Archives: News

WHITES BEATEN BY COASTERS

FYLDE 3-1 DOVER

Rowe (68) Pinnock (57)
Tasdemir (76)
Hardy (90)

Whites fell out of the play-off places after the Coasters completed a league double against Chris Kinnear’s side at a cold and windy Mill Farm on Saturday.

Mitch Pinnock fired the visitors ahead from close range after the break, but a leveller from Danny Rowe and further strikes from substitutes Serhat Tasmedir and Jason Hardy moved Fylde above Dover in the standings.

Mitch Walker had to be on his toes early in the match to deny Rowe. The National league top scorer latched onto Sam Finley’s pass, but Dover’s stopper blocked the striker’s shot with his body.

A rampaging run from Jordan Tunnicliffe almost ended with Jack Muldoon putting the hosts ahead, but Walker was out quickly once again to smother the ball.

And Athletic’s number one was needed once again to deny the Coasters twice more.

Walker was forced to beat away Jason Taylor’s fierce strike following a Fylde corner and then minutes later, held onto Rowe’s angled drive.

Pinnock collected Ryan Bird’s pass and blasted straight down the throat of Lynch with Dover’s first meaningful attack of the half.

But the best chance of the half occurred at the other end of the pitch.

Finley’s pass found Henry Jones in space a mere few yards from goal, but the midfielder could only stab over the bar.

Fylde skipper Finley then went for the jugular himself, running and despatching a deflected shot which Walker held comfortably,

Bird then almost gave the visitors a half time lead. The striker struck Ade Azeez’ pass into the area inches wide of Lynch’s far post.

But Dover converted their next chance when it arrived after the break.

Josh Passley escaped down the right and crossed for Azeez to head into the path of the onrushing Pinnock to blast his side in front.

Simon Grand headed against the bar via the face of Walker as the home side pushed for an equaliser.

And parity was indeed restored minutes later through their danger man Rowe.

The forward, who scored the winner at Crabble when the two sides met in November, turned his markers on the edge of the box and arrowed his 19th goal of the season into the bottom corner.

Eight minutes later the turnaround was complete via Tasmedir.

The substitute collected Finley’s pass outside the area and crashed a shot past a helpless Walker.

Bird headed Tunnicliffe’s goalbound effort off the line, but the points were wrapped up in injury time through another Fylde substitute.

Rowe released Tasdemir, and though the midfielder’s curling shot hit the post, hardy followed up to lift the ball into the roof of the net after rounding a defender.

Dover next host Leyton Orient in the league on Saturday 3rd March. Kick off 3pm.

Fylde: Lynch, Montrose, Angol, Tunnicliffe, Bond, Finley (c), Rowe, Muldoon, Taylor (Hardy 65), Grand, Jones (Tasdemire 73).

Subs not used: Blinkhorn, Smith, Burke.

Dover: Walker, Passley (Okosieme 75), Gallifuoco, Parry (Lokko 77), Essam, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Bellamy, Pinnock, Bird, Azeez (Daniel 82).

Subs not used: Nortey, Jeffrey.

Referee: Peter Wright

Attendance: 1,622

AZEEZ JOINS WHITES ON LOAN

Cambridge United striker Ade Azeez has arrived on loan.

The 24-year-old has made 16 appearances for the League 2 side after joining from Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle on a two-year deal last summer.

Azeez, who will wear the No.30 shirt, scored three goals in 46 appearances during his one season with Partick.

He previously found the back of the net 14 times in 98 appearances for AFC Wimbledon, helping them win promotion out of League 2 in 2016.

Azeez, who has represented the England under-19s on three occasions, started his career with Charlton Athletic and had loan spells with Wycombe, Leyton Orient, Torquay and Dagenham & Redbridge while with the Addicks.

He will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s National League game at AFC Fylde.

Welcome to Dover Azeez!!

PREVIEW: AFC FYLDE V WHITES

AFC FYLDE V WHITES

Whites will be aiming to make it back-to-back National League victories when they travel to Mill Farm for the first time in their history this weekend.

