Whites will be looking to start the 2018 with a win when they travel to the Gallagher Stadium on New Year’s day.

Chris Kinnear’s men played Monday’s opponents only five days ago in a thrilling 2-2 draw and both sides will be looking to improve their recent National League form.

Jay Saunder’s side are winless in seven and Athletic have been victorious just once in their last eight league games.

However, Dover are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions and Kinnear will be confident his side can end a run of three consecutive draws with win.

MAIDSTONE’S RECENT FORM

ALDERSHOT 1-1 MAIDSTONE

Jim Kellerman’s injury-time header ensured the points were shared at the Electrical Services Stadium.

Aaron Collins, playing his last match before returning to parent club Wolves, had the visitors ahead just after break when he tucked home past home stopper Lewis Ward from Joe Piggott’s lofted pass.

James Rowe hit the crossbar for the hosts and Ward had to be at his best to keep out Collins and Tom Wraight.

Piggott went close late on when his free-kick struck the inside of the post.

And that miss proved decisive as Kellerman nodded in Bobby-Joe Taylor’s corner at the death.

PREVIOUS MEETING

26/12/17:  DOVER 2-2 MAIDSTONE

Ryan Bird’s goal ten minutes from time saw Whites complete an impressive second-half comeback in a thrilling Boxing Day Kent derby at a rainy Crabble.

Trailing to two Joe Piggott strikes at the break, Nortei Nortey headed home shortly after the restart and Bird pounced to level the scores after visiting keeper Lee Worgan parried sub Kadell Daniel’s cross-cum-shot to Athletic’s top scorer.

Earlier, Bird stabbed Femi Ilesanmi’s low cross towards the bottom corner, but Worgan flung himself to tip the ball around the post.

But it was the away side who had the lead ten minutes before the break.

Seth Nana Twusami took advantage of hesitation by Anthony Jeffrey and crossed for the laying-in-wait Piggott to take a touch and curl into the far corner.

And Maidstone’s top scorer doubled his match tally minutes later.

The forward was left alone in the box to power in his 12th of the season from Jamar Loza’s accurate cross.

Skipper Mitch Brundle almost had Dover back in contention, striking the underside of the crossbar with a stunning 30-yard lob.

But Dover were back in the game with just over half an hour left on the clock.

Passley tossed in a ball from the right for Nortey to head into the bottom corner – past Worgan’s despairing grasp.

The home crowd were almost celebrating an equaliser shortly after, but Kadell Daniel stabbed over Manny Parry’s ball to him from close range.

But the substitute proved integral to Whites equaliser ten minutes from time.  The winger’s long-range shot from an angle deceived Worgan, who could only parry the ball upwards, allowing Bird to gleefully prod in his twelfth National League goal of the season.

And it looked like Giancarlo Gallifuoco would complete a stunning turnaround, but Worgan somehow caught the Australian’s point-blank header from Brundle’s cross.

OTHER MEETINGS

01/01/17 – MAIDSTONE 1-4 DOVER
26/12/16 – DOVER 1-1 MAIDSTONE

TEAM COLOURS

For fans wanting to show the same colours as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing their blue shirts.

 

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES (3pm kick off unless stated)

AFC FYLDE V TRANMERE ROVERS
BROMLEY V EBBSFLEET UNITED
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V LEYTON ORIENT (7.45pm)
FC HALIFAX TOWN V MACCLESFIELD TOWN
GUISELEY V CHESTER
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V GATESHEAD
SOLIHULL MOORS V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
SUTTON UNITED V BOREHAM WOOD
TORQUAY UNITED V EASTLEIGH
WOKING V ALDERSHOT TOWN (1.00pm)
WREXHAM V BARROW

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach travelling to Boreham Wood on Saturday 20th January and it is not too late to book your space on it.

The prices are as follows:

Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £5.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the match against Aldershot or Marine.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.