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Up Next – Weston-Super-Mare vs Dover Athletic

Match Preview by Fred Deveson

Dover head to the west coast this weekend as they face Weston-Super-Mare, a very good ball playing side.
The last time the two sides faced off was earlier this season at Crabble and the hosts for this weekend played superbly, putting together some excellent intricate passing moves to break Dover down. They ran out 0-1 winners on that day.
The team from Somerset have seen plenty of reward for their good football this season, as thye currently sit in 15th place in the league after recently getting promoted.
Weston Super Mare have won two of their last three games and narrowly lost out to Yeovil in between.
The Somerset side have had a few postponements lately, so their win last time out at Chippenham is the only game they’ve played since the 20th February, meaning they are fit and ready to go this weekend.
However, they have not seen victory at home for a little while, with their last win at home coming in mid-January.
As for the Whites, they have lost 8 of the last 9 games, with their only win in that time coming against Slough.
The defensive side of things for Dover have improved, with the Whites conceding no more than two goals per game since the game against Worthing. Defeats have been narrow ones too, and Dover have lost the last four games by just a single goal.
Nick Dembele was a bright spark when he came on against Maidstone. He worked hard and battled for the side and he, amongst others, will be keen to start this one as Dover seek victory away from home for the first time since August.

Weston-Super-Mare vs Dover Athletic Saturday 9 March 2024, 3pm: Adults: £14.00 Concessions: £10.00 (over 60s and Students) Under 16s: £4.50 Under 8s: Free Family: £28.00 (2 Adults and 2 juniors)

 

Dover Athletic 0-1 Maidstone United

Match Report by Fred Deveson

There was heavy rain before the start of the game and there were doubts over whether the game would go ahead, but it did nevertheless and it was Maidstone who took all three points.

Dover started the game fairly brightly, with Nikaj looking positive on the right for the hosts. The ball broke for Oliver on the edge of the box but his shot was hit over the bar. 

Soon after, Maidstone were on top. They earned themselves a succession of corners which came to nothing, but the signs of a goal were coming.

It wasn’t long after this that the visitors got themselves a penalty after Naylor fouled their forward in the box. Sam Corne it was who took it, but his penalty went sailing over the bar and Dover were let off the hook.

Daniel Jinadu had a very solid first half for the Whites. He made a couple of excellent saves to keep the score level which gave the hosts a glimmer of hope.

The away side kept up the pressure throughout the first half and kept knocking on the door and eventually they got their reward.Their left back made a good run into the box and fired it across the six yard area where the Stones winger tapped home to make it 0-1.

The second half began and there was a great chance for the hosts to make it 1-1, but Nikaj couldn’t convert his seemingly easychance and the score remained 0-1.

There was an extended stoppage in play shortly after, as Freddie Oliver’s challenge left the Maidstone midfielder in a heap on the floor. The Dover number 8 saw yellow for this tackle.

It wasn’t long after this that Jake Leberl made some changes. Dembele, Oladipo and Allen all came on but they didn’t make much impact as Maidstone had a firm grip of the game by this point. 

The visitors kept up the pressure and should’ve doubled their lead. A corner came in from the right hand side and was met well, but Jinadu got down quickly to make the save and keep the score at 0-1.

There was a bit of late pressure from Dover, with Wilkinson putting in a good corner but no one got on the end of it and it flew behind for a goal-kick. 

The game then petered out with the away side managing the game well and seeing it out until the final whistle. The visitors take all three points back up the M20 in their pursuit of a playoff place.

It’s Weston-Super-Mare up next for Dover as they look to turn around their recent poor form.

Dover: Jinadu, Charles-Cook, Mensah, Naylor (Oladipo 87mins), Holding, Ojemen, Oliver, Young (Dembele 64mins), Wilkinson, Stewart (Allen 73mins), Nikaj. Subs not used: Hatcher, Neil-Gray.

Maidstone: Covolan, Brown, Fowler, Greenidge, Ezennolim, Gurung, Corne, Berkeley-Agyepong (Sole 83mins), Rush, Faal (Reynolds 82mins), Tanga. Subs not used: Earle, Appiah, Duku.

Referee: Nathan Oakes.

Attendance: 1,203.

Dover Chairman Confirms Financial Losses

Dover Chairman Jim Parmenter has today confirmed that the most recent club accounts show a loss of circa £140,000.  

He said: “It’s not unusual for the club to make a loss and does so in most years, this loss has been supported financially by my family as we have done for the last 18 years.

However, we must continue strive to make the club self-sufficient as our generosity cannot be relied upon forever, at the moment we are in a self defeating spiral, we are not winning games so less supporters come to watch and therefore less money is available for the playing budget which makes it more difficult to put a team together to win games and so it goes on.

There is no magic formula, there is only one way to succeed going forward and that is for everyone to pull together and support their towns club.

Twenty five percent of the losses are down to increases in cost, utilities, stock costs etc the remainder is down to a drop in gate revenue and associated matchday revenue.