Boss Chris Kinnear, who reaches 1,500 matches as a manager on Saturday, saw his side beat Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night to bounce back from two consecutive league defeats.

And it’s Dave Challinor’s Coasters who are on such a run, having lost to Leyton Orient and Guiseley in their last two matches.

But the hosts, currently ninth in the standings and two points behind Dover, will still be in confident mood, especially as they boast the division’s top-scorer in their ranks.

Striker Danny Rowe has netted 18 times in the National League so far this season.

FYLDE’S RECENT FORM

20/02/18: GUISELEY 1-0 AFC FYLDE

John Rooney’s late goal handed Sean St Ledger a first win as caretaker manager of the Lions.

The striker slotted home four minutes from time as bottom club Guiseley ended a run of 10 National League matches without a victory.

The division’s top-scorer Rowe raced clear onto Jonathan Smith’s pass, but was denied by home keeper Luke Coddington.

Player/caretaker boss St Ledger’s cross was headed off the line by Jordan Tunnicliffe and it looked like the hosts had missed their chance of three points when Jay Lynch saved from Dayle Southwell.

But Rooney had the final say to move his side two points behind second-bottom-of-the-table Torquay.

PREVIOUS MEETING

25/11/17: DOVER 0-1 AFC FYLDE

Dover dropped to fifth after Rowe scored the only goal of the game at Crabble..

Rowe stunned a  home crowd of 2,860 – in attendance for the club’s second Community Day of the season – with a goal 12 minutes from the end.

The striker fired his eleventh of the campaign past Mitch Walker after capitalising on Manny Parry’s mistake as Chris Kinnear’s men slipped to a second consecutive defeat.

Whites made a bright start and Zaine Francis-Angol nipped in ahead of James Alabi with the loanee waiting to pounce on Pinnock’s cross. Ryan Bird then headed straight at visiting keeper Jay Lynch from Pinnock’s accurate cross.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco headed Mitch Brundle’s cross directly at Lynch and the Australian defender had another chance before the break, but nodded his skipper’s back-post corner harmlessly over when well-placed.

After the break, Walker dived to block Bond’s piledriver, with the home stopper agile enough to catch Sam Finley’s rebound.

The hosts pressed but were unable to find a way past Lynch as the goalkeeper made a succession of impressive saves.

Lynch tipped away Bird’s flicked header with Gallifuoco unable to head the rebound on target.

Then, an already diving Lynch lifted a glove to keep out Pinnock’s deflected shot after a run and pass by sub Anthony Jeffrey.

And the keeper turned Brundle’s goalbound free-kick around the post with some home fans already celebrating what seemed a certain goal.

But it was Rowe who had the final say on the result.

As Parry tried to dribble the ball out of defence, the attacker stole the ball off the defender and slotted in the winner in spite of Dover calls for a foul.

TEAM COLOURS

For those wanting to wear the same colour shirts as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his team mates will be wearing their yellow ones.

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Standing: Adults – £13, Junior (Under 16’s) – £5
Sitting: Adults – £16, Junior (Under 16’s) – £9

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

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V CHESTER
EASTLEIGH V FC HALIFAX TOWN
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V EBBSFLEET UNITED
MACCLESFIELD TOWN V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
MAIDSTONE UNITED V TRANMERE ROVERS
SUTTON UNITED V GUISELEY
WOKING V BOREHAM WOOD
WREXHAM V ALDERSHOT TOWN

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach travelling to Chester on Tuesday 6th March and it is not too late to book your space on it.

It departs Crabble at 12:30pm and the the prices are as follows:

Adult members £30, adult non-members £45 and accompanied child (Under 16) £15.

There is also a coach leaving for Eastleigh at 10:45am on Saturday 10th March and the costs are:

Adult members £20, adult non-members £35 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the match against Leyton Orient (Pending FA Trophy results).

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer

VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION

Midfielder Liam Bellamy speaks to the camera following Whites 1-0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night.

