Category: Match Reaction

THE MANAGERS REACTION

Mitch Brundle’s thoughts on the Tonbridge defeat.

We were just poor. No sugar coating around it. Man to man, eleven v eleven, their eleven was better than ours. We had a couple of players who really gave it a go whereas I don’t believe the others did. I gave them the treatment at half time, like most managers would and they came out for five minutes and were fantastic but we never really gave ourselves a chance to be in the game. In the first half we were 2-0 down before we had even got a foothold in the game, which is disappointing.

We dictated the play for large portions of the match but we just lacked that bit of penetration or the final threaded ball. We lacked the will and the want to actually run past players. Just really disappointed. I stand on the sides like the fans do and it hurts me because I am watching what they are watching and that team doesn’t represent me and that’s what I am most disappointed about.

Up till now the team have performed to a certain standard and I couldn’t really change the starting eleven. They performed against Ebbsfleet, Taunton and Hungerford, where we were undone by a freak goal from the wind. Last night just proves that deep down I know what is needed with this team and this is why there will be new additions. I have inherited this squad and the squads done well up till now but we haven’t really found that consistency. Myself and the chairman are working as hard as we can, day in day out, to try and out to the squad but when we do eventually add to the team that will mean players will have to go out.

For me it’s now time to stamp my authority on the team and as much as I hate losing, at this stage it has probably done me the world of good as now we can change the philosophy and how we want to play, the personnel I want to play, for three games I couldn’t question the lads hunger and desire.

Looking ahead to Hemel Hempstead Town.

We have a fully fit squad to choose from but be prepared for changes to be made, that’s for certain. We beat them 4-0 earlier in the season so they will have something to prove against us. In football I never like to say it but only poor teams bounce back. I want my team to be consistent throughout the season but at the moment I will be asking them to bounce back. There will be additions and changes to the squad, there will be a change to the team and I hope that we can put on a performance that will be as far away as possible of that from Tuesday night. Their manager has come in and done fantastically well, but we will try and implement our game plan and hopefully our new additions will make sure of that.

 

 

 

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | DOVER 1-2 DULWICH HAMLET

Andy Hessenthaler spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard after the National League South defeat at Crabble on New Year’s Day.

Alfie Pavey’s eighth goal of the season put Whites ahead in the 38th minute before the visitors secured the three points after goals from Danny Mills and Joe Felix.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd (Carney 87mins), Paxman, Goodman, Sterling, Brundle (Wilkinson 69mins), Higgs, Martin, Baptiste (Kandi 62mins), Wanadio, Pavey. Subs not used: Moses, Agbebi.

Dulwich Hamlet: Grainger, Ming, Holland, Raymond, Mills (Owusu 69mins), Taylor, Blackman (Krasniqi 85mins), Porter, Clarke (Smith 94mins), Felix, Vint. Subs not used: Jones, Powell.

Attendance: 827

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | DULWICH HAMLET 1-1 DOVER

Summer signing Jordan Higgs scored against his former club as Andy Hessenthaler’s side came from behind to leave Champion Hill with a point on Boxing Day.

The hosts took the lead through Joe Felix in the 19th minute before Higgs (pictured) replied eight minutes before half-time.

The result sees Dover finish the year in 13th place on the National League South table while Dulwich are 17th ahead of the return fixture at Crabble on New Year’s Day (3pm).

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd (Byford 87′), Paxman, Sterling, Goodman, Brundle, Higgs, Martin, Wanadio (Carney 83′), Pavey, Baptiste

Subs Not Used:  Nikaj, Moses, Wilkinson

Attendance: 2541

POST-MATCH REACTION | MIKE SANDMANN | BRIGHTON 2-1 ACADEMY

Our Academy bowed out of the FA Youth Cup with their heads held high after losing to their Premier League counterparts in the Third Round tie at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing on Wednesday.

The hosts led 2-0 at half-time before second-half substitute Tim Marapara reduced the deficit in the 64th minute after pouncing on a poor back pass.

Manager Mike Sandmann was full of praise for his young charges after the game.

He said: “It goes without saying how proud myself and all the staff are of the players after that performance, one that saw us push a Premier League team all the way to the end.

