Dover suffered their second defeat of pre-season after hosts Ebbsfleet United came from behind to win the behind closed doors friendly at the Kuflink Stadium on Saturday.

The game, which kicked-off at 12.30pm, was not publicised at Ebbsfleet’s request and all reference to it was subsequently removed from our website.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side opened the scoring in the third minute through Paul Rooney after Fleet goalkeeper Tom Hadler spilled Josh Passley’s driven cross.

Rakish Bingham equalised from close range seconds later before Lee Martin added a second 15 minutes before half-time after he beat goalkeeper Yusif Mersin from just outside the box.

Ebbsfleet finished the game with 10 men after second half substitute Reece Grant got a straight red for a dangerous tackle just before the final whistle.

Dover Athletic: Mersin, Passley, Trialist, De Havilland, Wood, Rooney, Gobern, Hinchiri, Munns, Collins, Triallist.

Subs (all used in second half): Rigg, Bedford, Wratten, Bexon, Bramble, Trialist, Trialist.

The Chairman of the National League, Brian Barwick, has written to The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ask the Government to carefully consider how its pending decision on the return of fans to football grounds will affect its clubs, their employees, and local communities.

The National League has also asked the Government for permission to commence the new season on 3 October with fans in attendance with social distancing and other Covid secure
measures in place.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the National League has closely adhered to Government policy and fully recognises the overwhelming necessity to protect people’s health and well being.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17 July that Government intended to bring back audiences in stadia from October each club has started to prepare for the 2020-21 season.

The National League has set the start date as 3 October, which is when 24 clubswould be due to play their first league match and a further 43 clubs are involved FA Cup ties.

In readiness for the safe return of spectators, National League clubs have calculated their ground’s new socially-distanced capacity.

Whilst crowds could be accommodated up to a level of 20-30% of each stadium’s normal capacity in accordance with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority guidance, the National League has asked the Government to allow up to 1,000 spectators in all grounds from October as a temporary solution that is validated by the Government’s approved pilot events conducted in September.

Brian Barwick commented: “The National League restart depends upon crowds being allowed back in stadiums as live attendance is our clubs’ largest source of income.

“The Government urgently needs to set out a credible pathway for the safe return of supporters, and to ensure our football clubs can continue to function, and to perform their significant role in the sporting life of the country.

“We are proud to be a national competition with strong local connections.”

The BT Sport cameras will be at Crabble on Boxing Day after our National League clash with Dagenham &  Redbridge was selected for live coverage.

The match will now kick-off at 5.20pm on December 26th.

Michael Woods has today had his contract cancelled by mutual consent and left the club.

The midfielder made 35 appearances in all competitions for us, scoring three goals, after joining in July 2019 following the expiry of his contract at Harrogate Town.

We would like to thank Michael for all his efforts and we wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors.