*BS*Voting has now closed for the club’s Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards – which will be presented to the winning players after the club’s final game of the season against Forest Green Rovers on April 30th. We received over 850 nominations in total – thank you to all who cast their vote!*BF*

In what has been another exciting and successful season for Dover Athletic, voting has been open for the past couple of weeks for fans to nominate their player of the season – and also let us know what their goal of the season was – and we’ve been overwhelmed with the volume of votes received.

Almost 450 votes were made for Player of the Season – to eight different players in total – with over 400 nominations made for Goal of the Season – for eleven individual goals! Both awards were incredibly closely fought, with just nine votes between the winner and runner-up of Player of the Season, and only thirteen votes between first and second place in Goal of the Season..

The club’s annual end of season awards evening will take place in the Centre Spot after the final match of the regular season – against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday April 30th. That fixture kicks off at 5.30pm, so the awards evening is scheduled to start at around 8pm, however this is subject to change. This event is open to all, and is free of charge to attend.

Once again, thank you to all who voted and we’ll see you after the game in two weeks time to celebrate the winners!

DOVERƒ??S Emirates FA Cup campaign continues on Saturday with a first round clash at League Two side Cambridge United.

But boss Chris Kinnear admitted his preparation for the game was no different to any other his team plays.

He said: ƒ??Yes, itƒ??s the FA Cup, but the important thing is that we approach the game in the same manner as any other we play and we prepare right for it.

ƒ??Weƒ??ve got to forget about the occasion and just go out there and make sure we play the way we want to play.

ƒ??If we do that, and perform as well as we are capable of, Iƒ??d like to think our name will be in the hat for the next round.ƒ?

And Kinnear said his players wonƒ??t be leaving anything out there come the end of the clash at the Cambs Glass Stadium.

He said: ƒ??We wonƒ??t be holding back ƒ?? thatƒ??s not my style.

ƒ??Weƒ??ll be going all out to win, something we do in every game regardless of who we are playing against.ƒ?

*BS*WHAT IS CAMBRIDGE BOSS SHAUN DERRY SAYING?*BF*

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Derry said he doesnƒ??t feel thereƒ??s much to choose between League Two and the National League, but wants the Uƒ??s to do what they can to make certain theyƒ??re not on the end of an upset against Dover.

ƒ??Saturdayƒ??s going to bring a real tough opposition and weƒ??ve got to make sure weƒ??re at the top of our game to get through it.ƒ?

*BS*CAMBRIDGE UNITEDƒ??S RECENT FORM*BF*

The Uƒ??s lost 1-0 at home to Portsmouth in the League Two clash last Saturday, their second consecutive defeat in front of their own fans following the loss by the same margin against promoted Grimsby Town.

In between those defeats, Cambridge won the league clash at Exeter 2-1.

*BS*HITMEN*BF*

Whites’ top scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with 15, the best return in the competition, while Cambridgeƒ??s leading man is Luke Berry with five .

*BS*DOVER TEAM NEWS*BF*

Loanee Ayo Obileye has been recalled by parent club Eastleigh while Leyton Orient loanee Sammy Moore will have to sit the game out as his parent club wonƒ??t allow him to play in the competition.

Striker Tyrone Marsh, who scored in the 5-0 win at Burgess Hill Town, is back in contention after missing the past three games with a knee injury.

*BS*DOVER COLOURS*BF*

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Cambridge by wearing the matching shirts as the players, Whites will be wearing their blue shirts.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*

If you are unable to make the trip to the Cambs Glass Stadium we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText ƒ?? follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

*BS*COACH TRAVEL*BF*

There will be two Supporters Club coaches making the trip to Cambridge and itƒ??s not too late to get on board.

They leave Crabble at 10.30am and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members ¶œ20, Adult Non Members ¶œ25 and accompanied child (under 16) ¶œ10.

