Our National League game at Chester FC has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 6th at 7.45pm.
The game against the Blues was scheduled to take place on Saturday February 3rd but had to be re-arranged due to our progress in the Buildbase FA Trophy, which sees us host a Third Round tie against Leyton Orient at Crabble on that date.
Goalscorers Manny Parry, Kadell Daniel and Femi Ilesanmi all speak to the camera following Dover’s 3-2 win at Boreham Wood on Saturday.
Jake Leberl has his say following Whites 3-2 win at Boreham Wood on Saturday.
BOREHAM WOOD 2-3 DOVER
(Stephens 70) (Parry 52)
(Davey 87) (Daniel 72)
(Ilesanmi 85)
Whites ended a four-match losing run against Boreham Wood to leapfrog their opponents in the table with an exciting 3-2 win at Meadow Park.
Following a goalless first half, Manny Parry gave the visitors the lead with his third goal in as many games before Dale Stephens volleyed the Wood back on level terms with 20 minutes remaining.
Sub Kadell Daniel put Athletic ahead again before Femi Ilesanmi made it 3-1 after he fired home against his former club.
Alex Davey pulled one back late on but Whites held on to secure their first league victory of 2018.
The visitors started brightly with Ryan Bird just missing out on Mitch Pinnock’s dangerous cross.
And Dover were almost made to pay five minutes later as Angelo Balanta placed the ball wide with the net gaping after Giancarlo’s miss-kick allowed Kane Smith to burst through and pass to the Colombian from the byline.
Keira Murtagh then volleyed wide and Ricky Shakes blazed over after picking up on a rebound from a free kick.
Stephens headed wide of the mark from a Bruno Andrade corner and the hosts went even closer as half-time loomed.
Murtagh’s blocked effort fell for Shakes to drive home from the edge of the box, however Connor Essam was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
Chris Kinnear’s men went ahead seven minutes after the restart thanks to Parry.
The defender, celebrating his 24th birthday, diverted Bird’s lobbed pass goalwards through a crowded area, finding the bottom corner via the post much to the surprise of home goalie Grant Smith.
Dover should have doubled their lead after Anthony Jeffrey out paced the opposing backline, but the loanee dragged his shot wide when one-on-one with Smith.
And that miss proved costly as Boreham Wood levelled through Stephens.
The centre-back, volleyed into the roof of the net from close range after Andrade’s corner ended up at his feet.
But the home side’s parity only lasted matter of seconds.
Bird nodded on Pinnock’s long throw and with Smith already diving to his right, Daniel hooked the ball into the middle of the goal, in spite of the keeper’s attempts to palm the ball away.
Wood Sub Michael Folivi was unable to pass to a teammate after finding space down the left hand side and the Watford loanee then saw his next strike blocked by the sea of yellow shirts ahead of him.
And Whites seemingly wrapped up the three points thanks to Ilesanmi’s fine finish against his former club.
The wing-back collected Daniel’s cross and after cutting inside, smashed the ball with his right foot into the bottom corner.
But the 117 visiting fans had to endure a nervy few minutes when Alex Davey clawed a goal back for the Hertfordshire team.
Andrade’s 20-yard set piece struck the bar and after some pinball in the box, Davey fired in to set up a grandstand finish.
But Whites held on to move up one place to sixth in the standings and extend their unbeaten run on the road to five matches.
Earlier boss Kinnear made one change to the side that started at home to Marine last weekend. Anthony Jeffrey replaced Kane Richards, who started as a substitute.
Boreham Wood: G Smith, K Smith, Stephens, Shakes, Champion(c), Murtagh, Andrade, Quigley (Folivi 59), Turley, Balanta, Davey (Woodards 90).
Subs not used: Ricketts, Jeffers, Turgott.
Dover: Walker, Passley, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Ilesanmi, Brundle(c), Nortey (Okosieme 82), Pinnock, Bird, Jeffrey (Daniel 66).
Subs not used: Richards, Fazakerley, Bellamy.
Attendance: 527
Referee: Neil Hair
Dover will be looking to reverse their poor run of form against The Wood when they travel to Hertfordshire on Saturday.
Chris Kinnear’s men have lost on the last four occasions these sides have met, including a 5-0 drubbing when they played at Meadow Park back in March.
However Whites go into the game unbeaten in three away matches and secured their first victory of 2018 in last weekend’s thrilling 4-3 FA Trophy win over Marine.
Luke Garrard’s side, themselves on a four-game unbeaten run in the National League, currently sit one place and two points above Dover in the table.
And two of the visiting squad will be familiar with their surroundings when they arrive on Saturday.
Femi Ilesamni played 43 games for Wood last season, while Anthony Jeffrey featured 53 times over four separate spells.
BOREHAM WOOD’S RECENT FORM
16/01/18 – BOREHAM WOOD 1-2 GATESHEAD (FA Trophy replay)
Steve Watson’s men came from behind to advance to the last 16 of the Trophy.
