Whites crash out of the Trophy after a ding dong affair at home. – By Fred Deveson

An action packed, thrilling game at Crabble saw Dover draw 4-4 to Weymouth, with the away side eventually progressing to the next round via a 4-1 penalty shootout win.

It was a slightly different side that played in front of just under 400 people, with George Wilkinson making his first start of the season, and Luke Pearce making his debut after signing on loan from Southampton. Iffy Allen also started the game for Dover and impressed from minute one. His pace and trickery caused problems for the Weymouth right back and, after a scrappy start, Allen put The Whites in front with a deflected shot that looped over the goalkeeper inside the first ten minutes.

It only took the home side 6 minutes to double their lead, with George Wilkinson placing his effort in the bottom corner from just inside the area much to the delight of the home faithful. Dover looked fairly comfortable and were threatening time and time again, with chances for Allen and Dontai Stewart being blocked by the away side.

However, just after the 30-minute mark, Weymouth hit back. Touray finished his effort from close range after the visitors had threatened with balls in behind and crosses from the wide areas. Stewart had the chance to make it 3-1 to the home team, but he couldn’t convert. Dover began to look nervous and suddenly more gaps started appearing at the back, and it then wasn’t long before the equaliser hit the back of the net, right before half time, with Touray doubling his tally.

There was some questionable refereeing in the first half, with some crunching tackles from both teams going unnoticed by the referee, which angered the fans and players alike. These decisions continued into the second half, with tackles flying in left, right and centre. Bookings for both teams did arrive eventually.

After the break, it did not take long for the away team to put themselves in front. Goodship was the scorer after an incisive break away from Weymouth. The comeback was complete, and the hosts’ morale dropped as a result. The goal crushed the spirit of the home side, who kept giving cheap balls away and found themselves out of position often.

Paris Lock had a chance to bring Dover back to 3-3, but a good save from the goalkeeper kept the score at 2-3. The visitors saw the gaps at the back left by Dover and pounced. Seven minutes after the third goal, a fourth was added by Tom Bearwish, and it looked plain sailing for the away side.

Weymouth had chances to make it five, but Dover number 1 Billy Terrel made a couple of good saves to keep the home side in it, which proved to be vital come the end of the game. Wilkinson had a shot from inside the area but put it over the bar, and Zidan had a shot saved by the goalkeeper and that looked to be it, until Nick Dembele, the substitute pulled it back to 3-4.

Dover kept fighting, and with the support of the home crowd, they found the equaliser in the dying seconds. Zidan Sutherland found his way to the back post and slotted in the equaliser for Dover after a cross from Lock found its way to him. The game was set for penalties.

Weymouth netted their first penalty, but Zidan, the hero of injury time, saw his penalty saved. Bearwish for the visitors and Anifowose for Dover both scored and it was 1-2. The visitors then scored their next penalty, but Wilkinson saw his effort held. Anthony Chesire then stepped up and sent the visitors through to the next round of the FA Trophy, much to the heartache of Dover.

Even if it wasn’t to be for The Whites, the team showed great fighting spirit to level the game and send it penalties, and the 4 goals scored is a huge positive for the next few games. It’s Eastbourne Borough next for Dover Athletic, as the team looks to escape the drop.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Naylor, Mensah, Lock, Allen, Dunne, Young, Wilkinson, Stewart, Pearce

Subs: Anifowose, Nikaj, Dembele, Zidan, Baptiste, Hatcher, Powell

Weymouth: Thompson, Howe, Hamblin, Cheshire, Thompson j, Olu, Bearwish, Roberts, Goodship, Touray

Subs: Benfield, O’Connell, Rollinson, Bolton, Thomson

Attendance: 338

Pearce signs to add to Christie transfer.

Luke Pearce puts pen to paper on a loan deal that will keep him at Crabble until early January.

Luke joined Southampton from League Two side Walsall after competition for signature grew due to his impressive appearance for the Saddlers’ Under-18s and development squad at just 16-years-old. He hit the ground running in his debut campaign on the South Coast, primarily playing in the Under-18s but also scoring on his B team debut against Liverpool in Premier League 2.

Luke then signed his first professional contract in the following summer, at 17-years-old, and was an important part of the Under-18s Premier League South title-winning team in the 2021/22 season. He has gone on to feature regularly for the Under-21s before sealing his first senior loan move in January 2023 to National League South side Eastbourne Borough, where he scored five goals in his first nine games.

Luke returned to the same division with a short-term loan move to Torquay United on deadline day of the 2023/24 campaign, where he made four appearances before joining fellow sixth tier side Weston-Super-Mare on loan.

Those of you with an eagle eye would have noticed our other newest addition in the last week or so with Sinn’Kaye Christie signing from neighbours Ramsgate, to bolster our back line. Christie has played for Whitehawke, Margate and Cray Wanderers, but has already forged a good partnership with Jacob Mensah at the heart of the Whites defence.

Welcome to Crabble, Sinkks and Luke.

The Terras return to Crabble for a clash in the Trophy.

