Category: Match Preview

UP NEXT – OXFORD CITY

Oxford City head to Crabble.

The Whites face the Hoops in our penultimate home match of the 2022/23 campaign, looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat earlier on in the season. City will be looking to cement a place in the play-off spots with Ebbsfleet already guaranteed one promotion place following their league title claim from last weekend.

Mitch Brundle’s side will be looking to keep one step ahead of the relegation rivals, something the boss has been keen to speak about on numerous occasions. ‘I won’t really be happy until i see four teams with R next to their name so we will keep going,’ said the Gaffer.

Tyrone Sterling completed his ban so is now available for selection which could give the boss a selection dilemma with a fully fit squad at his disposal. Speaking to Kent Online Sport, Brundle said ‘That’s the best thing at the minute because it’s getting towards the end of the season and everyone is fit. Everyone’s trying to fight for their contracts for next year. We’ve had a full-strength squad.’

Opposition boss Ross Jenkins has placed the emphasis on remembering the performance last time out against the Whites. Speaking to his clubs website he said ‘It’s important we replicate our performance in the reverse fixture at their place. It’s a long journey but we’ve got to get on with it and we’ll prepare as normal and get ready for a good game of football. There’s no fear on their behalf. However, it’s important that we don’t focus on that. They’ll do what they can do and we’ll try and do what we’re best at and what we’ve been doing all season and try and get a result there.’

Oxford City Form Guide:

Head to Head: 

The two sides have met twice in the last ten years with both claiming a win each. Dover advanced to the next round of the FA Cup back in 2013 courtesy of a 3-0 win here at Crabble. The Hoops won more recently, at the start of this campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory.

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

We hope to see as many of you there as possible. COYW.

 

 

 

UP NEXT – DARTFORD

We head to Princes Park for a dose of Easter football. 

The Whites kicked off the Bank Holiday Easter weekend with a 0-0 stalemate at home to Welling United yesterday. It was a performance that summed our campaign up so far with us having dominated the ball but yet couldn’t put it in the onion bag. Welling hardly posed any real threat and looked content to play for a point but it could have been more had the referee spotted a potential penalty for Welling for a handball incident that eventually saw Wings Gaffer Warren Feeney sent off.

Dover manager Mitch Brundle was left frustrated by lack of three points but there were positives to take from the game. ‘I’m starting to sound like a broken record,’ said the Gaffer after the match. ‘We had some good moments but lacked the threat in the final third but that has been our season really. I was pleased with the defensive side of things as we never really looked like conceding. It’s another point and a clean sheet so we can take that away with us.’

The Whites dominated the first half, forcing Kai McKenzie into a handful of decent sides but were unable to bypass the Welling stopper. That game is now in the history books and with the Easter weekend raining fixtures on us, we move quickly onto Monday and a trip to North Kent. With Ebbslfeet wrapping up the title yesterday, Dartford now have the lottery of the play-offs to contend with if they want to advance back into the National League.

Dover will be looking to avenge a 3-1 hammering at Crabble earlier in the season but the form over the last five fixtures favours the home side heavily with the Whites only once in the last five, a 6-1 drubbing back in 2015. Despite the league table and formbook, we upset the odds last weekend away to Braintree so it’s not an impossible job. We hope to see as many of you as we can, to get behind the lads in what could be a crucial point in the season.

If you are thinking of travelling to the game the supporters club has a coach running.

Ticket Information

Adult £15

Concessions (Over 65) £10

Youth 13-17 £5

Junior £2

 

UP NEXT – WELLING UNITED

The Wings head to Crabble to kick-off the Easter Weekend.

Warren Feeney’s Welling United head to Crabble on Good Friday with both teams looking to steer clear from the bottom four. Our visitors sit one point and one place below us in the table in 17th position and will be looking to go one better than the point against the Whites back in September when two late goals from Manny Parry and Chike Kandi ensured that both teams took a point apiece.

Dover hold an impressive record over the Wings, winning four of the last five encounters, including a 5-0 thumping in a preseason friendly back in 2017. The Gaffer will be looking for another full blooded performance from his charges after some heroic defending last time out. As well as heaping plenty of praise on his players, Mitch Brundle had admiration for the travelling support last weekend who despite witnessing a less than favourable run of late, still got behind the team.

‘I cannot thank them enough,’ said the manager. ‘They have been fantastic since I came in and even with the down turn of form over those four games, still travelled to Braintree and got behind the team. Hopefully we can get some through the gate to kick off the bank holiday and we look forward to hopefully getting another three points.’

There are still spaces available in the VIP suite where you can relax and watch the game with the best view of the house, including a delicious three course meal. Details can be found on the website.

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 – BRAINTREE TOWN

The Whites head to Essex to take on Braintree.

Mitch Brundle takes his Dover side to Essex this weekend in a bid to stop a run of five consecutive defeats after only losing once in the previous eight matches prior to the 3-0 loss at home to Cheshunt.

The Whites romped to a 3-1 victory over the Iron in October and hold a pretty decent record over the hosts, winning four of the last five meetings, including a 6-1 drubbing courtesy of four Ricky Miller goals back in 2016.

Braintree are chasing a play off birth and despite their shock defeat to Taunton last time out, will be formidable opponents. Tyrone Sterling and Myles Judd could miss out through suspension but skipper Lee Martin and Jordan Higgs will return from their two match bans. Speaking to Kent Online Sport the Gaffer said ‘Martin and Higgs strengthen our midfield and you’re going to lose players but, hopefully, people stand up. Once you bring players into the first-team, including from the Academy, it’s only right that you use them. Some of the boys step up, like Freddie Oliver has done. Sometimes, you find little gems underneath your noses that you didn’t know about.’

