Dover play host to League One Gillingham on Saturday in their second of six pre-season friendlies.

The match will give fans the chance to see Summer signings Mitch Brundle, Tobi Sho-Silva, Ryan Bird, Jamie Allen, Kane Richards, Manny Parry and Femi IIesamni in action on home turf for the first time.

Australian defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco is also expected to be involved against our Kent neighbours after signing for Whites on Wednesday, along with a number of triallists.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s new look side won 3-0 away at Deal Town on Tuesday night with George Essuman and Bird among the scorers.

Gills, with former Athletic manager Peter Taylor as Director of Football, have won both their pre-season friendlies so far, beating Faversham Town 1-0 and Dartford 2-1.

Saturday’s game kicks-off at 3pm and admission is as follows:

Adults £10, Concessions £5, Under 11s free with paying Adult ( Included with Season ticket ).

 

 

Dover kick-off their pre-season run of friendly matches with a trip to Southern Counties East League Premier Division side Deal Town on Tuesday.

It is the first of six warm-up games for boss Chris Kinnear’s side, with the game against the Hoops at the Charles Ground providing travelling fans a first chance to see newcomers Mitch Brundle, Kane Richards, Jamie Allen, Femi Ilesanmi, Manny Parry, Tobi Sho-Silva and Ryan Bird in action.

Kinnear is also likely to use the game as an opportunity to cast his eye over a number of triallists as he continues to rebuild his squad ahead of the National League season opener away at Hartlepool United on Saturday, August 5th.

Deal Town played their first friendly of the season last Saturday, losing 2-0 against visiting Margate.

Tuesday’s game kicks-off at 7.30pm at admission is as follows:

Adults: £5

Concessions: £3

Children (14 and over): £2 while those aged under 14 are free with a full paying adult

There will also be a match programme on sale for £1

 

Dover will be aiming to end the season with some silverware when they take on Welling United in Monday’s Kent Reliance Senior Cup final at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium,

Boss Chris Kinnear’s men defeated Herne Bay (1-0), VCD Athletic (4-0) and Folkestone Invicta (3-0) on their route to the decider.

National League South opponents Welling have beaten Chatham (6-1), Dartford (4-1 on penalties after it finished 2-2), Margate (2-1) and Charlton (2-0 on penalties after it finished 1-1).

Speaking after Saturday’s 3-2 win at Barrow AFC, Kinnear revealed he is planning on fielding a strong side for the final match of their 2016/17 campaign.

He said: “We want to win this game. 

“Three years ago we reached the final, but played the youngsters as we had the play-off final a few days after, so we now have the chance to field a strong team and we will.”

For fans wanting to wear the same colour shirts as the Kinnear’s side, his players will be wearing their traditional white shirts.

Ricky Modeste (leg) and Tyrone Sterling (hamstring) are unlikely to feature due to injury.

The game kicks-off at 3pm.

Dover are mathematically still in contention to win the fifth and final play-off place ahead of the long trip to Barrow AFC for Saturday’s final game of the regular season.

However, the odds on doing that are stacked against boss Chris Kinnear’s side with fifth-placed Aldershot Town having a three-point cushion and the Hampshire side are also six goals better off than Whites.

It leaves Dover needing to win convincingly at the Furness Building Society Stadium and hope that struggling Braintree Town win at Aldershot.

Kinnear insists his players will fight until the final whistle sounds.

He said: ” We have one game to go and anything can happen – there could well be a twist in the tale because football can be a funny old game at times.

“Who knows if we can do it? We’ll go there, give it a real go and see what happens.”

BARROW’S RECENT FORM

Byron Harrison and Akil Wright scored for the Bluebirds in a 2-0 win at relegation-haunted Braintree last Saturday.

Harrison struck on the half hour mark before Wright fired home five minutes later.

Those three points leave Barrow one point behind Dover.

LAST MEETING

20/08/16 Dover 3-1 Barrow

Striker Ross Lafayette (pictured above in action against Barrow) continued his perfect start at Crabble, scoring in his third consecutive game since arriving from Eastleigh as Dover cruised to victory.

Confusion reigned after Dover opened the scoring just before the half hour mark.

