*IS*Luke I’Anson challenges Craig Faulconbridge during his full debut at Woking.*IF*

*BS*Dover Athletic vs Welling United – Match Preview*BF*

Blue Square Bet South football returns to Perrys Crabble tonight.

Martin Hayes’ new-look side seem to have kept the belief and competitive edge engendered by Andy Hessenthaler, while adding some extra pace, skill and physical strength to last seasons squad.

Two things stood out for me at Woking on Saturday:-

1. New faces stepped up to the plate, particularly in the first half as Dover pinned Woking back in their own half. Despite a nightmare moment conceding possession when Whites committed too many men forward for a corner, Kane Rice gave the team a very different option on the left wing.

*Lpic1*Hugging the touchline to stretch the Woking backline, Rice frequently darted inside to unsettle their defence and create space for Birchall and Charles. Quick and alert, his distribution was neat too.

Elliott Charles showed good instinct for his goal, after Birchall ran down a lost cause. Many players wouldn’t have been there when Adam won possession to roll the ball across the six yard box. Elliott also won the first-half penalty, showing quick feet to draw the foul.

2. Strong and disciplined defending ensured a clean sheet. What was encouraging was the balance, strength and lack of weaknesses across the back four.

At times last season Whites were occasionally undone due to the lack of physical presence on the left side of the defence. New signings Rob Gillman and Tom Wynter are built for football at this level or above. All four of Saturday backline have different attributes and provide attacking potential as well as a resolute defence.

Strength in depth at the back may still become an issue, as the absence of Jackson Ohakam leaves the squad a man short. However, Sam Cutler, James Rogers and Kane Rice have experience of playing at full back if required.

*BS*Tuesday’s visitors: Welling United*BF*

Managed by former Dover midfielder Jamie Day, the Wings had a decent season last term. Day took a faltering side and turned them into a team that was much harder to beat, finishing close to the play-offs. A small squad held them back at the vital moment.
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This summer Welling have built that squad, signing extra firepower and creating much needed competition for places in most areas of the side. The key signing is Andy Pugh, whose goals propelled them up the league table last season whilst on loan from Gillingham.

The goalpoacher also had a short spell at Perrys Crabble but only managed one goal when Andy Hessenthaler’s side were going through a bit of a rough patch of form.

Pugh is joined up front by another ex Gillingham forward and Dover loanee, Luis Cumbers. It didn’t really click for Luis here last Spring but the skilful and versatile player will be an asset for the Wings.

Unfortunately for Jamie Day, two important players are already on the treatment table. Exciting new signing Loick Pires has been sidelined for up to three weeks with a swollen knee, while penalty specialist Lee Clarke is out for around six weeks due to a fractured cheekbone.

Defensively, Charlie Mitten remains their first choice keeper so expect a bit of light-hearted banter behind the goal tonight.

An improvement on last season is new left back Jamie Coyle, who joined from Dartford this summer. He is a reliable player who will hope to take his chance in Blue Square Bet South after many years of Ryman League football at Dulwich Hamlet and the team formerly known as Gravesend & Northfleet.

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC vs WELLING UNITED
Tuesday 17 August: 7.45pm kick-off*BF*

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*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have not even kicked off the new season – but have completed the TREBLE!

*BF*Or – more precisely – Whites boss Martin Hayes has signed *BS*THREE *BF*players tonight.

Joining the club are striker Ben Hunt and midfielder Sam Cutler – while defender Dean Hill has won a new contract after impressing the new Dover management staff in pre-season.

Hunt, 20, started his career at the famed West Ham Academy of Football before joining Bristol Rovers for two seasons, where he made 14 first-team appearances.

He had loan spells at Gloucester and runaway Blue Square South champions Newport last season before his release from Rovers this summer.

Hayes said: “Ben reminds me of Steve Morison, who I signed at Bishop’s Stortford and is now at Millwall. He is very direct, can pick up the ball, turn and run at goal. I think he’s going to get quite a few goals at this level.”

Cutler joins from Welling United and Hayes said: “Sam has shown ambition in wanting to sign for us. He is a decent player and gives us more options.

“And I’m only too happy to keep Dean here. His attitude has been good since returning to pre-season and he was part of a strong squad last season. I am delighted to offer him a new deal, he deserves it.”

Hayes revealed that he wants to be able to change tactics, formations and players for different matches – or different stages of games.

He said: “To do that, we need good options across the park. This is definitely going to be a squad game this season.

“I don’t want us just to stick to 4-4-2 … we can play 4-3-3 … 5-4-1 … it will be good to have those options.”

Chairman Jim Parmenter added: “It’s going to be exciting this season. We’re bringing in players that will play an attractive style of football and I am delighted we’re building a strong squad.”

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have not even kicked off the new season – but have completed the TREBLE!

*BF*Or – more precisely – Whites boss Martin Hayes has signed *BS*THREE *BF*players tonight.

Joining the club are striker Ben Hunt and midfielder Sam Cutler – while defender Dean Hill has won a new contract after impressing the new Dover management staff in pre-season.