The home side opened the scoring on 20 minutes thanks to their dangerman Bruno Andrade.
The striker, who scored an injury time penalty at Gateshead to set up the replay, pulled the ball back for loanee Joe Quigley to net his first for the club since signing from Bournemouth.
And the striker almost had his second of the night soon after but volleyed narrowly over.
The Heed battled back and were level twenty minutes from time after Paddy McLaughlin cut inside and powered an effort past Wood stopper Grant Smith.
And the turnaround was complete seven minutes later.
Luke Hannant reacted fastest following a defensive mix-up and slotted into an empty net to send his side into round three.
PREVIOUS MEETING
12/09/17 DOVER 0-1 BOREHAM WOOD
Whites were knocked off top spot after a defensive error handed Boreham Wood all three points at a wet and windy Crabble on Tuesday evening.
Blair Turgott slotted in the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute after Connor Essam’s clearance cannoned off the striker and sent him through on goal.
Mitch Walker initially saved his first effort, but the ball rebounded back for the on-loan forward to fire past two despairing Dover defenders on the line.
The first real home chance fell the way of Ryan Bird, but David Stephens was on hand to clear off the line after the striker nodded Mitch Pinnock’s cross goalwards.
Turgott struck just before the half-time whistle, but Whites almost levelled immediately after through Mitch Brundle.
The Whites skipper’s volley from outside the area narrowly cleared the crossbar via a deflection, much to the relief of Grant Smith in the away goal.
After the restart, Walker was at his acrobatic best to firstly prevent Danny Woodards bullet header finding the top corner and then tip Brundo Andrade’s fierce free-kick over the bar.
With only minutes remaining, Smith somehow got a hand to Pinnock’s curling set piece as Dover suffered their first loss in three matches and dropped into fifth spot in the table.
OTHER MEETINGS
14/03/17: Boreham Wood 5-0 Dover
9/08/16: Dover 1-4 Boreham Wood
28/03/16: Boreham Wood 3-0 Dover
TEAM COLOURS
For those travelling fans wanting to wear the same colours as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing their yellow ones.
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £18
Over 65’s – £13
Under 16’s – £8
Under 12’s – £4
Photo ID may be required.
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 (Kick off 3pm unless stated)
SUTTON UNITED V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (12:30)
AFC FYLDE V MACCLESFIELD TOWN
ALDERSHOT TOWN V EBBSFLEET UNITED
CHESTER V GATESHEAD
FC HALIFAX TOWN V LEYTON ORIENT
GUISELEY V BARROW
HARTLEPOOL TOWN V WREXHAM
MAIDSTONE UNITED V EASTLEIGH
SOLIHULL MOORS V WOKING
TORQUAY UNITED V BROMLEY
TRANMERE ROVERS V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Solihull Moors on Saturday 17th February and it is not too late to book your space on it.
It departs Crabble at 9:15am and the the prices are as follows:
Adult members £25, adult non-members £40 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 matches against Guiseley, Leyton Orient or Sutton.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.
Our Buildbase FA Trophy campaign continues with a Third Round tie against National League rivals Leyton Orient at Crabble.
The tie against the East London club, who are now managed by former Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh, is scheduled to take place on Saturday February 3rd meaning our National League game at Chester will now be re-arranged.
The league clash with Orient ended 1-1 at Brisbane Road last November.
FULL DRAW:
ST ALBANS or HARROGATE TOWN v BILLERICAY TOWN
MAIDSTONE UNITED v GATESHEAD or BOREHAM WOOD
MAIDENHEAD UNITED v KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS or STOCKPORT COUNTY
WEALDSTONE v EBBSFLEET UNITED or WARRINGTON
BRACKLEY or BARROW v SUTTON UNITED
DOVER ATHLETIC v LEYTON ORIENT
SPENNYMOOR v EAST THURROCK
WESTON-SUPER-MARE or WORKINGTON v BROMLEY
Catch up on the best of the action from Saturday’s trophy thriller.
Boss Chris Kinnear has his say after his side secured their spot in the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a thrilling 4-3 win against Marine.
DOVER 4-3 MARINE
(Parry 6) (Mitchley pens 9, 76)
(Bird 29) (Brewster 83)
(Pinnock 54)
(Brundle 80)
WHITES progressed to the third round of the Buildbase FA Trophy, but not without a fright as ten-man Marine pushed Chris Kinnear’s men all the way in an exciting encounter at Crabble on Saturday.
Manny Parry’s early header was counteracted by Danny Mitchley’s penalty minutes later. Ryan Bird put Dover back in control and their task was seemingly made easier by Billy Smart’s red card before half-time.
Mitch Pinnock gave the hosts a two-goal advantage, but Mitchley’s second spot kick of the match kept the Mariners in the tie.
And Home fans thought the tie was over once Mitch Brundle slotted home to make it 4-2, but Michael Brewster’s clever turn and finish set up a tense final few minutes.
It was almost the best possible start for Dover as Martin Fearon saved well from Connor Essam’s precise header.