For the third time this season, The Whites have been drawn at home in cup competitions, this time facing off against Weymouth in the FA Trophy at the Megger Community Stadium. Mitch Brundle will be looking to progress in the tournament, much like the run in the FA Cup to keep the campaign ticking over.

Weymouth have won on their last two visits to Crabble, with a 3-1 win coming as recently as September. The Terras haven’t won in their last five matches, despite a bright start to the campaign, but this is a knockout competition and anything can happen.

The FA Trophy brings back memories of that cup run that left the Whites one game away from reaching the twin towers, only to be undone by Cheltenham Town. With Purfleet, Hereford and then Barrow brushed aside, the Whites fell to eventual trophy winners in a two legged semi-final after we failed to overturn the 2-1 defeat in Gloucestershire. It was an eventful 2-2 at Crabble but alas, it wasn’t enough to send us to a Wembley Final.

Maybe this time around?

Form Guide:

Head to Head:

We still have players available to sponsor, an updated list will be in Saturdays match day programme. If you are interested click HERE

Ticket Information:

Cup Game (all must pay) 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)

Watch the Whites take on Eastbourne Borough in style with our midweek curry night.

Bookings are still being taken for our curry night in the VIP Platinum Suite for our National League South game against Eastbourne Borough at Crabble on the 21st November

This package costs £15 (plus the price of a matchday ticket for any non-season ticket holders) and on the menu will be chicken curry with rice and naan bread.

A vegetarian curry will also be available.

The experience includes:

• A one-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 matchday team sheet

Arrival at the ground should be at 6pm and food will be served at  6.15pm.

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 book and watch the match from the best seats in the house, call the office on 01304 822373, email [email protected] or pop into our main reception during office hours.

Payment is required at the time of booking.

Kent derby goes the way of the hosts.

It was a match that started brightly for both teams with the usual busyness of a local derby, with both teams sizing up the other in a fast and frenetic start. Once the dust had settled, the Whites looked to settle in their new 3-5-2 formation. It was a steady if not spectacular start with the visitors just lacking that killer ball in the final third, something that of course has been lacking recently.

It looked like the teams were going to head into the break with the scores level when with just minutes to go before half-time, Amantchi pounced to put the hosts 1-0 to the good. It was a sucker punch for us as we certainly didn’t deserve to go in losing.

The Whites huffed and puffed in the second half with first Nick Dembele replacing Archie Hatcher at half-time and then Luke Baptiste replacing Johl Powell midway through the second half, but neither could get Dover back on an even keel. Maidstone threatened late on when Dover surged up the field looking to grab an equaliser, leaving large holes in what had been an otherwise impressive defensive showing.

The referee signalled the end of the match and it was now 16 games without a league win with yet again the opposition coaching staff praising the effort and work rate of the side. It’s back to the drawing board, but still plenty to play for.

Mitch Brundle speaking to Kent Online Sport said ‘We need a ricocheted goal or something to break us out of the cycle. I thought we did everything. We defended really well in certain aspects. Obviously the game gets stretched late on and they start to have their chances because we’re throwing everything to go and get a goal but we just haven’t got the goal scorer yet. I’m proud of the boys even though it is a defeat in a Kent derby which does really hurt me. I don’t enjoy going home when we haven’t won – I don’t even enjoy draws at the minute. A goal scorer I know for a fact will change what we’re doing this season (and) I’m still looking to bring other players in. We’re just trying to strengthen in every way we can and we’re allowed to do so. It means players will have to move on because they haven’t done it so far this season, so we are getting there, we have got the targets.’

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Christie, Mensah, Lock, Allen, Dunne, Anifowose, Powell, Stewart, Hatcher

Subs: Nikaj, Baptiste, Dembele, Young, Charles-Cook

Maidstone United: Covolan, Fowler, Brown, Corne, Wanjua-Smith, Aransabia, Rush, Bone, Amantchi, Gurung, Petrasso

Subs: De Graft, Reynolds, Earle, Sole, Iandolo

Attendance: 1867

Latest Striker results for Wednesday 15th November

Congratulations to all the winners and better luck next time if your name wasn’t drawn out. It could well be your time next week.

For anyone who doesn’t know how the Striker Lottery works well let me explain if for you. Each week, so long as you have paid your £1 weekly subscription, your number will be entered into a draw. If your number is drawn, congratulations – you’re a winner! It’s as simple as that. The draw is held every Wednesday. Keep an eye on the website and social media pages for full details. Who knows, your number could scoop the £1,000 top prize.

Please note that only paid-for tickets are entered in the draw. For your convenience, your membership fee can be collected from you, or you can pay at the Club Office or, to save time, you can pay monthly or quarterly by standing order.

Contact [email protected] to register your interest and good luck

Another game, another Kent derby.

Mitch Brundle takes his team to Maidstone to face the Stones in another Kent derby in the Vanarama National League South, looking for some much needed points on the road. While the Gaffer could be pleased with the efforts of his players last time out, it’s now time to turn performances into points as we hurtle towards the festive period.

Peter Ojemen will be side lined after his freak accident on Saturday and both Charlie Naylor and Zidan Sutherland will miss out through suspension. Maidstone’s form has been decent and find themselves in the play-off picture but the Whites will be going there to upset the form table and bring three points back to Crabble.

