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PREVIEW: MACCLESFIELD TOWN V DOVER ATHLETIC

DOVER will be hoping to improve their fortunes at the Moss Rose when we head to Cheshire on Tuesday to tackle Macclesfield Town in a re-arranged National League match.

The Silkmen led 1-0 in the original game on November 26 before the game was abandoned in the second half due to heavy fog.

But the 528-mile round trip to the venue had not been the best of hunting grounds for boss Chris Kinnear and his sides before Mother Nature intervened last year.

Whites had not scored in their past two games at the venue before the November showdown and have headed home with just a single point out of a possible six.

WHAT MACCLESFIELD ARE SAYING

Assistant manager Steve Watson speaking to the Macclesfield Town website said the squad is full of confidence heading into the rematch.

He said: “I think Dover will be fully aware we were playing very well on the night. They might set up a little bit differently or approach it a little bit differently, but from our point of view with the way we started we’d like to go and do exactly the same.

“No two games are the same though and we don’t know what they’re going to be like with their team, the way they set up.

“We’ll be going into the match with confidence though certainly, from the second-halves of the two games we’ve just had especially.”

Macclesfield were without a game last weekend due to the FA Cup fixtures, having missed out on the opportunity after the defeat to League One side Oxford.

MACCLESFIELDƒ’S RECENT FORM

The Silkmen beat second-place Tranmere Rovers 4-2 at Moss Rose last time out on New Year’s Day.

Rovers led twice courtesy of goals from Stephen McNulty and Ritchie Sutton before the hosts secured all three points with a Paul Lewis hat-trick and a Danny Rowe goal.
That win sees them 11th on the National League ladder,six places and nine points behind Whites.

RECENT MEETINGS

13/09/14: Dover Athletic 0-1 Macclesfield Town
18/10/14: Macclesfield Town 1-0 Dover Athletic
17/10/15: Dover Athletic 2-1 Macclesfield Town
12/04/16: Macclesfield Town 0-0 Dover Athletic

HITMEN

Whites’ top scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with 25 following his penalty in the 2-2 draw with York City at Crabble on Saturday

Miller’s strike partners Ross Lafayette and Moses Emmanuel are also both in double figures after both scored in the 4-1 win at Maidstone on New Year’s Day.

Emmanuel’s double sees him on 11 goals while Lafayette has 10 to his name.

Chris Holroyd is Macclesfield’s top marksman in the league with nine goals.

TEAM NEWS

Assistant boss Jake Leberl says all players are fit for the trip north.

Meanwhile, Macclesfield have signed goalkeeper Scott Flinders on a free transfer after he left York City by mutual consent on Thursday.

The 30-year-old spent time on loan with the Silkmen earlier this season between September and October.

Macclesfield have also signed striker Anthony Dudley on loan from Bury.

DOVER COLOURS

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Macclesfield by wearing the matching shirts as the players, captain Jamie Grimes and his team-mates will be wearing their yellow shirts.

TICKET NEWS

Macclesfield Town have confirmed all supporters with a valid match ticket for the original fixture are able to attend Tuesday’s game for free.

For those without a valid ticket from the original fixture, standard ticket prices apply for the game.

COVERAGE

The game starts at 7.45pm but if you are unable to make the long trip north, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText ƒ- follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 7pm.

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Barrow v Southport

Braintree Town v Sutton United

Eastleigh v Forest Green Rovers

LOOKING AHEAD

The Supporters Club are running a coach to the National League games at  Macclesfield Town and Lincoln City.

Details for both are as follows:

Macclesfield Town (Tuesday, January 10)

Coach leaves Crabble at 12.45pm and the cost is

Adults Members £30, Adult Non Members £35 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

Lincoln City (Friday, January 20)

Thanks to a generous donation by local businessman and huge Dover Athletic fan Nick Cunningham– who owns Nick Cunningham Plumbing and Heating Engineers, based in Sandwich –seats on the coach are being sold at a reduced price.

We thank Nick for his kind gesture and hope that fans take advantage of his generosity.

Coach leaves Crabble at 1pm and the cost is:

Adults Members £10, Adult Non Members £20 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seats.

 

PREVIEW: WHITES V YORK CITY

DOVER assistant boss Jake Leberl stressed that there will be no room for complacency when Whites take on rock bottom York City at Crabble on Saturday.

The Minstermen, relegated from League Two last season, have won only four League games all season and arrive in Kent one point adrift at the foot of the table.

Whites are fifth and 27 points better off, but Leberl said nothing would be taken for granted.

He said: “It is unbelievable a club such as York is struggling at the bottom of this league.

“Saying that, we cannot worry about them and their current situation.

“This is an extremely tough league – there are no easy games in it.  This game will be no different.

“We have got to ensure that we go out there and put on a professional performance and hopefully get some more points.