And it looked like a long afternoon ahead for 150 travelling fans as Parry helped the ball into the top corner from Kane Richards’ flick following a looping ball into the area from Brundle.
But the away side hit back two minutes later from the penalty spot. Home stopper Mitch Walker’s foul on James Short was duly punished by their leading marksman Mitchley.
Giancarlo Gallifuoco saw a headed effort cleared away from underneath the opposition crossbar, but Whites’ second goal of the afternoon duly arrived midway through the opening half.
Femi Ilesamni surged down the left-hand side of the pitch, crossing for Bird to head past a helpless Fearon.
The striker, who scored in the previous round against Eastbourne, then nodded Essam’s looping ball wide when well placed.
The hosts hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the competition were further boosted as Smart was shown a straight red card following a reckless challenge on Parry with five minutes of the half to play.
And Athletic almost immediately punished the Evo-Stik Northern Premier side, only for Gallifuoco to blast over from a good position.
But it was Mitch Pinnock who seemingly put the tie out of the visitor’s reach, collecting Bird’s pass and curling a 25-yard shot past the outstretched palm of Fearon.
However Marine were determined not to give up the tie and Mitchley tested Walker with a volley soon after.
And the top scorer pulled his team back into the match with his second penalty twelve minutes from time. The striker teased a foul out of Parry in the area, before picking himself up and slotting past Whites goalkeeper.
Essam headed sub Kadell Daniel’s straight at Fearon, but the home team had back their two-goal advantage on 80 minutes.
Sub Anthony Jeffrey sprinted clear on the left wing and pulled the ball back for skipper Brundle to Coolly finish into the side of the goal.
But the drama was not over as Michael Brewster smashed into the bottom corner from an angle to set up a frantic five minutes of injury time.
Jeffrey almost sealed the win at the death, beating his marker for pace and firing on target, but Fearon blocked his effort and was up quickly to catch the ball after it rebounded goalwards off Daniel’s thigh.
However the home crowd did not have to wait much longer for the final whistle to confirm Whites spot in Monday lunchtime’s draw.
Earlier, boss Kinnear kept the same side that starting against Aldershot last week. Anthony Jeffrey and Chris Lewington were named on the bench.
Athletic return to league action next week when they visit Boreham Wood on Saturday 13th January.
Dover: Walker, Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry, Passley, Nortey (Bellamy 75), Brundle (c) , Ilesanmi, Richards (Jeffrey 76), Bird, Pinnock (Daniel 60).
Subs not used: Fazakerley, Lewington.
Marine: Fearon, Strickland, Hughes, Baker, McGrath (Lomax 75), Smart, Bailey (Donaldson 81), Brewster, Da Silva (Tongue 56), Mitchley (c)
Subs not used: Wylie, Mendes.
Referee: Christopher O’Donnell
Attendance: 565
Dover will be looking to avoid a potential banana skin when they host Marine this weekend in the Buildbase FA Trophy second round proper.
The Merseyside club, currently 21st in the Evo-Stick Premier, have defeated Atherton Collieries (5-1), FC United of Manchester (1-0) and Chorley (3-1) to setup this weekend’s tie.
And Whites boss Chris Kinnear, aware of his opponents ability to knock out higher opposition, will feel confident after seeing his team beat National League South Eastbourne Borough 3-0 at Crabble in the last round.
Mitch Pinnock, Ryan Bird and James Alabi were on the scoresheet that day to set up a first ever meeting with Marine.
MARINE’S RECENT FORM
ASHTON 3-0 MARINE
The hosts recorded a comfortable victory in this Evo-Stick Premier match.
Nic Evangelinos put Ashton ahead on 20 minutes, following in on Liam Tomsett’s blocked drive and firing home.
Danny Mitchley struck the post for the visitors, but it was Evangelinos who doubled his and the home side’s tally.
Tomsett ran to the byline and crossed for the makeshift striker to tap-in three minutes after he scored his first of the afternoon.
Phil Baker and Florian da Silva both missed chances for Marine and the away side were duly punished late on as Tomsett converted Saul Henderson’s cross.
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 FA TROPHY FIXTURES
BILLERICAY TOWN V STOURBRIDGE
BLYTH SPARTANS V BROMLEY
BOGNOR REGIS V LEYTON ORIENT
BRACKLEY TOWN V BARROW
EAST THURROCK V CHESTER
EBBSFLEET UNITED V WARRINGTON TOWN
GATESHEAD V BOREHAM WOOD
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS V STOCKPORT COUNTY
MAIDSTONE UNITED V HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS
ST ALBANS CITY V HARROGATE TOWN
SUTTON UNITED V HENDON
TBC V SOLIHULL MOORS
TBC V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
WEALDSTONE V HEREFORD FC
WESTON-SUPER-MARE V WORKINGTON
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Boreham Wood on Saturday 20th January and it is not too late to book your space on it.
It departs Crabble at 11:15am and the the prices 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 Marine.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.