Therefore, please support your club, come to games, bring a friend and maybe come a little bit earlier and buy a pint or a burger, as you can see from the accounts all revenue and a lot more goes into running the club and the playing budget if we can raise our positivity, improve crowd numbers and income we can be very positive about the future. 

COME ON YOU WHITES”

Up Next – Dover Athletic vs Maidstone United

Match Preview by Fred Deveson

This Saturday Dover Athletic host FA Cup story of the season Maidstone United, as they look to put all their efforts into promotion after their loss on Monday night to Coventry City.

Maidstone have had a fantastic season under George Elokobiand his story, as well as the club’s, has inspired millions across the country so far.

Elokobi and his assistant Craig Fagan both have Premier League experience and they now both have experience managing against Championship teams, but this weekend is a very different test against Dover Athletic. 

Interestingly, Maidstone have failed to win their last two games in the league despite their FA Cup run. They lost to Aveley last time out in the league and previously only managed a draw against Hemel Hempstead.

Dover’s Kent rivals currently sit in 9th but they do have games in hand, and should they win those, they will be right amongst the top three. It’s up to Dover to stop their progression into the playoffs.

The Stones’ morale may be quite low, having had their FA Cup dream abruptly ended by Coventry, where they lost 5-0. Dover may look to capitalise on this and get a result against their rivals.

As for Dover Athletic, they have lost each of their last five games, however if the performance against Chippenham is anything to go by, then The Whites have a real chance on Saturday.

Dover were playing some excellent football last time out and deserved to get the win, but just ran out of steam right at the end. 

George Wilkinson has had an excellent month of performances,and the Dover fans will be hoping for another excellent one from the number 14 against fierce rivals Maidstone United.

Since 2008, the two sides have faced off 12 times, with Dover winning half of those games and Maidstone winning three, which is a good sign for the hosts this weekend. Dover have also scored 23 goals in those twelve games, showing goals has not been an issue in this fixture in 

This is an important game for both sides fighting at the top and bottom of the league and both will be desperate to get a win to help their causes.

Before the game Manager Jake Leberl has said:

For us it’s been such a disappointing run of results of late especially the Dartford & Chippenham games where we felt performances wise we deserved something out of both games.

Moving forward as a management team we have to keep going, educating & encouraging the players to learn from previous match day experiences to pick up results at this level where on occasions our general performance, effort, enthusiasm & spirt has been there to see, on the whole the boys have given that and need to continue to fight for themselves the team & the supporters to the very end

Jake Leberl

Dover Athletic vs Maidstone United – Saturday 2 March 2024, 3pm

Ticket Information:

This match is segregated. Admission for this match is by turnstile only. We accept both card and cash on the gate.

Adults – £17

Over 60 – £15

Under 18 – £9

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

We are also offering a five game ticket. These can only be used by one individual per match and not in groups.

Adult – £75 (£10 saving)
Concession – £65 (£10 saving)

Maidstone – VIP Style

Fancy watching the Whites take on Maidstone in style? Of course you do.

The boys will be looking to put on a show and where else would you rather watch it than here with us.

Watch the game from the best seats in the house and let our match day hospitality provide the ultimate way to spend your time with us.

The package includes:

  • Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and a projector showing the game
  • A three-course meal served at your table
  • Reserved undercover premium padded seating
  • Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus a dedicated paid bar before and after the match
  • Complimentary match day team sheet

The very special experience costs £28 per person and is available for individual and group bookings, or as a gift voucher.

Please note that this price does NOT include entry for non-season ticket holders who do attend, and they will still need to pay at the turnstile on the day.

On the menu for the game will be :

Starter:

Leek and Potato Soup served with a Ciabatta Roll

Main:

Chicken, Mushroom and Leek Pie served with Mash Potato, Selection of Vegetables and Gravy

Dessert:

Belgium Chocolate and Raspberry Torte served with Cream

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

The dress code is smart casual.

To buy your VIP ticket please email [email protected] or call the office on 01304 822373

Chippenham Town 2-1 Dover Athletic

Match Report by Fred Deveson

A bright afternoon in Wiltshire saw Dover narrowly lose to Chippenham Town 2-1, but the performance from the Whites showed significant improvement.

The away side changed their thinking and approach for the game yesterday, with there being an increased emphasis on keeping the ball and looking to build attacks slowly from the back.

The Whites made the best start to the game. Baptiste was looking lively on the left and Nikaj was working hard on the right and getting some joy against their left back.

Dover won some early corners and looked threatening from them but there was no goal yet.

The majority of possession was Dover’s and they looked ever more threatening when building from the back. However, it was Chippenham who had the best chance of the half, when their number four went in behind Ojemen and hit the bar.

Soon after, the ball was picked up in the middle by Naylor, who ran into the box and was bundled over but no penalty was the decision. The hosts then counter but it comes to nothing.

The visitors looked threatening from set-pieces and that is exactly how they took the lead. A good ball from Wilkinson came in and it was Holding who rose highest and the ball dribbled in. Dover were one up.

