*BS*Dover Athletic defender Sean Raggett speaks to doverathletic.com editor Jack O’Sullivan, assuring fans that confidence within the dressing room is still high, and that they travel to Forest Green Rovers tomorrow with one intention – to win.*BF*

The commanding centre-back has played an integral part in Whites’ successes so far this season, playing every minute in all but one match, and contributing one goal – the last-minute winner against Altrincham at Crabble in August. Judging his campaign so far, he said: “I am happy with how my own season has gone so far. However, I always want to improve and there are definitely ways that I think I can play better, but I am still learning.”

Any suggestions of Whites having hit a rocky patch – on the back of consecutive home defeats to Stourbridge in the FA Cup, and then Eastleigh in the Vanarama National League, were quickly quashed by Raggett: “I don’t see it as a rocky patch at all. I guess, in terms of how our season has gone so far it could be, but overall it’s definitely nothing to be too concerned about. We played much better against Eastleigh than Stourbridge, and were very unlucky not to get at least a point on Tuesday night.

“We are going to Forest Green Rovers tomorrow confident we can turn it around and get back on track. They are a good side, and it will be tough, but we often suit playing away from home against the supposed bigger sides.”

Indeed, Whites have won away from home at Eastleigh, Gateshead, Torquay United and Tranmere Rovers, four games in which they started as underdogs. When asked why this extra level of performance – and primarily results – has been seen away from home, the Gillingham-born man commented: “When we go to these sides, they usually expect to win. However, we back ourselves defensively and with our pace in attack, we can often get them on the counter attack.

“That suits us, for sure. We are tough to beat, and strong defensively, which is the foundation you want in any team. If we’re like that at the back, then with the quality we have up front we will win more than we lose. We’re able to soak up pressure and then use our pace and fitness to win games late on.”

Last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Stourbridge, Raggett explains, was tough to take – on both a team and personal level: “I didn’t know how to feel – it was a situation I hadn’t really been in before. It was the first time that it had happened to me, where we had been on the wrong side of an upset.

“It took me a couple of days to get over it, and I’m desperate not to go through that again. It’s an experience that will give us extra motivation and focus for the rest of the season, and in the FA Trophy too. We won’t let the same mistakes happen again.”

Raggett has primarily played in front of Mitch Walker this season, however on Tuesday night he found himself defending Andy Rafferty’s goal, with the stopper brought into the side to replace the suspended Walker. It’s a situation Raggett is happy with either way, however: “They are both top guys and superb goalkeeper, and either of them would get into the majority of sides in this division.

“They have a great relationship and get on very well. They’re very supportive of each other and that’s good to see. I thought Raffers had a very good game on Tuesday night and make some excellent saves, including the double save from the penalty.”

Raggett remains confident that a top-five finish for Whites is achievable: “Finishing in the play-off places is still our ambition. It was our aim at the start – not just now we are doing well – it’s always been what we’ve wanted to achieve this season.

“To make it into the Football League with Dover would be great, it would mean a lot to me. I’ve been here for a little while now, and it would be another promotion for me which would be nice. We definitely have what it takes to make it there, now we just have to keep this good start up because there is still a lot of football to be played.”

*BS*The Dover Athletic Academy side are through to the next round of the League Cup after an impressive 3-0 victory over Ebbsfleet United. Academy player Kyran Connelly offers his match report below.*BF*

*BS*DAFC Academy 3-0 EUFC Academy*BF*
*IS*Scorers: Alfie Paxman (2), Brandon De Grout*IF*

Dover Athletic Academy played very well against a good Ebbsfleet Academy. Dover from the start to finish created many chances and took care of possession on the ball for the whole game which helped them secure a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Within ten minutes Dover had already created a few chances but could not find that opening goal. Until Dover got given a free kick on the 30th minute just inside Ebbsfleets half which Jack Paxman cleverly played the ball quickly down the line to Kyron Lightfoot who then took one touch out of his feet and delivered a great ball to the back post where Alfie Paxman was to score a powerful header into the top corner.

