Senior Citizens: £10
Juniors (U18): £3

Students and Armed Forces Personnel with a Vaild ID Card: £10

FREE for Under 16’s when accompanied with a paying adult

Directions to The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium
The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium, Bristol Road, Chippenham SN14 6LR

From North, East and West – M4 Motorway Junction 17

Exit M4 and take the A350 signposted Chippenham / Poole for approx three miles.
At first roundabout Malmesbury Road take second exit signposted Trowbridge / Bath.
At the third roundabout Bumpers Farm take the exit signposted Town Centre / Calne A4.
At the Folly mini-roundabout go straight ahead signposted A4 / Town Centre. The football ground is approx 600 yards on the left immediately before a pedestrian crossing controlled by lights.

From Bath:

Take the A4 from Bath. Approaching the outskirts of Chippenham at the Chequers roundabout take the first exit signposted Cirencester A429 and M4 Motorway.
At the Bumpers Farm roundabout proceed as above.
At the Folly mini-roundabout proceed as above.

From the South via Warminster, Westbury and Trowbridge:

Approaching Chippenham on the A350 take first exit at the Lackham roundabout signposted Cirencester A429 and M4 Motorway.
At the next roundabout Chequers take the second exit signposted Cirencester A429 and M4 Motorway.
At the Bumpers Farm roundabout proceed as above.
At the Folly mini-roundabout proceed as above

DEAL TOWN GO GREEN WHICH IS ANDI FOR DOVER

Alex Green makes his loan move to Deal Town permanent.

The defender made his National League debut as a second-half substitute against Boreham Wood at Crabble last August before a foot injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Green, the former Academy captain, proved his fitness during pre-season and earned a loan move to Deal Town.

He joins fellow Academy graduates Will Moses, Noah Carney, Harrison Byford, George Nikaj, Luke Baptiste, and George Wilkinson in making first team appearances.

We wish Alex all the best in the future.

For those of you with an eagle eye, you would of noticed an unfamiliar name on the team sheet last time out. Andi Janjeva, the Kosovo U21 international, had been training with the Whites, having been released from Watford earlier in the season. The defender has signed on a non contract basis and will wear the number 33.

Welcome to Crabble, Andi.

DOVER ATHLETIC 0 CHESHUNT 3

Cheshunt stun the River End with a scrappy win.

It was a freezing cold Crabble on this Tuesday evening but the Whites soon raised the temperature with a first half performance that was everything but a goal.

The luck really hasn’t been with the home side in front of goal of late and the opening 45 minutes followed in the same form.

After the opening ten minutes, Brandon Pierrick hit a daisy cutter along the floor which looked easy pickings for Adam Desbois, only for the visiting keeper to fluff his lines and fumble behind for a corner.

Moments later and Pierrick again jinxed his way into the Cheshunt box, only to see his fierce shot crash down off the underside of the crossbar and away for safety. The forward must have thought he had opened his account for his new club.

Lee Martin had provided two delicious balls into the penalty area, one of which looked destined to land on Higgs toe, but the Cheshunt defence plucked it from the midfielders boot when it looked like Dover would open the scoring. From the resulting corner, Martin again teased the Cheshunt backline with an arcing cross that was clawed away from Desbois with Sterling about to nod home.

The home side had a flurry of crosses which seemed to cause panic in the visitors box but the second ball just wouldn’t fall to anyone in a white shirt. A common theme of late. The visitors had barely tested Nelson, who saved smartly early In the half when Alfie Cue wriggled free to shoot low into the Dover stoppers grasp.

It was another blank in the opening 45 minutes for Brundle’s charges but it definitely wasn’t for the want of trying.

Seven minutes into the second half and Dover’s long clean sheet record was broken, completely against the run of play. Zech Obeiro’s shot seemed to squirm under the body of Nelson and into the net.

Dover looked to hit back through both Pierrick and Ajayi with both failing to hit the target when it looked easier to score. Pierrick with the easiest of the two chances who blazed over when composure was needed.

Cheshunt were still looking to hit the Whites on the break and in the 78th minute, Fraser Alexander made Dover pay for all the missed chances with a volley that shot past Nelson and into the bottom corner.

It was a real sucker punch Dover who were pushing hard for an equalising goal. Cheshunt had been clinical, albeit the opening goal was more luck than judgement.

In the 87th minute Cheshunt put the game to bed with a headed goal by Josh Popoola when it looked like the visiting forward was offside, but alas, the assistant referee kept his flag down.

If ever there was a game of two halves, it was definitely this. The team needs to dust themselves down and get ready for Chippenham on Saturday.

