*IS**BS*Nantwich Town vs Dover Athletic – FA Trophy quarter-final
Saturday 27th February 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: Michael Salisbury*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
For the second season in succession, Dover Athletic are through to the quarter-final stage of the FA Trophy – the elite knockout competition for non-league clubs. Last season’s campaign came to an end on a Tuesday night in Somerset, when – following a 3-3 draw at Crabble – Whites lost 2-1 to Bath City in a replay.

The side will be looking to make amends for that heartbreak, and make it into the semi-finals of the competition for only the second time in the club’s history – and the first in almost twenty years.

As for Nantwich, their progress to this point marks their first ever appearance in the quarter-final stage of the FA Trophy. Previously, they have made it to the first round proper on four occasions – and they will be hopeful of another good result to put them just one tie away from Wembley.

If Saturday’s match ends in a draw, then a replay will be held at Crabble on Tuesday 1st March (7.45pm kick-off) – in that eventuality, our scheduled match against Southport will be rescheduled.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Nantwich Town FC | Manager: Phil Parkinson
Ground: The Weaver Stadium | Nickname: The Dabbers

Based in Cheshire, the club was founded in 1884 and their nickname is a reference to the town’s tanning industry. Their most notable competition win was in the 2005/06 season, when they won the FA Vase.

In the 2011/12 season, with former Reading, Bournemouth, West Ham and Northern Ireland striker Jimmy Quinn at the helm, Nantwich embarked on their most successful run in the FA Cup – reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in their history. They lost 6-0 to MK Dons, having beaten Ramsbottom United, Northwich Victoria, Kendal Town and Nuneaton Town in the competition’s qualifying rounds.

Quinn left the club towards the end of the 2012/13 season, with Danny Johnson taking the reins at the club. He spent almost two years in charge before being replaced by current manager Phil Parkinson – who was their captain for the club’s FA Vase victory almost a decade previous – in February 2015.

This season, The Dabbers have managed to find a strong balance between their league and cup campaigns. They sit in seventh place in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division standings, seven points behind Stourbridge who occupy the final playoff spot.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of four wins, one draw and one defeats in their last six matches. Those wins came against Lincoln City (3-2), Southport (FA Trophy, 2-1), Gateshead (4-0) and Guiseley (FA Trophy replay, 3-0), with a draw against Guiseley (FA Trophy, 2-2) and a defeat against Cheltenham Town (1-2).

Nantwich’s record over the same number of matches shows three wins, two draws and one defeat. The wins came against Bradford Park Avenue (FA Trophy replay, 5-0), Halesowen Town (3-0) and Stourbridge (FA Trophy, 1-0), with draws against Ilkeston (1-1) and Matlock Town (1-1) and a defeat against Blyth Spartans (1-2).

*BS*HOW THEY GOT HERE*BF*
*IS*FA Trophy first qualifying round:*IF*
Nantwich Town 2-1 Salford City

*IS*FA Trophy second qualifying round:*IF*
Nantwich Town 5-1 Kings Lynn Town

*IS*FA Trophy third qualifying round:*IF*
Stockport Count 0-2 Nantwich Town

*IS*FA Trophy first round:*IF*
Whitehawk 1-3 Dover Athletic
Nantwich Town 2-0 Matlock Town

*IS*FA Trophy second round:*IF*
Dover Athletic 2-1 Southport
Nantwich Town 5-0 Bradford Park Avenue (replay after initial 1-1 draw)

*IS*FA Trophy third round:*IF*
Guiseley 0-3 Dover Athletic (replay after initial 2-2 draw)
Nantwich Town 1-0 Stourbridge

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Question marks remain over the fitness of goalkeeper Andy Rafferty and defenders Jamie Grimes and Aswad Thomas, meaning that Mitch Walker should continue between the sticks for Whites and Liam Bellamy can be expected to play at left wing-back once again.

