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PREVIEW: WHITES V WREXHAM AFC

Dover will be looking to maintain their impressive record against Wrexham when the Welsh side come calling in the National League on Saturday.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s side are unbeaten in five games against the Dragons since winning promotion to non-league’s top-flight after winning three games and drawing two, including the 0-0 draw at the Racecourse Ground on the opening day of this season.

Of those wins, two have been at Crabble, with Ricky Miller and now Gateshead winger, Toby Ajala, scoring in the 2-1 win at the venue last season.

Miller’s opened the scoring with a header from a Nicky Deverdics free-kick and the pair could be reunited in Saturday’s game after midfielder Deverdics joined Whites on loan from League Two Hartlepool United this week.

Deverdics and fellow new arrivals, winger James Caton, who made four appearances for Wrexham last season while on loan from Shrewsbury Town, and defender Bondz N’Gala, will all come into reckoning for the clash.

WREXHAM’S RECENT FORM

The Dragons will arrive in Kent on an impressive run of form and in 10th place on the league ladder.

They are unbeaten in their past five league games after four wins and a draw, 1-1 at arch rivals Chester.

Wrexham’s latest win saw them come from behind to beat Guiseley 3-1 at the Racecourse Ground last Saturday.

A double from National League Player of the Month for January, John Rooney, who had come on as a substitute, and Ntumba Massena, secured the three points.

RECENT MEETINGS

06/08/16: Wrexham 0-0  Dover Athletic

09/04/16: Wrexham 0-1 Dover Athletic

10/10/15: Dover Athletic 2-1 Wrexham

31/03/15: Wrexham 1-1 Dover Athletic

20/01/15: Dover Athletic 2-0 Wrexham

HITMEN

Whites’ top scorer in the National League this season is Ricky Miller with 27 after his double in the 3-1 win against Chester at Crabble two weeks ago.

Miller’s strike partners Ross Lafayette and Moses Emmanuel are also both in double figures with Emmanuel on 11 and Lafayette with 10 to his name.

Rooney is Wrexham’s leading man with 11 goals.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Assistant boss Jake Leberl said on Friday that only striker Tyrone Marsh (knee) was not available.

TICKET NEWS

Tickets can still be purchased on the day but supporters should note that this match IS segregated.

 COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip up the hill to Crabble, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES (3pm)

Chester v Gateshead

Aldershot Town v Barrow

Braintree Town v North Ferriby

Forest Green Rovers v Boreham Wood

Guiseley v Eastleigh

Lincoln City v Woking

Solihull Moors v Sutton United

Southport v Dagenham & Redbridge

Torquay United v Macclesfield Town

Tranmere Rovers v Bromley

York City v Maidstone United

AWAY DAYS

Dover hit the road for two National League games at North Ferriby United and Woking Town with Supporters Club coach details as follows for travelling fans.

NORTH FERRIBY UNITED (3pm Saturday, February 18)

Coach leaves Crabble at 7.30am and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £30, Adult Non Members £45 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

WOKING TOWN (7.45pm Tuesday, February 28)

Coach leaves Crabble at 4.30pm and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £15, Adult Non Members £30 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy Fisher on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot before or after today’s game.

You are now required to pay for your seat in advance in cash or by cheque or via bank transfer.

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.

WHITES SIGN DEFENDER N’GALA

Dover boss Chris Kinnear has bolstered his defence with the signing of former Eastleigh centre back Bondz N’Gala.

The powerfully-built 27-year old, Eastleigh’s club record signing from League Two Barnet last year, has put pen-to-paper for the rest of the season with an option to extend the deal.

N’Gala, who left Eastleigh by mutual consent on transfer deadline day, did sign for Gillingham last week, but the deal fell through due to FIFA regulations.

But following discussions between Dover Athletic, the FA and the EFL it was confirmed by the FA’s registrations department that we could go ahead and sign the player.

N’Gala made nine National League appearances for Eastleigh after arriving for an undisclosed club record fee from Barnet in November.

He made 14 appearances for Barnet this season before making the switch to our Hampshire rivals.

All up, the former Barnet captain played 111 matches for the Bees in two spells before joining Eastleigh.

The London-born, former West Ham United youngster, brings a wealth of Football League experience with him to Crabble, having made almost 250 league appearances.

He has had stints playing for Scunthorpe United, Plymouth Argyle, Yeovil, Stevenage, Portsmouth and MK Dons.

N’Gala could feature for the first time in Saturday’s home clash with Wrexham.

Welcome Bondz !!

HONOURS EVEN IN DERBY

DEVERDICS RETURNS TO CRABBLE

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the loan signing of Hartlepool United midfielder Nicky Deverdics.

Nicky of course needs no introduction to Dover fans after he captained Whites into the National League play-off semi-finals last season.

The 29-year old Geordie, who is in line to make his return in our home league clash with Wrexham on Saturday (3pm), joined the League Two side last summer after spending two seasons at Crabble.

Since making the move north, Deverdics has made 24 appearances, scoring twice.

He made a total of 94 appearances for Dover after joining in July 2014.

Newcastle-born Deverdics scored 16 goals last season, including 14 in the league.

The former Newcastle United trainee also finished the season with 18 assists, the best in the league.

During his career, Deverdics has also played 26 times for Gretna in the Scottish Premier League as well as having spells at Gateshead, Barnet and Blyth Spartans.

He signed for Dover after playing in the Faroe Islands for top-flight club TB Tvoroyri.

Welcome back Nicky!

WALK BACK INTO FOOTBALL AT CRABBLE

Dover Athletic is offering a chance for men over 50 to get out of their armchairs and back into playing football.

Working in conjunction with Dover District Council, we will be soon be starting a walking football project at Crabble.

The rules of the game are much the same as what we normally see played – however, there are some major differences.

Anything so much as a jog is prohibited for a start!!

Teams playing are also smaller, with between five and seven players a-side.

Other rules include free kicks are indirect, kick-ins replace throws, there are no offsides and the ball must be kept below head height.

If this inspires you, or someone you know to get active, the first session will be played on Sunday, February 19th.

The opening day of the project, which is aimed to engage with the community to provide an opportunity for men aged 50+ to become more socially and physically active, starts at 10am and finishes at 11.30am.

It will include an hour of football followed by refreshments in the Centre Spot.

The first five weeks will also be FREE of charge.

So, come along and have a shot at playing!

https://doverathletic.com/walking-football

WHITES IN KENT CUP ACTION

NEW signing James Caton is poised to make his Dover Athletic debut when Whites host Ryman League North side VCD Athletic in the Kent Reliance Senior Cup quarter-final clash at Crabble on Monday.

The former Shrewsbury Town winger joined boss Chris Kinnear’s last Thursday after spending the first half of this season with National League rivals Southport.

Dover won 1-0 at Ryman League, Division 1 South side Herne Bay thanks to Tyrone Marsh’s first half goal last month to reach this stage of the competition.

Marsh won’t feature against VCD, who beat Gillingham 3-2 in the last round, due to a knee injury.

VCD did not play on Saturday after their league clash at Bowers & Pitsea was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

They have lost their past five league games and are currently 18th on the ladder, five points above the relegation zone.

The club have reduced the admission price for the game down to just £5 for all, while under-11s get into Crabble for free, to allow as many fans and members of the community as possible to come along.

The game kicks-off at 7.45pm.

WHITES SIGN CATON

DOVER Athletic boss Chris Kinnear has added some extra firepower to his attack after signing winger James Caton.

The 23-year-old former Shrewsbury Town man has spent the first half of this season playing in the National League for Southport.

He played 24 games for the Sandgrounders, including in Dover’s 1-0 win at the Merseyrail Community Stadium last September.

Caton, who was released by League One Shrewsbury last May, scored two goals during his time with Southport.

His last appearance was in the 3-2 win against visiting Wrexham on New Year’s Day.

After putting pen to paper with Whites on Thursday, Caton said: “I am delighted to have signed for Dover.

“I’ve been in and around the team for the last week or so and got a great vibe from everyone – they have all been great with me from the players to the management and the staff.

“I am really looking forward to hopefully playing my part in what should be an exciting end to the season.”

Caton spent the second-half of last season on loan at Lincoln City, scoring three goals in 12 games, which also saw him play for the Imps in their 4-1 defeat at Crabble last March.

During his time at Shrewsbury, Caton, also had loan spells at Mansfield and Wrexham.

The former Bolton youngster made two league appearances for Shrewsbury after joining the club from Blackpool in 2014.

He made two appearances in the Championship during his time at Blackpool.

Welcome to Dover James!

LEWES 2-7 DAFC ACADEMY

MATTHEW Robinson scored a hat-trick as Dover Academy bounced back from their first home defeat of the season with an impressive win at Lewes.

Coach Mike Sandman’s side put the disappointment of the 2-1 loss against Hastings behind them in style in East Sussex.

Dover led 5-0 at one stage thanks to first half doubles from Ben Cardwell and Robinson as well as an own goal.

Robinson (pictured above) completed his treble in the second half before substitute Jack Cussen added the seventh to complete the rout.

Earlier, Dover opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Cardwell slotted home Jordan Bartlett’s corner.

Robinson added a second five minutes later with a clinical finish following Connor Miller’s fine run and cross.

Cardwell turned provider to set up Robinson for the third before Robinson’s corner was deflected into his own net by a home defender.

Dover’s fifth came from Cardwell, who picked the ball up on the halfway line and completed a magnificent run with a clinical finish.

Lewes pulled one back just before half-time and another from the penalty sport after the restart, but there was to be no more joy for the hosts.

Robinson completed his hat-trick with a stunning half-volley before Cussen scored the seventh.