Boss Chris Kinnear has his say following Whites goalless draw with FC Halifax Town on Saturday.
Archives: News
HIGHLIGHTS: DOVER 0-0 HALIFAX
Catch up on the best of the action from Saturday’s goalless draw.
WHITES FRUSTRATED BY HALIFAX
DOVER 0-0 FC HALIFAX TOWN
WHITES could not end 2017 with a win after being unable to break down ten-man Halifax Town at Crabble on Saturday.
Visiting keeper Sam Johnson pulled off two stunning first half saves, denying both Mitch Brundle and Ryan Bird in succession.
And Athletic were not able to capitalise after Jake Hibbs received his marching orders late on following a second bookable offence.
The home side went close early on as Mitchell Pinnock’s searching ball almost found substitute Kadell Daniel at the far post, but Josh Wilde cleared the ball behind for a corner.
And Connor Essam would have blasted the hosts ahead from the resulting set piece had it not been for Scott Garner’s brave block to deny the defender a second league goal of the season.
Shortly after the half-hour make, Sam Johnson brilliantly palmed away Brundle’s dipping 25-yard volley and though Ryan Bird pounced on the rebound, the giant goalkeeper was up quickly to deny Dover’s top scorer.
Brundle then spotted Bird had peeled off the visiting defence, however the forward was unable to stretch his legs enough to reach his skipper’s diagonal ball.
Danny Clarke seemed to be in disbelief after Essam’s mistake left him one-on-one with home stopper Mitch Walker, giving Giancarlo Gallifuoco enough time to track back and tackle the midfielder.
Australian Gallifuoco almost had Dover ahead just after the break, but powered Brundle’s corner just wide of the far post.
And the away side had their first shot on target on the hour mark as Josh MacDonald crossed for Tom Denton, but the tall striker could only direct his header straight into the arms of Walker.
Daniel also tried with his head minutes later, nodding Pinnock’s searching ball over the bar.
And Bird thought he had won the game late on, but fired wide after latching onto Jake Hibbs’ headed clearance.
Earlier boss Chris Kinnear kept with the same side that drew with Maidstone on Boxing Day. New signing Liam Bellamy was named on the bench, replacing the ill Kane Richards.
The draw sees Dover rise one place to fourth in the table, seven points of leaders Macclesfield Town.
Whites next travel to Maidstone on New Year’s Day. Kick off 3pm.
Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Passley, Brundle (c), Nortey (Bellamy 82), Ilesanmi, Pinnock (Alabi 76), Bird, Jeffrey (Daniel 12).
Subs not used: Dean-Conteh, Fazakerley.
Halifax: Johnson, Duckworth, Moyo, Garner (c), Wilde, MacDonald, Hibbs, Clarke, Collins, McManus (Tomlinson 55), Denton.
Subs not used: Oliver, Nicholson, Morgan, Waring.
Attendance: 1,127
Referee: Adrian Quelch
WHITES WELCOME BACK BELLAMY
Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear has added to his midfield options with Liam Bellamy rejoining the club.
Bellamy, 26, spent two seasons at Crabble, making 45 appearances, before leaving for National League rivals Aldershot Town in June 2016.
He played 14 times for the Shots last season, scoring twice, including one against Dover, before he sustained a season-ending injury against Forest Green Rovers in November.
Now back to full fitness, the former Charlton and Brentford youngster will wear the No.28 shirt and will be available for Saturday’s National League game against FC Halifax at Crabble.
Welcome back Liam!
PREVIEW: DOVER V HALIFAX
Whites will be looking to make it six matches without defeat when they host Halifax this Saturday.
Chris Kinnear’s men came back from two goals down at the break in the Boxing Day clash with Maidstone, the second time they have done so this season having overturned a two-goal deficit away at Bromley on December 2nd.
But Athletic’s boss will hope his side can add to their 11 clean sheets so far this weekend, though will be wary of his opponent’s main goal threat.
Six-foot-seven striker Tom Denton is the Shaymen’s top scorer so far with nine strikes.
HALIFAX’S RECENT FORM
MACCLESFIELD 2-1 HALIFAX
Tyrone Marsh’s second-half header completed an impressive turnaround for the Silkmen.
Tom Denton had the Shaymen ahead on 11 minutes, arrowing a header into the far post from a corner.
Danny Whitehead also scored with his head, levelling matters for the home side in first half stoppage time.
Striker Denton saw an effort cleared off the line shortly after the break and Marsh took full advantage, heading home on 78 minutes to keep Town top of the standings.
PREVIOUS MEETING
15/08/17
HALIFAX 1-2 DOVER
Tobi Sho-Silva’s last-gasp winner saw Dover win 2-1 at FC Halifax Town and maintain their 100% winning record on the road so far this season.
The forward pounced on Connor Essam’s header into the area following substitute Mitch Pinnock’s deep corner as Dover won at the MBi Shay Stadium for the first time in three attempts.
It looked like the match would end in a draw after Tom Denton netted in the 90th minute to cancel out Mitch Brundle’s header four minutes earlier, but Sho-Silva struck his first league goal of the campaign to take all three points back to Kent.
Whites were almost ahead early on as defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco flashed a volley just wide from Brundle’s low corner
The Shaymen went even closer at the midway point of the first half. Josh Wilde’s dangerous cross was met by Denton, but Manny Parry was able to track back and nod the lanky striker’s looping header off the line.
Midfielder Brundle appeared to win the game in the 86th minute. A lightning counter attack ended with Dover’s skipper heading in Allen’s pinpoint cross in spite of Johnson’s best efforts to claw the ball away. Connor Oliver’s cross had missed every player in a blue shirt at the other end of the pitch seconds earlier.
But Halifax levelled one minute into injury time as Denton powered home Wilde’s lofted ball into the box.
However it was Dover and Sho-Silva who had the final say with the last kick of the game to send the 32 travelling fans who made the trip to West Yorkshire wild.
OTHER MEETING
03/04/16: Dover 1-0 FC Halifax Town
28/11/15: FC Halifax Town 4-2 Dover
14/02/15: FC Halifax Town 3-2 Dover
09/08/14: Dover 0-1 FC Halifax Town
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £17
Over 60’s – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – Free (With an accompanying adult)
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 (3pm kick off unless stated)
ALDERSHOT TOWN V MAIDSTONE UNITED (12:30)
BARROW V SOLIHULL MOORS
BOREHAM WOOD V TORQUAY UNITED
CHESTER V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
EASTLEIGH V WOKING
EBBSFLEET UNITED V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
GATESHEAD V WREXHAM
LEYTON ORIENT V BROMLEY
MACCLESFIELD TOWN V SUTTON UNITED
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V AFC FYLDE
TRANMERE ROVERS V GUISELEY
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Maidstone on Monday 1st January and it’s not too late to book a seat on it.
Prices are as follows:
Adult members £12, adult non-members £25 and accompanied child (Under 16) £6.
There is also a coach travelling to Boreham Wood on Saturday 20th January and the costs are as follows:
Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 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 after the match against Halifax.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.
HIGHLIGHTS: DOVER 2-2 MAIDSTONE
Catch up on all the best bits from Tuesday’s thrilling Boxing Day derby.
VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION
Goalscorer Nortey Nortei talks to the camera following Whites 2-2 draw with Maidstone on Boxing Day.
VIDEO: ASSISTANT MANAGER REACTION
Jake Leberl has his say following Whites 2-2 draw with Maidstone on Boxing Day.
BIRD GOAL COMPLETES COMEBACK
DOVER 2-2 MAIDSTONE
(Nortey 58) (Piggott (36,41)
(Bird 80)
RYAN Bird’s goal ten minutes from time saw Whites complete an impressive second half comeback in a thrilling Boxing Day Kent derby at a rainy Crabble.
Trailing to two Joe Piggott strikes at the break, Nortei Nortey headed home shortly after the restart and Bird pounced to level the scores after visiting keeper Lee Worgan parried sub Kadell Daniel’s cross-cum-shot to Athletic’s top scorer.
The visitors fashioned the first chance, but Aaron Collins was unable to direct Piggott’s high ball into the box on target.
The Wolves loanee then tried again, this time testing home stopper Mitch Walker from twenty-yards.
Dover’s first shot on target came on 21 minutes from Bird as he headed Mitch Pinnock’s free-kick straight at Worgan.
And Anthony Jeffrey also attempted to score with his head, but nodded Josh Passley’s centre well wide of the mark.
A set piece provided Whites next chance as Connor Essam nodded over Pinnock’s corner.
And seconds later Bird almost put the hosts ahead. The striker fired Femi Ilesanmi’s low cross towards the bottom corner, but Worgan flung himself to tip the ball around the post.
But it was the away side who had the lead ten minutes before the break.
Seth Nana Twusami took advantage of hesitation by Jeffrey and crossed for Collins, who flicked the ball away from Walker’s clutches and straight to the laying-in-wait Piggott to take a touch and curl into the far corner.
And Maidstone’s top scorer doubled his match tally minutes later.
The forward was left alone in the box to power in his 12th of the season from Jamar Loza’s accurate cross.
The forward almost had his hat-trick after the break, but was unable to get the better of Walker at the near post after winning a tussle in the penalty area.
Skipper Mitch Brundle almost had Dover back in contention, striking the underside of the crossbar with a stunning 30-yard lob.
And Athletic went close again minutes later with Worgan forced to tip over Passley’s floated ball into the box.
The home pressure continued with Bird a whisker away from connecting to Pinnock’s driven pass across the goalmouth.
But Dover were back in the game with just over 30 minutes left of the clock.
Passley tossed in a ball from the right for Nortey to head into the bottom corner – past Worgan’s despairing grasp.
The home crowd were almost celebrating an equaliser shortly after, but Kadell Daniel stabbed over Manny Parry’s ball to him from close range.
But the substitute proved integral to Whites equaliser ten minutes from time. The winger’s long-range shot from an angle deceived Worgan, who could only parry the ball upwards, allowing Bird to gleefully prod in his twelfth National League goal of the season.
Stones’ goalie faired better when blocking Pinnock’s lashed effort with his legs as the home team searched for a winner.
And it looked like Giancarlo Gallifuoco would complete a stunning turnaround, but Worgan somehow caught the Australian’s point-blank header from Brundle’s cross.
Earlier, boss Kinnear kept with the same side that drew at Wrexham on Saturday.
Whites next host FC Halifax Town on Saturday 30th December. Kick off 3pm.
Dover: Walker, Passley, Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Esssam, Brundle (c), Pinnock, Bird, Nortey, Jeffrey (Daniel 54).
Subs not used: Richards, Fazakerley, Alabi, Dean-Conteh.
Maidstone: Worgan (c), Finney (Okuonghae 15), Wynter, Lewis, Loza (Prestedge 70), Anderson, Reason, Twusami, Hines, Piggott, Collins.
Subs not used: Hare, Paxman, Wraight.
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Attendance: 2,078
PREVIEW: DOVER V MAIDSTONE
Whites will be aiming to make it five matches unbeaten when they host Kent rivals Maidstone on Boxing Day.
Jay Saunders men drew 1-1 at Crabble in the same fixture last season and will be in confident mood after two matches unbeaten on the road.
But Chris Kinnear will be hoping his side can continue with their impressive defensive form.
Athletic have conceded just 17 goals so far this campaign – the least in the National League – and have kept three consecutive clean sheets.
MAIDSTONE’S RECENT FORM
MAIDSTONE 0-2 LEYTON ORIENT
Leyton Orient won back-to-back games in the National League for the first time since September with victory at the Gallagher Stadium.
Bondz N’Gala tucked away James Dayton’s corner ten minutes before the break to give the visitors the lead.
And Macauley Bonne doubled the advantage shorty afterwards with a sharp turn and shot after collecting Jake Caprice’s pass.
Joe Pigott missed from close range for the Stones late on and the win sees Orient move six points clear of the bottom four.
PREVIOUS MEETING
01/01/17 – MAIDSTONE 1-4 DOVER
Clinical finishing saw Dover climb two places into fourth in the National League after a 4-1 win against Maidstone United at a cold and wet Gallagher Stadium on New Year’s Day.
Moses Emmanuel’s double set Whites on their way and though Vas Karagiannis pulled one back for the hosts, Ross Lafayette and Ricky Miller ensured boss Chris Kinnear’s side came away with the three points.
Emmanuel broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion with his 10th league goal of the season in the 28th minute.
Maidstone keeper Lee Worgan brilliantly saved Emmanuel’s first effort from the edge of the area after a clever pass from Miller, but the rebound fell straight back for the forward to fire into the top corner.
Emmanuel then shot straight at Worgan when put through by Richard Orlu, but he did not have to wait long for his second as he smashed home Lafayette’s cross from an angle on 54 minutes to double Dover’s lead.
Maidstone searched for a way back into the game and Sam Magri was well positioned to clear away Alex Flisher’s drive.
The home side did pull a goal back on 58 minutes as Yemi Odubade’s low cross was slid home by Karagiannis.
Lafayette’s deadly strike on 74 ended any hopes of a comeback as he collected a ball from Orlu and fired across Worgan to take his league goal tally into double figures for the campaign.
Miller, who was feeling under the weather, sealed the win after he ran onto Lafayette’s through ball to slot home in injury time.
OTHER MEETING
26/12/16 – DOVER 1-1 MAIDSTONE
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £17
Over 60’s – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – Free (With an accompanying adult)
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 (3pm kick off unless stated)
LEYTON ORIENT V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (13:00)
ALDERSHOT TOWN V WOKING
BARROW V WREXHAM
BOREHAM WOOD V SUTTON UNITED
CHESTER V GUISELEY
EASTLEIGH V TORQUAY UNITED
EBBSFLEET UNITED V BROMLEY
GATESHEAD V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
MACCLESFIELD TOWN V FC HALIFAX TOWN
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V SOLIHULL MOORS
TRANMERE ROVERS V AFC FYLDE
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Maidstone on Monday 1st January and it’s not too late to book a seat on it.
Prices are as follows:
Adult members £12, adult non-members £25 and accompanied child (Under 16) £6.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the Boxing Day match against Maidstone.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.