*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

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*BS*Craig Braham-Barrett dedicated his man of the match performance in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Torquay United to his mother – who sadly passed away in midweek. The left-back’s faultless display paid testament to him not only as a player, but also as a man.*BF*

Since joining Whites two weeks ago, the 27-year-old has put in a string of exceptional performances and is already a key part of a Dover Athletic backline that has now recorded four clean sheets in six matches – and three in four since the former Cheltenham Town man joined.

Braham-Barrett’s world was turned upside-down during the week, however, as he explains: “My mum passed away on Monday and the boys have been really good to me. It was always my intention to play today – I’m a football player and I never wanted to not play.

“My mum was my world. I was very proud of her, and she would’ve wanted me to play today, so this is for her. The management staff have been perfect for me and I hope she would’ve been proud of me today.”

Everyone at Dover Athletic would like to express our sincere condolences to Craig and his family, in what is a very difficult time. Craig’s performance today was excellent, even more so considering the heartbreaking news delivered less than a week ago.

*IS*RIP Jean Barrett*IF*

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*BS*Craig Braham-Barrett dedicated his man of the match performance in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Torquay United to his mother – who sadly passed away in midweek. The left-back’s faultless display paid testament to him not only as a player, but also as a man.*BF*

Since joining Whites two weeks ago, the 27-year-old has put in a string of exceptional performances and is already a key part of a Dover Athletic backline that has now recorded four clean sheets in six matches – and three in four since the former Cheltenham Town man joined.

Braham-Barrett’s world was turned upside-down during the week, however, as he explains: “My mum passed away on Monday and the boys have been really good to me. It was always my intention to play today – I’m a football player and I never wanted to not play.

“My mum was my world. I was very proud of her, and she would’ve wanted me to play today, so this is for her. The management staff have been perfect for me and I hope she would’ve been proud of me today.”

Everyone at Dover Athletic would like to express our sincere condolences to Craig and his family, in what is a very difficult time. Craig’s performance today was excellent, even more so considering the heartbreaking news delivered less than a week ago.

*IS*RIP Jean Barrett*IF*

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*IS**BS*Dover Athletic vs Torquay United
Saturday 26th March 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: John Busby*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
With the number of matches remaining for both sides in their respective 2015/16 Vanarama National League campaigns now down to single figures, it’s fast approaching make-or-break time. Whites picked up a 1-0 win at Guiseley last weekend – Stefan Payne continuing his hot streak to net his 16th league goal of the season – but the third clean sheet in five games will have been more than welcome also.

Torquay also won by one goal to nil at the weekend, a result that saw them move out of the relegation zone for the first time in six months. Their recent league form has been remarkable, with five wins and three draws from their last eight games, and just three goals conceded in the process.

However well United have performed recently, Saturday’s game provides a real chance for Chris Kinnear’s Dover to pick up another three points. After Saturday’s game, Whites face three more relegation-threatened sides in succession – Boreham Wood, FC Halifax and Altrincham – giving an opportunity to cement a top-five finish.

Whites announced the loan signing of Connor Essam in midweek, with the former club captain returning to Crabble having left at the end of last season to sign for League Two side Leyton Orient.

Friday’s Vanarama National League matches saw Whites drop to sixth in the table, however a point would see the side end the day in fifth – and three points would put them fourth, potentially cutting the gap on third-placed Grimsby Town to just one point. Three points for the visitors could see them rise another place to 18th, and potentially put them four points clear of the bottom four.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Torquay United FC | Manager: Kevin Nicholson
Ground: Launa Windows Stadium | Nickname: The Gulls

Torquay started the 2014–15 season in the Conference Premier poorly losing to Gateshead 1–3 with Ryan Bowman missing a penalty. After that match Torquay had a brilliant unbeaten run, first of all beating Welling United 3–0 then drawing 0–0 with Southport and then with Dartford. Yet another draw came when they drew with Aldershot Town 1–1 at home. That was their last draw for a while as they went on a 6-game unbeaten run.

Starting with a 1–3 away win at Lincoln City then playing at home beating Nuneaton Town 4–0, they were 3–0 up after 30 minutes. They then went on to win two away games winning 0–2 in both of them. First winning at Chester, then Grimsby (manager Chris Hargreaves’ home town).The next game was a home game that was looking to be a 0–0 draw until the 90th minute when can The Gulls captain Luke Young scored an incredible 35 yard free kick to give Torquay the 3 points. The next game was again at home and Torquay won 2–0 against Dover Athletic but they were hardly the better team as Dover had multiple chances to score multiple goals including missing an open goal.

That was the end of Torquay’s 10 game unbeaten run when they had a shocking game away to bottom of the table Telford losing 4–3. That started a terrible run of form in the end of September, large amounts of October and some parts of November. They lost 2–1 away to Forest Green Rovers, then won at home to Wrexham 2–1 but that would be their only win in a while. As they lost a televised game to another team in the relegation zone which was Alfreton Town, they lost the game 4–2. They then lost at home to Grimsby 2–3, Lost an F.A Cup qualifier to Aldershot away 2–0 and lost away to Kidderminster Harriers 2–1.