Aswad Thomas’ shot from just inside the box was destined for the net before Moses Emmanuel appeared to apply the final touch on the line.

Thomas reeled away in celebration, thinking he’d scored and his team-mates rushed to join him before the goal was credited to Emmanuel over the public address system.

Emmanuel then appeared to shake his head towards Thomas, indicating he had not scored.

There was no confusion about the second goal when Lafayette scored 11 minutes into the second half after he raced onto Jack Parkinson’s long ball and fired past goalkeeper Joel Dixon.

Sam Magri then headed home a pin point cross from Thomas, his first goal for the club.

Ross Hannah grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot after he was bundled over in the area by goalkeeper Steve Arnold.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

21/11/15 Dover 3-1 Barrow

08/08/15 Barrow 2-1 Dover

HITMEN

Ricky Miller’s penalty in the 2-2 draw with Macclesfield at Crabble on Tuesday night made it 37 goals for league’s top-scorer and Player-of-the-Year.

Lafayette also netted and now has 12 for the season while Moses Emmanuel has 11.

Barrow’s leading marksman is Byron Harrison with 19.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant manager Jake Leberl confirmed on Thursday evening Tyrone Sterling (hamstring) and Ricky Modeste (leg) are both doubtful ahead of the trip to Cumbria.

DOVER COLOURS

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Barrow by wearing the matching shirts as the players, captain Jamie Grimes and his team-mates will be wearing their yellow shirts.

COVERAGE

The game starts at 12:15pm but if you are unable to make the near 750-mile round trip to Barrow, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 11.15am.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Aldershot Town v Braintree Town

Chester v Boreham Wood

Dagenham & Redbridge v Woking

Eastleigh v Wrexham

Gateshead v Bromley

Guiseley v Solihull Moore

Maidstone United v Tranmere Rovers

Southport v Lincoln City

Torquay United v North Ferriby United

York City v Forest Green Rovers

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium for the final of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup between Dover and Welling on Monday 1st May and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 1pm and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £12, Adult Non Members £25 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot on Saturday.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or by cheque or via bank transfer.

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

Assistant boss Jake Leberl has issued an impassioned rallying call to Dover fans as his team prepares for what could be their final home game of their National League campaign against Macclesfield Town tonight..

Dover are sixth on the table ahead of the clash with the ninth-placed Cheshire visitors and are currently four points behind fifth-placed Aldershot Town but with a game in hand on the Shots.

It means nothing else but a win will do tonight to keep alive any hopes of Dover have of reaching the play-offs heading into Saturday’s final day of the regular season.

Leberl said: “You cannot under-estimate how much the fans matter at this club. They’re our 12th man and I know that because I’ve played here.

“Saturday’s loss to Torquay was extremely disappointing and frustrating after knowing going into that game how big it was and coming away with nothing – nobody needs telling that, especially the fans.

“We have two games to go and we need two wins – we need the fans to stay behind us. We need to be together, we need to be united because this play-off race has not been won yet.

“Football is a funny old game and anything can happen.”

MACCLESFIELD’S RECENT FORM

The Silkmen were unable to gatecrash Lincoln City’s promotion party on Saturday as the home side came from behind to win 2-1 in front of a crowd of 10,031.

Mitch Hancox stunned the Imps after he gave the visitors the lead in the 23rd minute before Terry Hawridge pounced on an loose ball to level the scores six minutes later.

The winger grabbed his second late on with a curling finish to seal the title and a return to the Football League for Lincoln after a six year absence.

LAST MEETING

10/01/17 Macclesfield 2-1 Dover

Captain Jamie Grimes’ second goal in as many games was not enough to prevent Whites losing at the Moss Rose.

Grimes (pictured above celebrating his goal in January) beat goalkeeper Scott Flinders to James Hurst’s free-kick to head his side infront in the eighth minute.

That’s the way it stayed until Chris Holroyd scored from close range in the 67th minute before the striker claimed his second of the night after raced clear to slot the winner past goalkeeper Steve Arnold seven minutes later.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

12/4/16 Macclesfield 0-0 Dover

17/10/15 Dover 2-1 Macclesfield

18/10/14 Macclesfield 1-0 Dover

HITMEN

Ricky Miller remains the top scorer in the National League with 36 goals.

Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette both have 11.

Macclesfield’s leading marksman is Holroyd with 13.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant boss Leberl said on Monday evening that there are no injury concerns ahead of the game

COVERAGE

The game starts at 7:45pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 7pm.

MATCH SPONSOR

Today’s match is being sponsored by EXCLUSIVE HOUSEHOLD STAFF.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR

Today’s match ball is jointly being sponsored by JOHN MARTIN and the CORNWALLIS COMPANY.

All of us at Dover Athletic thank all our sponsors for your support and we hope that you enjoy your time with us this evening.

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURE

Maidstone United v Lincoln City

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Barrow on Saturday 29th April and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 3am and thanks to a donation from the Supporters club, the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £20, Adult Non Members £35 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot tonight.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or by cheque or via bank transfer.

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

Chris Kinnear’s men could relegate a side for the second consecutive home match when third-bottom Torquay visit Crabble on Saturday.

Southport lost their National League status after losing 3-0 to Whites on 14th April and the Gulls could suffer the same fate.

Should the Devon club fail to win and Braintree, York and Guiseley all record victories, then United’s demotion to the National League South will be confirmed.

In spite of the visitor’s lowly standing on the ladder, Dover’s assistant boss Jake Leberl believes his side, who dropped to sixth after Monday’s loss at play-off rivals Aldershot Town, are in for a tough test. 

He said: “Any game against a team fighting for their life is always difficult.  They will do all they can within their power to stay in this league.

“They have got some dangerous players and we have got to want to win more than them on the day.”

Dover will start the game only one place and one point behind fifth-placed Aldershot, but with a game in hand on the Hampshire side.

TORQUAY’S RECENT FORM

The Gulls  gave their survival bid a boost by beating fellow strugglers Braintree Town 3-1 at Plainmoor on Monday.

The visitors struck early through Manny Parry’s header, but Brett William’s fine solo run and finish levelled matters just before the interval.

The former Forest Green forward then pounced on a loose ball in the area to put the hosts ahead.

AFC Bournemouth loanee Jordan Lee made the points safe late on to keep the Gulls within touching distance of the safety zone.

LAST MEETING

27/08/16 Torquay 2-1 Dover

Ricky Miller’s free-kick was not enough to prevent Dover’s three-match winning streak coming to an end at Plainmoor.

The striker struck 15 minutes from full-time to equalise after Jamie Reid put Torquay ahead just after half-time.

But Dover’s celebrations proved to be short-lived as Dan Sparkes slotted past goalkeeper Steve Arnold just a minute later.

Tyrone Marsh’s injury time effort against his former employers struck the inside of the post, but the ball bounced away to safety much to the relief of the home support.

RECENT MEETINGS

26/3/16 Dover 5-0 Torquay

06/10/15 Torquay 2-3 Dover

02/12/14 Dover 2-2 Torquay

HITMEN

Ricky Miller remains the top scorer in the National League with 36 goals.

Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette both have 11.

Torquay’s leading marksman is Brett Williams with eight.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Leberl confirmed on Thursday that Whites have a fully fit squad to pick from. 

Joe Healy (calf) and James Hurst (leg) are both available for selection after being substituted during the defeat at Aldershot.

Midfielder Jim Stevenson could also be involved after being recalled from his loan spell at Southport earlier this week.

TICKET NEWS

Tickets can be purchased on the day but please note that this match IS segregated.

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

MATCH SPONSOR

The Torquay match is being sponsored by REFLEX LABELS.

All of us at Dover Athletic thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy your day with us this afternoon

MATCH BALL SPONSOR

Saturday’s  match ball is being sponsored by JOHN MARTIN.

As always, we welcome John to the game and thank him for his continued and ongoing support.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Lincoln City v Macclesfield Town

Boreham Wood v Gateshead

Braintree Town v Barrow

Bromley v Guiseley

Forest Green Rovers v Maidstone United

North Ferriby United v Aldershot Town

Solihull Moors v Eastleigh

Sutton United v Chester

Tranmere Rovers v Southport

Woking v York City

Wrexham v Dagenham & Redbridge

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Barrow on Saturday 29th April and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 3am and thanks to a donation from the Supporters club, the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £20, Adult Non Members £35 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot on Saturday.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or by cheque or via bank transfer.