The boss had his eyes firmly set on the fixture in hand amidst calls of a return of Alfie Pavey to haunt the Whites but unfortunately the forward misses out through suspension. ‘People might not know but me and Pavey have been friends for a very long time. He’s a fantastic player. When you play to his strengths, his goalscoring record speaks for itself. He would have wanted to play against his old team. Personally, I’m not going back there as a player, I’m going back as a manager. I loved it there, it’s where I broke through, really, but we’ll try to earn three points.’

Ticket Information:

Seat/Ground – Adults £15

Seat/Ground – Concessions £10

Ground Only – U18 £5

Getting to the Dunmow Group Stadium:

Leave the M25 at junction 27 and head north on the M11. Leave the M11 at junction 8 and head east on the A120. Follow the A120 for 16 miles until you reach Galleys Corner roundabout. Take the first exit into Cressing Road. Entry to the ground is approximately three-quarters of a mile on your left (Clockhouse Way) and is sign posted.

We hope to see as many of you there as possible. COYW.

UP NEXT – ST ALBANS CITY

The Whites travel to St Albans looking to get back to winning ways.

We head to the Mozzarella Fellas Stadium, Clarence Park, for our next Vanarama National South outing. The lads will be looking to turn around our fortunes following a hat-trick of defeats. This weekend also sees the return of Non League Day, which promises to bring an added buzz around the place with the pre attendance figures already quoted as having beaten the previous record attendance between the two clubs which stands at just over 800.

St Albans City socials had been advertising a good ticket deal for the match and interest was very high in the reduced tickets.

Entry to the Mozzarella Fellas Stadium at Clarence Park for the 2022/2023 season is subject to the following admission prices:

Match tickets

Ticket type Price
Adult £16.50
Concession * £11
Her Game Too *** £11
Next-Gen (18-21) £8
Junior (U18s) £6
Junior (U12s) ** FREE
Family ticket *** £18/£30

Under 12 tickets are only free of charge when purchased with an over 18 ticket – otherwise under 18 prices will apply.

Club members may purchase match tickets with a 10% discount (except for the proper rounds of the FA Cup).

Matchday tickets, hospitality options, season tickets, and club memberships can be obtained from our online ticketing site. Tickets can be pre-purchased or purchased from the turnstiles (card payments only).

  • Seniors aged 65 and over
  • Unemployed (JSA recipients)
  • Personal Indépendence Payments recipients
  • NHS and Blue Light Services staff members
  • Serving Members of the Armed Forces
  • Students in full-time education (aged over 21 years old)
  • Season Ticket Holders of Watford, Luton Town, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, and West Ham United

** Must attend with another ticket holder aged 16 or over
*** A pre-purchased family ticket will include 1 x Adult plus 1 x Youth (Under 18) for £18 or 2 x Adults plus 2 x Youth (Under 18s) for £30.

**** Her Game Too initiative – special admission price for season ticket holders of any women’s football club

Ways to buy a match ticket
Online via our FanZone website subject to availability.

In-person at Clarence Park on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 10 am and 1 pm (card payments only)

All supporters are asked to respect our neighbours and park with consideration. A large car park is available at St Albans City Station and costs are modest for evening or Saturday parking.

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

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

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

A JOB WELL DONE – FROM TAUNTON TO HAVANT

The Whites returned back to White Cliffs country with the points but attention already turns to Havant. 

It was a hard fought victory on Saturday with the only goal coming from a neat Jordan Higgs finish, following some good build-up play by both Brandon Pierrick and George Nikaj. The gaffer was delighted with the win and getting back on the bus with three points after travelling all morning was well worth the journey.

‘It was fantastic,’ said Brundle. ‘From start to finish, we could of won by more but thats been our downfall all season. I couldn’t of asked for more. It was a perfect performance, coming away from home, 1-0 win, long journey. I’m delighted for the boys who put the hard work in. The players were dead on their feet after the game with the effort that they put in. They worked so hard. It’s 8 points from 12 now which puts us in good stead and now we focus on the next game.

Two clean sheets in a row, the back for and goalkeeper have been fantastic. They defended like proper men today. Taunton put some great deliveries into our box but again Jake Goodman, who only missed one header all day, was superb. We played against a team who have the second best defensive record in the league so to get two clean sheets in a row shows how far we have come in a short space of time.

We move on to the next game now on Tuesday and we take a lot of confidence from the performance. Freddie Oliver has come in on his debut and was outstanding. It couldn’t have gone any better for him and now the task for him is to keep that level of performance. We know he wont be able to play like that every week as he’s only young but he read the game so well on Saturday and he’s given himself a chance and put himself in our plans for the remainder of the season.

There is a real togetherness in the squad at the moment but its not just the players, it’s the backroom staff as well. There is a little buzz about the place and we are delighted with the recent attitude of everyone.

Just want to say thank you to all the traveling fans on Saturday. Unbelievable commitment to travel and support us in number and it certainly got us over the line, helping us get 3 points. The players appreciate it so thank you.’

Debutant Freddie Oliver had brought plaudits from both the fans and his boss after a cracking performance in the heart of the Whites midfield. The youngster looked like he had over 100 appearances under his belt rather than just making his first.

‘First game today. I was a little nervous before it started but as the game went on I got into it and now I am buzzing after the game. Coming away from home, tough pitch and a long coach journey, it was always going to be a tough match but we got the three points which is the main thing. We done the business. Thank you to the supporters for their support Saturday. To hear the noise they were making throughout the game helped me and filled me with confidence.’

The Whites have a quick turnaround with Havant & Waterlooville heading back to Kent for our rearranged fixture tomorrow night.

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