The second half was very similar Dover were good on the ball getting it into the front three who had a few chances but could not get that second. Then on the 70th minute Connor Wilkins picked up the ball in midfield and played a perfect weighted pass to Alfie Paxman down the right flank who cut in on his left and calmly placed his shot into the bottom corner for his second of the game to put Dover up 2-0.

Dover then continued to keep a very good shape on and off the ball which made it very hard for Ebbsfleet to get any shots off on goal. The back four for Dover were keeping good distances between them which denied the fast Ebbsfleet striker to get in behind. The final goal game from Dover Athletics striker Brandon De Grout who collected the ball off Tom Carlton on the half turn which saw him step past their centre back and hit a powerful strike into the bottom left to secure a 3-0 victory for the Academy in the League Cup.

*BS*The Dover Athletic Academy side are through to the next round of the League Cup after an impressive 3-0 victory over Ebbsfleet United. Academy player Kyran Connelly offers his match report below.*BF*

*BS*Dover Athletic Academy 3-0 Ebbsfleet United Academy*BF*
*IS*Scorers: Alfie Paxman (2), Brandon De Grout*IF*

Dover Athletic Academy played very well against a good Ebbsfleet Academy. Dover from the start to finish created many chances and took care of possession on the ball for the whole game which helped them secure a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Within ten minutes Dover had already created a few chances but could not find that opening goal. Until Dover got given a free kick on the 30th minute just inside Ebbsfleets half which Jack Paxman cleverly played the ball quickly down the line to Kyron Lightfoot who then took one touch out of his feet and delivered a great ball to the back post where Alfie Paxman was to score a powerful header into the top corner.

The second half was very similar Dover were good on the ball getting it into the front three who had a few chances but could not get that second. Then on the 70th minute Connor Wilkins picked up the ball in midfield and played a perfect weighted pass to Alfie Paxman down the right flank who cut in on his left and calmly placed his shot into the bottom corner for his second of the game to put Dover up 2-0.

Dover then continued to keep a very good shape on and off the ball which made it very hard for Ebbsfleet to get any shots off on goal. The back four for Dover were keeping good distances between them which denied the fast Ebbsfleet striker to get in behind. The final goal game from Dover Athletics striker Brandon De Grout who collected the ball off Tom Carlton on the half turn which saw him step past their centre back and hit a powerful strike into the bottom left to secure a 3-0 victory for the Academy in the League Cup.

*BS*Dover Athletic defender Sean Raggett speaks to doverathletic.com editor Jack O’Sullivan, assuring fans that confidence within the dressing room is still high, and that they travel to Forest Green Rovers tomorrow with one intention – to win.*BF*

The commanding centre-back has played an integral part in Whites’ successes so far this season, playing every minute in all but one match, and contributing one goal – the last-minute winner against Altrincham at Crabble in August. Judging his campaign so far, he said: “I am happy with how my own season has gone so far. However, I always want to improve and there are definitely ways that I think I can play better, but I am still learning.”

Any suggestions of Whites having hit a rocky patch – on the back of consecutive home defeats to Stourbridge in the FA Cup, and then Eastleigh in the Vanarama National League, were quickly quashed by Raggett: “I don’t see it as a rocky patch at all. I guess, in terms of how our season has gone so far it could be, but overall it’s definitely nothing to be too concerned about. We played much better against Eastleigh than Stourbridge, and were very unlucky not to get at least a point on Tuesday night.

“We are going to Forest Green Rovers tomorrow confident we can turn it around and get back on track. They are a good side, and it will be tough, but we often suit playing away from home against the supposed bigger sides.”

Indeed, Whites have won away from home at Eastleigh, Gateshead, Torquay United and Tranmere Rovers, four games in which they started as underdogs. When asked why this extra level of performance – and primarily results – has been seen away from home, the Gillingham-born man commented: “When we go to these sides, they usually expect to win. However, we back ourselves defensively and with our pace in attack, we can often get them on the counter attack.

“That suits us, for sure. We are tough to beat, and strong defensively, which is the foundation you want in any team. If we’re like that at the back, then with the quality we have up front we will win more than we lose. We’re able to soak up pressure and then use our pace and fitness to win games late on.”

Last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Stourbridge, Raggett explains, was tough to take – on both a team and personal level: “I didn’t know how to feel – it was a situation I hadn’t really been in before. It was the first time that it had happened to me, where we had been on the wrong side of an upset.

“It took me a couple of days to get over it, and I’m desperate not to go through that again. It’s an experience that will give us extra motivation and focus for the rest of the season, and in the FA Trophy too. We won’t let the same mistakes happen again.”

Raggett has primarily played in front of Mitch Walker this season, however on Tuesday night he found himself defending Andy Rafferty’s goal, with the stopper brought into the side to replace the suspended Walker. It’s a situation Raggett is happy with either way, however: “They are both top guys and superb goalkeeper, and either of them would get into the majority of sides in this division.

“They have a great relationship and get on very well. They’re very supportive of each other and that’s good to see. I thought Raffers had a very good game on Tuesday night and make some excellent saves, including the double save from the penalty.”

Raggett remains confident that a top-five finish for Whites is achievable: “Finishing in the play-off places is still our ambition. It was our aim at the start – not just now we are doing well – it’s always been what we’ve wanted to achieve this season.

“To make it into the Football League with Dover would be great, it would mean a lot to me. I’ve been here for a little while now, and it would be another promotion for me which would be nice. We definitely have what it takes to make it there, now we just have to keep this good start up because there is still a lot of football to be played.”

*BS*The Dover Athletic Academy side are through to the next round of the League Cup after an impressive 3-0 victory over Ebbsfleet United. Academy player Kyran Connelly offers his match report below.*BF*

*BS*DAFC Academy 3-0 EUFC Academy*BF*
*IS*Scorers: Alfie Paxman (2), Brandon De Grout*IF*

Dover Athletic Academy played very well against a good Ebbsfleet Academy. Dover from the start to finish created many chances and took care of possession on the ball for the whole game which helped them secure a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Within ten minutes Dover had already created a few chances but could not find that opening goal. Until Dover got given a free kick on the 30th minute just inside Ebbsfleets half which Jack Paxman cleverly played the ball quickly down the line to Kyron Lightfoot who then took one touch out of his feet and delivered a great ball to the back post where Alfie Paxman was to score a powerful header into the top corner.

The second half was very similar Dover were good on the ball getting it into the front three who had a few chances but could not get that second. Then on the 70th minute Connor Wilkins picked up the ball in midfield and played a perfect weighted pass to Alfie Paxman down the right flank who cut in on his left and calmly placed his shot into the bottom corner for his second of the game to put Dover up 2-0.

Dover then continued to keep a very good shape on and off the ball which made it very hard for Ebbsfleet to get any shots off on goal. The back four for Dover were keeping good distances between them which denied the fast Ebbsfleet striker to get in behind. The final goal game from Dover Athletics striker Brandon De Grout who collected the ball off Tom Carlton on the half turn which saw him step past their centre back and hit a powerful strike into the bottom left to secure a 3-0 victory for the Academy in the League Cup.

*BS*The Dover Athletic Academy side are through to the next round of the League Cup after an impressive 3-0 victory over Ebbsfleet United. Academy player Kyran Connelly offers his match report below.*BF*

*BS*Dover Athletic Academy 3-0 Ebbsfleet United Academy*BF*
*IS*Scorers: Alfie Paxman (2), Brandon De Grout*IF*

Dover Athletic Academy played very well against a good Ebbsfleet Academy. Dover from the start to finish created many chances and took care of possession on the ball for the whole game which helped them secure a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Within ten minutes Dover had already created a few chances but could not find that opening goal. Until Dover got given a free kick on the 30th minute just inside Ebbsfleets half which Jack Paxman cleverly played the ball quickly down the line to Kyron Lightfoot who then took one touch out of his feet and delivered a great ball to the back post where Alfie Paxman was to score a powerful header into the top corner.

The second half was very similar Dover were good on the ball getting it into the front three who had a few chances but could not get that second. Then on the 70th minute Connor Wilkins picked up the ball in midfield and played a perfect weighted pass to Alfie Paxman down the right flank who cut in on his left and calmly placed his shot into the bottom corner for his second of the game to put Dover up 2-0.

