Chris Kinnear has his say following Whites goalless draw at Wrexham on Saturday.
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WHITES GAIN POINT AT WREXHAM
WREXHAM 0-0 DOVER
Whites continued their unbeaten run against Wrexham with a goalless draw at the Racecourse ground on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams led the way in the National League goals conceded column prior to kick off and that trend continued in a match of few opportunities.
The first chance of note fell to George Miller, but the Middlesbrough loanee sliced horribly wide after Connor Essam misjudged a long ball.
Minutes late, home keeper Chris Dunn was at full stretch to turn away Nortei Nortey’s speculative twenty-yard effort.
Dragons fans celebrations were cut short as Scott Boden was unable to connect to Miller’s dangerous cross.
And Miller almost gave the Welsh side the lead on the stroke of half-time with a header, only for Femi Ilesanmi to flick the ball away for a corner before the striker could make contact with the ball.
The resulting set piece saw a clash of heads between Essam and Manny Parry, leaving both defenders sprawled on the floor needing treatment after the referee signalled for half-time.
Both players eventually made their way down the tunnel to join the manager’s teamtalk, but only Parry returned for the restart with Essam unable to continue. Loui Fazakerley came on to take the place of Dover’s sweeper.
Both Gallifuoco and Shaun Pearson flashed headers wide at the break, with Marcus Kelly curling a free-kick straight into the arms of Mitch Walker shortly afterwards.
And Dover’s stopper was then called into action as Wrexham fashioned their best chance of the match.
James Jennings’ pinpoint cross was directed goalwards by Miller, but his header lacked the power to truly test Walker, who comfortably dived onto the ball.
Athletic’s number one was far more concerned by Jennings’ drive, flinging himself across his goalline as the fullback fizzed a twenty-yard shot narrowly wide.
The home side fashioned one more chance late on, but Walker was well placed to hold onto Paul Rutherford’s volley after Kevin Roberts’ attempted shot cannoned towards the midfielder.
Earlier, boss Kinnear made one change to the side that beat Eastbourne in the FA Trophy last week. Josh Passley returned in place of Ejiro Okosieme, who is injured.
The point sees Athletic rise one place to third in the table, three points behind current leaders Macclesfield Town.
Dover next host Maidstone on Tuesday 26th December. Kick off 3pm.
Wrexham: Dunn, Jennings, Smith, Pearson (c), Wedgbury, Holroyd, Miller (Massanka 88), Rutherford, Kelly, Roberts, Boden.
Subs not used: Dibble, Mackreth, Hurst, Carrington.
Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam (Fazakerley 45), Parry, Passley (Richards 85), Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Nortey, Pinnock, Bird, Jeffrey (Daniel 65).
Subs not used: Alabi, Deen-Conteh.
Attendance: 4,980
Referee: Thomas Bramall
PREVIEW: DOVER V WREXHAM
Whites are back in league action on Saturday when they make the 272 mile-long trip to North Wales to face third-placed Wrexham.
And boss Chris Kinnear will be in confident mood as his side look to continue their impressive record away at their National League promotion rivals.
Dover are yet to taste defeat at the Racecourse Ground, winning once and drawing twice in their three previous visits.
However, a tough test is ahead for Athletic as Dean Keates’ men boast the joint best home record in the division so far this campaign, having accrued 25 points from 12 matches.
Visiting fans might well recognise one of the players on show on Saturday.
James Hurst made 14 appearances for Athletic last season.
WREXHAM’S RECENT FORM
WREXHAM 0-2 HARROGATE
Mark Beck came back to haunt his former side with a goal in each half to send the Harrogate into round two of the FA Trophy.
The striker rose above Doug Tharme to nod home the opener just before the break and headed in Ryan Fallowfield’s centre to double the lead on 69 minutes.
Dragon’s boss Keates, opting to make seven changes to the side that lost 4-1 at Macclesfield last weekend, only saw his team create one chance of note as away keeper James Belshaw saved well from Scott Boden’s header.
And Town could have added gloss to the scoreline, but Beck’s drilled effort flew wide of the mark.
PREVIOUS MEETING
12/08/17 – DOVER 1-0 WREXHAM
Ryan Bird’s first goal of the season helped Whites bounce back from their Tuesday night home loss to Bromley with a narrow win on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Crabble.
The striker struck home Kane Richards’ unselfish lay-off on 19 minutes as Athletic made it seven games unbeaten, including four victories, against their Welsh counterparts.
Mitch Walker had to be at his best to stop the visitors going ahead early on, the Dover stopper bravely blocking Mark Carrington’s close range effort after Manny Parry’s attempted clearance landed in his path.
But Bird put the home side in front and the forward almost had a second via his head as he directed Femi Ilesanmi’s cross over the bar.
Nortei Nortey almost stunned his former side with a 25-yard shot, with visiting keeper Chris Dunn at full stretch to tip his effort away.
Substitute Kadell Daniel almost sealed the win late on, but his glorious curling strike fizzed just wide of the far post.
The away side almost stole an unlikely point at the death, but Shaun Pearson could only direct his header wide with the goal gaping.
OTHER MEETINGS
11/02/17 – DOVER 1-0 WREXHAM
06/08/16 – WREXHAM 0-0 DOVER
09/04/16 – WREXHAM 0-1 DOVER
TEAM COLOURS
For those wanting to wear the same colour shirts as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing their yellow ones.
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £20
Over 64 / Under 21 – £15
Over 80 / Under 18 – £8
Under 18 (With an accompanying adult) – £3
Under 11 (With an accompanying adult) – £1
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
AFC FYLDE V EBBSFLEET UNITED
BROMLEY V MACCLESFIELD TOWN
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V EASTLEIGH
FC HALIFAX TOWN V CHESTER
GUISELEY V ALDERSHOT TOWN
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
MAIDSTONE UNITED V LEYTON ORIENT
SOLIHULL MOORS V BOREHAM WOOD
SUTTON UNITED V TRANMERE ROVERS
WOKING V BARROW
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.
Vanarama Big Day Out
The Vanarama National League has released details of the opportunity for ALL football fans to purchase Early Bird tickets for their Promotion Final on Saturday 12th May 2018 at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.
Tickets are now on sale and will remain available as outlined below direct from Wembley Stadium Ticketing Portal. This offer is only available on-line.
There is also an option for ‘Print at Home’ (PAH) with no charge.
EARLY BIRD offer – up to and including 28th February 2018:
Adults: £20
Seniors (Over 60): £10
Under 16: FREE **
(** 1 free U16 ticket can be ordered for each ticket sold at Adult or Senior price).
Additional tickets for Under 16 over the above allowance can be purchased at £5 each.
Early Bird sales are made even more attractive as no booking fee is charged.
Please be advised no ticket is refundable once purchased through the Early Bird option.
Disabled seated allocation is available directly through Wembley Stadium and details are also available on-line.
WEMBLEY TICKET PORTAL: https://events.wembleystadium.com/Online/default.asp
Notes:
General Admission Ticket prices for the Promotion Final will be announced in April.
Early Bird tickets will NOT be forwarded to purchasers until the two competing finalist clubs are confirmed. This will allow for ticket allocation to be made in blocks for any group of supporters of a neutral club wishing to be in the same area. Initial purchase therefore will be placed into holding blocks for the time being.
In order for this to be offered, each purchaser will be required to nominate which National League member club they align themselves to or they may indicate a ‘No Preference’ neutral option.
Supporters of the two clubs who do reach the Promotion Final and who purchase Early Bird tickets will be allocated their tickets for the correct area of the stadium when allotted to each finalist club.
FA TROPHY DRAW
Our Buildbase FA Trophy campaign continues with a second round tie against Evo-Stik League Northern Premier side Marine at Crabble.
Marine won 3-1 at National League North play-off chasers Chorley 3-1 in Saturday’s round.
The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday 13th January.
FULL DRAW:
1 Ebbsfleet United v Warrington Town or Altrincham
2 Kidderminster Harriers v Stockport County
3 East Thurrock United v Chester
4 Bognor Regis Town v Leyton Orient
5 Braintree Town or Brackley Town v Barrow
6 Chesham United or Weston Super Mare v Workington
7 Billericay Town v Stourbridge
8 FC Halifax Town or Macclesfield Town v Maidenhead United
9 Maidstone United v Hampton & Richmond Borough or Heybridge Swifts
10 Dover Athletic v Marine
11 Gateshead or Guiseley v Dartford or Boreham Wood
12 Wealdstone v Hereford
13 Sutton United v Hendon
14 Blyth Spartans or AFC Telford United v Bromley
15 Spennymore Town or Gainsborough Trinity v Solihull Moors or Tranmere Rovers
16 St Albans City v Harrogate Town
VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION
Goalscorer Mitch Pinnock speaks to the camera following Whites 3-0 FA Trophy first round win against Eastbourne at Crabble on Saturday.
HIGHLIGHTS: DOVER 3-0 EASTBOURNE
Catch up on the best of the action from Saturday’s FA Trophy first round win.
VIDEO: FIRST TEAM COACH REACTION
Mark Newson has his say following Whites 3-0 win against Eastbourne in the FA Trophy first round at Crabble on Saturday.
DOVER INTO ROUND TWO OF TROPHY
DOVER 3-0 EASTBOURNE
Pinnock (47)
Bird (58)
Alabi (88)
WHITES comfortably progressed into the next round of the FA Trophy thanks to three second half goals at a freezing Crabble on Saturday.
Mitch Pinnock tapped in just after the break and further strikes from Ryan Bird and sub James Alabi saw Dover seal their place in Monday’s second round draw.
Skipper Mitch Brundle almost opened the scoring with a stunning volley, but his effort from Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s cross whistled past the post.
Anthony Jeffrey cut inside and shot after running onto Gallifuoco’s pass, but visiting keeper Mark Smith palmed away his vicious shot.
Visitors Borough almost stunned the home crowd midway through the first half. Shaun Okojie collected Lloyd Dawes pass and after turning past Manny Parry, dragged his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
And Jamie Howell’s men were made to pay for their missed opportunity as Whites broke the deadlock just after the restart.
Pinnock raced to the far post to convert Bird’s angled drive and the lead was almost doubled minutes later.
But Smith was on hand to claw out Gallifuoco’s goalbound header from a Pinnock corner.
However Eastbourne’s stopper was powerless to prevent Bird grabbing his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.
The keeper saved the striker’s header from Brundle’s flick, but the National League’s top scorer was first to react to the rebound, smashing into the back of the net to double Whites lead.
Keeper Smith then blocked Bird’s volley after the attacker latched onto Brundle’s lobbed assist and Nortei Nortey headed over Pinnock’s ball when well placed.
Sub Kadell Daniel showed great skill to twist and turn his man, but his pass across the area just evaded the outstretched legs of Pinnock.
However victory was sealed in injury time thanks to a second goal of the season for Alabi.
The Tranmere loanee slotted in Femi Ilesanmi’s cross-cum-shot from close range.
Nortei almost added an extra layer of gloss to the scoreline in injury time, but his lob bounced on top of the net.
Earlier, boss Chris Kinnear kept faith with the side that started last weekend’s home win against Hartlepool.
Whites return to league action next week when they travel to Wrexham on Saturday 23rd December. Kick off 3pm.
Dover: Walker, Okosieme (Fazakerley 74), Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Nortey, Jeffrey (Daniel 78), Bird (Alabi 81 ), Pinnock.
Subs not used: Dean-Conteh, Richards.
Eastbourne: Smith, Hendon, Simpemba (c), Khinda-John, McCallum, Dawes (Redwood 81), Wills, Johnson, Richards (Odubade 67), Ransom (Harris 72), Okojie.
Subs not used: Worrall, Armstrong-Ford.
Referee: Neil Hare
Attendance: 424
PREVIEW: DOVER V EASTBOURNE
Whites take a break from the National League on Saturday as they face Eastbourne Borough in the first round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.
And Chris Kinnear’s men will be looking to build on their impressive 4-0 victory against Hartlepool last Saturday.
Currently 15th in the National League South standings, Jamie Howell’s side needed a replay and penalties to knock out Royston Town in the last round after drawing 1-1 at home in the first game.
Eastbourne’s Harry Ransom scored late in the reverse fixture to make it 2-2 and take the match to extra time, with the visitors victorious in the shootout.
Home fans will recognise two members of the away squad.
Defender Ian Simpemba made 49 appearances for Whites over a two-year period and Leon Redwood featured for Dover on loan in 2012.
Two of Athletic’s goalkeepers will also be facing their former side.
Mitch Walker made 12 appearances for Borough during a loan spell five years ago and goalkeeper coach Lee Hook was the number one at Priory Lane between 2005-09.
EASTBOURNE’S RECENT FORM
BRAINTREE 3-2 EASTBOURNE
Billy Crook kept his cool from the spot as the hosts came from behind to win the three points.
Borough were ahead early on when Shaun Okojie slotted in after great work from teammate Lloyd Dawes.
Phil Roberts levelled with a powerful shot from the edge of the box and the striker put his side ahead after the break, nodding in after the visitors failed to properly clear Crook’s delivery.
But the away team were level once again minutes later, Kieran Khinda-John firing through a crowded area into the bottom corner.
But Town won it with just over ten minutes remaining as Crook sent Bourne goalkeeper Mark Smith the wrong way with his penalty.
PREVIOUS MEETING
24/10/15 – EASTBOURNE 1-2 DOVER
Whites qualified for the first round of the FA Cup first round proper for the third consecutive season with a narrow win at Priory Lane.
Chris Kinnear’s men led after only three minutes thanks to Stefan Payne’s nonchalant back-heel.
And Craig Stone stopped Dover doubling their lead moments later, heading Nicky Deverdics’ corner off the goalline.
The hosts levelled the tie on 77 minutes. Sub Gavin McCallum cut inside and rifled in an effort from 25-yards.
But Sean Raggett rose highest in injury time to head in Deverdics’ corner and send Athletic into the next round.
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £17
Over 60’s – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s (With an accompanying adult) – Free
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 FA TROPHY FIXTURES
BILLERICAY TOWN V HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE
BLYTH SPARTANS V TELFORD
BRAINTREE TOWN V BRACKLEY TOWN
CHESHAM UNITED V WESTON-SUPER-MARE
CHESTER V FYLDE
CHORLEY V MARINE
DARTFORD V BOREHAM WOOD
EAST THURROCK V ALDERSHOT TOWN
EBBSFLEET UNITED V EASTLEIGH
FC HALIFAX TOWN V MACCLESFIELD TOWN
GATESHEAD V GUISELEY
HAMPTON & RICHMOND V HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS
HARINGEY BOROUGH V LEYTON ORIENT
HARTLEY WINTNEY V BROMLEY
HENDON V BATH
HEREFORD FC V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS V YORK CITY
LANCASTER CITY V STOCKPORT COUNTY
LEAMINGTON V STOURBRIDGE
NUNEATON V BARROW
SOLIHULL MOORS V GAINSBORUGH
SUTTON UNITED V TRURO CITY
TAUNTON TOWN V BOGNOR REGIS
TORQUAY UNITED V MAIDSTONE UNITED
WARRINGTON TOWN V ALTRINCHAM
WEALDSTONE V WINGATE & FINCHLEY
WHITEHAWK V ST ALBANS CITY
WOKING V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
WORKINGTON V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
WREXHAM V HARROGATE TOWN
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Wrexham on Saturday 23rd December and it’s not too late to book a seat on it.
Prices are as follows:
Adult members £30, adult non-members £45 and accompanied child (Under 16) £15
And there is also a coach travelling to Maidstone on Monday 1st January.
The costs are: 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 match against Eastbourne.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.