*BS*Dover’s unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday, losing 2-0 at Basingstoke. The home side managed the windy conditions better to jump above Whites in the table.*BF*
To compound the defeat, influential midfielder Barry Cogan was sent off in the second half after reacting to a stamp on him by Basingstoke’s Matt Partridge, who was also shown a red card.
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*BS*A 2-0 defeat at The Camrose at the weekend ended a run of eight consecutive matches undefeated for Dover Athletic, as goals from Andrew Jenkinson and Matt Partridge also ended a four-game streak of clean sheets in the Skrill South – a defensive effort last managed six seasons ago.*BF*
Basingstoke were the side that ended Dover’s twelve match unbeaten run last season, so the warning signs were there – but the nature of this defeat, in which Whites never really threatened, was disappointing.
Attentions swiftly turn to the visit of Eastleigh on Tuesday night, and it is harder to envisage a tougher side to face in this division. The Hampshire side were priced up as heavy favourites to win the league at the start of this season, and their impressive start to this campaign has seen these odds shorten. With 27 points from their opening 13 games, they currently sit in second position, one point behind Bromley.
With Bromley facing an out-of-sorts Chelmsford City side on Tuesday, Richard Hill’s Eastleigh side know they will most likely need to pick up all three points against Dover if they are going to have any chance of claiming top spot.
Whilst their home form has been very impressive – five wins and two draws from seven games, and just two goals conceded – Eastleigh’s form on the road has been indifferent, winning three and losing two of their games on their travels.
Those defeats came at Basingstoke Town, where they suffered the same 2-0 defeat as Dover on Saturday, and Ebbsfleet United. The two much-fancied teams this season clashed last month, with goals from ex-Whites pair Billy Bricknell (two) and Darryl McMahon sealing a 3-1 defeat.
This vulnerability away from home will give Whites some hope of picking up all three points on Tuesday, but Dover’s under-par performances at home this season will not help their cause – winning just two out of six at Crabble, and scoring only four goals, means a tight game can be expected and it is one that could feasibly have any outcome.
Despite the two goals conceded at Basingstoke, Whites do still have the joint-best defensive record in the Skrill South – a record now shared with Sutton United and Eastleigh – with just nine goals conceded thus far.
Previous matches between the two sides have largely ended in Whites’ favour. The last eight regular-season clashes have ended in seven wins for Dover and one for Eastleigh, an impressive head-to-head record by any side’s standards, especially when it is against a club who have more often than not finished in the top eight of the Conference South during their eight seasons within it.
Of course, the last two meetings came in last season’s play-off semi-final. Travelling to Silverlake Stadium for the first leg, by virtue of their superior finishing position, goals from Moses Ademola, Ben May and Darryl McMahon saw Dover win 3-1 and take a comfortable lead back to Kent for the second leg.
As predicted, however, the second leg was never going to be easy. Knowing they had to win by two goals to have any chance of progression, this cushion was achieved within 90 minutes thanks to strikes from ex-Dover midfielder Glen Southam and Damian Scannell – the latter coming deep into injury time, and sending the match into extra time.
Neither side could find a goal in the additional thirty minutes, and it was goalkeeper Mitch Walker who was Whites’ hero in front of the 1,662 in attendance as he made two excellent saves in a penalty shootout which the hosts won 4-2.
As well as the previously mentioned Southam, Tuesday’s clash will see goalkeeper Ross Flitney return to Crabble, and Eastleigh are a side who strengthened very well over the summer. Most notably is with the signing of Stuart Fleetwood, the Welsh striker who scored 21 goals in 67 games for Skrill Premier side Luton Town during a two-year spell.
Eastleigh’s capture of Fleetwood raised many eyebrows within the non-league game, and affirmed an already-growing belief that the side would challenge for honours this season. With five goals so far, the 27-year-old ex-Cardiff City hitman’s eye for goal is as evident as ever.
Other notable members of the Eastleigh side with Football League experience include defenders Chris Todd, Damian Batt, Dean Beckwith and Mike Green, midfielders Jamie Collins, Will Evans and Romone Rose, and strikers Craig McAllister, Yemi Odubade and Ben Strevens.
Dover midfielder Ricky Modeste, who has arguably been the side’s most consistent player this season, is likely to miss Tuesday’s game, as he struggles to overcome the hamstring injury picked up in the FA Cup against Oxford City last weekend. Modeste’s guile and creativity was much missed in Saturday’s defeat against Basingstoke, leaving manager Chris Kinnear with a decision to make as to his replacement.
On Saturday, Liam Bellamy got the nod and put in a reasonable performance, although Kinnear may choose to go with a more natural replacement in the shape of Moses Ademola, who has struggled to get game time this season but would be desperate to line up against the side he signed for Dover from last season.
*BS*Please note: Heavy rain is forecast for the area across much of Monday and Tuesday, so the game is likely to be subject to a pitch inspection on Tuesday – please check doverathletic.com for further news when it becomes available.*BF*
*BS*Dover’s unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday, losing 2-0 at Basingstoke. The home side managed the windy conditions better to jump above Whites in the table.*BF*
To compound the defeat, influential midfielder Barry Cogan was sent off in the second half after reacting to a stamp on him by Basingstoke’s Matt Partridge, who was also shown a red card.
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*BS*A 2-0 defeat at The Camrose at the weekend ended a run of eight consecutive matches undefeated for Dover Athletic, as goals from Andrew Jenkinson and Matt Partridge also ended a four-game streak of clean sheets in the Skrill South – a defensive effort last managed six seasons ago.*BF*
Basingstoke were the side that ended Dover’s twelve match unbeaten run last season, so the warning signs were there – but the nature of this defeat, in which Whites never really threatened, was disappointing.
Attentions swiftly turn to the visit of Eastleigh on Tuesday night, and it is harder to envisage a tougher side to face in this division. The Hampshire side were priced up as heavy favourites to win the league at the start of this season, and their impressive start to this campaign has seen these odds shorten. With 27 points from their opening 13 games, they currently sit in second position, one point behind Bromley.
With Bromley facing an out-of-sorts Chelmsford City side on Tuesday, Richard Hill’s Eastleigh side know they will most likely need to pick up all three points against Dover if they are going to have any chance of claiming top spot.
Whilst their home form has been very impressive – five wins and two draws from seven games, and just two goals conceded – Eastleigh’s form on the road has been indifferent, winning three and losing two of their games on their travels.
Those defeats came at Basingstoke Town, where they suffered the same 2-0 defeat as Dover on Saturday, and Ebbsfleet United. The two much-fancied teams this season clashed last month, with goals from ex-Whites pair Billy Bricknell (two) and Darryl McMahon sealing a 3-1 defeat.
This vulnerability away from home will give Whites some hope of picking up all three points on Tuesday, but Dover’s under-par performances at home this season will not help their cause – winning just two out of six at Crabble, and scoring only four goals, means a tight game can be expected and it is one that could feasibly have any outcome.
Despite the two goals conceded at Basingstoke, Whites do still have the joint-best defensive record in the Skrill South – a record now shared with Sutton United and Eastleigh – with just nine goals conceded thus far.
Previous matches between the two sides have largely ended in Whites’ favour. The last eight regular-season clashes have ended in seven wins for Dover and one for Eastleigh, an impressive head-to-head record by any side’s standards, especially when it is against a club who have more often than not finished in the top eight of the Conference South during their eight seasons within it.
Of course, the last two meetings came in last season’s play-off semi-final. Travelling to Silverlake Stadium for the first leg, by virtue of their superior finishing position, goals from Moses Ademola, Ben May and Darryl McMahon saw Dover win 3-1 and take a comfortable lead back to Kent for the second leg.
As predicted, however, the second leg was never going to be easy. Knowing they had to win by two goals to have any chance of progression, this cushion was achieved within 90 minutes thanks to strikes from ex-Dover midfielder Glen Southam and Damian Scannell – the latter coming deep into injury time, and sending the match into extra time.
Neither side could find a goal in the additional thirty minutes, and it was goalkeeper Mitch Walker who was Whites’ hero in front of the 1,662 in attendance as he made two excellent saves in a penalty shootout which the hosts won 4-2.
As well as the previously mentioned Southam, Tuesday’s clash will see goalkeeper Ross Flitney return to Crabble, and Eastleigh are a side who strengthened very well over the summer. Most notably is with the signing of Stuart Fleetwood, the Welsh striker who scored 21 goals in 67 games for Skrill Premier side Luton Town during a two-year spell.
Eastleigh’s capture of Fleetwood raised many eyebrows within the non-league game, and affirmed an already-growing belief that the side would challenge for honours this season. With five goals so far, the 27-year-old ex-Cardiff City hitman’s eye for goal is as evident as ever.
Other notable members of the Eastleigh side with Football League experience include defenders Chris Todd, Damian Batt, Dean Beckwith and Mike Green, midfielders Jamie Collins, Will Evans and Romone Rose, and strikers Craig McAllister, Yemi Odubade and Ben Strevens.