See you there.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Sterling, Moses, Higgs, Wanadio, Martin, Nikaj, Ajayi, Pierrick

Subs: Wilkinson, Carney, Agbebi, Baptiste, Janjeva

Cheshunt: Desbois, Cracknell, Pitblado, Hobbs, McKenzie, Da Silva Beccles Richards, Camara, Cue, Ekongo, Maja

Subs: Thompson, Popoola, Obiero, Alexander, Edwards

Attendance: 482

BATH BORES BRUNDLE AS NELSON LEAPS TO THE GAFFERS DEFENCE

Dover Athletic 0 Bath City 0

It was another point on the board and another clean sheet this week as the Whites again failed to find the net for the second time in a month. Bath City were a very organised team but were clearly there for the taking with Mitch Brundle’s team riding high following Tuesday nights victory over Havant.

Boss Brundle had told the players that he was ‘bored’, during his half-time team talk. Speaking to Kent Online Sport post match, Brundle said ‘I think we had the better of the chances. But it wasn’t a game for the neutral! I said to them at half-time that it’s the most bored I’ve been, stood on the side line as a manager. That didn’t excite me one bit but it’s six unbeaten. It’s still positive, don’t get me wrong, and it shows where we have come to that we are disappointed to draw 0-0 with Bath and earn our fourth clean sheet in a row. It was just one of those days. I’ve just looked at the results and a lot of teams drew today. We weren’t at the races. It’s the worst we’ve performed. I could be critical with aspects of certain bits but the keeper has tipped one onto the bar and we’ve had chances in the first half, and Noah Carney should score. But to be fair, it didn’t look like we were ever going to score. But they didn’t look like ever scoring, either.”

It’s another clean sheet which is now four on the spin for the club and credit is due to both the backline and the goalkeeper. ‘Four clean sheets, as well, and it’s four years since the club last did that. ‘That’s where we’ve come as a club,’ noted Brundle. ‘That’s where we have changed now. I’d have snapped your hand off for that when I first got the job. But I will always try and be better and, to be fair, that’s why I’m so – I wouldn’t say disappointed – more frustrated. We created enough chances to score and win the game. It is what it is. I’ve not really got the words to try and describe how I’m feeling. I could just be critical, and I’m allowed to be, but we’d have snapped peoples’ hands off a few weeks ago to be six unbeaten and we are now. We’re going in the right direction and I think it’s a positive the fact that I can stand here as the manager and be frustrated that we haven’t won the game, and we’ve drawn against a good team.

There was a minute’s applause before kick-off in tribute to long-serving Dover fan Bob Hill, who recently died. Brundle himself acknowledged that fact and was quick to ensure that the family were given the clubs condolences. ‘I’d just like to send my condolences to Bob Hill’s family,’ said Brundle. It’s sad that he’s lost his life and we respected him today with a round of applause. As you could see, it meant a lot to a lot of people here. He’s been a fan for plenty of years. We just wish their whole family well and hope they’re all doing okay, and that’s from everyone – from top to bottom – at this football club.’

Stuart Nelson, part of the reason the Whites haven’t conceded in the last four matches, was keen to point out to Kent Online Sport that it was a team effort. ‘It’s Dover’s clean sheet,’ said Nelson. ‘Obviously, I’m in goal so clean sheets mean as much to me as goals mean to strikers, so I’ll take every single one of them. That’s 11 for me for the season so I’m happy with it from a personal perspective. But ultimately, I can’t do it without the 10 other players who are on the pitch with me at that time. In the last four and quite a bit games since conceding the boys have been excellent on the defensive side of things.’

Our number one came to the defence of his manger who’s age had been raised in the discussion. ‘The age thing – that’s your issue, not mine for starters. Everyone wants to say about age but age doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s a number. We’re keeping clean sheets and that’s down to how he’s setting us up. I don’t care whether he’s 12 or 102, it doesn’t mean anything to me. Age is really irrelevant and it does bug me, which is why I’ve reacted like this. I think Mitch has come in and done a really fantastic job, and the results have shown that. ‘Soon, someone is going to get thumped. That’s the bottom line. If we keep defending the way we’re doing it, then someone is going to come on a good run of goals from us.’

The Whites face Cheshunt tomorrow evening who are on a decent run of form themselves with only two defeats coming in their last nine matches. Dover will be looking to avenge the 2-0 defeat back in December but there is a completely different dynamic to the squad now compared to a couple of months ago.

We hope to see you all there. We understand that there has been a run of home games lately but we completely appreciate your continued support.

COYW

TICKET INFORMATION

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

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

UP NEXT – BATH CITY

The Whites host Bath City looking to extend their unbeaten run.

Bath City visit Crabble in what should be a cracking tie with both teams now looking upwards in the league rather than down. Dover will be looking to complete a league double over Bath after a solitary goal from Luke Wanadio back in October ensured that the Whites headed back to White Cliff Country with all three points.

Mitch Brundle could have a selection headache with injuries beginning to build up after both George Nikaj and Freddie Oliver were unable to complete the 90 minutes against Havant on Tuesday. Lee Martin should recover from illness and George Wilkinson is touch and go after completing his recovery from his injury. Jordan Higgs will be assessed following his hamstring strain but David Boateng looks set to complete another week on the sidelines after his recent injury.