January signings Tyrone Marsh and Harry Crawford and ineligible to play for the club in the FA Trophy, meaning a spot on the bench is probable for Mitchell Pinnock and Tom Murphy.

Aside from the three injury concerns named above, Whites are likely to field their strongest line-up with the possibility of a trip to Wembley well and truly on the horizon.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Nantwich’s top scorers in the FA Trophy this season are Elliot Osborne and Liam Shotton, both of whom have four goals in the competition thus far. Whites’ top scorer in the FA Trophy is Stefan Payne, who has netted four times – twice against Whitehawk, and twice against Guiseley.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
Supporters unable to make the game are able to follow the action via our Live Text service on Twitter – all you need to do is follow @DAFCLiveText.

*BS*OTHER FA TROPHY QUARTER FINAL FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Saturday 27th February, 3.00pm*IF*
FC Halifax Town vs Gateshead
Grimsby Town vs Woking
Bognor Regis Town vs Torquay United

*IS**BS*Nantwich Town vs Dover Athletic – FA Trophy quarter-final
Saturday 27th February 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: Michael Salisbury*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
For the second season in succession, Dover Athletic are through to the quarter-final stage of the FA Trophy – the elite knockout competition for non-league clubs. Last season’s campaign came to an end on a Tuesday night in Somerset, when – following a 3-3 draw at Crabble – Whites lost 2-1 to Bath City in a replay.

The side will be looking to make amends for that heartbreak, and make it into the semi-finals of the competition for only the second time in the club’s history – and the first in almost twenty years.

As for Nantwich, their progress to this point marks their first ever appearance in the quarter-final stage of the FA Trophy. Previously, they have made it to the first round proper on four occasions – and they will be hopeful of another good result to put them just one tie away from Wembley.

If Saturday’s match ends in a draw, then a replay will be held at Crabble on Tuesday 1st March (7.45pm kick-off) – in that eventuality, our scheduled match against Southport will be rescheduled.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Nantwich Town FC | Manager: Phil Parkinson
Ground: The Weaver Stadium | Nickname: The Dabbers

Based in Cheshire, the club was founded in 1884 and their nickname is a reference to the town’s tanning industry. Their most notable competition win was in the 2005/06 season, when they won the FA Vase.

In the 2011/12 season, with former Reading, Bournemouth, West Ham and Northern Ireland striker Jimmy Quinn at the helm, Nantwich embarked on their most successful run in the FA Cup – reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in their history. They lost 6-0 to MK Dons, having beaten Ramsbottom United, Northwich Victoria, Kendal Town and Nuneaton Town in the competition’s qualifying rounds.

Quinn left the club towards the end of the 2012/13 season, with Danny Johnson taking the reins at the club. He spent almost two years in charge before being replaced by current manager Phil Parkinson – who was their captain for the club’s FA Vase victory almost a decade previous – in February 2015.

This season, The Dabbers have managed to find a strong balance between their league and cup campaigns. They sit in seventh place in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division standings, seven points behind Stourbridge who occupy the final playoff spot.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of four wins, one draw and one defeats in their last six matches. Those wins came against Lincoln City (3-2), Southport (FA Trophy, 2-1), Gateshead (4-0) and Guiseley (FA Trophy replay, 3-0), with a draw against Guiseley (FA Trophy, 2-2) and a defeat against Cheltenham Town (1-2).

Nantwich’s record over the same number of matches shows three wins, two draws and one defeat. The wins came against Bradford Park Avenue (FA Trophy replay, 5-0), Halesowen Town (3-0) and Stourbridge (FA Trophy, 1-0), with draws against Ilkeston (1-1) and Matlock Town (1-1) and a defeat against Blyth Spartans (1-2).

