*BS*Whites currently have three players out on loan to give them valuable first team experience and doverathletic.com is tracking their progress.*BF*

Full backs Tom Axford and Lloyd Harrington are regular starters for Ramsgate and Whitehawk respectively, while centre back Sean Raggett has gained some playing time with Herne Bay.

Here is an update on each player:

*BS*Tom Axford (right back) at Ramsgate FC (Ryman South)*BF*

Tom’s first game saw him play 78 minutes in a 4-0 victory for Ramsgate against Waltham Forest in the FA Trophy. He supplied a powerful cross for Warren Schulz, whose diving header was saved.

One week later Tom play the full 90 minutes in Ramsgate’s 1-1 draw against Folkestone Invicta.

Tom again completed the whole match in Rams’ 2-1 win at Leatherhead on Saturday. He created a goalscoring opportunity in the first minute of the game and played alongside former Dover first-teamers Sam Gore and Dean Hill, plus Gillingham striker Ashley Miller.

*BS*Lloyd Harrington (left back) at Whitehawk FC (Ryman Premier)*BF*

Lloyd enjoyed two wins in his first two games for the Ryman League pacesetters, playing the full 90 minutes against Wingate & Finchley and Canvey Island.

On Saturday they lost 1-0 against second placed Hampton & Richmond, who had ex-Dover midfielder James Simmonds in their side.

At Whitehawk, Lloyd is playing alongside former Dover winger Jerahl Hughes and experienced non-league performers Sami El-Abd, Sam Gargan and Joe Keehan.

*BS*Sean Raggett (centre back) at Herne Bay (Ryman South)*BF*

Sean has been selected three times for Herne Bay, coming on once as a second half substitute during his loan spell.

He has not featured in the last two matches.

*BS*Whites’ boss Nicky Forster spoke to doverathletic.com writer Jack Supple ahead of Saturday’s big game at Crabble.*BF*

Prior to the home fixture against league leaders Salisbury, Nicky Forster reflected on his side’s home form so far this season: “At times the results haven’t been as good as we would’ve liked but the performances within those games have not been poor.”

“We’ve shown the fans how well we can play. We performed well against Farnborough and against Hayes and Yeading, games we should have won.

“The statistics show against Hayes and Yeading, we were the better side and created 14 or 15 attempts and really should’ve scored. But typical of football, they had one clear shot, scored and went on to win.

“The results at home will come and I’d be more concerned if weren’t creating chances or playing well. But we are and I’m encouraged by that.”

With the influx of new players over the summer, the gaffer is confident his side will continue to improve as the squad spends more time together on and off the pitch: “They’re starting to get to know each other well now.

“They will continue to keep improving and evolving as a group and as a team and that improvement has been evident in recent performances.”

Saturday’s big game at Crabble sees Forster’s men meet the league leaders and although their preparation remains the same as it would be for any opposition in the league, he believes these are the type of matches his side will thrive in and is positive of getting a result: “It will be a great test as they’re the early pace setters and it will be a good to see where we’re at this stage of the season. These are the sort of games we want to be to playing and we’re confident heading into the game.”

Finally, with George O’Callaghan missing the last two games, Forster has confirmed that the Irishman is still with the club: “George is unavailable for personal reasons at the moment and we’re waiting on him to let us know when he’s ready to return.”

*BS*Whites currently have three players out on loan to give them valuable first team experience and doverathletic.com is tracking their progress.*BF*

Full backs Tom Axford and Lloyd Harrington are regular starters for Ramsgate and Whitehawk respectively, while centre back Sean Raggett has gained some playing time with Herne Bay.

Here is an update on each player:

*BS*Tom Axford (right back) at Ramsgate FC (Ryman South)*BF*

Tom’s first game saw him play 78 minutes in a 4-0 victory for Ramsgate against Waltham Forest in the FA Trophy. He supplied a powerful cross for Warren Schulz, whose diving header was saved.

One week later Tom play the full 90 minutes in Ramsgate’s 1-1 draw against Folkestone Invicta.

Tom again completed the whole match in Rams’ 2-1 win at Leatherhead on Saturday. He created a goalscoring opportunity in the first minute of the game and played alongside former Dover first-teamers Sam Gore and Dean Hill, plus Gillingham striker Ashley Miller.

*BS*Lloyd Harrington (left back) at Whitehawk FC (Ryman Premier)*BF*

Lloyd enjoyed two wins in his first two games for the Ryman League pacesetters, playing the full 90 minutes against Wingate & Finchley and Canvey Island.

On Saturday they lost 1-0 against second placed Hampton & Richmond, who had ex-Dover midfielder James Simmonds in their side.

At Whitehawk, Lloyd is playing alongside former Dover winger Jerahl Hughes and experienced non-league performers Sami El-Abd, Sam Gargan and Joe Keehan.

*BS*Sean Raggett (centre back) at Herne Bay (Ryman South)*BF*

Sean has been selected three times for Herne Bay, coming on once as a second half substitute during his loan spell.

He has not featured in the last two matches.

*BS*Whites’ boss Nicky Forster spoke to doverathletic.com writer Jack Supple ahead of Saturday’s big game at Crabble.*BF*

Prior to the home fixture against league leaders Salisbury, Nicky Forster reflected on his side’s home form so far this season: “At times the results haven’t been as good as we would’ve liked but the performances within those games have not been poor.”

“We’ve shown the fans how well we can play. We performed well against Farnborough and against Hayes and Yeading, games we should have won.

“The statistics show against Hayes and Yeading, we were the better side and created 14 or 15 attempts and really should’ve scored. But typical of football, they had one clear shot, scored and went on to win.

