Check out what our boss Andy Hessenthaler had to say following our win against Notts County on the opening day of the National League season on Saturday.
Category: First Team News
MATCH REPORT: DOVER ATHLETIC 1-0 NOTTS COUNTY
Millwall loanee Harry Ransom sealed his impressive debut with a match-winning goal against Notts County at Crabble on Saturday.
The big centre half headed home Jack Munns’ pin-point corner in the final minute of normal time to earn manager Andy Hessentahler’s side a deserved three points on the opening day of the National League season.
Dover started brightly and another debutant, striker Ade Azeez, saw his dangerous cross just evade the onrushing Munns.
The Magpies replied with Cal Roberts, who was a doubt for the game, saw his shot saved by Yusuf Mersin before Richard Brindley’s effort was deflected wide.
Steven Rigg tried his luck from distance just before half-time but his effort sailed wide.
Rigg then saw his header from Munns’s excellent cross well save by the keeper just after the break.
The second half looked more open than the first and Roberts went close for the visitors yet again after beating his man and shooting just wide.
Kyle Wootton then went close after the ball was played in from the corner, however his turn on the volley went wide.
Substitute Bilel Hinchiri saw his overhead kick go over before Ransom sealed the points with a thunderous header that crashed into the net off the underside of the bar.
Earlier in the day, Hessenthaler gave competitive debuts to new captain Sam Wood, TJ Bramble, Ransom, Azeez and Marvel Ekpiteta.
HESS MAKES HIS MOVE
Manager Andy Hessenthaler has reinforced his squad with four new signings ahead of today’s National League season opener against Notts County at Crabble.
Former Newport County striker Ade Azeez and Macclesfield Town central defender Marvel Ekpiteta both arrive on permanent deals, while another central defender, Harry Ransom, arrives on loan from Championship side Millwall.
Dover Athletic Academy starlet, Will Moses, a centre half, completes the new arrivals.
Azeez, who will wear the No.19 shirt, is no stranger to Dover fans, having played 12 games for us, scoring once, while on loan from Cambridge United during the 2017/18 season.
The Sidcup-born frontman left Newport in September after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent and he moved home to Kent.
Azeez started his career with Charlton Athletic and had loan spells with Wycombe, Leyton Orient, Torquay and Dagenham & Redbridge while with the Addicks.
The 26-year-old has also played for AFC Wimbledon and helped them win promotion out of League 2 in 2016 and played 46 games for Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle in the 2016/17 season.
A move to League 2 Cambridge United followed before he joined Newport in January 2019.
Marvel, 25, the twin brother of Blackpool defender Marvin, joined Macclesfield Town from Newport County last month, but his time with the Silkmen was short-lived after the club was wound-up in the High Court over unpaid debts.
He joined Newport ahead of the 2019/20 season, making his professional debut in the EFL Trophy fixture against West Ham United under-23s.
Capped at under-20 level by Nigeria, Ekpiteta, who will be wearing number 20, spent much of last season on loan at Ebbsfleet United, making 25 appearances and scoring two goals.
Millwall under-23 captain Ransom made the move to the New Den from National League South side Eastbourne Borough in the summer of 2019.
Our new number 18 started his career at Brighton & Hove Albion before moving to Eastbourne at the age of 15.
He made his senior debut during the 2016/17 season and become the club’s youngest ever captain at 19.
Moses, who only turned 17 in May, has earned his contract after the Whitstable youngster continually impressed with his mature displays throughout pre-season and he will wear shirt number 21.
MATCH PREVIEW: WHITES VS NOTTS COUNTY
Whites open their 2020/21 National League campaign with a behind closed doors clash against Notts County at Crabble on Saturday.
Both teams tasted defeat in their final pre-season games with Dover losing 3-0 at Maidstone United while the Magpies were beaten at home by the same margin by York City.
Nothing could separate the two sides last season with both games finishing in draws, but manager Andy Hessenthaler’s line-up will have a very different look about it from the one that drew at Meadow Lane in January.
Just four of the starting side that day, Oscar Gobern, Steven Rigg, Will De Havilland and Josh Passley, remain at the club, along with Jack Munns and Paul Rooney, who were both substitutes.
Our opponents, who lost in the play-off final against Harrogate Town, have also had a summer of change with a number of players leaving the club, including Kristian Dennis, who scored 14 goals last season, a total which included a last-minute equaliser in this corresponding fixture last October.
Notts Player to Watch
Forward Kyle Wooton was Notts’ top-scorer last season with 15 goals.
Previous Meetings
5th October 2019 – Dover Athletic 2 – 2 Notts County
18th January 2020 – Notts County 0 – 0 Dover Athletic
Coverage
This game will be played behind closed doors; however, you can watch the game for £8 thanks to our new live streaming service from DAFCtv.
We will also have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – Follow us and get all the news as it happens.
Saturday’s Other National League Fixtures
Altrincham V Weymouth
Barnet V Eastleigh
FC Halifax Town V Dagenham & Redbridge
Hartlepool United V Aldershot Town
Sutton United V Maidenhead United
Torquay United V Stockport County
Wealdstone V Chesterfield
Woking V Solihull Moors
Wrexham V Boreham Wood
SEASON TO START BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
The 2020/21 National League season is set to kick-off behind closed doors next weekend.
In an email to Dover Athletic Chairman Jim Parmenter, the National League outlined its intentions.
It read: ”Until the Government announced its review of the safe return of spectators, the League was fully geared up to commence the season with clubs applying new socially-distanced stadium capacities and putting in place Covid-secure measures to ensure crowd safety.
“This week, three of our Clubs successfully held test events with up to 1,000 fans, and we hope that the diligent preparations made by all clubs to enable the return of fans may still be implemented in due course when permitted to do so.
“The League must now abide by the Government’s decision to exclude fans, and therefore, matches will be played “behind closed doors”, i.e. without supporters admitted, in accordance with Government policy and Stage 3 of the elite sport protocols until further notice.
“Looking forward, the Board’s objectives are to ensure that all clubs can commence their fixtures programme, and all clubs are able to meet their obligations over the course of the season. Moving forward with only a subset of clubs involved would not be acceptable.
“Hence, the League’s appeal to Government with the assistance of The Football Association for each club to receive compensation for lost net gate revenue each month for the period that clubs are prevented from admitting supporters.
“The Board is aware that whilst some clubs may want to commence the season without external support, the vast majority of clubs require financial help to be able to sustain their participation over the coming months without crowds.
“The League is aiming to receive confirmation of the Government’s support in advance of the season commencing next weekend. Should this not occur, the Board will review and reconsider its stance, and as ever, the Board will ensure the position and views of member clubs are central to any decision made.”
Our National League campaign is due to start against Notts County at Crabble on Saturday, October 3 at 3pm.
The game will be live streamed by DAFCtv and you can buy your match pass for it HERE
Fans who have already purchased a season ticket can watch the live streaming for free.
To help the club, season ticket holders have two options.
- Take up the option of watching live streaming for free and use your ticket if the fans are allowed to attend games again. Once committed to this option, no refunds will be available.
- Season ticket holders can claim a full refund.
The Chairman said: “We may be back playing football next week, but we need the support of our fans more than ever while they are not permitted in ground.”
We will be in touch with all season ticket holders directly.
VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION
Check out what our boss Andy Hessenthaler had to say following our pre-season loss at Maidstone United on Saturday.
LIVE STREAMING COVERAGE ON SALE NOW
Dover Athletic fans throughout the country now have the opportunity to watch all our National League games at Crabble via a brand new Live Streaming service from DAFCtv.
That’s right, you can live stream our games, directly to your computer or mobile device.
The current cost is £8 per match and you can buy your tickets on a match-by-match basis.
Match passes for five matches, starting with the visit of Notts County, which is scheduled for October 3, are now on sale.
You can buy your tickets and get further information here
Further updates regarding commentary etc will be available next week.
VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION
Boss Andy Hessenthaler has his say after the pre-season draw at Dartford on Tuesday night.
UPDATE FROM CHAIRMAN
Chairman Jim Parmenter gives an update after the Government announced this morning that they have paused their plans to bring crowds back to ‘elite’ football from October 1 after a rise in Covid-19 cases.
Whites are due to start their National League campaign against Notts County at Crabble on Saturday, October 3.
A surprised and disappointed Chairman said: “While the government have communicated with the nation, there has been no direct engagement with football clubs by them, the FA or National League – we still do not know what the plans are.
“The board have been working hard to ensure the club stays viable, although this is another setback to our efforts and inevitably this will involve further consultation with our staff.
“Supporters can be assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure the survival of the club and we are taking every possible step to ensure we are ready for when fans are able to come back to the ground.
“At present , we do not know what the plans for the League season are, but we believe that the most likely outcome is a delay to the start of the fixtures.
“Unless funding is provided by the government, football behind closed doors is not sustainable at our level.
“We will oppose any attempt to start the season behind closed doors.”
As previously communicated, season ticket payments are fully protected and full refunds will be given, so fans do not need to worry.
The same goes for shirt purchases, which will be delivered as planned and available within the next couple of weeks, subject to our kit supplier not being effected by lockdown closure or delays.
WINGER SECURES CRABBLE DEAL
Trialist Travis Gregory has earned himself a contract after impressing in pre-season.
The winger, who will wear the number 17 shirt, spent time in the youth ranks at both Chelsea and Rangers, has scored three goals in his appearances for Andy Hessenthaler’s squad.
Gregory, 25, has spent the past two seasons with Leatherhead, scoring six goals in 28 appearances last season.
Welcome to Crabble, Travis !!