*BS*HOW THEY GOT HERE*BF*
*IS*FA Trophy first qualifying round:*IF*
Nantwich Town 2-1 Salford City

*IS*FA Trophy second qualifying round:*IF*
Nantwich Town 5-1 Kings Lynn Town

*IS*FA Trophy third qualifying round:*IF*
Stockport Count 0-2 Nantwich Town

*IS*FA Trophy first round:*IF*
Whitehawk 1-3 Dover Athletic
Nantwich Town 2-0 Matlock Town

*IS*FA Trophy second round:*IF*
Dover Athletic 2-1 Southport
Nantwich Town 5-0 Bradford Park Avenue (replay after initial 1-1 draw)

*IS*FA Trophy third round:*IF*
Guiseley 0-3 Dover Athletic (replay after initial 2-2 draw)
Nantwich Town 1-0 Stourbridge

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Question marks remain over the fitness of goalkeeper Andy Rafferty and defenders Jamie Grimes and Aswad Thomas, meaning that Mitch Walker should continue between the sticks for Whites and Liam Bellamy can be expected to play at left wing-back once again.

January signings Tyrone Marsh and Harry Crawford and ineligible to play for the club in the FA Trophy, meaning a spot on the bench is probable for Mitchell Pinnock and Tom Murphy.

Aside from the three injury concerns named above, Whites are likely to field their strongest line-up with the possibility of a trip to Wembley well and truly on the horizon.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Nantwich’s top scorers in the FA Trophy this season are Elliot Osborne and Liam Shotton, both of whom have four goals in the competition thus far. Whites’ top scorer in the FA Trophy is Stefan Payne, who has netted four times – twice against Whitehawk, and twice against Guiseley.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
Supporters unable to make the game are able to follow the action via our Live Text service on Twitter – all you need to do is follow @DAFCLiveText.

*BS*OTHER FA TROPHY QUARTER FINAL FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Saturday 27th February, 3.00pm*IF*
FC Halifax Town vs Gateshead
Grimsby Town vs Woking
Bognor Regis Town vs Torquay United

*BS*Dover Athletic are pleased to announce the appointment of Calum Green, formerly of Northampton Town, Luton Town and Welling United as first-team physiotherapist. In this interview, he details his experience in football, how he believes he can help the side – and more.*BF*

Green has now completed his first week with the club, and his appointment comes just weeks after former Welling United manager Loui Fazakerley joined Whites as a coach. Green, who owns a sports injury clinic in Brighton, said the link with Fazakerley was key in his appointment at Crabble: “I know Loui Fazakerley, having worked with him at Welling United. It was good to see him back in the game so quickly after leaving Welling.

“I knew that Dover were looking for somebody to come in and help with the physiotherapy side of things, and Loui put my name forward. Having spoken to Chris and Jake about what was on offer at Dover, it sounded very good and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Having played at youth team level for Colchester United, Green made the move onto the other side of the touchline and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Therapy, at the University of Bedfordshire. He is also an accredited member of The World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy.

With spells at Northampton Town and Luton Town also on his CV, he explains the way of thinking behind his work: “A lot of what I, and other physiotherapists, try to do is about prevention. It is a lot better to focus on what could be causing an injury and be proactive, rather than just focusing on the cure.

“If we can stop an injury before it happens then that is better for everyone. As much as we focus on the prevention, injuries still happen – but then my role is about educating the players with regards to their recovery, and helping them rehabilitate quicker.”

The 23-year-old has hit the ground running, and is currently working with Aswad Thomas, Andy Rafferty and Jamie Grimes to help them overcome their current injuries – as well as arranging for every player to complete a medical history form, which will give an insight into why certain injuries are more prone to happen.

Green joins Whites at a vital part of the season, with the side well in the hunt for the Vanarama National League playoffs – and in the quarter-final stage of the FA Trophy. He said: “The boys are absolutely flying this season but it is going to be a very busy last few months for them, with plenty of games still to be played. The work that we do off the pitch will hopefully make sure they are in top condition for the rest of the season.”

