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*BS*Whites’ captain Ian Simpemba says the play-off semi final tie is far from over and urges supporters to be the 12th man, saying: “It’s such a bonus to the team when the fans get Crabble rocking!*BF*

Goals from Ben May, Moses Ademola and a last minute free kick from Daryl McMahon in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory away to the league’s form team helped give Athletic vital breathing space ahead of the return leg.

Ian praised the goalscoring trio:

“Moses (Ademola) has been through a lean spell but he’s now getting his name in lights at the business end of the season. He can play in any attacking role and his low centre of gravity will put defenders off balance, whilst Daryl (McMahon) is a great player and was always going to play well.

“Ben has been brilliant all season and no matter who we play, opposition defenders always tell me what a handful he is! I would not want to play against any of them!”

So what was the secret to beating a team that had won seven of their nine games? Simpemba revealed: “All the lads were chatting on the way to the game. In order to get to the final you have to get something from the away game. We really came out of the traps and put their defence under pressure straight away.

“I’ve been in important knock-out games before, and it’s vital to get on top early on, then once you have a strong stranglehold in the game, to not let go.”

Whites may be two goals ahead but the skipper warns that the tie is far from over: “They have some great players and can score goals. Their players would not have liked what happened on Tuesday night and will be looking to grab the headlines with a win at Crabble.”

*Lpic1*The former Ebbsfleet, Crawley and Lewes player went on to say: “Personally, we always look like scoring and if we get the first goal it will give us real momentum. We have struggled to break down the teams that park the bus this season but Eastleigh need to go for it and I’m sure they will from the off. They are good at what they do.”

Simpemba pointed out Craig McAllister as one Dover will need to keep a close eye on in particular: “He and Ben May are the two best target men in the league; the goal Eastleigh scored was from his knockdown.”

Should Whites come through what will no doubt be an enthralling match on Saturday, the victors from the Salisbury v Chelmsford game will be standing in Dover’s way as they attempt to regain Conference Premier status after an 11 year absence.

Ian would prefer a home tie: “They are both good sides but if we manage to get through and play Chelmsford, then the final would be at home. It’s such a bonus to the team when we’re on the front foot and the fans get Crabble rocking!”

*BS*See your player of the season crowned at Saturday’s awards presentation, starting around 5.45pm in the Centre Spot after the play-off semi final.*BF*

While it is not quite the end of the season for Dover Athletic, Saturday could be the final match at Crabble of 2012/13, depending on the play-off semi final results.

Supporters are invited to the awards presentation after Saturday’s big game at Crabble, and enjoy the free buffet which will be laid on.

Votes have been counted for the Supporters Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year. There will also be presentations made to those who have made a significant contribution to Dover Athletic this season.

*BS*5.45pm in the Centre Spot bar after Saturday’s big game.*BF*

*BS*Whites’ captain Ian Simpemba says the play-off semi final tie is far from over and urges supporters to be the 12th man, saying: “It’s such a bonus to the team when the fans get Crabble rocking!*BF*

Goals from Ben May, Moses Ademola and a last minute free kick from Daryl McMahon in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory away to the league’s form team helped give Athletic vital breathing space ahead of the return leg.

Ian praised the goalscoring trio:

“Moses (Ademola) has been through a lean spell but he’s now getting his name in lights at the business end of the season. He can play in any attacking role and his low centre of gravity will put defenders off balance, whilst Daryl (McMahon) is a great player and was always going to play well.

“Ben has been brilliant all season and no matter who we play, opposition defenders always tell me what a handful he is! I would not want to play against any of them!”

So what was the secret to beating a team that had won seven of their nine games? Simpemba revealed: “All the lads were chatting on the way to the game. In order to get to the final you have to get something from the away game. We really came out of the traps and put their defence under pressure straight away.

“I’ve been in important knock-out games before, and it’s vital to get on top early on, then once you have a strong stranglehold in the game, to not let go.”

Whites may be two goals ahead but the skipper warns that the tie is far from over: “They have some great players and can score goals. Their players would not have liked what happened on Tuesday night and will be looking to grab the headlines with a win at Crabble.”

*Lpic1*The former Ebbsfleet, Crawley and Lewes player went on to say: “Personally, we always look like scoring and if we get the first goal it will give us real momentum. We have struggled to break down the teams that park the bus this season but Eastleigh need to go for it and I’m sure they will from the off. They are good at what they do.”

Simpemba pointed out Craig McAllister as one Dover will need to keep a close eye on in particular: “He and Ben May are the two best target men in the league; the goal Eastleigh scored was from his knockdown.”

Should Whites come through what will no doubt be an enthralling match on Saturday, the victors from the Salisbury v Chelmsford game will be standing in Dover’s way as they attempt to regain Conference Premier status after an 11 year absence.

Ian would prefer a home tie: “They are both good sides but if we manage to get through and play Chelmsford, then the final would be at home. It’s such a bonus to the team when we’re on the front foot and the fans get Crabble rocking!”

