*BS*Whites missed the opportunity to climb into the play-off places in the Skrill South on Saturday, suffering their sixth home defeat of the season with a 3-2 loss against Bishops Stortford.*BF*

Things were looking positive at half-time – goals from Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy gave Dover a 2-0 lead going into the break, but a disappointing performance in the second period saw three goals conceded and the visitors leave with all three points.

It was midfielder Bellamy, who has been one of the most consistent players over the past few games, who contacted me after the game to express both his frustration and desire to improve his own performances:

“I think we all need to apologise to the fans for what happened on Saturday. We went into half-time two goals up, which probably should have been more – Nathan’s goal definitely wasn’t offside. It was a real Jekyll & Hyde performance.

“The second half was very poor. We looked a totally different team and there’s no way we should have lost that game after being in such a comfortable position. Our home form hasn’t been great, but we still go into every game thinking we will win – I think that showed in the first half.

“We let ourselves down, and the supporters down. We now have two huge games coming up – at home to Sutton in the league (note: match has since been postponed), and then we travel to Eastleigh in the FA Trophy.

“I firmly believe that we have one of the best sides in the division and it is becoming very important that we start to show that at home, as well as away.

“My own aspirations are to get back playing football professionally, and that is why I came to Dover. I didn’t join to play for a club that wasn’t ambitious or good enough to be promoted – I want to be right up there in the league. Promotion is the main reason I came to Dover – I could have gone elsewhere, and I live in Wanstead, but I wanted to be a part of this club and I am determined to help us up the table.

“I am quite happy with my recent form – especially as I’ve started to add goals to my game – but there is always room for improvement. I have areas of my game I want to be stronger in.

“There is still a lot of football to be played this season, and we can still have a successful season. If we can maintain our excellent away record and start to win more games at home then, usually, that is promotion form.

“We need to learn our mistakes from Saturday but also need to make sure that doesn’t stay in our mind for too long – the next games are a perfect opportunity for us to right those wrongs and pick up a win which would put us right back up there.”

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*BS*Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach going to Eastleigh for the FA Trophy tie on Saturday 11th January.

Adult Member £19 – Accompanied Child (U16) £5

Non-Member £24 – Accompanied Child (U16) £11

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*Whites missed the opportunity to climb into the play-off places in the Skrill South on Saturday, suffering their sixth home defeat of the season with a 3-2 loss against Bishops Stortford.*BF*

Things were looking positive at half-time – goals from Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy gave Dover a 2-0 lead going into the break, but a disappointing performance in the second period saw three goals conceded and the visitors leave with all three points.

It was midfielder Bellamy, who has been one of the most consistent players over the past few games, who contacted me after the game to express both his frustration and desire to improve his own performances:

“I think we all need to apologise to the fans for what happened on Saturday. We went into half-time two goals up, which probably should have been more – Nathan’s goal definitely wasn’t offside. It was a real Jekyll & Hyde performance.

“The second half was very poor. We looked a totally different team and there’s no way we should have lost that game after being in such a comfortable position. Our home form hasn’t been great, but we still go into every game thinking we will win – I think that showed in the first half.

“We let ourselves down, and the supporters down. We now have two huge games coming up – at home to Sutton in the league (note: match has since been postponed), and then we travel to Eastleigh in the FA Trophy.

“I firmly believe that we have one of the best sides in the division and it is becoming very important that we start to show that at home, as well as away.

“My own aspirations are to get back playing football professionally, and that is why I came to Dover. I didn’t join to play for a club that wasn’t ambitious or good enough to be promoted – I want to be right up there in the league. Promotion is the main reason I came to Dover – I could have gone elsewhere, and I live in Wanstead, but I wanted to be a part of this club and I am determined to help us up the table.

“I am quite happy with my recent form – especially as I’ve started to add goals to my game – but there is always room for improvement. I have areas of my game I want to be stronger in.

“There is still a lot of football to be played this season, and we can still have a successful season. If we can maintain our excellent away record and start to win more games at home then, usually, that is promotion form.

“We need to learn our mistakes from Saturday but also need to make sure that doesn’t stay in our mind for too long – the next games are a perfect opportunity for us to right those wrongs and pick up a win which would put us right back up there.”

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*BS*Whites let slip the chance of moving up to fifth place in the league on Saturday, losing 3-2 to Bishop’s Stortford after being 2-0 ahead in a game of two contrasting halves at Crabble.*BF*

Jason Burns reports: “Bishop’s Stortford stunned Dover at a windswept and wet Crabble, coming from behind to win after a second half comeback.

“Cool first half finishes from Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy put Whites in command, but following a tactical gamble and substitutions by the visitors, Stortford levelled through strikes from Ashley Miller and Cliff Akurang.

“With Dover pushing for a winner in ever worsening conditions, Stortford hit Whites on the counter attack with Brian Woodall slotting home the winner to lift the opposition into the play off places.”