Dover then continued to keep a very good shape on and off the ball which made it very hard for Ebbsfleet to get any shots off on goal. The back four for Dover were keeping good distances between them which denied the fast Ebbsfleet striker to get in behind. The final goal game from Dover Athletics striker Brandon De Grout who collected the ball off Tom Carlton on the half turn which saw him step past their centre back and hit a powerful strike into the bottom left to secure a 3-0 victory for the Academy in the League Cup.

*IS**BS*VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE
DATE:*BF* Saturday 14th November 2015
*BS*KICK-OFF:*BF* 3.00pm
*BS*VENUE:*BF* The New Lawn, GL6 0FG*IF*

*BS*Saturday’s schedule sees Dover Athletic make the trip to Gloucestershire to face Forest Green Rovers, with the sides sitting in third and second place respectively in the Vanarama National League table. It’s a tough proposition for Whites, but recent performances on the road against the top sides will give Whites real hope.*BF*

Chris Kinnear’s men lost their unbeaten home record in the Vanarama National League on Tuesday night, when an Eastleigh side – much improved from Whites’ 5-2 thrashing at the Silverlake earlier in the season – ran out 2-1 victors. Despite that loss, Whites remain in third place in the league standings, and have a chance to take points from one of the league’s heavyweights this weekend.

Tuesday’s performance was much improved from that seen in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Stourbridge, with manager Kinnear commenting: “We really did not deserve to lose, but we beaten by a little bit of experience. We really did not get much from the referee today as well and the their penalty was not a penalty, Jai Reason used his experience to win it by falling over and James Constable was encroaching when the ball was kicked.”

It’s important to point out that these are not excuses, instead incredibly valid observations – but Kinnear is still happy with how the season has panned out so far. He said: “If someone had offered us third place in the middle of November, we would have snapped their hands off.”

Despite back-to-back defeats, Dover’s performances away from home will offer real hope that a positive result can be picked up on Saturday. Impressive victories on the road have already been claimed at Eastleigh (5-2), Gateshead (3-2), Torquay United (3-2) and Tranmere Rovers (1-0) – and the aim is to have added Forest Green Rovers to that list come 5pm on Saturday.

Dover are third in the Vanarama National League, three points behind their opponents – a two goal victory for Whites on Saturday would see them leapfrog Rovers into second place. The chasing pack are plentiful, with just five points separating Whites from Gateshead in 10th.

Despite Tuesday’s defeat, recent league form remains exceptional. 21 points have been picked up from a possible 27, better than any other side in the division, with Forest Green Rovers managing just 12 in the same period. Recent form in the Vanarama National League could not be much better, with the side having picked up 21 points from a possible 24 in a run stretching back almost two months.

Whites have gone 31 games since losing consecutive matches in the league – a record that now has to be defended following Tuesday’s reverse. After the near misses over the last two games, the match against Forest Green offers an opportunity to get back on track and continue the promotion push.

Stefan Payne has had more shots on target than any other player in the division, with his 9 goals coming courtesy of 36 efforts on goal.

Whites have the 9th best away record in the division, with 15 points from 10 games so far. At home, Forest Green Rovers lead the way with the best record in the league – 22 points from 10 games shows the magnitude of the task facing Kinnear’s side, but their two home defeats to Gateshead (1-0) and Tranmere Rovers (2-0) will give confidence, considering these are two sides that Whites have already beaten this season.

Whites will be forced to make at least one change, with Richard Orlu suspended for one match following his fifth yellow card of the season, against Eastleigh on Tuesday night. That paves the way for a return into the starting XI for Tyrone Sterling, whilst Andy Rafferty should keep his place in goal ahead of the now-available Mitch Walker. Jaydon Gibbs (back) and Liam Bellamy (knee) remain unavailable.

Top scorer for Forest Green Rovers this season is Aaron O’Connor, on nine, with Kurtis Guthrie and Jon Parkin both on six.

Both matches between the sides last season ended goalless, with a 0-0 at Crabble in November followed up by the same scoreline at The New Lawn on the last match of the regular season.