“We are in the play-off positions now and we’ve got to show grit, desire and determination to stay in there.”

Three points on Saturday would also secure a first win at home for boss Chris Kinnear’s side since the  3-1 win against Woking on November 22

WHAT YORK BOSS GARY MILLS IS SAYING ABOUT DOVER

“They are doing well and have got themselves back in the play-offs, so we’ve got to work hard and fight for everything,” he told Minstermen PlayerHD.

“Not many people think we can beat anybody at the moment, so let them think that.

“We know what we are capable of and we’ll be going there not to get a draw, but a win. They play a man-marking game that I’ve never seen anybody else play, but it works for them home and away.

“They’ve also got a striker who’s the hottest property in the league and all their forwards are on fire at the moment, but it’s a challenge we’ve got to overcome and we’ve got to make sure we have more of the ball than we did against North Ferriby on Sunday.”

 YORK CITY’S RECENT FORM

York lost 1-0 at home against fellow strugglers North Ferriby United on New Year’s Day.

Prior to that, they won the reverse clash by the same scoreline on Boxing Day with Forest Green Rovers loanee Aarran Racine getting the goal.

RECENT MEETINGS

Dover won the only previous meeting between the two clubs, 1-0 at Bootham Crescent in September.

Ricky Miller scored the all-important goal in the first half.

HITMEN

Whites’ top scorer in the National League this season is Miller with 24.

Miller’s strike partners Ross Lafayette and Moses Emmanuel are also both in double figures after both scored in the 4-1 win at Maidstone on New Year’s Day.

Emmanuel’s double sees him on 11 goals while Lafayette has 10 to his name.

The trio’s form in front of goal mean Whites are the equal joint leading scorers in the league alongside table-topping Lincoln City with 55.

Midfielder Aidan Connolly is York’s leading man with three goals, but he will miss the clash at Crabble with a thigh injury.

TEAM NEWS

Leberl says there are no injury concerns while new signing James Hurst is in contention to make the matchday squad.

Midfielder Joe Healy is also available.

TICKET NEWS

Tickets can still be purchased on the day and 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

 ALDERSHOT TOWN v SOUTHPORT

BRAINTREE TOWN V CHESTER FC

BROMLEY V FOREST GREEN ROVERS

GUISELEY AFC V MAIDSTONE UNITED

NORTH FERRIBY UNITED V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

SOLIHULL MOORS V GATESHEAD

TORQUAY UNITED V BOREHAM WOOD

WREXHAM v WOKING

LOOKING AHEAD

The Supporters Club are running a coach to the National League games at  Macclesfield Town and Lincoln City.

 Details for both are as follows:

Macclesfield Town (Tuesday, January 10)

Coach leaves Crabble at 12.45pm and the cost is

Adults Members £30, Adult Non Members £35 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

Lincoln City (Friday, January 20)

Thanks to a generous donation by local businessman and huge Dover Athletic fan Nick Cunningham– who owns Nick Cunningham Plumbing and Heating Engineers, based in Sandwich –seats on the coach are being sold at a reduced price.

We thank Nick for his kind gesture and hope that fans take advantage of his generosity.

Coach leaves Crabble at 1pm and the cost is:

Adults Members £10, Adult Non Members £20 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 on Saturday

Whites add Hurst

DOVER Athletic boss Chris Kinnear has today added to his squad after completing the signing of James Hurst.

The 24-year-old utility man is a product of West Bromwich Albion’s academy and most recently played for National League North side Telford.

He has also played in the National League for Torquay United and at Guiseley, while on loan from the Gulls.

Capable of playing at full-back, on the wing or behind the striker, Hurst has had two loan spells at Shrewsbury Town and played for Birmingham, Crawley and Northampton.

He is eligible to make his debut for in Saturday’s National League game against York City at Crabble.

Welcome to Dover James!

WHITES WIN KENT DERBY

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.

Maidstone made the stronger start to the game, Alex Flisher pulled the ball back for Jamar Loza to slot home, but skipper Jamie Grimes blocked bravely with a last ditch tackle.

Yemi Odubade then stole a march on Aswad Thomas out wide and passed in field to Karagiannis, but goalkeeper Steve Arnold parried the fierce drive.

Stones had a glorious chance through Odubade as he only had Arnold to beat following neat interplay with Jack Paxman, but Dover’s stopper proved a formidable barrier for the former Eastleigh man.

Dover’s first chance saw Sam Magri race onto Miller’s pass and fire just wide of the far post.

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.

Loza almost capitalized on Tyrone Sterling’s error, but his volley through a crowed box went straight at Arnold.

Emmanuel 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 Magri was well positioned to clear away Flisher’s drive.

The home side did pull a goal back on 58 minutes as Odubade’s low cross was slid home by Karagiannis.