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

Dover boss Chris Kinnear has no intention of treating Monday’s National League showdown at play-off chasing rivals Aldershot Town any differently to any other game his team plays.

Whites head to the EEB Stadium one place and two points clear of their Hampshire opponents, but Kinnear is not about to start getting carried away by those statistics.

He says he sees it as just another game.  “It is not all about Monday. It’s just another game as far as we are all concerned.

“You cannot afford to start thinking about what might be – that can hurt you.

“I ensure that we take each game as it comes, I know it’s an old cliché, but it’s so true in my book and always has been.

“We’ll be treating it like any other game. We’ll be playing to win regardless of who we are playing.”

ALDERSHOT’S RECENT FORM:

The Shots, who are unbeaten in 10 games at home, drew 2-2 at Tranmere Rovers on Good Friday.

Matt McClure gave Aldershot an early lead, but strikes from Cole Stockton and Connor Jennings put Rovers in front, before Bernard Mensah pulled the visitors level before the break.

LAST MEETING:

29/08/16 Dover 1-2 Aldershot

Aldershot won their first game on the road this season courtesy of former Dover midfielder Liam Bellamy.

Bellamy, who left Crabble last summer,  headed home just before the interval to double the visitors lead after Shamir Fenelon had fired the Shots ahead in the 21st minute.

Ross Lafayette’s stunning free-kick pulled one back in the second half, but Dover were unable complete a comeback and slumped to their second consecutive defeat.

PREVIOUS  MEETINGS:

05/12/15 Dover 5-2 Aldershot

18/08/15 Aldershot 1-1 Dover

03/03/15 Aldershot 3-1 Dover

HITMEN

Ricky Miller remains top scorer in the National League and struck his 36th of the season at home to Southport on Friday.

Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette both have 11.

Aldershot’s leading marksman is Scott Rendell with 12.

DOVER TEAM NEWS:

Manager Chris Kinnear expects to have a fully fit squad to pick from.

James Hurst and Richard Orlu (both leg) were taken off on Friday as a precaution and should be fit.

DOVER COLOURS

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Aldershot by wearing the matching shirts as the players,  captain Jamie Grimes and his team-mates will be wearing their blue shirts.

COVERAGE:

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

MONDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Barrow v North Ferriby United

Chester v Woking

Dagenham & Redbridge v Sutton United

Eastleigh v Bromley

Gateshead v Lincoln City

Guiseley v Tranmere Rovers

Macclesfield Town v Solihull Moors

Southport v Forest Green Rovers

Torquay United v Braintree Town

York City v Wrexham

Dover could move into the play-off places with a win against bottom-of-the-table Southport at Crabble on Good Friday.

Victory for boss Chris Kinnear’s men could also end the Sandgrounders eight-year stay in non-league’s top flight.

Defeat, or victory for any two out of Braintree Town, Woking and York City, will see Port relegated into the National League North.

Regardless of Southport’s lowly placing on the ladder, boss Kinnear is not taking anything for granted and is expecting a tough test.

He said: “They might go down on Friday, so could well play without fear.

“You can be sure that they will not make it easy for us. so we must be prepared for that.”

Only goal difference is currently keeping sixth-placed Dover below fifth-placed Aldershot.

SOUTHPORT’S RECENT FORM

Southport drew 2-2 at Sutton last Saturday after Roarie Deacon struck in the last minute to earn the hosts a point and keep Port hanging to their National League status by a thread.

Kieron Cadogan gave Sutton the lead, but Dan Spence’s own goal and a Neil Ashton free-kick gave the Seasiders hope of a great escape until Deacon’s last-gasp leveller.

Port  arrive at Crabble having lost 11 of their last 14 league matches.

LAST MEETING

03/09/16 Southport 0-1 Dover

Ricky Modeste’s early goal secured victory on a bitterly cold and wet afternoon on Merseyside.

The pacy winger (pictured above celebrating his winner) headed Orient loanee Sammy Moore’s precise cross over a stranded Ryan Crump after only three minutes.