The Gaffer will have to have a shuffle about and bandage up his band of warriors but with the show or determination and desire that the team have showed in recent games should be enough to see the boys through. The lads will need your support more than ever as they look to play three games in seven days, including a gruelling away trip to Taunton.

Even though there were only 422 through the gate on Tuesday night, you guys made some noise and the players appreciated it. We are all in this together now.

COYW.

TICKET INFORMATION

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

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

HAVANT A GOOD TIME

The Vanarama National South Manager of the Week reflects on a job well done.

It was another cracking performance from the Whites on Tuesday night as Havant & Waterlooville were the next team to fall by the new look Dover Athletic sword. 11 points from 15 and three successive clean sheets show that this group is certainly buying into the managers philosophy.

Our Gaffer was even named the Vanarama National South Manager of the Week after back to back 1-0 wins and clean sheets which prompted for Mitch Brundle to be given the award.

Speaking to Kent Online Sport, Brundle said ‘It’s been good,’ Brundle admitted after the Taunton game. ‘We are four unbeaten and could have won a couple more. We have changed personnel. Everything I have asked of the boys, they have done. You always come up short in certain games but, when they’re doing what we’re asking, you can accept it.’

The manager also heaped praise on his latest signing, Brandon Pierrick. ‘He hasn’t played a lot of football as of late. He got tired towards the end. But he brings something different to our armoury, he has electric pace. He’s so good in one versus one areas. He has fantastic ability – it’s now time for him to use that ability. He started at the top and wants to get back there. That’s what sort of player we are after. They can drop down the leagues but he’s humble.

Brandon’s a humble person, a nice person, and a good character. That’s what we want. He can be a huge player for us. He’s got something we have not got, which is raw pace. He lasted longer than I thought he would do. He has got everything to go back to where he was before. He’s a little gem.’

Luke Wanadio has had a mixed time of late. Placed on the transfer list with seemingly no future at the club but that hasn’t stopped Dover’s number 10 from knuckling down and doing the business on the pitch. Wanadio scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over the Hawks and was delighted with his contribution.

‘Obviously no one likes being transfer listed but I have to stay professional and now I am back in the team and we are playing well which is fantastic,’ said Wanadio. ‘I’m in good spirits and i’m very happy with how things are going at the moment and I think thats showing in my performances. I’m leaving everything out there and trying to work harder to help the team as much as i can whether that is scoring or assisting.’

Keep up the good work, Luke.

DOVER ATHLETIC 1 HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 0

Another clean sheet for super Mitch’s side.

Dover looked to have brought their form from Saturday after a blistering opening few minutes saw both a penalty shout turned down and an effort by George Nikaj get bundled wide.

Skipper Lee Martin was injured during the warm up and was replaced by Luke Baptiste, who set up alongside Freddie Oliver in the heart of the midfield, who continued where he left off last week. Oliver was unfortunate to be booked early on for what was an early reducer but the referee was having none of it.

It was Nikaj who looked the more likely to threaten the score board when he hit the back of the net after the ball ricocheted back off the post, only for the offside flag to ruin his post goal celebration.

Moments later it was another chance for the forward who took a ball beautifully on his chest while facing his own goal, swivelled, but only managed to hit his shot into the floor. It wasn’t for the want of trying from Nikaj who had showed desire and endeavour but had nothing yet for his efforts.

Havant managed to weather the early storm and gradually grew into the game, showing attacking promise through ex Dover full back, Josh Passley.

Danny Wright blazed over in the 10th minute when he really should have done better but besides the odd flurry of attacks, The Whites seemed to have the visitors at arms length as the two teams went into the break level at half time.

On the hour mark, the visitors were given a reprieve when Miller-Rodney clattered Oliver, having been booked just minutes earlier. The referee didn’t see the incident but the Havant man should of been heading for an early shower.

Moments later and Nikaj’s race was run after he was left in a heap on the floor. The Whites were going to have to be creative in the last 20 minutes of the match with both central midfield players missing in Higgs and Martin and now Nikaj coming off.

The injuries were beginning to wrack up for Brundle as Freddie Oliver followed Nikaj to the physio’s room, limping off to be replaced by Will Moses.

Luke Wanadio missed the win on Saturday due to illness but he didn’t miss the Havant goal in the 79th minute. Wanadio played a ball through the Carney whose cross found Ajayi in the middle. His shot was straight into the body of Sharman-Lowe, only for the ball to bounce back out into the path of Wanadio who fired into the net.

Havant huffed and puffed as they looked for an equaliser but the Whites held on to record another three points on the board. It was the third clean sheet in as many games and 11 points from 15. Brundle’s army marches once more.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Goodman, Sterling, Wanadio, Ajayi, Nikaj, Pierrick, Oliver, Martin

Subs: Moses, Carney, Agbebi, Baptiste, Brundle

Havant & Waterlooville: Sharman-Lowe, Passley, Newton, Oastler, McCarthy, Kealy, Miller-Rodney, Collins, Gobern, Wright, Shroll

Subs: Nembhard, Rooney, Roberts, Burnett, Matthews

Attendance: 422