“We knew Brighton was going to dominate the ball and we set ourselves up to frustrate and counter-attack when turning over possession – I thought we frustrated them for large parts of the game with most of it played in front of us.

“We got ourselves in some good areas and caused them problems early on In the game despite having a lot less of the ball.

“We were disappointed with the goals we conceded after allowing their player to turn 25 yards out and the header, which we should have defended better against regardless of the opposition we play against.

“At half-time, we spoke about the importance of staying in the game while getting ourselves higher up the pitch and waiting for our chance to take more risks.

“I felt we continued to frustrate but in a higher area and I’m pleased with the goal we scored as we had to be patient and wait for the opportunity for them to make a mistake which Tim punished them for.

“When it was 2-1 the whole atmosphere changed and it become a proper game and Brighton felt it.

“You could see that with their goalkeeper getting booked for time wasting and the management team kicking the ball away.

“Tim had another chance deflected wide which could have made it even more uncomfortable for them.

“Saying that I couldn’t be prouder of them all and the players will certainly learn a lot from the game

“We asked the players to leave everything out on the pitch and they certainly did that.

“It’s been a great journey for the Academy and on behalf of everyone we would like to thank you for the support and kind messages we have received – I can assure you that it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.”

 

POST-MATCH REACTION | MIKE SANDMANN | CHESHUNT 2-0 DOVER

Coach Mike Sandmann gives his thoughts after the defeat at Theobalds Lane on Tuesday.

Sandmann and player/assistant manager Mitch Brundle took charge of the team with manager Andy Hessenthaler not making the trip as he has Covid.

The loss sees Dover remain 12th on the table ahead of Saturday’s game against Worthing at Crabble (3pm).

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | DOVER 1-1 ST ALBANS CITY

Andy Hessenthaler spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard after the National League South draw at Crabble on Saturday.

Winger Luke Wanadio, who had been ill during the week and did well to last 64 minutes, put Whites ahead from the penalty spot in the 27th minute.

The visitors also equalised from the spot five minutes before half-time through leading scorer Shaun Jeffers.

Jeffers had the chance to double the lead with another penalty a minute later but he saw his effort superbly saved by Stuart Nelson.

Earlier, Dover had to make a late change to their starting line-up after Will Moses was taken ill during the warm-up.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Brundle, Higgs, Pavey (Grant 72’), Wanadio (Kandi 64’), Martin, Wilkinson, Sterling, Baptiste

Subs Not Used:  Krasniqi, Nikaj, Byford

Attendance: 538

POST-MATCH REACTION | MIKE SANDMANN | HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH 0-2 DOVER

Mike Sandmann was full of praise for the players after Dover bounced back from the disappointing FA Trophy defeat a week earlier with an impressive win in the National League South clash at the Beveree Stadium.

Jake Goodman headed Whites ahead inside two minutes before Luke Wanadio doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 38th minute.

The win leaves Andy Hessenthaler’s 12th on the table ahead of Saturday’s game against St Albans City at Crabble (12.30pm).

 

 

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | OXFORD CITY 3-1 DOVER

Manager Andy Hessenthaler has his say after his side saw their three-game unbeaten run come to a disappointing end at Marsh Lane.

The hosts led 3-0 at half-time after goals from Joe Iaciofano, Josh Ashby, and Zac McEachran before substitute George Nikaj reduced the deficit in stoppage time.

 

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | DOVER 1-1 CHIPPENHAM TOWN

Andy Hessenthaler spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard after the National League South draw at Crabble on Saturday.

Whites extended their unbeaten run to three games thanks to Alfie Pavey’s second-half equaliser.

Dover played with 10 men from the 28th minute after captain Lee Martin was sent off after receiving a second yellow in the space of a minute.

 

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POST-MATCH REACTION | MITCH BRUNDLE | BATH CITY 0-1 DOVER

Assistant manager Mitch Brundle was full of praise for his players after the impressive win at Twerton Park on Saturday.

Luke Wanadio scored the all-important goal five minutes before half-time as Whites bounced back from Tuesday’s disappointing defeat against Concord Rovers in style.