The defeat also saw then Southport player-manager Andy Bishop lose his job.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

01/03/16 Dover 1-2 Southport

16/01/16 Dover 2-1 Southport 1 (FA Trophy)

05/09/15 Southport 0-0 Dover

21/09/15 Dover 2-2 Southport

HITMEN

Whites’ top-scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with 35 after his late winner at Braintree Town last Saturday.

Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette both have 11.

Southport’s leading marksman is Jamie Allen with 10.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant manager Jake Leberl confirmed on Wednesday that James Hurst (leg) is the only injury doubt and may face a late fitness test ahead of the match.

Dover midfielder Jim Stevenson is currently on loan at Southport but is ineligible to play against his parent club.

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make it, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

MATCH SPONSOR

Friday’s match is being sponsored by CITI BUSINESS SYSTEMS.

Visit www.citibusinesssystems.com to see what they do.

We thank them for their support.

MATCH BALL AND COYW MATCHDAY PROGRAMME SPONSOR

Friday’s match ball and COYW magazine are both being sponsored by The White Cliffs Hotel & The Cliffe Pub & Kitchen.

Enjoy your stay at www.thewhitecliffs.com

We thank them for their support.

FRIDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Boreham Wood v Dagenham & Redbridge

Braintree Town v Guiseley

Bromley v Barrow

Forest Green Rovers v Chester

Lincoln City v Torquay United

North Ferriby United v Eastleigh

Solihull Moors v York City

Sutton United v Gateshead

Tranmere Rovers v Aldershot Town

Woking v Macclesfield

Wrexham v Maidstone United.

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Aldershot on Monday and it’s not too late to reserve your seat on it.

It leaves Crabble at 11.15am and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £20, Adult Non Members £35 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot on Friday.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or by cheque or via bank transfer.

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

Dover will be aiming to address their recent poor record at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium when they head to relegation-haunted Braintree Town on Saturday.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s side are yet to register a point or a goal at the venue in their two games there since winning promotion back to non league’s top-flight.

But Kinnear is unconcerned by his side’s recent results at Braintree, who will start the game just two points above the drop zone.

He said: “Someone told me they have been a bit of a bogey side for Dover, but it is down to us really.

“It’s going to be difficult with their pitch and what they have got, but all we can do is take it as a game we want three points from.”

Dover are currently sixth in the table, two points behind Aldershot in fifth, but with a game in hand.

BRAINTREE’S RECENT FORM

Known as the Iron, Braintree were beaten by relegation rivals York City 3-0 on Saturday – their sixth defeat in seven league matches.

Jon Parkin, Asa Hall and Amari Morgan Smith scored the goals for the home side.

Braintree’s last victory was back in February, a 5-0 win at Bromley.

LAST MEETING

22/10/16 Dover Athletic 6-1 Braintree Town

Ricky Miller (pictured above in action against Braintree) scored four times as Athletic equalled their biggest winning margin since returning to the National League.

Sam Matthew’s sublime curled finish stunned the home fans early on, but Miller’s first half hat-trick, along with strikes from Aswad Thomas and Jack Parkinson, gave Dover a resounding 5-1 lead at the break.

Miller’s free-kick shortly after half time completed the rout.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

13/10/15: Braintree Town 1-0 Dover Athletic

15/09/15: Dover Athletic 0-0 Braintree Town

11/11/14: Dover Athletic 1-0 Braintree Town

12/08/14: Braintree Town 3-0 Dover Athletic

HITMEN

Whites’ top scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with 34 following his double in the win against Gateshead at Crabble last Saturday.

Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette both have 11.

Braintree’s leading man is Michael Cheek with 17.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

First team coach Mark Newson said on Wednesday that James Hurst (thigh), who missed the win against Gateshead, is the only injury doubt.

Newson gave Hurst a 50/50 chance of being available.

DOVER COLOURS

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Braintree by wearing the matching shirts as the players,  captain Jamie Grimes and his team-mates will be wearing their blue shirts.