*Link1*

*Link2*

*BS*Whites let slip the chance of moving up to fifth place in the league on Saturday, losing 3-2 to Bishop’s Stortford after being 2-0 ahead in a game of two contrasting halves at Crabble.*BF*

Jason Burns reports: “Bishop’s Stortford stunned Dover at a windswept and wet Crabble, coming from behind to win after a second half comeback.

“Cool first half finishes from Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy put Whites in command, but following a tactical gamble and substitutions by the visitors, Stortford levelled through strikes from Ashley Miller and Cliff Akurang.

“With Dover pushing for a winner in ever worsening conditions, Stortford hit Whites on the counter attack with Brian Woodall slotting home the winner to lift the opposition into the play off places.”

*Link1*

*Link2*

Whites lost Saturday’s crucial home league game in spite of holding a comfortable two goal lead at half time thanks to goals from Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy, only for Bishop’s Stortford to hit back with recent departed Brian Woodall scoring the winner on his debut for the away side with five minutes on the clock remaining.

‘Very disappointed obviously as in the first half the pitch was in good conditions and we were coasting. It looked like it was going to be a case of how many are we going to get.’ Said Kinnear after the game whilst also adding ‘They gambled and perhaps because we are a young side and the pitch got a bit heavy, we panicked a bit and found it difficult to the ball forward in the difficult conditions. We did not really get going in the second half and in the end they nicked it – we definitely should have won the game and three points have been thrown away, no doubt about that.’

Home has not been where the heart is for Dover so far this season with the team losing 6 of their last 10 at Crabble; however Kinnear pointed to a bigger picture. ‘It is ridiculous that we have lost that amount of home games, but if you include the MK Dons game, we have lost 5 in 21 – Which is not bad form for such a young side.’*Q1*

A bit of nous and experience at any level is essential when defending a lead, of which according to Dover’s boss, is lacking from his youthful team currently. ‘Experience was lacking. We have seven lads under the age of 25 and when you are a young side, this sort of thing can catch you – It was one of those of things. I am sure Craig Stone would have made a difference talking to the lads with his experience, but he is only 24 as well.’

Whites remain four points off the play offs, but Kinnear is still optimistic despite this afternoon’s set back. ‘There is a long way to go and we can still reach the play offs. Our record this season in all competitions is still good considering that we have such a young side. We won’t be panicking, pointing fingers and blaming people as we are in it as a team. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves, we have to bounce back and have a go.’*Lpic1*

Kinnear also urged supporters to keep getting behind his young guns. ‘I understand it is disappointing for everyone involved with the club, but we all need to stick together as we are trying to build a team. There has been a high turnover of players in the last few years and a lot of good young players have left Dover and gone on to do very well. We have to keep our young players and teach them whilst also trying to win at the same time. We have the nucleus of a good side here.’

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Whites lost Saturday’s crucial home league game in spite of holding a comfortable two goal lead at half time thanks to goals from Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy, only for Bishop’s Stortford to hit back with recent departed Brian Woodall scoring the winner on his debut for the away side with five minutes on the clock remaining.

‘Very disappointed obviously as in the first half the pitch was in good conditions and we were coasting. It looked like it was going to be a case of how many are we going to get.’ Said Kinnear after the game whilst also adding ‘They gambled and perhaps because we are a young side and the pitch got a bit heavy, we panicked a bit and found it difficult to the ball forward in the difficult conditions. We did not really get going in the second half and in the end they nicked it – we definitely should have won the game and three points have been thrown away, no doubt about that.’

Home has not been where the heart is for Dover so far this season with the team losing 6 of their last 10 at Crabble; however Kinnear pointed to a bigger picture. ‘It is ridiculous that we have lost that amount of home games, but if you include the MK Dons game, we have lost 5 in 21 – Which is not bad form for such a young side.’*Q1*

A bit of nous and experience at any level is essential when defending a lead, of which according to Dover’s boss, is lacking from his youthful team currently. ‘Experience was lacking. We have seven lads under the age of 25 and when you are a young side, this sort of thing can catch you – It was one of those of things. I am sure Craig Stone would have made a difference talking to the lads with his experience, but he is only 24 as well.’

Whites remain four points off the play offs, but Kinnear is still optimistic despite this afternoon’s set back. ‘There is a long way to go and we can still reach the play offs. Our record this season in all competitions is still good considering that we have such a young side. We won’t be panicking, pointing fingers and blaming people as we are in it as a team. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves, we have to bounce back and have a go.’*Lpic1*

Kinnear also urged supporters to keep getting behind his young guns. ‘I understand it is disappointing for everyone involved with the club, but we all need to stick together as we are trying to build a team. There has been a high turnover of players in the last few years and a lot of good young players have left Dover and gone on to do very well. We have to keep our young players and teach them whilst also trying to win at the same time. We have the nucleus of a good side here.’