Highlights from the home match last season can be viewed here:

[utube]

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 VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Saturday 14th November, 12.30pm*IF* – live on BT Sport
Bromley v Altrincham

*IS*Saturday 14th November, 3.00pm*IF*
Barrow v Torquay
Boreham Wood v Chester
Halifax v Braintree
Grimsby v Welling
Guiseley v Eastleigh
Kidderminster v Aldershot
Lincoln City v Tranmere
Southport v Cheltenham
Woking v Macclesfield
Wrexham v Gateshead

*IS**BS*VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE
DATE:*BF* Saturday 14th November 2015
*BS*KICK-OFF:*BF* 3.00pm
*BS*VENUE:*BF* The New Lawn, GL6 0FG*IF*

*BS*Saturday’s schedule sees Dover Athletic make the trip to Gloucestershire to face Forest Green Rovers, with the sides sitting in third and second place respectively in the Vanarama National League table. It’s a tough proposition for Whites, but recent performances on the road against the top sides will give Whites real hope.*BF*

Chris Kinnear’s men lost their unbeaten home record in the Vanarama National League on Tuesday night, when an Eastleigh side – much improved from Whites’ 5-2 thrashing at the Silverlake earlier in the season – ran out 2-1 victors. Despite that loss, Whites remain in third place in the league standings, and have a chance to take points from one of the league’s heavyweights this weekend.

Tuesday’s performance was much improved from that seen in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Stourbridge, with manager Kinnear commenting: “We really did not deserve to lose, but we beaten by a little bit of experience. We really did not get much from the referee today as well and the their penalty was not a penalty, Jai Reason used his experience to win it by falling over and James Constable was encroaching when the ball was kicked.”

It’s important to point out that these are not excuses, instead incredibly valid observations – but Kinnear is still happy with how the season has panned out so far. He said: “If someone had offered us third place in the middle of November, we would have snapped their hands off.”

Despite back-to-back defeats, Dover’s performances away from home will offer real hope that a positive result can be picked up on Saturday. Impressive victories on the road have already been claimed at Eastleigh (5-2), Gateshead (3-2), Torquay United (3-2) and Tranmere Rovers (1-0) – and the aim is to have added Forest Green Rovers to that list come 5pm on Saturday.

Dover are third in the Vanarama National League, three points behind their opponents – a two goal victory for Whites on Saturday would see them leapfrog Rovers into second place. The chasing pack are plentiful, with just five points separating Whites from Gateshead in 10th.

Despite Tuesday’s defeat, recent league form remains exceptional. 21 points have been picked up from a possible 27, better than any other side in the division, with Forest Green Rovers managing just 12 in the same period. Recent form in the Vanarama National League could not be much better, with the side having picked up 21 points from a possible 24 in a run stretching back almost two months.

Whites have gone 31 games since losing consecutive matches in the league – a record that now has to be defended following Tuesday’s reverse. After the near misses over the last two games, the match against Forest Green offers an opportunity to get back on track and continue the promotion push.

Stefan Payne has had more shots on target than any other player in the division, with his 9 goals coming courtesy of 36 efforts on goal.

Whites have the 9th best away record in the division, with 15 points from 10 games so far. At home, Forest Green Rovers lead the way with the best record in the league – 22 points from 10 games shows the magnitude of the task facing Kinnear’s side, but their two home defeats to Gateshead (1-0) and Tranmere Rovers (2-0) will give confidence, considering these are two sides that Whites have already beaten this season.

Whites will be forced to make at least one change, with Richard Orlu suspended for one match following his fifth yellow card of the season, against Eastleigh on Tuesday night. That paves the way for a return into the starting XI for Tyrone Sterling, whilst Andy Rafferty should keep his place in goal ahead of the now-available Mitch Walker. Jaydon Gibbs (back) and Liam Bellamy (knee) remain unavailable.

Top scorer for Forest Green Rovers this season is Aaron O’Connor, on nine, with Kurtis Guthrie and Jon Parkin both on six.

Both matches between the sides last season ended goalless, with a 0-0 at Crabble in November followed up by the same scoreline at The New Lawn on the last match of the regular season.