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

*BS*THE OTHER FA CUP TIES*BF*

Sheffield United v Leyton Orient
Millwall v Southend United
Dagenham & Redbridge v FC Halifax Town
Merstham v Oxford United
Taunton v Barrow
Southport v Fleetwood Town
Yeovil v Solihull Moors
Stockport County v Woking
Dartford v Sutton United
Walsall v Macclesfield Town
Port Vale v Stevenage
Northampton v Harrow Borough
Westfields v Curzon Ashton
MK Dons v Spennymoor Town
Gillingham v Brackley Town
Alfreton v Newport County
Portsmouth v Wycombe Wanderers
Maidstone United v Rochdale
Bury v AFC Wimbledon
St Albans City v Carlisle United
Boreham Wood v Notts County
Mansfield Town v Plymouth Argyle
Braintree Town v Eastbourne Borough
Hartlepool United v Stamford
Bolton Wanderers v Grimsby Town
Bradford City v Accrington Stanley
Oldham Athletic v Doncaster Rovers
Eastleigh v Swindon Town
Shrewsbury Town v Barnet
Morecambe v Coventry City
Crawley Town v Bristol Rovers
Whitehawk v Stourbridge
Colchester United v Chesterfield
Lincoln City v Altrincham
Exeter City v Luton Town
Charlton Athletic v Scunthorpe United
Cheltenham Town v Crewe Alexandra
Peterborough United v Chesham
Blackpool v Kidderminster Harriers

*IS**BS*Dover Athletic vs FC Halifax Town
Saturday 2nd April 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: Craig Hicks*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
Whites’ Easter weekend saw their 5-0 thumping of Torquay United followed up with an uncharacteristic performance, losing 3-0 at Boreham Wood on Easter Monday. Chris Kinnear’s men will be determined to get back to winning ways this weekend, with FC Halifax Town the visitors to Crabble – there are just seven matches remaining for Whites to navigate if they want to be involved in the playoffs for promotion to the Football League, and every point is crucial.

Another thirteen points from their remaining fixtures should be enough to see the side finish in the top five, but with Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers still yet to visit Crabble – and a couple of tricky away ties to get through – this Saturday’s match is of prime importance.

It is nearly seven months since Whites failed to score in successive matches, and the side’s welcome return to Crabble will give supporters confidence that all three points can be picked up, against a side desperately battling against relegation.

Halifax also lost by three goals on Monday – going down 4-1 at Barrow – a result which saw them drop to 20th in the Vanarama National League table, one place and one point outside of the drop zone. After Saturday’s game, Whites are on the road for three in a row – away at Altrincham (21st), Wrexham (8th) and Macclesfield Town (10th).

Three points for Dover could see them rise one place to fourth, depending on Tranmere’s result at home to Welling, and a win would also see them continue to shrug off the teams just outside of the top five, hoping for a Dover slip-up. A victory for Halifax could see them climb two places, to 18th.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: FC Halifax Town | Manager: Jim Harvey
Ground: The Shay | Nickname: The Shaymen

The present club was formed in 2008, replacing Halifax Town F.C. which had gone out of business with around £2 million in debts. The original club was formed in 1911 and played in the Yorkshire Combination and then the Midland League becoming a founder member of the Football League Third Division (North) in 1921.

After several poor seasons, it all came right in 1997-98 and Halifax were promoted back to the Football League as Conference champions, but in 2002 they were again relegated to the Conference. Four years later Halifax lost the play-off final to Hereford in extra time, but their money problems meant that the club was wound up in May 2008. They twice reached the Fifth Round of the F.A.Cup, in 1932-33 and 1952-53, and beat Manchester United in the Watney Cup – a pre-season tournament – in 1971.

The new club had to start life in the Northern Premier League Division One North, and finished in a respectable eighth position. In the 2009-10 season they finished as champions with 100 points from the 42 games, and just as we had done two years earlier in the Isthmian League, they immediately won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title, with 98 points.

Their first season in the Conference North saw them finish third, but they lost to Gainsborough Trinity in the play-offs, but in 2012-13 they finished fifth, but went on to beat Brackley Town 1-0 in the play-off final to win promotion to the Conference Premier. 2013-14 was again a good season for Halifax, finishing fifth in the top non-League division, but they lost to Cambridge United in the play-off semi-final.

Just before the start of last season Lee Gregory left for Millwall for a fee of £250,000. Manager Aspin brought in Macclesfield top scorer Scott Boden and young striker Richard Peniket from Tamworth to try and fill the void left by Gregory.

Some impressive pre-season results and five consecutive wins at the start of the season increased fans’ expectations even further as Halifax sat clear at the top of the league. Inevitably they dropped off slightly but still picked up some credible results in September as they ended the month in second place.