VIDEO: PLAYER REACTION

Goalscorer Mitch Pinnock has his say following Whites 1-0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge.

 

PINNOCK WINNER SEES OFF DAGGERS

DOVER 1-0 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

Pinnock (29)

A STUNNING goal from Mitch Pinnock saw Whites secure a narrow win against Dagenham & Redbridge at a wet and muddy Crabble on Tuesday night.

With his back to goal and surrounded by a couple of Daggers defenders, the midfielder’s audacious 25-yard overhead kick flew over a stunned Mark Cousins and into the back of the Dagenham net as Dover ended a run of two consecutive league defeats.

But it was John Still’s men who started the brighter, with home keeper Mitch Walker forced into action with seconds of the kick off as he beat away Charlee Adams’ piledriver.

Giancarlo Gallifuoco thought he had given the home side the lead after slotting in Mitch Brundle’s set piece, however the Australian’s effort was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Brundle then created a chance of his own making, beating the visiting defence for pace, only for Cousins to smother the ball at the captain’s feet.

Pinnock struck the opener and within ten minutes Whites almost doubled their lead.

Femi Ilesanmi powered a shot towards goal, only for Cousins to parry the ball towards Liam Bellamy. However the midfielder, making his first start since rejoining the club in December, could only head the rebound onto the roof of the net.

And Bellamy went closer still after the restart, prodding inches wide from Pinnock’s long throw.

Pinnock then almost scored directly from a corner, only for Luke Howell to head the ball away from underneath his own crossbar.

Walker was then alert to hold onto Fejiri Okenabirhie’s firm shot after the winger stole the ball off Ilesanmi.

At the other end, Ryan Bird flashed an effort past the post after latching onto Pinnock’s back heel on the edge of the penalty box.

The striker then looked to turn provider, flicking the ball on for Connor Essam to volley inches wide of the far post.

And those misses almost proved costly as Dagenham wasted a couple of chances to earn a point late in the game.

Substitute Michael Cheek dragged the ball just off target from an angle and Gallifuoco was well placed to clear Okenbirhie’s goalbound effort off the line.

Ilesanmi almost sealed the win in injury time, but Cousin punched clear his cross-cum-shot.

But Chris Kinnear’s men held on to seal their first win against Dagenham at the fifth time of asking.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made two changes to the side that started away at Solihull on Saturday. Bellamy and Josh Passley replaced Nortei Nortey and Ejiro Okosieme, who were both named as substitutes. Kevin Lokko, signed on loan from Stevenage earlier in the day, was also on the bench.

Athletic next travel to AFC Fylde on Saturday 24th February. Kick off 3pm.

Dover: Walker, Passley (Okosieme 85), Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Ilesanmi, Brundle (c), Bellamy, Pinnock (Nortey 89), Bird, Jeffrey (Daniel 54).

Subs not used: Alabi, Lokko.

Dag & Red: Cousins, Nunn, Pennell, Robson (c), Robinson, Howell, Okenabirhie, Sparkes (Kandi 72), Adams, Bloomfield (Cheek 60), Howells.

Subs not used: Moore, N’Gala, Bonds.

Referee: Carl Brook

Attendance: 677

WHITES SIGN DEFENDER

Manager Chris Kinnear has bolstered his defensive options with the loan signing of Kevin Lokko from Stevenage until the end of season.

Lokko, an England C international, who can operate both at centre-back and left-back, joined the League 2 club from Maidstone United for an undisclosed fee last August.

He then joined Dagenham and Redbridge on loan, making 25 National League appearances, including one against Whites in November, before being recalled by his parent club in February.

His last appearance for Stevenage was last Saturday when he came on as a second half substitute in the 4-1 win against visiting Yeovil Town.

The 22-year-old former Norwich, Colchester and Welling man played in 41 National League games for Maidstone last season, scoring four times in the process.

Lokko will wear the number 26 shirt and is contention to make his debut at home to Dagenham tonight.

Welcome to Crabble Kevin!!

Lokko may not be the only new player to arrive this week with chairman Jim Parmenter not ruling out further signings before Saturday’s trip to AFC Fylde.