The second half started similarly, with Dover dominating the ball. The hosts came out with more energy and enthusiasm as they sought an equaliser. 

The Bluebirds got themselves a free-kick in a good positionoutside the area but Jinadu saved easily once again. The away side then went up the other end, earnt themselves a corner and almost doubled their lead but Naylor headed just over.

Not long after, the hosts were back on level terms. Some poor defending from Dover and confusion in the penalty area gave their forward an open goal to tap the ball into.

The pressure from the home side grew as the game wore on. The Whites were getting tired towards the end and this only helped the hosts.

Then in the 87th minute, it was Chippenham Town who took the lead. A corner came in and was headed out but not far enough, as their number four crashed a shot off the bar which just went over the line. The referee gave the goal much to the delight of the home fans.

Dover made a late surge to try and level the game but their hopes and efforts came to nothing and it was the hosts who took all three points.

It’s Maidstone at home next Saturday for Dover who will look to bounce back against the FA Cup story of the season.

Chippenham Town: 1 HENRY 2. HEWLETT 4. FASANMADE 6. HAINES 9. MCCLURE (C) 10. OWEN-EVANS 12. MEHEW 14. SPOKES 15. ELLISON 16. BRADBURY 20. KING

Subs: AMADI-HOLLOWAY, 7. JOHNSON, 8. EVANS, 17. WILLIAMS, 19. JONES

Dover Athletic: 1 JINADU, 3 CHARLES-COOK 16 MENSAH (C), 26 HOLDING, 4 OJEMEN, 15 NAYLOR, 14 WILKINSON, 8 OLIVER, 22 BAPTISTE, 10 NIKAJ, 20 DEMBELE

Subs: 7 OLADIPO, 17 HATCHER, 18 YOUNG, 11 ALLEN, 23 STEWART

Club Statement: Kent Senior Cup

Dover Athletic can confirm that due to fielding an ineligible player in the Kent Senior Cup second round match on 6 February we have been dismissed from the competition and Beckenham Town have been reinstated.

Prior to the game the player in question informed our management team that he had never played in the Kent Senior Cup. He also disclosed that he had never signed for Welling which was evident as this was not present on his registration form.

After the game the player had no knowledge of playing in Kent Senior Cup and thought he had only played in a ‘friendly’ for Welling. The players agent was also unaware that the player had played in the competition.

At no point did the management team have any idea of his involvement for Welling or playing in KSC prior to the game. The management team had no reason to check as the last club on his registration form was Brentford who do not take part in the competition.

We are very disappointed and would like to apologise to our fans that this has happened.

Up Next – Chippenham Town vs Dover Athletic

Match Preview by Fred Deveson

This weekend Dover are back on the M4 as they face Chippenham in a game that people will feel is a must win if the Whites are to survive this season.

Chippenham Town have not been on the best run lately; they have only won two of their last eight games, losing three and drawing three.

The hosts this weekend currently sit in 15th place in the National League South and are not too far off the relegation places so they will feel this is a must win game too.

Before their 2-2 away to Slough, Chippenham had not been scoring well at all, with just two goals in four games prior to their draw last time out, which is something Dover may look to exploit. 

The hosts this weekend went 0-2 up against Slough, only to give up the lead in the 84th and 87th minutes.

In terms of the head-to-head statistics, Dover are worse off, having not beaten Chippenham at all, whilst Dover’s opposition have won once and the other two games ending in a draw.

The Whites’ record of late has not been up to the level that Jake Leberl would have been hoping of his team. Dover have lost seven of the last nine and have been struggling for goals lately, apart from the away game at Worthing.

Dover’s last away win came at the very start of the season against Slough Town, and since then the away form has not been good, however the performances have largely improved. 

Destiny Oladipo may also be hoping to get his name back on the scoresheet for Dover this weekend as he looks to provide a glimmer of hope as we head towards the back end of the season. 

However the game goes it is sure to be a good one and the players will be beginning to feel the pressure as they look to make one last big push for survival this season.

Chippenham Town vs Dover Athletic. Saturday 24 February 2024, 3PM.

If you are planning to visit Chippenham this weekend, be advised that tickets can be purchased on the gate for this game, and cash / card is accepted. Please find ticket prices below:

Adults: £15, Senior Citizens*: £11, Junior (16-18): £5, Child (5-15)**: £3
*Students with a student card and serving Armed Forces personnel with an ID card.

U16’s FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.

Fixture Update: Truro City

The Whites National League South fixture against Truro City has been rescheduled for Tuesday 16 April.

This away trip will now take place at Taunton Town’s Wordsworth Drive.

Girls Football Sessions

The club are delighted to be starting Girls Football sessions!

The sessions will be starting on Saturday 23rd March and will be hosted on the Community Pitch at Crabble. Sessions will run from 10:15-11:15am for girls aged 11-16 years old.

Sessions are being run by FA qualified coaches at a cost of £4 per session.

For more information email [email protected]