Dover midfielder Ricky Modeste, who has arguably been the side’s most consistent player this season, is likely to miss Tuesday’s game, as he struggles to overcome the hamstring injury picked up in the FA Cup against Oxford City last weekend. Modeste’s guile and creativity was much missed in Saturday’s defeat against Basingstoke, leaving manager Chris Kinnear with a decision to make as to his replacement.
On Saturday, Liam Bellamy got the nod and put in a reasonable performance, although Kinnear may choose to go with a more natural replacement in the shape of Moses Ademola, who has struggled to get game time this season but would be desperate to line up against the side he signed for Dover from last season.
*BS*Please note: Heavy rain is forecast for the area across much of Monday and Tuesday, so the game is likely to be subject to a pitch inspection on Tuesday – please check doverathletic.com for further news when it becomes available.*BF*
*BS*Dover Athletic are now undefeated in eight games in all competitions – just a goalless draw at home to Havant preventing a 100% record – meaning that confidence at Crabble is higher than it has been all season.*BF*
The side have gone four league matches without conceding a goal, which was last achieved almost six years ago. A clean sheet on Saturday would equal a feat last managed nearly a decade ago, when Whites were competing in the Ryman leagues.
Last Tuesday’s excellent 4-0 victory away at Eastbourne Borough was much needed – as well as three vital points, the side hit four goals for the first time in the league this season and shook off the unwanted tag of being the lowest-scoring side in the division. This victory was followed up by a 3-0 win in the FA Cup at home to Oxford City, courtesy of goals from Nathan Elder, Barry Cogan and Sean Raggett.
Raggett, who has consistently impressed since being introduced to the side earlier on in the season, has now signed a contract extension which shall keep him at Crabble until the end of next season. A product of the club’s Academy, the youngster has become a key member of Chris Kinnear’s side and has started to add goals to his game.
This weekend sees the side make the trip to Hampshire to face a Basingstoke Town side who sit one place below Dover in the Skrill South table, in eighth place. Town lost key striker Delano Sam-Yorke to Cambridge United in the summer, but will be happy with their start to this campaign – last season’s eventual finish of 14th place sounds comfortable enough, but the tightness of the division last time around means that they ended only four points above the relegation zone.
This season has seen Town pick up six wins from their opening twelve games, including an impressive 2-0 victory over pre-season favourites. It has been at The Camrose that the side have been at their best, winning four times and losing only once – against Hayes & Yeading.
Top scorer for Basingstoke this season is Manny Williams, a well-travelled striker who scored 12 goals in 23 appearances last season. So far in this campaign, Williams has found the net seven times.
The two clashes between the side last season ended in contrasting outcomes – at The Camrose, a fourth minute goal from Ben May was enough to seal all three points, but since then the look of the side has certainly changed – of the fourteen players who took part in that match, only four are still with the club.
The return fixture, which Whites entered on the back of twelve matches unbeaten, saw the visitors run riot and win 5-0, handing Chris Kinnear the first defeat of his second spell in charge of Dover. The afore-mentioned Williams found the net twice that day, and the memories of this game are likely to still be at the back of Kinnear’s mind so Saturday’s match is a perfect chance to heal these wounds.
Midfielder Ricky Modeste went off injured in last weekend’s match against Oxford City, and it is not yet known if he has recovered in time to play a part on Saturday. His loss, if indeed he is not match-fit, would be a big one – this season, Modeste has been one of the side’s key players and is at the top of his game. Liam Bellamy, recently back from injury himself, replaced Modeste in that match and is the most likely candidate to be given a starting place if need be.
Saturday’s match forms part of a league double-header before the FA Cup First Round match against Corby Town, with Eastleigh the visitors to Crabble on Tuesday night.
*BS*Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach going to Corby on Saturday 9th November.
Adult Member £20 – Accompanied Child (U16) £5
Non-Member £25 – Accompanied Child (U16) £10
Departs Crabble @ 10.30am*BF*
All coaches are covered by insurance, if the game gets called off you get a refund.
(Supporters Club Members only)
*BS*Please call or text Bob on 07938 021916*BF*
(If possible in the evening, otherwise leave a message and he will get back to you.)
*BS*Bob will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*
*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*
*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*
*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behaviour will be tolerated.
Bayliss runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.
It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behaviour is kept within the bounds of common sense.
Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF*
*BS*Dover Athletic are now undefeated in eight games in all competitions – just a goalless draw at home to Havant preventing a 100% record – meaning that confidence at Crabble is higher than it has been all season.*BF*
The side have gone four league matches without conceding a goal, which was last achieved almost six years ago. A clean sheet on Saturday would equal a feat last managed nearly a decade ago, when Whites were competing in the Ryman leagues.
