IT HAS been a turbulent week for Saturday’s visitors to Crabble, Eastleigh.
Tuesday’s home defeat by Macclesfield Town was their third consecutive loss in the National League and manager Martin Allen was relieved of his duties on Wednesday.
Dover boss Chris Kinnear, whose side will start the game in fifth place, was not about to get distracted by Allen’s exit after just after just 14 games in charge of the Hampshire side.
He said: “What has happened down there is none of our business – it doesn’t matter who’s in the dugout for them now and it won’t change the way we prepare for the game.
“I’ve just got to make sure we play the way we want to play as I have no doubt it will be a tough match.
“Whoever plays for them will be wanting to impress a new manager, so they will be up for it, regardless of what their current form would suggest.”
Following Allen’s departure, Eastleigh have appointed former manager Richard Hill as director of football and placed him in short-term charge of the team.
Hill was in charge at Eastleigh between 2012 and 2015 and guided them to promotion into the National League before resigning.
He will be assisted by senior players Craig McAllister and Ben Strevens, plus head of youth Lee Peacock.
EASTLEIGH’S RECENT FORM
Known as The Spitfires, Eastleigh are currently 15th on the National League ladder after losing 1-0 at home against Macclesfield Town on Tuesday night.
They have now gone seven games without a league victory and are currently nine points above the drop zone.
It was their third consecutive defeat after losing both previous home games against Tranmere Rovers (2-0) last Saturday and Braintree Town (2-0) the previous Tuesday.
RECENT MEETING
16/08/16: Eastleigh 2-4 Dover Athletic
HITMEN
Whites’ top scorer in the National League this season is Ricky Miller with 27 and 32 overall.
Miller scored in the win in Hamphsire earlier this season after starting the game off the bench following his one-game suspension after his red card against Boreham Wood.
Ross Lafayette, who has scored 10 goals this season, also scored in the win at the Silverlake Stadium against his former team.
Moses Emmanuel is Dover’s second leading marksman with 11 league goals to his name.
Eastleigh’s leading man with four goals is James Constable.
DOVER TEAM NEWS
Loanee Connor Essam cannot play against his parent club meaning Bondz N’Gala could make his Dover debut against his former club.
Assistant boss Jake Leberl said on Thursday that only striker Tyrone Marsh (knee) was not available.
TICKET NEWS
Tickets can sbe purchased on the day and this match is NOT segregated.
COVERAGE
The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip to Crabble, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!
MATCH SPONSOR
Chartered accountants McCabe Ford Williams are sponsors for the Eastleigh match.
We thank them for their support.
SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES (3pm)
Aldershot Town v Bromley
Braintree Town v Maidstone United
Forest Green Rovers v Woking
Guiseley AFC v North Ferriby United
Solihull Moors v Wrexham
Southport v Chester FC
Torquay United v Sutton United
AWAY DAYS
There will be a Supporters Club coach heading to Woking next Tuesday.
Coach 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.
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