COVERAGE:

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Aldershot Town v Torquay United

Barrow v Woking

Bromley v Wrexham

Chester v York City

Eastleigh v Lincoln City

Gateshead v Maidstone United

Guiseley v Forest Green Rovers

Macclesfield Town v Dagenham & Redbridge

North Ferriby United v Boreham Wood

Sutton United v Southport

Tranmere Rovers v Solihull Moors

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach making the trip to Braintree on Saturday and it’s not too late to book your place on it.

It leaves Crabble at 11am and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £15, Adult Non Members £30 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat.

Please note that you are now required to pay for your seat in advance in cash or by cheque or via bank transfer.

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

A massive game is worthy of a massive crowd and that’s shaping up to be the case when boss Chris Kinnear’s side host  play-off chasing rivals Gateshead at Crabble on Saturday.

The club is having another Family Day, and has given free tickets to all 52 Dover district schools to allow students to attend the game.

As of Friday, the club is currently expecting 2500 kids and parents to be here, so that should make for a cracking atmosphere.

There was 3,018 in attendance at Crabble when the club did the same thing for the opening of the Family Stand ahead of the Guiseley game last November.

Whites have a game in hand on the three teams above them, today’s opponents, Barrow and Aldershot, so need the to make the most of that and hopefully there will be a massive crowd in attendance to cheer the team to victory on Saturday.

The Heed are unbeaten in 10 games and Whites will be one point behind the Tynesiders at kick-off.

Dover first team coach Mark Newson is backing the players to bounce back following the loss at Tranmere on Saturday.

He said: “These are the types of games the lads tend to rise to the occasion.

“They demonstrated that earlier in the season by beating Lincoln and Forest Green here.  Gateshead are in great form, but we have the character to get a result.

“We are really pleased our destiny is in our own hands with seven games to go.”

GATESHEAD’S RECENT FORM

The Heed are currently seventh on the National League ladder after drawing 1-1 at Eastleigh last Saturday.

Gus Mafuta  gave Gateshead the lead in the 57th minute with his first goal of the season, but the lead lasted for just two minutes after former Dover loanee Ayo Obileye equalised from close range.

The draw extended Gateshead’s unbeaten league run to 10 games.

They last tasted defeat when Torquay beat them 3-1 at Plainmoor on 28th January.

08/10/16: Gateshead 4-2 Dover Athletic

Jack Parkinson put Dover ahead 10 minutes from half-time before the Heed replied twice before the break through Wes York and Sam Jones.

Paddy McLaughlin added a third three minutes into the second half before Ricky Miller threw Dover a lifeline with his 10th goal of the season.

But the joy proved to be short-lived when Jones,  who has since joined League 2 Grimsby Town, grabbed his second of the game two minutes later.

It was Dover’s first defeat against Gateshead since their return to the National League.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

29/11/14: Gateshead 1-2 Dover Athletic

21/03/15: Dover Athletic 1-0 Gateshead

03/10/15: Gateshead 2-3 Dover Athletic

13/02/16: Dover Athletic 4-0 Gateshead

HITMEN

Whites’ leading scorer in the National League this season is Ricky Miller with 32 after his double at Guiseley last Saturday.

Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette both have 11 league goals.

Gateshead’s leading man with 18 league goals is Danny Johnson

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Boss Chris Kinnear hopes to have a fully-fit squad available for game despite James Hurst (thigh) and goalkeeper Mitch Walker (groin) both picking up knocks at Tranmere on Tuesday.

Bondz N’Gala is back in contention having missed the last three games for personal reasons.

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make it, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

MATCH SPONSOR

Nick Cunningham Plumbing and Heating Engineers, based in Sandwich, are sponsors for the Gateshead match.

We thank Nick, a huge Dover fan, for his continued support of the club.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Wrexham v Tranmere (12.15pm)

Boreham Wood v Macclesfield

Dag & Red v Eastleigh

Forest Green v North Ferriby

Lincoln v Bromley

Maidstone v Barrow

Solihull v Aldershot

Southport v Guiseley

Torquay v Chester

Woking v Sutton

York v Braintree

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach heading to Braintree next Saturday.

It leaves Crabble at 11am and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £15, Adult Non Members £30 and accompanied child (under 16) £5

Please call or text Andy Fisher on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot before or after the game on Saturday.

Please note that you are now required to pay for your seat in advance in cash or by cheque or via bank transfer.

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.