DOVER Athletic will be hoping to improve their record, and their goal-scoring, against Braintree Town at Crabble on Saturday.
Whites have only beaten the Essex side once in the past four meetings between the sides and have only scored a single goal in the process.
Nicky Deverdics, who left for Hartlepool United last summer, was the scorer of that goal in a 1-0 win against the Iron in the corresponding game a couple of years ago.
The Iron have won two of the four meetings while honours finished even in the other game after it ended goalless.
Braintree, like boss Chris Kinnear’s Dover, reached the play-off semi-finals last season, and just like Whites, bowed out of the promotion race at that stage.
But this season has been a struggle so far and Braintree will arrive on the Kent coast in the relegation zone.
They are 21st on the National League ladder, 12 places and 15 points behind Dover.
And they have not enjoyed much success on their travels of late, losing their past two away games, 3-0 at Lincoln City, and 1-0 at Chester.
But boss Kinnear won’t read anything into that form – his good friend Hakan Hayrettin is now his Braintree counterpart after he replaced Jamie Day in September.
Kinnear said: “Anyone can beat anyone in this league.
“Braintree are struggling at the wrong end of the table but I am sure he (Hayrettin) has some good ideas for them.
“We will have to apply ourselves as we always do if we are to win the game.”
*BS*BRAINTREE’S RECENT FORM *BF*
They produced a stunning comeback last Saturday to beat visiting Bromley 4-2 in the FA Cup after being 2-0 down after 52 minutes.
Michael Cheek, Chez Isaac, Joe Maybanks and Harry Lee scored the goals.
Seven days earlier they drew 1-1 at home against York City after Lee Barnard scored a last-minute penalty.
*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
12/08/14: Braintree Town 3-0 Dover Athletic
11/11/14: Dover Athletic 1-0 Braintree Town
15/09/15: Dover Athletic 0-0 Braintree Town
13/10/15: Braintree Town 1-0 Dover Athletic
*BS*HITMEN*BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with 10 while Braintree’s leading men are Lee Barnard and Chez Isaac with three each.
*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Richard Orlu (hamstring), Tyrone Marsh (knee) and Chris Kinnear jnr (back) will all be missing but hopefully Orlu should be back in the squad next week after missing the past six games.
Meanwhile, Aswad Thomas is available after his one-match suspension but Moses Emmanuel will be missing as he sits out the third and final game of his ban following his red card against Sutton.
*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip to Crabble, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!
Coverage starts from 2pm.
*BS*SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
BOREHAM WOOD v NORTH FERRIBY UNITED
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE v MACCLESFIELD TOWN
FOREST GREEN ROVERS v GUISELEY AFC
LINCOLN CITY v EASTLEIGH
MAIDSTONE UNITED v GATESHEAD
SOLIHULL MOORS v TRANMERE ROVERS
SOUTHPORT v SUTTON UNITED
TORQUAY UNITED v ALDERSHOT TOWN
WOKING v BARROW
WREXHAM v BROMLEY
YORK CITY v CHESTER FC
*BS*LOOKING AHEAD*BF*
Whites make the trip to Bromley on Tuesday and there will be a Supporters Club coach running.
It leaves Crabble at 5pm and the cost is as follows:
Adults Members £15, Adult Non Members £20 and accompanied child (under 16) £10.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 or see him in the Centre Spot before or after the Braintree game to book your seat.
*BS*And don’t forget to get to Crabble early on Saturday to take advantage of long time Dover supporter Nick Cunningham’s generosity.*BF*
The local businessman – who owns Nick Cunningham Plumbing and Heating Engineers, based in Sandwich – is providing *BS*free BEER and WINE*BF* for home fans ahead of the clash with Braintree.
Between 12.30pm and 1.30pm, supporters should make their way to the bar in the Centre Spot, where they can claim a pint of Fosters, a bottle of ale or a glass of Cava for the ladies.
Supporters must bring an empty glass back to the bar to get another one and its only alcoholic drinks that have been sponsored by Nick Cunningham that are free.
Please note, we have the right to refuse to serve anybody, for any reason, at the discretion of Centre Spot staff.
We also encourage supporters to drink responsibly.
The Centre Spot will also be showing the Barclays Premier League match between Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur, which kicks off at 12.45pm.