If this is your first time visiting the Gallagher Stadium – click here for some important information.

Form Guide:

Pictures courtesy of Flashscore.com

Head to Head:

Ticket Information:

Manchett Stand: Adult

£20.00

Manchett Stand: Concessions (65+/students)

£16.00

Manchett Stand: Youth (11 to 16 years)

£10.00

Manchett Stand: Junior (U11s)

£3.00

Ground only: Adult

£17.00

Ground only: Concessions (65+/students)

£13.00

Ground only: Youth (11 to 16 years)

£7.00

Ground only: Junior (U11s)

£0.00

Whites fall to defeat at Huish Park.

It was a tough ask for Mitch Brundle and his boys as the Whites travelled to high flying Yeovil Town in a bid to get some much needed points on the board, but what they found in front of them was arguably the champions elect.

Dover made a cracking start to the match and were probing the hosts, first with a fine driving run from Anifowose, who was unable to find the killer pass. Then there was a half chance for Zidan, who cut inside his man on the edge of the penalty area and when it looked like he was going to pull the trigger, took an extra touch and the moment had passed.

Billy Terrell was called into action in the early stages but looked to keep Yeovil at bay. In the 21st minute, a freak accident left Peter Ojemen flat on the turf as he spun and fell to the floor, hitting his head and knocking himself unconscious. Peter was taken away in an ambulance and we can say he is fine now. Get well soon, Peter. The 11 minute stoppage seemed to knock the wind out of Dover’s sails as after the restart it was just wave after wave of home attack but the visitors managed to hold out at the interval.

Peter Ojemen is well and in hospital awaiting the relevant scans and tests.

We’d like to thank the @YTFC staff and paramedics for their help and quick response during the game 🤝

Wishing you a speedy recovery Pete ❤️‍🩹#OneTownOneTeamOneDover ⚪⚫️

— Dover Athletic FC (@DoverAthletic) November 11, 2023

Manager Brundle was pleased with the efforts of his charges but urged them to do more when in possession, which wasn’t very often by the way. Yeovil Town kept the ball beautifully as they bopped it around the park. The Whites chased and harried but eventually, despite Terrell making a number of crucial (and at times breath-taking) saves, the Glovers finally found the net in the 58th minute through Cox after a scramble in the six yard box.

It had been coming for the home side but Dover battled on again, looking to spring a counter attack to get back in the match. This left gaps in our armoury which Yeovil exploited again in the 77th minute through that man Cox again, his second of the day. Paris Lock had looked the most likely to make anything happen for the Whites who ultimately came up against one of if not THE best team in the division. The win gave the Glovers their 13th straight win, a new club record, so getting a result was always going to be tough.

We need to make sure we are at the races against Maidstone, and that we are better than we were today.- Mitch Brundle

The referee signalled an end to a tough match which didn’t go without its problems for Dover. Ojemen will now begin a period on the side lines and James Dunne was booked meaning an upcoming suspension. The defeat at Huish Park will not define our season, in fact the rear guard gave a fantastic account of themselves. What is to come over the next four weeks however, will.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Ojemen, Christie, Mensah, Lock, Zidan, Dunne, Young, Anifowose, Dembele

Subs: Baptiste, Powell, Stewart, Naylor, Hatcher

Yeovil Town: Day, Williams, Whittle, Wannell, Worthington, Hyde, Lo-Everton, Cox, Young, Dawes, Smith

Subs: Maguire-Drew, Nouble, Murphy, Bell, Owers

Attendance: 3162

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

Mitch Brundle and 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 :

• Potato & Leek Soup with Ciabatta Roll & butter
• Pie & Mash, Veg & Gravy
• Cheesecake served with cream

Arrival at the ground should be at 1pm and food will be served at 1.30pm.

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

The Whites head to cider country for our next Vanarama National League South clash.

Mitch Brundle takes his side back to where it all began on Saturday when the Whites make the long trip west to table toppers Yeovil Town. A last minute equaliser in our last outing had the lads buzzing so hopefully we can use that energy as we face the high flying Glovers.

We need to start winning games, regardless of who we play against, we need to go there and try and win the game. – Mitch Brundle

Yeovil have been imperious since their drop into the National League South, winning their last 12 matches in all competitions, last tasting defeat on August 28, losing to Havant & Waterlooville, who coincidentally sit bottom of the table with their only win so far this season coming in this game.

Are they beatable?

Well current form would suggest a home win but in this league we have a punchers chance with the Gaffer going down to Huish Park looking to get a result. Speaking to the DAFC media team post Welling United match he said ‘No pressures off, we need to start winning games, regardless of who we play against, we need to go there and try and win the game. There is no pressure off in any game, my job is to go there and try to get a result. I started my youth career there so it’s going to be strange stood in the dugout. I want go there and win. I want my team to perform and be proud when I walk away.’

The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory – Floyd Mayweather Jr

Form Guide:

Pictures courtesy of Flashscore.com

Head to Head:

Ticket Information: