Archives: News

WHITES SIGN ESSUMAN

George Essuman played against us this year – now he’s going to play for us.

The centre-back has joined from Ryman League North side VCD Athletic on a two-year contract.

Essuman, whose previous clubs include Norwich City, West Ham United and Sheffield Wednesday, played for VCD in their 4-0 defeat in the Kent Reliance Senior Cup at Crabble last month.

A powerful, ball playing defender, Essuman’s career started at Hemel Hempstead Town.

It was while he was with Town, he played for Norwich City’s Under-18s against Aston Villa in 2013, a game the Canaries won 1-0.

He later played for Leverstock Green and London Colney before joining Waltham Forest in February 2014.

In August 2016, he signed for Ryman League side Maldon & Tiptree United from Ware.

He then spent time with Grays Athletic before joining VCD Athletic in January 2017.

Welcome to Crabble George!!

NICK DONATES DEFIBRILLATOR TO CLUB

Long time Dover fan Nick Cunningham has continued to show his support for the club – and his generosity could save a life.

The local businessman – who owns Nick Cunningham Plumbing and Heating Engineers, based in Sandwich – has brought a defibrillator for use in the community ventures running.

The club already has one defibrillator in the medical facilities at Crabble for use on players or fans on match days, but there was a need for another as Dover Athletic Community Manager Vikki Pawley explains.

“Due to the rise in community projects we have running at the ground now, Saturday and school holiday soccer schools and the walking football, we felt we needed a second defibrillator at the ground,” she said.

“After discussing this need in the sponsors lounge last week, Nick Cunningham has stepped forward and generously bought us one for the community projects.”

As for Nick, he was simply happy to help his beloved club.

He said: “Hopefully, the club will never have to use it, but at least we now have a second one in place should the need arise.”

The new machine will be presented by Nick to the club at Saturday’s National League game against Solihull Moors.

We thank Nick for his kind gesture and generosity as well as his continued support.

PREVIEW: WHITES VS SOLIHULL MOORS

An opportunity to secure a National League double and remain in the race for the play-offs is on the line at Crabble on Saturday when Solihull Moors come calling.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s side remained fifth, despite losing 1-0 at Woking on Tuesday, and need to get back to winning ways to stay in the hunt for promotion.

Whites have already beaten the National League newcomers this season after Ricky Miller (pictured above in action at Solihull) scored a stunning second half hat-trick to inspire a 10-man Dover to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-2 win last November.

Dover had lost Jack Parkinson to a straight red in the 26th minute after he slipped while last man and made a tap tackle on striker Andy Brown as he raced towards goal.

Liam McDonald took over as Solihull boss a couple of day’s after the defeat against Whites and he is well aware of the threat that Dover will pose in the return match.

Speaking to the Solihull club website, McDonald said: “Like all games, we study the opposition to arrive at a game plan for the particular match. Of course we know of the ability of Ricky Miller and we have to be 100% aware of exactly where he is on the pitch at any time, but really that applies to the whole Dover team!

“They are high in the league because of the team effort and it is a very good side. Miller will inevitably receive most of the plaudits, but so should the defence and midfield.

“It is they who supply the passes to him and get the team their clean sheets.

“So we will not specifically target any one individual in out tactical approach. It will be a tight game and we need to make sure that Ricky Miller does not make the difference.”

McDonald is looking forward to the trip.

He said: “There should be a real atmosphere at Crabble this weekend and my players will enjoy it. For me personally it evokes a bit of nostalgia because that is where I made by debut for my first club, Worcester City, when I was 17 years old.

“We will be the under dogs this weekend, so I am sure the lads will rise to the occasion, particularly to put their last performance against Wrexham behind them.”

SOLIHULL MOORS RECENT FORM

The Moors  are currently 15th on the National League ladder.

Their home clash against Torquay United on Tuesday was called off due to a waterlogged pitch while their previous game ended with a 1-0 defeat against visiting Wrexham last Saturday.

On their travels, Solihull won 1-0 at Bromley on their last venture away from the West Midlands on February 18.

Former Barnsley striker Harry White scored the all-important goal.

RECENT MEETING

12/11/16: Solihull Moors 2-3 Dover Athletic

HITMEN

Whites’ leading scorer in the National League this season is Ricky Miller with 30 following his hat-trick against Eastleigh at Crabble last Saturday.