Hunt, 20, started his career at the famed West Ham Academy of Football before joining Bristol Rovers for two seasons, where he made 14 first-team appearances.

He had loan spells at Gloucester and runaway Blue Square South champions Newport last season before his release from Rovers this summer.

Hayes said: “Ben reminds me of Steve Morison, who I signed at Bishop’s Stortford and is now at Millwall. He is very direct, can pick up the ball, turn and run at goal. I think he’s going to get quite a few goals at this level.”

Cutler joins from Welling United and Hayes said: “Sam has shown ambition in wanting to sign for us. He is a decent player and gives us more options.

“And I’m only too happy to keep Dean here. His attitude has been good since returning to pre-season and he was part of a strong squad last season. I am delighted to offer him a new deal, he deserves it.”

Hayes revealed that he wants to be able to change tactics, formations and players for different matches – or different stages of games.

He said: “To do that, we need good options across the park. This is definitely going to be a squad game this season.

“I don’t want us just to stick to 4-4-2 … we can play 4-3-3 … 5-4-1 … it will be good to have those options.”

Chairman Jim Parmenter added: “It’s going to be exciting this season. We’re bringing in players that will play an attractive style of football and I am delighted we’re building a strong squad.”

*BS*MARTIN HAYES and Paul Joynes were impressed with the performance and fitness of their players at Faversham.

*BF*The Whites management duo are confident of signing “three or four” fresh faces this week – possibly tomorrow night when Maidstone visit Crabble for our third pre-season friendly.

Boss Hayes said: “We’re close to agreeing some deals with trialists. There’s just a few odds and ends to sort out but hopefully we will have some news this week.

“The attitude of the squad has been very good and we’re trying to introduce a few new things this season.

“It goes without saying that we’ve taken over a team that finished second in the Blue Square South last season – so we’ve inherited good players. Now it’s just a case of filling in a few areas around the squad to make us even better.

“I want us to pass the ball and be attractive on the eye and want to have width and options.

“One thing we will need is a strong bench this season so when things need changing we can make an impact with the substitutes we bring on.”

Assistant Joynes has been impressed with central defender Dean Hill, who has returned for pre-season to win a contract.

He said: “Dean is a pleasure to work with. I’ve been impressed with the way he has conducted himself.

“The trialists have done well too. I thought the lad Ben Hunt looked lively and could be an asset for us. Sam Cutler, Elliott Charles and Mark Corneille were also good, plus one or two others.

“Martin has a good idea who he wants to sign – and I’m sure they are going to be good additions to what is an already strong squad.”

*BS*WE politely remind media outlets that material from this website is under copyright and agreement must be sought from the author before reproducing it elsewhere.

*BS*MARTIN HAYES and Paul Joynes were impressed with the performance and fitness of their players at Faversham.

*BF*The Whites management duo are confident of signing “three or four” fresh faces this week – possibly tomorrow night when Maidstone visit Crabble for our third pre-season friendly.

Boss Hayes said: “We’re close to agreeing some deals with trialists. There’s just a few odds and ends to sort out but hopefully we will have some news this week.

“The attitude of the squad has been very good and we’re trying to introduce a few new things this season.

“It goes without saying that we’ve taken over a team that finished second in the Blue Square South last season – so we’ve inherited good players. Now it’s just a case of filling in a few areas around the squad to make us even better.

“I want us to pass the ball and be attractive on the eye and want to have width and options.

“One thing we will need is a strong bench this season so when things need changing we can make an impact with the substitutes we bring on.”

Assistant Joynes has been impressed with central defender Dean Hill, who has returned for pre-season to win a contract.

He said: “Dean is a pleasure to work with. I’ve been impressed with the way he has conducted himself.

“The trialists have done well too. I thought the lad Ben Hunt looked lively and could be an asset for us. Sam Cutler, Elliott Charles and Mark Corneille were also good, plus one or two others.

“Martin has a good idea who he wants to sign – and I’m sure they are going to be good additions to what is an already strong squad.”

*BS*WE politely remind media outlets that material from this website is under copyright and agreement must be sought from the author before reproducing it elsewhere.

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*BS*SAMMY MOORE bids a fond farewell to Dover Athletic as he completes his free transfer move to AFC Wimbledon.

*BF*The talented central midfielder, who was out of contract this summer, admits the lure of training full-time as a professional footballer again was too much to turn down.

But he wants to thank Dover fans for their excellent support during the past two seasons.

He said: “The support at Dover has been amazing. I was a fan of the club so it was a great honour to play for the club. I had an enjoyable time and the supporters played a big part in that.

“It’s been a difficult summer but I’ve missed training full-time and want to get back into the Football League, as it’s always been my dream to be a professional footballer.

“Obviously, I was a professional footballer with Ipswich and played a lot of games in League Two for Brentford before coming here. I am so glad that I helped my local club gain a promotion and we so nearly got another one last season.

“I hope that the club can win promotion again this season – and wish Martin Hayes and the boys the very best of luck. And I thank everyone for the past two seasons.”