Last Tuesday’s excellent 4-0 victory away at Eastbourne Borough was much needed – as well as three vital points, the side hit four goals for the first time in the league this season and shook off the unwanted tag of being the lowest-scoring side in the division. This victory was followed up by a 3-0 win in the FA Cup at home to Oxford City, courtesy of goals from Nathan Elder, Barry Cogan and Sean Raggett.
Raggett, who has consistently impressed since being introduced to the side earlier on in the season, has now signed a contract extension which shall keep him at Crabble until the end of next season. A product of the club’s Academy, the youngster has become a key member of Chris Kinnear’s side and has started to add goals to his game.
This weekend sees the side make the trip to Hampshire to face a Basingstoke Town side who sit one place below Dover in the Skrill South table, in eighth place. Town lost key striker Delano Sam-Yorke to Cambridge United in the summer, but will be happy with their start to this campaign – last season’s eventual finish of 14th place sounds comfortable enough, but the tightness of the division last time around means that they ended only four points above the relegation zone.
This season has seen Town pick up six wins from their opening twelve games, including an impressive 2-0 victory over pre-season favourites. It has been at The Camrose that the side have been at their best, winning four times and losing only once – against Hayes & Yeading.
Top scorer for Basingstoke this season is Manny Williams, a well-travelled striker who scored 12 goals in 23 appearances last season. So far in this campaign, Williams has found the net seven times.
The two clashes between the side last season ended in contrasting outcomes – at The Camrose, a fourth minute goal from Ben May was enough to seal all three points, but since then the look of the side has certainly changed – of the fourteen players who took part in that match, only four are still with the club.
The return fixture, which Whites entered on the back of twelve matches unbeaten, saw the visitors run riot and win 5-0, handing Chris Kinnear the first defeat of his second spell in charge of Dover. The afore-mentioned Williams found the net twice that day, and the memories of this game are likely to still be at the back of Kinnear’s mind so Saturday’s match is a perfect chance to heal these wounds.
Midfielder Ricky Modeste went off injured in last weekend’s match against Oxford City, and it is not yet known if he has recovered in time to play a part on Saturday. His loss, if indeed he is not match-fit, would be a big one – this season, Modeste has been one of the side’s key players and is at the top of his game. Liam Bellamy, recently back from injury himself, replaced Modeste in that match and is the most likely candidate to be given a starting place if need be.
Saturday’s match forms part of a league double-header before the FA Cup First Round match against Corby Town, with Eastleigh the visitors to Crabble on Tuesday night.
*BS*Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach going to Corby on Saturday 9th November.
Adult Member £20 – Accompanied Child (U16) £5
Non-Member £25 – Accompanied Child (U16) £10
Departs Crabble @ 10.30am*BF*
All coaches are covered by insurance, if the game gets called off you get a refund.
(Supporters Club Members only)
*BS*Please call or text Bob on 07938 021916*BF*
(If possible in the evening, otherwise leave a message and he will get back to you.)
*BS*Bob will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*
*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*
*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*
*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behaviour will be tolerated.
Bayliss runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.
It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behaviour is kept within the bounds of common sense.
Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF*
*BS*Following Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Oxford City in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, the televised draw for the First Round saw Dover Athletic drawn to face Southern Premier League side Corby Town.*BF*
The side could have potentially been drawn against League One sides such as Wolverhampton Wanderers or Sheffield United, but Chris Kinnear’s men will instead be making the trip to lower-league opposition.
Speaking to Jack O’Sullivan, a trio of the current squad have offered their reaction.
Mitch Walker: *IS*I’m pleased with the draw. It is nice to be involved in the First Round – which I never have been before – so whoever we got it’s something to look forward to and enjoy. We will treat the game as any other game, and be just as confident. They will be tough, but if we play how we can then we have a good chance of getting through.*IF*
Nathan Elder: *IS*It’s not the greatest draw, and there’s no easy games in the FA Cup – but it’s a great chance for us to progress.*IF*
Sean Raggett: *IS*Obviously, everyone wanted one of the big teams but I feel this tie gives us a great opportunity to go even further in the competition. Corby are a team we won’t underestimate but we will fancy ourselves to win the game. Getting through to the second round would be amazing and may give us a chance to get a big side later on in the competition which is what every player wants.*IF*
*BS*What are your thoughts on the side’s draw against Corby Town? Use the ‘Comments’ section below.*BF*
