A massive game is worthy of a massive crowd and that’s shaping up to be the case when boss Chris Kinnear’s side host  play-off chasing rivals Gateshead at Crabble on Saturday.

The club is having another Family Day, and has given free tickets to all 52 Dover district schools to allow students to attend the game.

As of Friday, the club is currently expecting 2500 kids and parents to be here, so that should make for a cracking atmosphere.

There was 3,018 in attendance at Crabble when the club did the same thing for the opening of the Family Stand ahead of the Guiseley game last November.

Whites have a game in hand on the three teams above them, today’s opponents, Barrow and Aldershot, so need the to make the most of that and hopefully there will be a massive crowd in attendance to cheer the team to victory on Saturday.

The Heed are unbeaten in 10 games and Whites will be one point behind the Tynesiders at kick-off.

Dover first team coach Mark Newson is backing the players to bounce back following the loss at Tranmere on Saturday.

He said: “These are the types of games the lads tend to rise to the occasion.

“They demonstrated that earlier in the season by beating Lincoln and Forest Green here.  Gateshead are in great form, but we have the character to get a result.

“We are really pleased our destiny is in our own hands with seven games to go.”

GATESHEAD’S RECENT FORM

The Heed are currently seventh on the National League ladder after drawing 1-1 at Eastleigh last Saturday.

Gus Mafuta  gave Gateshead the lead in the 57th minute with his first goal of the season, but the lead lasted for just two minutes after former Dover loanee Ayo Obileye equalised from close range.

The draw extended Gateshead’s unbeaten league run to 10 games.

They last tasted defeat when Torquay beat them 3-1 at Plainmoor on 28th January.

08/10/16: Gateshead 4-2 Dover Athletic

Jack Parkinson put Dover ahead 10 minutes from half-time before the Heed replied twice before the break through Wes York and Sam Jones.

Paddy McLaughlin added a third three minutes into the second half before Ricky Miller threw Dover a lifeline with his 10th goal of the season.

But the joy proved to be short-lived when Jones,  who has since joined League 2 Grimsby Town, grabbed his second of the game two minutes later.

It was Dover’s first defeat against Gateshead since their return to the National League.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

29/11/14: Gateshead 1-2 Dover Athletic

21/03/15: Dover Athletic 1-0 Gateshead

03/10/15: Gateshead 2-3 Dover Athletic

13/02/16: Dover Athletic 4-0 Gateshead

HITMEN

Whites’ leading scorer in the National League this season is Ricky Miller with 32 after his double at Guiseley last Saturday.

Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette both have 11 league goals.

Gateshead’s leading man with 18 league goals is Danny Johnson

DOVER TEAM NEWS

Boss Chris Kinnear hopes to have a fully-fit squad available for game despite James Hurst (thigh) and goalkeeper Mitch Walker (groin) both picking up knocks at Tranmere on Tuesday.

Bondz N’Gala is back in contention having missed the last three games for personal reasons.

COVERAGE

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

MATCH SPONSOR

Nick Cunningham Plumbing and Heating Engineers, based in Sandwich, are sponsors for the Gateshead match.

We thank Nick, a huge Dover fan, for his continued support of the club.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Wrexham v Tranmere (12.15pm)

Boreham Wood v Macclesfield

Dag & Red v Eastleigh

Forest Green v North Ferriby

Lincoln v Bromley

Maidstone v Barrow

Solihull v Aldershot

Southport v Guiseley

Torquay v Chester

Woking v Sutton

York v Braintree

AWAY TRAVEL

There will be a Supporters Club coach heading to Braintree next Saturday.

It leaves Crabble at 11am and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members £15, Adult Non Members £30 and accompanied child (under 16) £5

Please call or text Andy Fisher on 0793 4300335 to book your seat or see him in the Centre Spot before or after the game on Saturday.

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

Visit http://www.dasc.co.uk/ for all the details.