“The results at home will come and I’d be more concerned if weren’t creating chances or playing well. But we are and I’m encouraged by that.”

With the influx of new players over the summer, the gaffer is confident his side will continue to improve as the squad spends more time together on and off the pitch: “They’re starting to get to know each other well now.

“They will continue to keep improving and evolving as a group and as a team and that improvement has been evident in recent performances.”

Saturday’s big game at Crabble sees Forster’s men meet the league leaders and although their preparation remains the same as it would be for any opposition in the league, he believes these are the type of matches his side will thrive in and is positive of getting a result: “It will be a great test as they’re the early pace setters and it will be a good to see where we’re at this stage of the season. These are the sort of games we want to be to playing and we’re confident heading into the game.”

Finally, with George O’Callaghan missing the last two games, Forster has confirmed that the Irishman is still with the club: “George is unavailable for personal reasons at the moment and we’re waiting on him to let us know when he’s ready to return.”

*BS*Ebbsfleet United 4 Dover Athletic 4
Report by man of the match Joe Fisher*BF*

The game started off at a high tempo with Ebbsfleet pressing the Dover defence high not giving any room for them to play their normal passing game. For the first 10 minutes the Dover boys were under the cosh and panicked to get the ball out.

After a while Dover got to grips with the game and broke through. Mitchell Selby passed to Joe Fisher, who beat two defenders and won a penalty. David Pilcher stepped up confidently and zinged the ball into the top corner.

The game was box to box after that both teams not really creating any clear cut chances, but after a bit of sloppy defending the Dover boys were punished with a clinical header.

Dover attacked once again with good passing possession in the centre of the park, where Mitchell Selby played the ball out wide to Olly Beard setting the ball back to David Pilcher. He crossed a deep ball towards the back post which Mitchell ran on to and headed against the post. The ball bounced back to Joe Fisher, who lobbed the goal keeper with the outside of his foot, 2-1 to the boys in white.

Soon after the kick off Joe Ellet made some excellent tackles to stop their winger getting in behind and kept us in the game. Harry Brown made a strong pass into Joe Fisher’s feet and he created some room to play a pinpoint pass over the top of the defence to Mitchell Selby to make a third man run and latch on to the ball and lob the goalkeeper with a natural finish.

Soon after the restart Kane Smith had to come off for a short period of time with a deep gash across his chest which left the boys to deal with 11 vs 10. Dover were caught out in the centre of the park, which led to a goal to the boys in red and black.

3-2 at half time

2nd Half

Straight from kick off the Ebbsfleet boys started to pile on the pressure, looking more likely to score the next goal. However, after keeping the ball well for a short period of time Mitchell Selby was fouled on the right flank. David Pilcher saw the run of Joe Fisher, who was picked out perfectly. He took two touches and beat the right back, smashing home the fourth goal into the roof of the net.

After a lot of high pressure from Ebbsfleet it paid off. They ran through and scored a controversial offside goal to make it 4-3.

Their fourth came about by a lucky break through our defence which led to a great save by Wesley Miller. However, none of the Dover team reacted to it and their striker played a ball across goal for a easy close range header.

The game finished 4-4 with the Dover boys feeling hard done by after going ahead. A lot of positives may be taken from the game though as it is our first point from our 3 games.

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*BS*Ebbsfleet United 4 Dover Athletic 4
Report by man of the match Joe Fisher*BF*

The game started off at a high tempo with Ebbsfleet pressing the Dover defence high not giving any room for them to play their normal passing game. For the first 10 minutes the Dover boys were under the cosh and panicked to get the ball out.

After a while Dover got to grips with the game and broke through. Mitchell Selby passed to Joe Fisher, who beat two defenders and won a penalty. David Pilcher stepped up confidently and zinged the ball into the top corner.

The game was box to box after that both teams not really creating any clear cut chances, but after a bit of sloppy defending the Dover boys were punished with a clinical header.

Dover attacked once again with good passing possession in the centre of the park, where Mitchell Selby played the ball out wide to Olly Beard setting the ball back to David Pilcher. He crossed a deep ball towards the back post which Mitchell ran on to and headed against the post. The ball bounced back to Joe Fisher, who lobbed the goal keeper with the outside of his foot, 2-1 to the boys in white.

Soon after the kick off Joe Ellet made some excellent tackles to stop their winger getting in behind and kept us in the game. Harry Brown made a strong pass into Joe Fisher’s feet and he created some room to play a pinpoint pass over the top of the defence to Mitchell Selby to make a third man run and latch on to the ball and lob the goalkeeper with a natural finish.

Soon after the restart Kane Smith had to come off for a short period of time with a deep gash across his chest which left the boys to deal with 11 vs 10. Dover were caught out in the centre of the park, which led to a goal to the boys in red and black.

3-2 at half time

2nd Half

Straight from kick off the Ebbsfleet boys started to pile on the pressure, looking more likely to score the next goal. However, after keeping the ball well for a short period of time Mitchell Selby was fouled on the right flank. David Pilcher saw the run of Joe Fisher, who was picked out perfectly. He took two touches and beat the right back, smashing home the fourth goal into the roof of the net.

After a lot of high pressure from Ebbsfleet it paid off. They ran through and scored a controversial offside goal to make it 4-3.

Their fourth came about by a lucky break through our defence which led to a great save by Wesley Miller. However, none of the Dover team reacted to it and their striker played a ball across goal for a easy close range header.

The game finished 4-4 with the Dover boys feeling hard done by after going ahead. A lot of positives may be taken from the game though as it is our first point from our 3 games.

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