Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/DIskuM0q5Rs

Justin Allen sits down with Jake Leberl, Alfie Matthews and Ruben Soares-Junior straight after our win against Chichester City.

The group discuss the the afternoon’s game, reflect on our season so far and talk through their own personal goals for the season.

Both players talk on why they came to Dover Athletic, their relationships with the management team and the other lads in the dressing room.

Alfie and Ruben thank the fans for their support so far and urge everyone to stick behind the team for the rest of the season.

Are you tired of dealing with flimsy plastic glasses on the terraces? Concerned about the growing amount of plastic waste being generated at the games?

Dover Athletic has the perfect solution! Introducing our new, club-branded refillable rigid plastic cups, now available at all beer outlets for just £1.50.

These durable glasses can be refilled as many times as you like, reducing the need for single-use plastics. Plus, they make for a great souvenir! You can even bring them back to the next match for reuse, helping us all do our part to reduce plastic waste.

By switching to these reusable glasses, you’re not only enhancing your game-day experience but also contributing to a greener future.

Let’s make a difference together – one drink at a time!

The Whites face off against newly promoted Chichester City and will look to get back to winning ways after securing a point against league favourites Billericay.

Dover Athletic

On Saturday, Dover secured a 1-1 draw against unbeaten Billericay on a hot day in Essex. Despite early pressure from the hosts, Dover’s goalkeeper Mitch Walker made crucial saves to keep the game level. Dover grew into the match, with Nikaj and Baptiste creating chances, but they couldn’t score before halftime. In the second half, Dover took the lead in the 70th minute through a Nikaj tap-in after a setup by Baptiste. However, Billericay quickly equalized following a defensive lapse. Despite late pressure, Dover held on to earn a well-deserved point.

Kieron Agbebi (foot) remains unavailable with injury. Harrison Pont is suspended.

From the Manager

“Any point on the road is a good point, but especially against one of the favourites last time out. Being away from home against Billericay after a difficult Tuesday at home, we take the point. It was a really pleasing performance. Now we’ve got two games in a few days and that is always going to be difficult. We’re really looking forward to the home fixture. We had an unbelievable crowd at the Folkestone game. Hopefully most of them or a lot of them will realise what we’re about and be back for Saturday. I hope they get behind the boys and we continue pushing onwards and upwards.”

Kit

Dover Athletic will line up in our white home shirt and black shorts, with Mitch Walker in the pink keepers strip. Chichester will play in their away strip of green shorts and a white and green striped shirt.

The Opposition

On Saturday, Chichester City FC put up a resilient fight against Carshalton Athletic but ultimately fell 3-1 in a challenging match. Despite being Isthmian newcomers, Chichester showed promise, particularly in the latter stages of the first half, where they began to dominate after a slow start. Although they conceded the first goal to Gody, Chichester continued to press, with Mo Jammeh leveling the score just before halftime after following up his own saved penalty.

In the second half, Chichester had multiple appeals for penalties waved away and continued to apply pressure. Their defense held firm for much of the game, but Carshalton’s substitutions turned the tide. Stagg’s introduction proved decisive as he scored twice, capitalising on Chichester’s defensive lapses. Despite their efforts to equalise late in the game, including several near misses and a free-kick that grazed the bar, Chichester couldn’t find a way back.

The Venue

We look forward to welcoming Chichester City to the Megger Community Stadium. More information on getting to the ground can be found here: https://doverathletic.com/visit-crabble/

Megger Community Stadium. Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 0JB.

Admission  

Adults: £15
Concessions: £14
U18: £9
U11: FREE with a paying adult

We now only accept card on the gate and operate a cashless ground.

Man of the Match

Join us at the Centre Spot after the game as we present the Man of the Match award, where your vote counts! Make sure to cast your vote in our X poll right at the final whistle, so don’t miss out on having your say. DAFC Supporters Club will also be drawing their new season raffle after the game, with big prizes to be won!

Match Report by Fred Deveson

It was a hot day in Essex yesterday as Dover earned themselves a good point against Billericay, drawing 1-1 against the unbeaten side.

The game started with the Whites arguably on the back foot. The wide players for the hosts were incredibly effective and were getting on the ball a lot, and creating plenty. Roman Charles Cook and Fuad Sesay were incredibly busy. 

Mitch Walker was called into action early in the first half and he made an excellent save after the hosts tried a cutback into the penalty area. The Dover number 1 kept the score goalless a couple of times in that first half before the Whites came into their own. 

Dover’s wide men got involved themselves as the game began to sway in the away side’s favour after the Whites rode the early Billericay storm. Nikaj got himself in a good position near the by-line and set up Baptiste, who’s effort was saved well by the goalkeeper. 

Sesay began to get a bit of joy down the left hand side for Dover, with a couple of good balls in being headed out, or headed over. There were some very promising signs creeping into the game for Dover. 

As the half came to a close, Dover had a couple of very good chances. Baptiste got himself into a great position, laying it off for a teammate, but he couldn’t convert from close range. Then, a minute later, Lindell Stewart gets in behind, comes in on his right and fires the shot over the bar. 

The second half began with not as much action compared to the first. Alfie Matthews was substituted on for Dover Athletic in the 56th minute, making his first Whites appearance. 

The half, as it wore on, was quite even. Both sides had a couple of chances to put themselves in the lead, but both teams were lacking a finish to their good play. That was until the 70th minute, when a lovely ball from Wilkinson found Baptiste at the by-line, who cut it back for Nikaj to tap in to an empty net for 0-1. 