A poor run in October and November with only one win in eight games saw Halifax drop as low as 11th place. However within this poor league run was an FA Cup run which saw Halifax get drawn against local rivals Bradford City. Halifax lost the match 2–1 in front of a new club record 8,042 fans at The Shay which marked the start of Bradford’s infamous cup run in which Bradford reached the Quarter-finals.

Halifax ended the season with a couple of impressive results, namely draws against league champions and runners-up Barnet and Bristol Rovers respectively. However these two draws were part of nine that Halifax drew in their final 15 games which saw them drop away from the play-offs, and they only won one of those 15. They did, however, finish as the third highest part-time side in the league.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of four wins, one draw and one defeat in their last six Vanarama National League matches. Wins were picked up against Welling United (2-1), Lincoln City (4-1), Guiseley (1-0) and Torquay United (5-0), with a draw against Tranmere Rovers (0-0) and the defeat against Boreham Wood (0-3).

Halifax’s record over the same number of matches shows two wins, one draw and three defeats. The victories came against Southport (1-0) and Altrincham (1-0), with a draw against Torquay United (0-0) and defeats suffered against Braintree Town (0-2), Bromley (0-1) and Barrow (1-4).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
At home this season, Dover have the sixth best record in the division. They have won twelve and drawn four of their twenty matches at Crabble.

Away from home this season, Dover have the ninenteenth best record in the division, with five wins and two draws accumulated from nineteen matches on their travels.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
28/11/2015: FC Halifax 4-2 Dover Athletic
14/02/2015: FC Halifax 3-2 Dover Athletic
09/08/2014: Dover Athletic 0-1 FC Halifax

*BS*MEMORABLE MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 9th August 2014
National League – Dover Athletic 0-1 FC Halifax Town
Dover Athletic’s first league game since returning to Conference football ended in defeat at the hands of Halifax Town at Crabble.

Scott McManus scored the only goal of the game when his left footed effort from distance bounced in off the inside of the post shortly after half-time.

Manager Chris Kinnear’s first starting eleven of the new league season saw him keep faith in the players that got the Whites promoted last season, with Tyrone Sterling being the only player to come into the side that was not a part of last season’s promotion winning campaign.

Halifax opened the scoring right after half-time when Town left-back McManus was afforded too much time and space in Dover’s half and this time the visitors got the right bounce off the woodwork as his strike bounced in off the post.

Dover then squandered their best chance of the second half as more good work on the left hand side from Wynter saw him pick out Barry Cogan on the edge of the box, but fired his shot over the bar.

Dover can take a lot of heart from their performance in the game going forward, knowing that they were not outplayed or over matched against a side that was knocked out in the playoffs last time around.*IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Ricky Modeste picked up a hamstring injury in Monday’s defeat at Boreham Wood so faces a fight to to be fit for this match, whilst Aswad Thomas, Andy Rafferty and Tyrone Sterling continue to be unavailable.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league is Ricky Miller with eighteen, one goal ahead of Stefan Payne and five more than Nicky Deverdics.

Halifax’s top scorer in the league this season is Jordan Burrow, who has the found the back of the net thirteen times.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
The best place to see Saturday’s big game is at Crabble, but for supporters unable to make the game, our Live Text service on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – will be running as usual.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Friday 1st April, 7.45pm – live on BT Sport*IF*
Cheltenham v Grimsby

*IS*Saturday 2nd April, 3.00pm*IF*
Aldershot v Barrow
Bromley v Lincoln City
Chester v Boreham Wood
Eastleigh v Guiseley
Forest Green v Wrexham
Gateshead v Torquay
Kidderminster v Altrincham
Macclesfield v Braintree
Southport v Woking
Tranmere v Welling

*IS**BS*Dover Athletic vs FC Halifax Town
Saturday 2nd April 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: Craig Hicks*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
Whites’ Easter weekend saw their 5-0 thumping of Torquay United followed up with an uncharacteristic performance, losing 3-0 at Boreham Wood on Easter Monday. Chris Kinnear’s men will be determined to get back to winning ways this weekend, with FC Halifax Town the visitors to Crabble – there are just seven matches remaining for Whites to navigate if they want to be involved in the playoffs for promotion to the Football League, and every point is crucial.

Another thirteen points from their remaining fixtures should be enough to see the side finish in the top five, but with Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers still yet to visit Crabble – and a couple of tricky away ties to get through – this Saturday’s match is of prime importance.

It is nearly seven months since Whites failed to score in successive matches, and the side’s welcome return to Crabble will give supporters confidence that all three points can be picked up, against a side desperately battling against relegation.

Halifax also lost by three goals on Monday – going down 4-1 at Barrow – a result which saw them drop to 20th in the Vanarama National League table, one place and one point outside of the drop zone. After Saturday’s game, Whites are on the road for three in a row – away at Altrincham (21st), Wrexham (8th) and Macclesfield Town (10th).

Three points for Dover could see them rise one place to fourth, depending on Tranmere’s result at home to Welling, and a win would also see them continue to shrug off the teams just outside of the top five, hoping for a Dover slip-up. A victory for Halifax could see them climb two places, to 18th.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: FC Halifax Town | Manager: Jim Harvey
Ground: The Shay | Nickname: The Shaymen

The present club was formed in 2008, replacing Halifax Town F.C. which had gone out of business with around £2 million in debts. The original club was formed in 1911 and played in the Yorkshire Combination and then the Midland League becoming a founder member of the Football League Third Division (North) in 1921.

After several poor seasons, it all came right in 1997-98 and Halifax were promoted back to the Football League as Conference champions, but in 2002 they were again relegated to the Conference. Four years later Halifax lost the play-off final to Hereford in extra time, but their money problems meant that the club was wound up in May 2008. They twice reached the Fifth Round of the F.A.Cup, in 1932-33 and 1952-53, and beat Manchester United in the Watney Cup – a pre-season tournament – in 1971.

The new club had to start life in the Northern Premier League Division One North, and finished in a respectable eighth position. In the 2009-10 season they finished as champions with 100 points from the 42 games, and just as we had done two years earlier in the Isthmian League, they immediately won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title, with 98 points.

Their first season in the Conference North saw them finish third, but they lost to Gainsborough Trinity in the play-offs, but in 2012-13 they finished fifth, but went on to beat Brackley Town 1-0 in the play-off final to win promotion to the Conference Premier. 2013-14 was again a good season for Halifax, finishing fifth in the top non-League division, but they lost to Cambridge United in the play-off semi-final.

Just before the start of last season Lee Gregory left for Millwall for a fee of £250,000. Manager Aspin brought in Macclesfield top scorer Scott Boden and young striker Richard Peniket from Tamworth to try and fill the void left by Gregory.

Some impressive pre-season results and five consecutive wins at the start of the season increased fans’ expectations even further as Halifax sat clear at the top of the league. Inevitably they dropped off slightly but still picked up some credible results in September as they ended the month in second place.

A poor run in October and November with only one win in eight games saw Halifax drop as low as 11th place. However within this poor league run was an FA Cup run which saw Halifax get drawn against local rivals Bradford City. Halifax lost the match 2–1 in front of a new club record 8,042 fans at The Shay which marked the start of Bradford’s infamous cup run in which Bradford reached the Quarter-finals.

Halifax ended the season with a couple of impressive results, namely draws against league champions and runners-up Barnet and Bristol Rovers respectively. However these two draws were part of nine that Halifax drew in their final 15 games which saw them drop away from the play-offs, and they only won one of those 15. They did, however, finish as the third highest part-time side in the league.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of four wins, one draw and one defeat in their last six Vanarama National League matches. Wins were picked up against Welling United (2-1), Lincoln City (4-1), Guiseley (1-0) and Torquay United (5-0), with a draw against Tranmere Rovers (0-0) and the defeat against Boreham Wood (0-3).

Halifax’s record over the same number of matches shows two wins, one draw and three defeats. The victories came against Southport (1-0) and Altrincham (1-0), with a draw against Torquay United (0-0) and defeats suffered against Braintree Town (0-2), Bromley (0-1) and Barrow (1-4).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
At home this season, Dover have the sixth best record in the division. They have won twelve and drawn four of their twenty matches at Crabble.

Away from home this season, Dover have the ninenteenth best record in the division, with five wins and two draws accumulated from nineteen matches on their travels.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
28/11/2015: FC Halifax 4-2 Dover Athletic
14/02/2015: FC Halifax 3-2 Dover Athletic
09/08/2014: Dover Athletic 0-1 FC Halifax

*BS*MEMORABLE MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 9th August 2014
National League – Dover Athletic 0-1 FC Halifax Town
Dover Athletic’s first league game since returning to Conference football ended in defeat at the hands of Halifax Town at Crabble.

