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*BS*Fans coming to Perrys Crabble on Saturday from should be aware that Lower Road is closed for roadworks.

We advise supporters to allow extra time to arrive via the London Road / Crabble Hill turning into Crabble Road.*BF*

Please be aware that there could be some congestion in Crabble Road before and after the match.

*Link1*

Lower Road, River is being dug up for gas works at present and is blocked off at the Dublin Man O’War pub. It is not possible to come into River along Lower Road from the Alkham Valley Road.

All traffic entering River, and therefore Perrys Crabble, will need to come in and out via the Crabble Hill traffic lights.

*BS*Dover Athletic’s stars of tomorrow are set to take centre stage at Perrys Crabble on Sunday, 26 February (2pm kick-off).*BF*

The Under 15s take on Maidstone United in the Kent Cup semi final, having beaten a highly-rated Bromley side in the quarter finals.

The match will be given the feel of a first-team game by supporters, staff and volunteers. It will be a unique experience for the young players, which will hopefully stand them in good stead for a long future here.

Dover Athletic’s board of directors have given the Under 15s use of Perrys Crabble, subject to a pitch inspection following the first-team’s home match against Welling United the day before.

Under 15s manager Will Graham, formerly a Dover Athletic player, is hoping to see a good crowd to cheer on his young team to further success.

Will said: “The boys have beaten the best team in the whole of southern England to reach the semi final. It would make my year and these kids best moment in their young footballing career if we could get the Dover supporters there in numbers.

“I’m delighted that the drummers and singers are coming to add a first-team atmosphere to the game, plus the tannoy announcer.
*Q1*
“I would love to create a first team effect for these kids to reward them for their fantastic efforts this season. I know what a great feeling it is to walk out at Crabble and can’t wait for them to experience that too.”

The Centre Spot bar and refreshments kiosk will be open for all spectators.

*IS*Please note: The only spectator access will be at the River End and along the near side of the ground to include the family stand. The Port of Dover End and Main Stand will be closed. This allows us to manage the ground easier and reduce the amount of clearing up to do after the game.*IF*

*BS*Award Nomination*BF*

The team has also been nominated for the Kent Youth Team of the Year award by Kent Regional Newspapers.

Will Graham praised the efforts of his players and the club: “Well done to all the boys for maintaining the club’s high standards and showing everybody that DAFC is the best place to play football.”

DAFC Youth co-ordinator Brian Butcher said: “Please come and support this game, the Under 15s are a talented side and it will give you an insight into the younger talent we do have locally.

“If it’s a success we hope to hold further matches at Crabble in the future involving all of our Dover Athletic Youth teams.”

*BS*Fans coming to Perrys Crabble on Saturday from should be aware that Lower Road is closed for roadworks.

We advise supporters to allow extra time to arrive via the London Road / Crabble Hill turning into Crabble Road.*BF*

Please be aware that there could be some congestion in Crabble Road before and after the match.

*Link1*

Lower Road, River is being dug up for gas works at present and is blocked off at the Dublin Man O’War pub. It is not possible to come into River along Lower Road from the Alkham Valley Road.

All traffic entering River, and therefore Perrys Crabble, will need to come in and out via the Crabble Hill traffic lights.

*BS*Dover Athletic’s stars of tomorrow are set to take centre stage at Perrys Crabble on Sunday, 26 February (2pm kick-off).*BF*

The Under 15s take on Maidstone United in the Kent Cup semi final, having beaten a highly-rated Bromley side in the quarter finals.

The match will be given the feel of a first-team game by supporters, staff and volunteers. It will be a unique experience for the young players, which will hopefully stand them in good stead for a long future here.

Dover Athletic’s board of directors have given the Under 15s use of Perrys Crabble, subject to a pitch inspection following the first-team’s home match against Welling United the day before.

Under 15s manager Will Graham, formerly a Dover Athletic player, is hoping to see a good crowd to cheer on his young team to further success.

Will said: “The boys have beaten the best team in the whole of southern England to reach the semi final. It would make my year and these kids best moment in their young footballing career if we could get the Dover supporters there in numbers.

“I’m delighted that the drummers and singers are coming to add a first-team atmosphere to the game, plus the tannoy announcer.
*Q1*
“I would love to create a first team effect for these kids to reward them for their fantastic efforts this season. I know what a great feeling it is to walk out at Crabble and can’t wait for them to experience that too.”

The Centre Spot bar and refreshments kiosk will be open for all spectators.

*IS*Please note: The only spectator access will be at the River End and along the near side of the ground to include the family stand. The Port of Dover End and Main Stand will be closed. This allows us to manage the ground easier and reduce the amount of clearing up to do after the game.*IF*

*BS*Award Nomination*BF*

The team has also been nominated for the Kent Youth Team of the Year award by Kent Regional Newspapers.

Will Graham praised the efforts of his players and the club: “Well done to all the boys for maintaining the club’s high standards and showing everybody that DAFC is the best place to play football.”

DAFC Youth co-ordinator Brian Butcher said: “Please come and support this game, the Under 15s are a talented side and it will give you an insight into the younger talent we do have locally.

“If it’s a success we hope to hold further matches at Crabble in the future involving all of our Dover Athletic Youth teams.”