However, straight after this opening goal, the hosts began to really step it up and they were putting immense pressure on the Dover defence. This pressure was eventually rewarded as a ball across the box wasn’t dealt with by the away side, and the shot from the wide man found the back of the net for 1-1.

Both sides had their chances late on to find a winner, with Matthews firing a shot goalwards that was blocked by the Billericay defender, otherwise it was heading into the bottom corner. The referee then blew for full time not long after, confirming Dover’s hard earned point away from home. 

Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 691
Kick-off: 3pm
Venue: New Lodge

Billericay Town 1 Ashley Nzala (77′)

Dover Athletic 1 George NIKAJ  (72′)

Billericay: 1 Sam Donkin, 2 Montel McKenzie, 3 Jay Porter, 4 Matt Johnson, 7 Ibrahim Jalloh, 8 Ansu Janneh, 10 Frankie Merrifield, 11 De-Carrey Sheriff, 12 Tommy Davis, 18 Ashley Nzala, 21 Jack Paxman. SUBS: 6 Tom Bender, 9 Moses Emmanuel, 15 Richard Asamoah, 16 Harrison Day, 22 Ben Steward

Dover Athletic: 1 Mitch WALKER, 2 Roman CHARLES-COOK, 3 Fuad SESAY, 5 Joe TENNENT, 6 Luca COCORACCHIO, 7 Luke BAPTISTE, 10 George NIKAJ, 11 Lindell STEWART, 14 Ruben SOARES-JUNIOR, 16 Harrison PONT, 23 George WILKINSON. SUBS: 4 Jeremiah GYEBI, 8 Alfie MATTHEWS, 9 Eniye AMGBADUBA, 15 Tamas AMGBADUBA, 20 Jaiden DRAKES-THOMAS

Fancy watching the Whites take on Chichester City in style? Of course you do.

The boys will be looking to put on a show and where else would you rather watch it than here with us.

Watch the game from the best seats in the house and let our match day hospitality provide the ultimate way to spend your time with us.

The package includes:

• Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and a projector showing the game
• A three-course meal served at your table
• Reserved undercover premium padded seating
• Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus a dedicated paid bar before and after the match
• Complimentary match day team sheet

The very special experience costs £29.95 per person and is available for individual and group bookings, or as a gift voucher.

Please note that this price does NOT include entry for non-season ticket holders who do attend, and they will still need to pay at the turnstile on the day.

On the menu for the game will be :

Starter: Pate with Melba Toast

Main: Chicken Breast with a White Wine Cream and Garlic Sauce served with Baby Potatoes, Carrots and Peas.

Dessert: Belgium Chocolate and Raspberry Torte served with Cream.

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. Please let us know if there are any dietary requirements when booking and we will accommodate as best we can with alternatives.

The dress code is smart casual.

To buy your VIP ticket please email [email protected] or call the office on 01304 822373

Jake Leberl and Justin Allen take a deep dive look into the Dover Athletic vs Folkestone Invicta game. Watch the full 20 minute video here – https://youtu.be/DTW13OgRw-Y

Match Report by Fred Deveson

It was derby day for Dover who faced off against Folkestone Invicta, controversially on Tuesday night. The Whites fell short and lost 2-3 at home to their local rivals in a thrilling game. 

Dover started the game incredibly nervously, and it did not take long for the visitors to capitalise on that. A set piece routine for the away side was well worked and a header back across the goal was tapped in by their forward for 0-1 after 2 minutes; not the start that Dover wanted. 

The Whites slowly came back into the game and grew as the half went on, having plenty of chances of their own particularly around the half an hour mark, when Nikaj crashed his effort off the post. The Whites had other chances to equalise but some good defending by Folkestone kept the score at 1-0. 

Unfortunately for Dover, and arguably against the run of play at the time, Folkestone doubled their lead shortly after this spell. The left back was able to run into the box unchallenged and he pulled it back, with the Dover defender putting a foot in to block the cross. The ball then fell for the striker Smith who finished past Walker. The assistant flagged for offside, but was overruled by the referee who gave the goal. 

Shortly after, Dover replied. Wilkinson delivered a lovely ball into the box and Nikaj met it superbly and glanced it in to half Folkestone’s advantage and bring the Whites right back in it before half time. 

The second half kicked off and it started well for Dover, who were still looking a bit nervous but they had settled into the game, especially after scoring their first goal. Then, around the hour mark, Harrison Pont put in a strong tackle and the referee felt it was right to send him off, after some loud complaints from the Folkestone players and fans. Dover were a man and a goal down, with a bigger mountain to climb. 

Manager Jake Leberl brought on substitutes to try and change the game, which they did. Eniye Amgbaduba came on to be a target man, which he was, as he won plenty of headers and flick ons which pushed the team forward. Gyebi, Silcott-Brown, Drakes-Thomas and Tamas all came on after, all making positive impacts. 

Despite this push from the manager, Folkestone went and grabbed a third goal, as they swung in a corner which was headed home for the visitors who looked set to take all 3 points back down the M20. 

That was until Dover had a succession of corners, with one being headed out only as far as Drakes-Thomas, who fired his effort into the back of net with 5 minutes to play. 

7 minutes of added time were played but it wasn’t enough for Dover, who couldn’t conjure up an equaliser and the referee blew for full time, confirming Dover’s defeat.

Despite the loss, it was a good performance by the Whites who showed fight and spirit throughout the game. 

Billericay await Dover on Saturday in game 3 of the new season.