Scott McManus scored the only goal of the game when his left footed effort from distance bounced in off the inside of the post shortly after half-time.

Manager Chris Kinnear’s first starting eleven of the new league season saw him keep faith in the players that got the Whites promoted last season, with Tyrone Sterling being the only player to come into the side that was not a part of last season’s promotion winning campaign.

Halifax opened the scoring right after half-time when Town left-back McManus was afforded too much time and space in Dover’s half and this time the visitors got the right bounce off the woodwork as his strike bounced in off the post.

Dover then squandered their best chance of the second half as more good work on the left hand side from Wynter saw him pick out Barry Cogan on the edge of the box, but fired his shot over the bar.

Dover can take a lot of heart from their performance in the game going forward, knowing that they were not outplayed or over matched against a side that was knocked out in the playoffs last time around.*IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Ricky Modeste picked up a hamstring injury in Monday’s defeat at Boreham Wood so faces a fight to to be fit for this match, whilst Aswad Thomas, Andy Rafferty and Tyrone Sterling continue to be unavailable.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league is Ricky Miller with eighteen, one goal ahead of Stefan Payne and five more than Nicky Deverdics.

Halifax’s top scorer in the league this season is Jordan Burrow, who has the found the back of the net thirteen times.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
The best place to see Saturday’s big game is at Crabble, but for supporters unable to make the game, our Live Text service on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – will be running as usual.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Friday 1st April, 7.45pm – live on BT Sport*IF*
Cheltenham v Grimsby

*IS*Saturday 2nd April, 3.00pm*IF*
Aldershot v Barrow
Bromley v Lincoln City
Chester v Boreham Wood
Eastleigh v Guiseley
Forest Green v Wrexham
Gateshead v Torquay
Kidderminster v Altrincham
Macclesfield v Braintree
Southport v Woking
Tranmere v Welling

*BS*Applications are now being welcomed for our Easter Holiday Soccer School, which is open to children aged between 5 and 9 years old – and will be held at Crabble on Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th April.*BF*

Happy Feet’s soccer schools have always been a fantastic success and an enjoyable, fun environment for local youngsters to learn new skills and take part in matches – and we’ve got an Easter treat lined up!

Our Easter Holiday Soccer School will run from 10am – 3pm on Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th April, at a charge of £5 (admin fee.) This is open to children between 5 and 9 years old.

– Children should arrive no earlier than 9.50am for registration.
– Children will need to bring a packed lunch and drinks.
– Shin pads must be worn at all times.
– Spare/warm clothing is advised should we have bad weather as well as sun cream and a hat should the weather be sunny.

To apply for a place, please download the confirmation and consent form (link at bottom of article), and return it to Dover Athletic Football Club – along with the £5 admin fee.

Once your form and payment have been received, you will have the place confirmed by email. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Forms can be returned to the club office at Crabble (cash payments only) between 10am-2pm, between 29th March-1st April. Forms/payment can also be handed in at Saturday morning’s usual Happy Feet sessions.

Link: *Link1*

*BS*Applications are now being welcomed for our Easter Holiday Soccer School, which is open to children aged between 5 and 9 years old – and will be held at Crabble on Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th April.*BF*

Happy Feet’s soccer schools have always been a fantastic success and an enjoyable, fun environment for local youngsters to learn new skills and take part in matches – and we’ve got an Easter treat lined up!

Our Easter Holiday Soccer School will run from 10am – 3pm on Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th April, at a charge of £5 (admin fee.) This is open to children between 5 and 9 years old.

– Children should arrive no earlier than 9.50am for registration.
– Children will need to bring a packed lunch and drinks.
– Shin pads must be worn at all times.
– Spare/warm clothing is advised should we have bad weather as well as sun cream and a hat should the weather be sunny.

To apply for a place, please download the confirmation and consent form (link at bottom of article), and return it to Dover Athletic Football Club – along with the £5 admin fee.

Once your form and payment have been received, you will have the place confirmed by email. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Forms can be returned to the club office at Crabble (cash payments only) between 10am-2pm, between 29th March-1st April. Forms/payment can also be handed in at Saturday morning’s usual Happy Feet sessions.