*BS*AFC Wimbledon 0 Dover Athletic 2*BF*
Goalscorers: Watts and Harrington

*BS*MATCH REPORT:*BF*

This was the first game back after three weeks out for the boys due to the bad weather. We expected a hard game due to the weather conditions and they were a good passing team.

The game was even for the first 10-15 minutes, Dover having more of the ball. Lloyd Harrington played a great ball down the line to Pouty, who whipped the ball in first time to Connor Coyne. He set the ball back to the edge of the box for Corey Watts, who hit a sweetly struck shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Dover.

Dover were playing against the wind in the first half which made it very difficult. Despite the conditions we continued to try to create chances, building from the back.

Tom Axford came off injured after about 30 minutes so Joe Blyth was his replacement. There were very few chances in the first half but when Wimbledon did break the Dover defence goalkeeper Charlie Evison was on hand to keep them out with a few great saves.

Wimbledon kept the ball well but Dover worked hard to regain possession of the ball and kept it themselves.

In the second half, Dover were keeping the ball really well winning many corners and creating some good chances. Every ball that was going up to our forward Connor Coyne was held up well, linking the play with our midfield.

Once again Connor Coyne drew the free kick which lead to a wonder strike from Harrington from 30 yards that was too much for the keeper to handle who fumbled into his own goal. This was Harrington’s 3rd goal of the season, two coming from free kicks.

Wimbledon created one or two chances but once again Charlie was solid in goal. Dover continued to create some good chances, one attack starting with Sean Raggett playing the ball into full back Scott Crane who passed the ball into Jack Crittenden. He played a perfectly weighted ball down the right Wing for Corey Watts, who produced some individual skill inside the box before setting up Scott for a shot which was blocked. Excellent build up play that deserved a goal.

Connor Coyne was denied to make it 3-0 with an excellent save one on one with the goalkeeper.

Overall this was a great performance from the Academy boys in a difficult game. The result leaves Dover in a good position in the league.

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*BS*I have been bemoaning the lack of first team football for some time now and Saturday we finally got back to playing competitively at home to Truro.*BF*

However, after an uncharacteristically poor start and having gone a goal down I wished the pitches had been out of action once again.

The goal was what both we and Truro deserved and in truth it was what we needed, as from that point on we began to find our passing range and within ten minutes were level with a neat finish from George.

The final scoreline may have flattered us a little but having not been at our best the win was pleasing. The irony of football is that we have played far better than that this season and yet not come away with three points. Eastbourne Borough away springs to mind, and as much as I want the combination of playing well and winning at this stage of the season the three points is all that matters.

It was pleasing to see all three goals scored by our strikers, which will do them no harm for their confidence. It shows the depth of our squad that we could bring on a completely new forward line in Donovan Simmonds, Billy Bricknell and James Walker, three players that I’m sure would get in most Conference South teams with ease.

I must say that Saturday’s team selection was the most difficult I have had to make since my time here, a sure sign that players are all performing well and deserving of a white shirt which is a headache but a nice one!

We now turn our attentions to the next fixture, which sees us entertain Welling at home in a mouthwatering game between two teams aiming for a top five finish.

I’m certain that there will be many twists and turns along the way but for sure these games against the teams above us will go a long way in deciding our fate.

I hope that as many fans as possible from both clubs make the effort to come along to Crabble to make it an atmosphere to remember.

Fozzy

*BS*If you have a question for Nicky, leave a message below or via Twitter: *Link1**BF*

*BS*AFC Wimbledon 0 Dover Athletic 2*BF*
Goalscorers: Watts and Harrington

*BS*MATCH REPORT:*BF*

This was the first game back after three weeks out for the boys due to the bad weather. We expected a hard game due to the weather conditions and they were a good passing team.

The game was even for the first 10-15 minutes, Dover having more of the ball. Lloyd Harrington played a great ball down the line to Pouty, who whipped the ball in first time to Connor Coyne. He set the ball back to the edge of the box for Corey Watts, who hit a sweetly struck shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Dover.

Dover were playing against the wind in the first half which made it very difficult. Despite the conditions we continued to try to create chances, building from the back.

Tom Axford came off injured after about 30 minutes so Joe Blyth was his replacement. There were very few chances in the first half but when Wimbledon did break the Dover defence goalkeeper Charlie Evison was on hand to keep them out with a few great saves.

Wimbledon kept the ball well but Dover worked hard to regain possession of the ball and kept it themselves.

In the second half, Dover were keeping the ball really well winning many corners and creating some good chances. Every ball that was going up to our forward Connor Coyne was held up well, linking the play with our midfield.

Once again Connor Coyne drew the free kick which lead to a wonder strike from Harrington from 30 yards that was too much for the keeper to handle who fumbled into his own goal. This was Harrington’s 3rd goal of the season, two coming from free kicks.

Wimbledon created one or two chances but once again Charlie was solid in goal. Dover continued to create some good chances, one attack starting with Sean Raggett playing the ball into full back Scott Crane who passed the ball into Jack Crittenden. He played a perfectly weighted ball down the right Wing for Corey Watts, who produced some individual skill inside the box before setting up Scott for a shot which was blocked. Excellent build up play that deserved a goal.

Connor Coyne was denied to make it 3-0 with an excellent save one on one with the goalkeeper.

Overall this was a great performance from the Academy boys in a difficult game. The result leaves Dover in a good position in the league.

[utube]