Worgan kept Maidstone in the game, diving low to his right to deny Miller’s first time attempt after nice work from Emmanuel.

Arnold’s challenge on Odubade had Maidstone calling for a penalty, but referee Constantine Hatzidakis waved the claims away.

The resulting corner from Karagiannis was heading straight in, but Arnold was able to fist the ball to safety.

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.

Worgan denied Sammy Moore his first of the season after saving his curling effort and Lafayette’s follow up shot was blocked.

Arnold’s fingertips denied Loza from close range and Tom Mills somehow missed the target after Dover’s goalie missed Flisher’s cross as Maidstone were unable to set up a grandstand finish.

Miller, who was feeling under the weather, sealed the win after he ran onto Lafayette’s through ball to slot home in injury time.

Earlier, Whites made one change from the reverse clash on Boxing Day, Moore came in for Ricky Modeste who dropped to the bench.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver (Taylor 86mins), Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Rogers (Greenhalgh 81mins), Karagiannis, Paxman, Loza, Odubade (N’Guessan 76mins), Flisher. Subs not used: Evans, Acheampong.

Dover: Arnold, Magri, Thomas, Orlu, Grimes, Sterling, Moore, Parkinson (Stevenson 73mins), Miller (Kinnear 90mins), Lafayette, Emmanuel (Pinnock 85mins). Subs not used: Modeste, Stevenson, Marsh.

Attendance: 2,257 (208 Dover fans)

PREVIEW: MAIDSTONE UNITED V WHITES

DOVER will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the National League when we travel to Kent rivals Maidstone United on New Year’s Day.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s team have not won in the league since the 6-0 triumph at Sutton United on November 29.

That impressive performance was followed by a defeat at home against Dagenham and Redbridge and draws with Forest Green Rovers and today’s hosts at Crabble on Boxing Day.

That 1-1 draw with Stones kept Dover sixth, one point out of the play-off positions.

Ricky Miller’s first-half penalty put Whites ahead before Jamar Loza’s second-half equaliser for Stones.

Sunday’s re-match will be shown live on BT Sport at 6pm.

TICKET NEWS

It’s an all-ticket match and ticket sales are now CLOSED.

Please be aware that NO tickets will be available on the turnstiles on the night.

Gates open at 3.30pm and Dover fans should enter the ground at turnstile eight.

This entrance is off James Whatman Way, opposite Kent History & Library Centre.

 MAIDSTONE UNITED’S RECENT FORM

Prior to the 1-1 draw at Crabble, the Stones had lost their past two National League games, losing 2-1 at home against North Ferriby United and 2-0 at Bromley.

Maidstone had ended a four-game losing streak before the loss at Bromley by beating Eastleigh 2-1 at the Gallagher.

RECENT MEETINGS

Honours finished even after the draw on Boxing Day.

Dover last beat Maidstone United in a Kent Senior Cup match at Sittingbourne when Whites triumphed 6-3 in October 2011.

The previous league meetings between the sides was in the Isthmian Premier during the 2008-09 season.

Dover won both contests, 3-0 at Crabble, and 2-0 at Sittingbourne.

HITMEN

Whites’ top scorer in the National League this season is Ricky Miller with 25.

Miller’s strike partners Ross Lafayette and Moses Emmanuel both have nine each.

Bobby-Joe Taylor is Maidstone’s leading man with six league goals.

TEAM NEWS

Assistant boss Jake Leberl says there are no injury concerns.

However, midfielder Joe Healy is not available while Ira Jackson Jnr has joined Margate on a 28-day loan.

DOVER COLOURS

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at the Gallagher Stadium by wearing the matching shirts as the players, captain Jamie Grimes and his team-mates will be wearing their blue shirts.

COVERAGE

The game starts at 6pm but if you are unable to make the trip to the Gallagher Stadium, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

The Centre Spot will be also be screening the game live and will be open from 5pm.

SUNDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Woking v Aldershot Town

Chester FC v Solihull Moors

Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United

Lincoln City v Guiseley AFC

Macclesfield Town v Tranmere Rovers

Southport v Wrexham

Sutton United v Bromley

York City v North Ferriby United

LOOKING AHEAD

The Supporters Club are running a coach to the National League game at Macclesfield Town on Tuesday, January 10 and details are:

Coach leaves Crabble at 12.45pm and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £30, Adult Non Members £35 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat.

CENTRE SPOT OPEN FOR MAIDSTONE GAME

The club are pleased to confirm that the Centre Spot bar will be OPEN this Sunday evening (January 1) for supporters to watch the live National League clash at Maidstone United.

The second clash of the festive period between the two Kent rivals following the 1-1 draw at Crabble on Boxing Day will be screened live on BT Sport.

So for those not able to make the trip to the Gallagher Stadium, come along and watch the derby action with fellow Dover fans!

Doors open at 5pm with kick-off at 6pm.