Link: *Link1*

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*BS*Manager Chris Kinnear spoke to doverathletic.com after Saturday’s game, having seen his side hit an in-form Torquay United for five – moving back to fourth place in the Vanarama National League in the process.*BF*

Dover Athletic steamrolled a hapless Gulls side at Crabble on Saturday, with strikes from five different players – Ricky Modeste, Nicky Deverdics, Ricky Miller, Stefan Payne and Chris Kinnear Jr – easing the side to victory. It was Whites’ biggest win of the season, lifting them back into fourth place.

Understandably, Kinnear expressed how impressed he was: “Torquay are on a great run of form and had kept a few clean sheets recently – but things went for us, and it was good finishing. We played really well and we could have had one or two more.”

Supporters also saw the return of Connor Essam, who came on as a second-half substitute. Kinnear said: “Connor is one of us. He was skipper last year, and he knows what we do. He is a top lad and we are really pleased to have him back.”

Essam’s return adds to an already impressive squad, as Whites move into the last eight games looking to seal a playoff spot. Kinnear said: “I don’t sign squad players. They are all first-team members, and if they are not in the squad they are very unlucky as they have all contributed. As the fans have seen, players are giving 100% for their team mates, supporters and the club – even if they don’t play well.”

Dover face Boreham Wood on Easter Monday – a side who are struggling at the wrong end of the table – but who have had one extra day’s rest, something Kinnear believes will be an advantage: “I think it will make a difference to them, but it is what it is and we can’t worry about issues like that. We just have to apply ourselves as we know it will be a battle.”

*IS**BS*Boreham Wood vs Dover Athletic
Monday 28th March 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: Brett Huxtable*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
Eight matches to go. Eight matches for Dover Athletic to achieve what nobody outside of the club thought was possible at the start of the season – sealing a playoff spot. Whilst many ex-League clubs still have their eyes on a top five finish, Whites – along with Braintree Town – are in the driving seat.

Since the division implemented a 24-team format, in the 2006/07 season, a side reaching 81 points has always managed to secure a playoff spot. Whites currently sit on 68, meaning that thirteen from their final eight matches should be enough to make it into the end-of-season lottery. With tough ties still to come against sides including Wrexham, Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers, Whites will be hoping to add three points onto their tally with the Easter Monday trip to Boreham Wood.

A 5-0 thrashing of Torquay United – who had arrived at Crabble in red-hot form – marked Dover’s pedigree. To have five different names on the scoresheet was an added bonus, and – after struggling to keep clean sheets at the start of the season – keeping four shutouts in their last six matches has seen the defence tighten up at the perfect time.

Boreham Wood come into Monday’s game having had an extra day’s rest – their first Easter match took place on Friday, when they were defeated 4-1 at league leaders Boreham Wood.

Wood now sit in 22nd place in the Vanarama National League table – one point from safety, having played a game more than Altrincham, who are fifth from bottom. After Monday’s game, Whites host FC Halifax (19th) and Altrincham (20th) in their next two games.

Three points for Dover could see them cut the gap on third-placed Grimsby Town to just one point, however Chris Kinnear will enforce into his players that the only results they have to focus on are their own. Three points for Boreham Wood could see them rise three places to 19th.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Boreham Wood FC | Manager: Luke Garrard
Ground: Meadow Park | Nickname: The Wood

The club was formed in 1948 by the amalgamation of two local sides, Boreham Rovers and Royal Retournez. In 1966, after playing in such leagues as the Mid-Herts League, Spartan League and Parthenon League, they joined the Athenian League, where two promotions took them to the top division, where they were champions in 1973–74. After this, the team joined the Isthmian League.

In 1977 they reached the Isthmian League Premier Division, and they were to bounce between the top two divisions on a number of occasions over the next 27 years. In 2004 a re-organisation of the pyramid saw them move to the Southern Football League Eastern Division, which they won in 2005–06, but further re-organisation in 2006 saw them promoted to the Isthmian League Premier Division rather than the Southern League’s equivalent.