*BS*Dover Athletic are pleased to announce the appointment of Calum Green, formerly of Northampton Town, Luton Town and Welling United as first-team physiotherapist. In this interview, he details his experience in football, how he believes he can help the side – and more.*BF*

Green has now completed his first week with the club, and his appointment comes just weeks after former Welling United manager Loui Fazakerley joined Whites as a coach. Green, who owns a sports injury clinic in Brighton, said the link with Fazakerley was key in his appointment at Crabble: “I know Loui Fazakerley, having worked with him at Welling United. It was good to see him back in the game so quickly after leaving Welling.

“I knew that Dover were looking for somebody to come in and help with the physiotherapy side of things, and Loui put my name forward. Having spoken to Chris and Jake about what was on offer at Dover, it sounded very good and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Having played at youth team level for Colchester United, Green made the move onto the other side of the touchline and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Therapy, at the University of Bedfordshire. He is also an accredited member of The World Federation of Athletic Training & Therapy.

With spells at Northampton Town and Luton Town also on his CV, he explains the way of thinking behind his work: “A lot of what I, and other physiotherapists, try to do is about prevention. It is a lot better to focus on what could be causing an injury and be proactive, rather than just focusing on the cure.

“If we can stop an injury before it happens then that is better for everyone. As much as we focus on the prevention, injuries still happen – but then my role is about educating the players with regards to their recovery, and helping them rehabilitate quicker.”

The 23-year-old has hit the ground running, and is currently working with Aswad Thomas, Andy Rafferty and Jamie Grimes to help them overcome their current injuries – as well as arranging for every player to complete a medical history form, which will give an insight into why certain injuries are more prone to happen.

Green joins Whites at a vital part of the season, with the side well in the hunt for the Vanarama National League playoffs – and in the quarter-final stage of the FA Trophy. He said: “The boys are absolutely flying this season but it is going to be a very busy last few months for them, with plenty of games still to be played. The work that we do off the pitch will hopefully make sure they are in top condition for the rest of the season.”

*BS*With today’s match at Macclesfield Town postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Whites’ eyes were on the other Vanarama National League matches around the country.*BF*

Despite dropping two places to 7th, Dover remain in a strong position in the hunt for a playoff place, with defeats suffered by Woking, Eastleigh, Grimsby and Tranmere.

Today’s results sees Whites now two points behind Gateshead in 5th, but Chris Kinnear’s men have games in hand over every side above them in the table.

Next up for Dover in the league is a home match against Southport, who are 16th in the table, at Crabble on Tuesday 1st March.

Vanarama National League results – Saturday 20th February
Altrincham 1-1 Guiseley
Boreham Wood 0-1 Torquay
Bromley 2-1 Woking
Halifax 4-2 Grimsby
Forest Green 2-1 Eastleigh
Gateshead 3-2 Aldershot
Kidderminster 2-2 Chester
Lincoln City 3-1 Southport
Tranmere 0-1 Cheltenham
Welling 0-2 Wrexham

*Link1*

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*BS*With today’s match at Macclesfield Town postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Whites’ eyes were on the other Vanarama National League matches around the country.*BF*

Despite dropping two places to 7th, Dover remain in a strong position in the hunt for a playoff place, with defeats suffered by Woking, Eastleigh, Grimsby and Tranmere.

Today’s results sees Whites now two points behind Gateshead in 5th, but Chris Kinnear’s men have games in hand over every side above them in the table.

Next up for Dover in the league is a home match against Southport, who are 16th in the table, at Crabble on Tuesday 1st March.

Vanarama National League results – Saturday 20th February
Altrincham 1-1 Guiseley
Boreham Wood 0-1 Torquay
Bromley 2-1 Woking
Halifax 4-2 Grimsby
Forest Green 2-1 Eastleigh
Gateshead 3-2 Aldershot
Kidderminster 2-2 Chester
Lincoln City 3-1 Southport
Tranmere 0-1 Cheltenham
Welling 0-2 Wrexham

*Link1*

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