Yusuf Mersin is hoping his first appearance for Dover will be more than a one-off.

The giant goalkeeper made his competitive debut for Whites in the 2-1 win at Weymouth on Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round having previously been an unused substitute in the National League this season.

Mersin said: “Weymouth had not been beaten since August, so I knew it would be a hard game, but I was really excited to play and delighted to get through.”

Lee Worgan has been the preferred choice between the sticks this campaign, however 25-year-old Mersin will continue to push his fellow keeper in a bid to play regularly under Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler.

He said: “I obviously want to play more but I know Worgs (Lee Worgan) wants to play as well. I’ll just keep working hard and whenever I get an opportunity I’ll do my best for the club.

“The manager has been great with me since I joined.  At the beginning of the season when he decided to go with Worgan, he was straight up with me and that is what I like.  I’ve just continued to give it my all as I look to get back into the team.”

Now Mersin wants to keep the number one position, especially after Whites were paired with League One Southend United in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup.

About the upcoming tie, Mersin said: ” We are always going to have a chance and we have got to be confident. They are not doing great in their league so far, but are still a League One side and will have quality in their team.

“It’s a game of football and in 90 minutes anything can happen, so why can’t we win?  It’s on our own patch, so we will fancy our chances of going through.”

Dover are back in National League action on Saturday when they face Stockport County at Crabble, Kick off 3pm.

Dover Athletic’s academy will now host Hanworth Villa on Wednesday 30th October, kick-off 7:30 pm.

The winner’s of the FA Youth Cup Third Qualifying Round tie will travel to Priestfield to play Gillingham academy in the First Round Proper on Tuesday 5th November.

Dover have been handed a home draw against Southend United in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper.

The League One side, currently 22nd on the league ladder, will visit Crabble during the weekend of Saturday 9th November.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler said of the draw, “I’m very pleased to be at home after our last three FA Cup games have been on the road.

“It will be a big crowd and it’s an opportunity for us to get into the Second Round in front of our home fans and you never know, it might get TV coverage.”

United have won just once in the league this season, however Athletic’s boss is expecting a tough match.  “We won’t consider their league programme as it’s the FA Cup where anything can happen, so we will approach the match in the right way.”

First Team Coach Nicky Southall added.  “If you can’t get one of the bigger sides like Ipswich or Sunderland, then a League One side fairly close to home is the next best thing and we have got that.  Southend will no doubt bring a lot of fans and hopefully there will be a lot of interest from our supporters as well.”

Hessenthaler concluded.  “The draw is done, so we will put that to one side  as we now have to focus on our National League game against Stockport on Saturday at Crabble.”

Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper draw in full:

Ipswich Town v Lincoln City
Oxford City v Solihull Moors
Crawley Town v Scunthorpe United
Harrogate Town v Portsmouth
Dulwich Hamlet v Carlisle United
Sunderland v Gillingham
Colchester United v Coventry City
Bolton Wanderers v Plymouth Argyle
York City v Altrincham
Wrexham v Rochdale
Maidstone United v Torquay United
Leyton Orient v Maldon & Tiptree
Chippenham Town v Northampton Town
Haringey Borough or Yeovil Town v Hartlepool United
Cambridge United v Exeter City
Stourbridge v Eastleigh
Salford City v Burton Albion
Forest Green Rovers v Billericay Town
Bristol Rovers v Bromley
Ebbsfleet United v Notts County
Walsall v Darlington
Nantwich Town v AFC Fylde
AFC Wimbledon v Doncaster Rovers
Hayes & Yeading v Oxford United
Grimsby Town v Newport County
Gateshead v Oldham Athletic
Mansfield Town v Chorley
Dover Athletic v Southend United
Tranmere Rovers v Wycombe Wanderers
Carshalton Athletic v Boston United
Cheltenham Town v Swindon Town
Accrington Stanley v Crewe Alexandra
Barnet v Fleetwood Town
Macclesfield Town v Kingstonian
Maidenhead United v Rotherham United
Blackpool v Morecambe
MK Dons v Port Vale
Stevenage Borough v Peterborough United

Chichester City receive a bye into the Second Round Proper.