 

PREVIEW: WHITES V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

Dover will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive league defeats when John Still’s side come to Crabble on Tuesday night.

Chris Kinnear’s men lost at home to Sutton and away at Solihull, though still sit just one point outside the play-offs in the standings.

And they host a Dagenham side with their own off-field issues.

For financial reasons, the Daggers recently sold Corey Whiteley, Sam Ling and Morgan Ferrier to rival National League sides, plus their former captain Scott Doe left by mutual consent.

But our visitors will be in confident mood after ending a run of four straight league defeats with a win at Torquay last week.

And home fans will recognise a familiar face amongst the visiting squad.

Defender Bondz N’Gala featured five times for Dover last season.

DAGENHAM’S RECENT FORM

17/02/18: TORQUAY 0-3 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

John Still’s men scored three second half goals to end their recent poor run with a win in Devon.

Luke Pennell headed against the crossbar and Fejiri Okenabirhie was denied by the offside flag in a lively start by the visitors.

And Daggers had a deserved lead shortly after the restart thanks to Okenabirhie’s drive.

Captain Craig Robson doubled the lead after nodding in from a free kick.

Ruari Keating missed a good chance for United and Okenabirhie sealed the win in injury time as his shot deflected off Michael Efete and into the net.

PREVIOUS MEETING

21/11/17: DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 1-0 DOVER

Whites 10-match unbeaten league run came to an end following a narrow defeat at a rainy Victoria Road on Tuesday evening.

A first-half header from Morgan Ferrier and some stunning saves from home keeper Mark Cousins saw Dover relinquish their grip on top spot in the National League standings as Chris Kinnear’s men slipped into second place, two points behind new leaders Wrexham.

Visitors Dover should have gone ahead two minutes later, but Cousin flung himself across his goalmouth to tip away James Alabi’s header after Mitch Brundle’s mishit volley fell kindly for the loanee.

The striker then blasted narrowly over following a powerful surge into the area.

Cousin’s opposite number Mitch Walker then performed his own acrobatics, stretching to divert John Robson’s dipping header from the edge of the box from underneath the crossbar.

But there was nothing Athletic’s stopper could do about the home side’s opener midway through the first half.

The impressive Ling latched onto Cousin’s inch-perfect throw and sent in a delicious ball for Ferrier to head home from close range.

Dagenham’s keeper denied Alabi once again in first half stoppage time. The attacker powered Mitch Pinnock’s pinpoint cross towards goal, only for Cousins to somehow claw the ball away to safety.

And the 30-year old goalie made his best save just after the break to prevent what seemed a certain equaliser for Whites.

Having beaten Jake Howells out wide, Pinnock’s goalward volley appeared destined for the top corner, but Cousins clearly had other ideas and was somehow able turn the winger’s shot behind for a corner.

 

And John Still’s team should have doubled their lead in injury time, but sub Dan Sparkes blasted past the post when put in the clear by Whitely.

OTHER MEETINGS

03/12/17 – Dover 1-2 Dag & Red
13/09/16 – Dag & Red 2-0 Dover

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £17
Over 60’s – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – Free (With an accompanied adult).

COVERAGE

The game starts at 7:45pm 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 7pm

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

ALDERSHOT TOWN V BROMLEY
BARROW V GATESHEAD
BOREHAM WOOD V MAIDSTONE UNITED
CHESTER V LEYTON ORIENT
EBBSFLEET UNITED V WOKING
FC HALIFAX TOWN V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
GUISELEY V AFC FYLDE
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V EASTLEIGH
SOLIHULL MOORS V WREXHAM
TORQUAY UNITED V SUTTON UNITED
TRANMERE ROVERS V MACCLESFIELD TOWN

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach travelling to Fylde on Saturday 24th February and it is not too late to book your space on it.

It departs Crabble at 7am and the the prices are as follows:

Adult members £30, adult non-members £45 and accompanied child (Under 16) £15.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the match against Dagenham & Redbridge.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.