Highlights from the home match last season can be viewed here:

[utube]

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 VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Saturday 14th November, 12.30pm*IF* – live on BT Sport
Bromley v Altrincham

*IS*Saturday 14th November, 3.00pm*IF*
Barrow v Torquay
Boreham Wood v Chester
Halifax v Braintree
Grimsby v Welling
Guiseley v Eastleigh
Kidderminster v Aldershot
Lincoln City v Tranmere
Southport v Cheltenham
Woking v Macclesfield
Wrexham v Gateshead

Whites lost their unbeaten league home record after a 2-1 loss to Eastleigh. James Constable, who had not scored in the league since August, opened his account with a deflected shot past a helpless Andy Rafferty. He soon doubled his tally, following up on a Ben Strevens penalty miss, the ball falling to him in spite of a superb double save from Rafferty. Ricky Modeste had briefly levelled the scores, taking advantage of a mix up in defence to run clear and slot home.*Q1*

Manager Chris Kinnear was full of praise of the players and questioned the official’s decisions. ‘We were much better than we were Saturday and really did not deserve to lose tonight, but we beaten by a little bit of experience’, said a defiant Kinnear. ‘We really did not get much from the referee today as well and the their penalty was not a penalty, Jai Reason used his experience to win it by falling over and James Constable was encroaching when the ball was kicked.’

Andy Rafferty also received special mention from the boss following his first league appearance of the season. ‘He may have only had two saves to make, but overall he did well. He talked and kicked well and had good command of his area – He really made the most of his opportunity.’

Kinnear opted not to make any substitutes believing that on another day, Whites would have scored more goals. ‘Miller and Payne are the two top goalscorers and Modeste was doing great out there. We were creating lots of chances and the players on the pitch were the most likely to score, but if we had not been making opportunities then I would have changed things.’

Kinnear insisted the players would be instantly focused on Saturday’s crucial clash at Forest Green. ‘The lads are disappointed to lose the home record, but they will not sulk and are in good spirits. Yes, it will be a difficult game on Saturday, but I would like to think we will also make it difficult for them.

With still over half of the season to go, it is all still to play for according to the Dover boss. ‘If someone had offered us third place in the middle of November, we would have snapped their hands off.’ He concluded by adding. ‘There are still four months of the season to go and the lads will be giving 100% to finish as high as they can.’*Lpic1*

Whites lost their unbeaten league home record after a 2-1 loss to Eastleigh. James Constable, who had not scored in the league since August, opened his account with a deflected shot past a helpless Andy Rafferty. He soon doubled his tally, following up on a Ben Strevens penalty miss, the ball falling to him in spite of a superb double save from Rafferty. Ricky Modeste had briefly levelled the scores, taking advantage of a mix up in defence to run clear and slot home.*Q1*

Manager Chris Kinnear was full of praise of the players and questioned the official’s decisions. ‘We were much better than we were Saturday and really did not deserve to lose tonight, but we beaten by a little bit of experience’, said a defiant Kinnear. ‘We really did not get much from the referee today as well and the their penalty was not a penalty, Jai Reason used his experience to win it by falling over and James Constable was encroaching when the ball was kicked.’

Andy Rafferty also received special mention from the boss following his first league appearance of the season. ‘He may have only had two saves to make, but overall he did well. He talked and kicked well and had good command of his area – He really made the most of his opportunity.’

Kinnear opted not to make any substitutes believing that on another day, Whites would have scored more goals. ‘Miller and Payne are the two top goalscorers and Modeste was doing great out there. We were creating lots of chances and the players on the pitch were the most likely to score, but if we had not been making opportunities then I would have changed things.’

Kinnear insisted the players would be instantly focused on Saturday’s crucial clash at Forest Green. ‘The lads are disappointed to lose the home record, but they will not sulk and are in good spirits. Yes, it will be a difficult game on Saturday, but I would like to think we will also make it difficult for them.

With still over half of the season to go, it is all still to play for according to the Dover boss. ‘If someone had offered us third place in the middle of November, we would have snapped their hands off.’ He concluded by adding. ‘There are still four months of the season to go and the lads will be giving 100% to finish as high as they can.’*Lpic1*