*BS*Mitch Walker talks about the dramatic events of last Saturday, saving penalties and looks forward to Whites’ promotion decider against Salisbury on Sunday.*BF*

Last weekend, a major plot twist in Dover’s play-off tale saw Walker go from making a mistake to concede a last minute equaliser to become a Crabble hero less than an hour later for his two stupendous stops in the penalty shoot-out.

Walker admitted the difficulty he faced at the end of normal time against Eastleigh: “It was hard to get out of my head, but I was always told when I was younger to not worry after making a mistake, otherwise it will lead to more errors.”

Walker demonstrated some interesting tactics in the penalty shoot-out on Saturday, including swinging from the cross bar. Mitchell said of his antics: “I couldn’t sleep one night, so turned on the television and saw the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer rocking the bar, so I thought I’d try it!”

*Ppic1*Prior to the Eastleigh games, the last two penalties Walker has faced in the league have either been missed or saved.

Whites number one added: “I don’t really practice saving penalties. I see it as a bit of a game and try to stare the taker out to try and get in their head as no-one expects the goalkeeper to save the penalties.

“Our players scored some brilliant penalties and they deserve the credit, it shows their mental strength.”

Dover face an all or nothing play-off final away to Salisbury on Sunday, a match Walker is clearly relishing: “These type of one off cup finals are the games you thrive to play in.

“Salisbury will start as slight favourites but when we played them last time we defended really well. They are full-time so their fitness might show and I expect to be busy, but we have match winners in our team.

“I’m looking forward to it and kind of relieved we are away as our home form has not been as good, which is something I still cannot quite put my finger on!”

Walker also gave special mention to the Supporters Player of the Season Ben May: “I feel sorry for Ben as he always come in after games with a bloody lip, or covered in bruises after being bashed up by defenders. He’s not just a standard target man though, he’s scored lots of goals. It’s well deserved!”

*BS*Mitch Walker talks about the dramatic events of last Saturday, saving penalties and looks forward to Whites’ promotion decider against Salisbury on Sunday.*BF*

Last weekend, a major plot twist in Dover’s play-off tale saw Walker go from making a mistake to concede a last minute equaliser to become a Crabble hero less than an hour later for his two stupendous stops in the penalty shoot-out.

Walker admitted the difficulty he faced at the end of normal time against Eastleigh: “It was hard to get out of my head, but I was always told when I was younger to not worry after making a mistake, otherwise it will lead to more errors.”

Walker demonstrated some interesting tactics in the penalty shoot-out on Saturday, including swinging from the cross bar. Mitchell said of his antics: “I couldn’t sleep one night, so turned on the television and saw the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer rocking the bar, so I thought I’d try it!”

*Ppic1*Prior to the Eastleigh games, the last two penalties Walker has faced in the league have either been missed or saved.

Whites number one added: “I don’t really practice saving penalties. I see it as a bit of a game and try to stare the taker out to try and get in their head as no-one expects the goalkeeper to save the penalties.

“Our players scored some brilliant penalties and they deserve the credit, it shows their mental strength.”

Dover face an all or nothing play-off final away to Salisbury on Sunday, a match Walker is clearly relishing: “These type of one off cup finals are the games you thrive to play in.

“Salisbury will start as slight favourites but when we played them last time we defended really well. They are full-time so their fitness might show and I expect to be busy, but we have match winners in our team.

“I’m looking forward to it and kind of relieved we are away as our home form has not been as good, which is something I still cannot quite put my finger on!”

Walker also gave special mention to the Supporters Player of the Season Ben May: “I feel sorry for Ben as he always come in after games with a bloody lip, or covered in bruises after being bashed up by defenders. He’s not just a standard target man though, he’s scored lots of goals. It’s well deserved!”

*BS*Dover Athletic players, management and supporters came together on Saturday for the club’s annual awards presentation, where striker Ben May scooped two of the three player awards.*BF*

The presentation was introduced by Club Chairman Jim Parmenter, with the awards presented by Supporters Club Chair Debbie Harrison.
*Lpic1*
*BS*Supporters Player of the Year*BF*
WINNER: Ben May
2nd place: Dean Rance
3rd place: Lloyd Harrington

*BS*Players Player of the Year*BF*
WINNER: Dean Rance

*BS*Golden Boot (top goalscorer)*BF*
WINNER: Ben May

*BS*Volunteer of the Year:*BF* Awarded to club photographer Simon Harris for his dedication despite ill health this season and long-standing voluntary role at the club.

Simon said: “I just turn up with a camera occasionally! I accept this on behalf of all the volunteers at the club, it is much appreciated.”

Following the presentations, manager Chris Kinnear closed proceedings expressing his thanks for the great welcome that he and Jake Leberl had received on their return to the club.

*Link1*

*BS*Dover Athletic players, management and supporters came together on Saturday for the club’s annual awards presentation, where striker Ben May scooped two of the three player awards.*BF*

The presentation was introduced by Club Chairman Jim Parmenter, with the awards presented by Supporters Club Chair Debbie Harrison.
*Lpic1*
*BS*Supporters Player of the Year*BF*
WINNER: Ben May
2nd place: Dean Rance
3rd place: Lloyd Harrington

*BS*Players Player of the Year*BF*
WINNER: Dean Rance

*BS*Golden Boot (top goalscorer)*BF*
WINNER: Ben May

*BS*Volunteer of the Year:*BF* Awarded to club photographer Simon Harris for his dedication despite ill health this season and long-standing voluntary role at the club.

Simon said: “I just turn up with a camera occasionally! I accept this on behalf of all the volunteers at the club, it is much appreciated.”

Following the presentations, manager Chris Kinnear closed proceedings expressing his thanks for the great welcome that he and Jake Leberl had received on their return to the club.

*Link1*

[utube]

Highlights by Jamie Graham, Eastleigh FC.

[utube]

Highlights by Jamie Graham, Eastleigh FC.

*BS*Dover boss Chris Kinnear praised his side’s mental strength and penalty taking under pressure in their play-off semi final victory against Eastleigh.*BF*

Kinnear gave his post match verdict following Dover’s dramatic 4-2 penalty shoot-out win, which came after Eastleigh’s Glen Southam and Damian Scannell had leveled the tie to 3-3 on aggregate.

Chris said: “The lads were mentally strong and were all as one.

“I did fear the worst for the lads at one point but they were magnificient. These players do not want to lose games!”

With his team 2-0 down and facing the prospect of another 30 minutes against an away team full of confidence, Whites’ manager had a chance to talk to his deflated players: “I told them I trusted them and that we could win this game, we did not even discuss penalties.”

Despite the weary legs, Dover’s players valiantly battled through extra time, without conceding to take the tie to penalties, with Mitchell Walker gaining permanent cult status amongst fans by saving Eastleigh’s final two spot kicks and causing delirium amongst the home support.

Chris said of his goalkeeper: “He’s been superb for us. We know he’s great at saving penalties and I just hoped we would score all ours. They were great penalties weren’t they?”

Kinnear also complimented the opposition, with the Hampshire side coming very close to completing a remarkable comeback: “They are a big strong side with full time players and have lots of experience. They were great today and had nothing to lose.”

Athletic are now 90 minutes away from a return to the Conference Premier division and will travel to Salisbury next Sunday, with Kinnear aiming to wave his magic wand one last time this season: “It’s not about me, it’s about the team and our supporters. The 1600 here today were brilliant.”

*BS*Dover boss Chris Kinnear praised his side’s mental strength and penalty taking under pressure in their play-off semi final victory against Eastleigh.*BF*

Kinnear gave his post match verdict following Dover’s dramatic 4-2 penalty shoot-out win, which came after Eastleigh’s Glen Southam and Damian Scannell had leveled the tie to 3-3 on aggregate.

Chris said: “The lads were mentally strong and were all as one.

“I did fear the worst for the lads at one point but they were magnificient. These players do not want to lose games!”

With his team 2-0 down and facing the prospect of another 30 minutes against an away team full of confidence, Whites’ manager had a chance to talk to his deflated players: “I told them I trusted them and that we could win this game, we did not even discuss penalties.”

Despite the weary legs, Dover’s players valiantly battled through extra time, without conceding to take the tie to penalties, with Mitchell Walker gaining permanent cult status amongst fans by saving Eastleigh’s final two spot kicks and causing delirium amongst the home support.

Chris said of his goalkeeper: “He’s been superb for us. We know he’s great at saving penalties and I just hoped we would score all ours. They were great penalties weren’t they?”

Kinnear also complimented the opposition, with the Hampshire side coming very close to completing a remarkable comeback: “They are a big strong side with full time players and have lots of experience. They were great today and had nothing to lose.”

Athletic are now 90 minutes away from a return to the Conference Premier division and will travel to Salisbury next Sunday, with Kinnear aiming to wave his magic wand one last time this season: “It’s not about me, it’s about the team and our supporters. The 1600 here today were brilliant.”

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