In 2010 Boreham Wood won the Isthmian League Premier Division play off final to obtain promotion to the Conference South for the first time in their history. In the 2014–15 season, they managed to achieve a 2nd-place finish in the Conference South to be entered into the playoffs for promotion to the Conference Premier. In achieving a 2nd-place finish they set a new club record for their highest finish in the English football league system. In the play-off semi-final against Havant and Waterlooville, Wood won the first leg 2–0, followed by a 2–2 home draw to send them through to the play-off final versus Whitehawk, which they won in extra time, winning them promotion to the National League for the 2015–16 season.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of five wins and one draw in their last six Vanarama National League matches. Wins were picked up against Woking (1-0), Welling United (2-1), Lincoln City (4-1), Guiseley (1-0) and Torquay United (5-0), with a draw against Tranmere Rovers (0-0).

Boreham Wood’s record over the same number of matches shows one win, two draws and three draws. The victory came against Southport (3-0), with draws against Barrow (0-0) and Macclesfield Town (0-0), and defeats suffered against Barrow (0-2), Wrexham (0-1) and Cheltenham Town (1-4).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
Away from home this season, Dover have the seventh best record in the division, with eight wins and four draws accumulated from eighteen matches on their travels.

At home this season, Boreham Wood have the worst record in the division. They have won just three of their twenty matches at Meadow Park, and scored a league-low of just fourteen.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
31/08/15: Dover Athletic 2-1 Boreham Wood
29/03/14: Dover Athletic 0-0 Boreham Wood
25/01/14: Boreham Wood 2-2 Dover Athletic
23/02/13: Boreham Wood 1-1 Dover Athletic

*BS*MEMORABLE MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 30 August 2008
Ryman League Premier – Boreham Wood 2-3 Dover Athletic
Dover survived a late Boreham Wood comeback to take the three points home from Hertfordshire. Whites looked comfortable for the first 75 minutes, as the side went three goals ahead through a Shaun Welford strike and a brace from Frannie Collin. But although the team switched off slightly late on, conceding twice, Dover secured a fourth win of the season to take them up to second in the league.

It was a fantastic start for the Whites, as they took an early lead. With just two minutes played, Wallis’ corner was dummied at the near post by Hess, and Collin struck the ball goalwards. The shot was stopped by keeper Noel Imber, but Welford was on hand to fire the rebound into the net.

Midway through the half, Dover made them pay for the missed chances by doubling the lead. Collin won the ball off the right back, Mark Burgess, and cut-back for Wallis. He was brought down in the area by Wes Daly, and Frannie stepped up to coolly slot the penalty into the corner of the net for his first goal of the campaign – and you could see from his celebration what it meant to get off the mark for this season.

Early in the second half, it was 3-0. Collin and Wallis played a long-range one-two across the edge of the area, and from just inside the 18-yard box Frannie fired past Imber, with the aid of a slight deflection off of defender Danny Barber.

On 77 minutes, the home side gave themselves a lifeline. Schulz was adjudged to have fouled Lee Allinson in the box, and Archer stepped up to slot the penalty past Whitehouse and into the net. With a minute of normal time remaining, Boreham Wood found themselves with a chance of nicking a point. Allinson was left free on the edge of the area, and he slotted the ball into the net.

The two late goals were another lesson for the side that they cannot afford to switch off, but it shouldn’t take away from the fact that they looked much more ‘on-song’ at Meadow Park, and came away from a tough looking game with the win.*IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Whites continue to be without Aswad Thomas, Andy Rafferty and Tyrone Sterling, and can be expected to name an unchanged line-up from the side seen on Saturday against Torquay United. That means a place on the substitutes bench is likely again for loanee Connor Essam, whilst Liam Bellamy may also need to settle for a place on the bench following his return from injury.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league is Ricky Miller with eighteen, one goal ahead of Stefan Payne and five more than Nicky Deverdics.

Boreham Wood’s top scorer in the league this season is Luke Howell, who has the found the back of the net five times.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
The best place to see Monday’s big game is at Meadow Park, but for supporters unable to make the game, our Live Text service on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – will be running as usual.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Monday 28th March, 3.00pm*IF*
Aldershot v Braintree
Altrincham v Southport
Barrow v Halifax
Bromley v Forest Green
Guiseley v Chester
Kidderminster v Tranmere
Lincoln City v Gateshead
Macclesfield v Grimsby
Torquay v Eastleigh
Welling v Woking

*IS*Monday 28th March, 5.45pm*IF*
Wrexham v Cheltenham