Torquay had another televised game being showed and this one was against high flying top of the table Barnet, Torquay were 0–2 up at half time, but straight from kick off Barnet got one back, but then straight from that kick Torquay went up and Louis Briscoe scored on the turn from around 20 yards out two make it 1–3. Later on Barnet scored again but Torquay held on for the win. The next game Torquay weren’t so lucky as they were 3–1 up again at home to Forest Green Rovers with 15 minutes to go but ended up drawing the game 3–3. Torquay then played at home to Gateshead.

This game was quite odd and interesting, Ryan Bowman scored a penalty in the 8th minute and it stayed like that until the 86th minute when Alex Rodman scored a penalty for Gateshead to equalize. 3 minutes later in the 89th minute Rob Ramshaw headed the ball into the net for Gateshead which looked like the winner but 2 minutes later after 90 + 1 minutes Ryan Bowman Tapped one in from close range to equalise for Torquay. In the last kick of the game Luke Young’s free kick was heading in when the keeper made a brilliant save and with Ryan Bowman running in for the rebound a defender came in and cleared the ball away as the full-time whistle went. It ended 2–2.

Early in 2015, chairwoman Thea Bristow announced that the club was up for sale. After Bristow resigned in March 2015, she agreed transfer of her estimated £1M 80% stake in the club for £1, subject to sale to new locally based owners. It is unclear of the actual amount paid.

Ownership of the club eventually moved to a new consortium made up of 10 local business people in June 2015, with the new board consisting of: David Phillips (chairman); Mervyn Balsam (vice chairman); Harry and Jill Kerswell; Angela Richards; Val Balson. Steve Breed (Chief Executive) were co-opted on to the board.

The new board operating on a good but substantially lower budget took decisive action: firstly putting Chris Hargreaves (manager), Lee Hodges (assistant manager) and Kenny Veysey (goalkeeping coach) on gardening leave; disbanding the youth department; and appointing Paul Cox as manager. On 19 September 2015 United received their biggest loss in 20 years when they lost to Bromley 3–7.

On 28 September 2015 it was announced by the club that Kevin Nicholson, former Torquay United player and club legend would be the club’s new player-manager. Torquay United Chairman, David Phillips was quoted as saying “We are delighted to have Kevin on board as player-manager. As a player for the club, he displayed outstanding consistency over many years and is quite rightly regarded as a legend here. He ticks all of the boxes”.

*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 Woking (1-0), Welling United (2-1), Lincoln City (4-1) and Guiseley (1-0), with a draw against Tranmere Rovers (0-0) and the defeat against Southport (1-2).

Torquay’s record over the same number of matches shows three wins and three draws. Victories were picked up against Macclesfield Town (2-1), Kidderminster Harriers (3-2) and Southport (1-0), with draws against Braintree Town (0-0), Aldershot Town (0-0) and FC Halifax (0-0).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
At home this season, Dover have the sixth best record in the division, with eleven wins and four draws from nineteen Vanarama National League matches at Crabble.

Away from home this season, Torquay have the seventeenth best record in the division, with four wins and seven draws accumulated from nineteen matches on their travels.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
06/10/15: Torquay United 2-3 Dover Athletic
02/12/14: Dover Athletic 2-2 Torquay United
20/09/14: Torquay United 2-0 Dover Athletic

*BS*MEMORABLE MEETING*BF*
*IS*Tuesday 2nd December 2014
Vanarama Conference – Dover Athletic 2-2 Torquay United
Tyrone Sterling bundled in a dramatic injury time equaliser as Dover Athletic stretched their unbeaten Vanarama Conference run to seven games with an entertaining draw against Torquay United.

Krystian Pearce headed the Gulls in front to finally end goalkeeper Andrew Rafferty’s amazing run of eight home clean sheets in all competitions as the visitors controlled the first half but Connor Essam’s superb header got Whites back on level terms in the second half.

However, just five minutes later, substitute Ashley Yeoman capitalised on a mistake by Tom Bonner as Torquay went back in front before Sterling’s goal sparked jubilant celebrations in the Port of Dover End.

Ten games without defeat in all competitions (excluding the Kent Senior Cup), and what a time to extend the run in dramatic circumstances as Kinnear’s men look to bring positive vibes ahead of Sunday’s big FA Cup Second Round tie at Sky Bet League 2 side Cheltenham Town.*IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Whites welcome Connor Essam back into the squad, with the defender competing for a starting berth in defence. Sean Raggett picked up a heel injury during last weekend’s win at Guiseley but is hoping to be fit for the clash against Torquay, whilst Liam Bellamy has recovered from injury. Whites will continue to be without Aswad Thomas, Andy Rafferty and Tyrone Sterling.

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

Torquay’s top scorer in the league this season is Nathan Blissett, who has the found the back of the net five 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*Saturday 26th March, 12.45pm*IF*
Halifax v Altrincham

*IS*Saturday 26th March, 3pm*IF*
Chester v Barrow
Grimsby v Wrexham
Southport v Guiseley
Woking v Kidderminster