*BS*See your player of the season crowned at Saturday’s awards presentation, starting around 5.45pm in the Centre Spot after the play-off semi final.*BF*

While it is not quite the end of the season for Dover Athletic, Saturday could be the final match at Crabble of 2012/13, depending on the play-off semi final results.

Supporters are invited to the awards presentation after Saturday’s big game at Crabble, and enjoy the free buffet which will be laid on.

Votes have been counted for the Supporters Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year. There will also be presentations made to those who have made a significant contribution to Dover Athletic this season.

*BS*5.45pm in the Centre Spot bar after Saturday’s big game.*BF*

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*BS*Chris Kinnear tells doverathletic.com that his team go into tomorrow’s play-off semi final 1st leg at Eastleigh “looking forward to it” but aware of the tough matches ahead.*BF*

Silverlake Stadium is the venue for the first leg on Tuesday evening, with Crabble hosting the return leg on Saturday at 3pm.

“Everyone is looking forward to it”, stated an optimistic Kinnear. “Before the Bromley game I could tell the players were up for it. I know they will give 100%. They are resilient.”

Dover swept aside Bromley 4-0 on Saturday. Harry Ottaway, Moses Ademola, Daryl McMahon and Billy Bricknell all scored, with Ademola producing a delightful long range effort to open his account for the club. “He needed that”, Kinnear said of his winger-cum-forward. “It was an amazing goal and you could see the whole team were pleased for him.”

Dover have already completed a league double over their forthcoming opponents, winning 3-1 away in September and 2-0 at Crabble three months later, but the Dover boss is under no illusion of the task ahead.

“Eastleigh are a good team and have invested heavily and since those games, they have appointed a new manager and brought in new players, so it will be different.

“Kevin Raine has scouted them and I trust what he has to say. I’m not sure what players will start on Tuesday but based on Kevin’s recommendations, myself and Jake will be picking a team that we think will be able to win the game.”

Daryl McMahon and Moses Ademola signed from Eastleigh earlier in the season, whilst former Crabble favourites Glen Southam and Ross Flitney will feature for Eastleigh to add spice to what will no doubt be a tight affair.

Should the tie still be level after both games, the penalties may be needed. Chris said: “We will try to prepare for every eventuality and we will probably practice penalties on Thursday in training.”

Kinnear is clearly excited about the tie. This will be his first time managing a team in the play-offs, as he cheekily stated, “My teams normally win the league.”

He added: “It does not matter who is home or away first but I am pleased we are playing at home on Saturday. What with it being a bank holiday as well, there is more opportunity for fans to come and a bumper crowd to support Dover.”

Should Dover come through and reach the final, Kinnear would like a home tie: “All the teams in the play offs are tough but I would love the final to be at Crabble for the fans. They have been brilliant and always been behind the team, even when we lost to Basingstoke. We would not have got to third place without them.”

*Link1*

*BS*Chris Kinnear tells doverathletic.com that his team go into tomorrow’s play-off semi final 1st leg at Eastleigh “looking forward to it” but aware of the tough matches ahead.*BF*

Silverlake Stadium is the venue for the first leg on Tuesday evening, with Crabble hosting the return leg on Saturday at 3pm.

“Everyone is looking forward to it”, stated an optimistic Kinnear. “Before the Bromley game I could tell the players were up for it. I know they will give 100%. They are resilient.”

Dover swept aside Bromley 4-0 on Saturday. Harry Ottaway, Moses Ademola, Daryl McMahon and Billy Bricknell all scored, with Ademola producing a delightful long range effort to open his account for the club. “He needed that”, Kinnear said of his winger-cum-forward. “It was an amazing goal and you could see the whole team were pleased for him.”

Dover have already completed a league double over their forthcoming opponents, winning 3-1 away in September and 2-0 at Crabble three months later, but the Dover boss is under no illusion of the task ahead.

“Eastleigh are a good team and have invested heavily and since those games, they have appointed a new manager and brought in new players, so it will be different.

“Kevin Raine has scouted them and I trust what he has to say. I’m not sure what players will start on Tuesday but based on Kevin’s recommendations, myself and Jake will be picking a team that we think will be able to win the game.”

Daryl McMahon and Moses Ademola signed from Eastleigh earlier in the season, whilst former Crabble favourites Glen Southam and Ross Flitney will feature for Eastleigh to add spice to what will no doubt be a tight affair.

Should the tie still be level after both games, the penalties may be needed. Chris said: “We will try to prepare for every eventuality and we will probably practice penalties on Thursday in training.”

Kinnear is clearly excited about the tie. This will be his first time managing a team in the play-offs, as he cheekily stated, “My teams normally win the league.”

He added: “It does not matter who is home or away first but I am pleased we are playing at home on Saturday. What with it being a bank holiday as well, there is more opportunity for fans to come and a bumper crowd to support Dover.”

Should Dover come through and reach the final, Kinnear would like a home tie: “All the teams in the play offs are tough but I would love the final to be at Crabble for the fans. They have been brilliant and always been behind the team, even when we lost to Basingstoke. We would not have got to third place without them.”

*Link1*