Moses Emmanuel (11) and Ross Lafayette (10) are the other Dover players in double figures.

Solihull’s leading man with seven goals is Omari Sterling-James while former Barnsley striker Harry White has six to his name.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Striker Tyrone Marsh (knee) is still not available while Parkinson joined Maidenhead United on loan earlier this week.

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make it 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 Lincoln City

Barrow v Sutton United

Boreham Wood v Bromley

Braintree Town v Wrexham

Forest Green Rovers v Macclesfield Town

Gateshead v Dagenham & Redbridge

Maidstone United v Southport

North Ferriby United v Woking

Torquay United v Guiseley AFC

York City v Eastleigh

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach heading to Boreham Wood on Tuesday, March 14.

It leaves Crabble at 4.15pm and the cost is:

Adults Members £15, Adult Non Members £30 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.

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

Please note that 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.

PARKINSON MAKES LOAN MOVE

Jack Parkinson has joined promotion-chasing National League South side Maidenhead United on loan for a month.

Parkinson has made 29 appearances in all competitions for Dover this season, scoring twice in the process.

His last appearance in the National League was in the 3-1 win against Chester at Crabble on January 28.

The 27-year-old is set to make his debut for the Magpies, whose manager is former Braintree Town boss Alan Devonshire,in the home clash against Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday.

PREVIEW: WOKING V WHITES

Dover will be aiming to beat Woking for the fifth consecutive National League game when we head to Surrey on Tuesday night.

Chris Kinnear’s side remained fifth on the National League ladder after beating Eastleigh 3-0 at Crabble on Saturday but the boss is not taking the impressive record against the Cards for granted – far from it.

He said: “It’s always difficult at Woking – it will be a hard game, there is no doubt about that.

“Gary Hill (Woking manager) has been in this game for a long time and he knows how to get results.

“They may not have enjoyed the best of times recently but they are a decent side with some very good players in it.

“You can rest assured that we are not taking anything for granted – we never do.”

WOKING’S RECENT FORM

The Cards are currently 20th on the National League ladder after losing 4-3 at Forest Green Rovers last Saturday.

Keanu Marsh-Brown put the hosts ahead in the 37th minute before Woking equalised through Joey Jones’ stunning long range effort.

Woking hit the lead through Gozie Ugwu before Christian Doidge replied for Forest Green.

Darren Carter had a penalty saved by Woking goalkeeper Michael Poke with 23 minutes remaining but Omar Bugiel scored twice to make it 4-2 to the hosts before Woking reduced the deficit through Terell Thomas in stoppage time.
In their past two home games, Woking drew 0-0 with Southport after beating Solihulll Moors 2-1.
RECENT MEETINGS

22/11/16: Dover Athletic 3-1 Woking

5/3/16: Woking 0-1 Dover Athletic

25/9/15: Dover Athletic 2-0 Woking

6/4/15: Dover Athletic 2-1 Woking

25/8/14: Woking 6-1 Dover Athletic

HITMEN

Whites’ leading scorer in the National League this season is Ricky Miller with 30 following his hat-trick against Eastleigh at Crabble on Saturday..

Miller missed the clash with Woking earlier this season through suspension.

Former Woking loanee Ross Lafayette, who has scored 10 goals this season, scored twice in the 3-1 win that night

Moses Emmanuel scored the other goal and now has 11 league goals to his name.

Woking’s leading man with 12 goals is Gozie Ugwu.

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Eastleigh loanee Connor Essam is available again after not being able to play against his parent club last Saturday.

Midfielder Ricky Modeste is in doubt after he injured his knee in the first half against Eastleigh and was replaced by James Hurst at half-time.

Striker Tyrone Marsh (knee) is also still not available.

DOVER COLOURS

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Woking 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 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!

TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Bromley v Braintree Town

Dagenham & Redbridge v Maidstone United

Eastleigh v Aldershot Town

Guiseley AFC v Barrow

Lincoln City v York City

Solihull Moors v Boreham Wood

Tranmere Rovers v Forest Green Rovers

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach heading to Woking on Tuesday.

It leaves Crabble at 4.30pm and the cost is:

Adults Members £15, Adult Non Members £30 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.

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

Please note that 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.