Dover Athletic return to Crabble on Tuesday night to face a tough test against promotion-chasing Hornchurch, who currently sit third in the National League South. Despite their strong league position, Hornchurch arrive in mixed form, with just one win from their last five matches. Dover, meanwhile, remain 16th and continue to battle in a congested mid-to-lower table, having taken on six promotion contenders in their last seven fixtures. With another top side in town, the Whites will be looking to build on recent resilient performances and turn them into a valuable three points on home soil.

Dover Athletic

Dover Athletic earned a solid 1–1 draw against play-off chasing Weston-super-Mare at Crabble. After early pressure from the visitors, Dover took the lead on 16 minutes when Mensah reacted quickest to finish from a Beadle long throw. The advantage lasted just four minutes as Coulson equalised from the penalty spot after Dawes was brought down. Dover grew into the game, with Sheriff hitting the post before being flagged offside, while Weston pushed late on. Walker produced a key save and a stoppage-time goal was ruled out for a foul, ensuring the Whites claimed a deserved point.

From the Management

“We’re back at home again on Tuesday night against Hornchurch. It’s been a tough run for us, we’ve faced most of the top seven in our last few games, and this is another big test. They’re a strong side and showed that when they came here in the Trophy, although we were heavily depleted that day. They might not have picked up a result today, but we know the quality they’ve got. Results haven’t always gone our way recently, but performance-wise I think we’ve more than held our own against some of the best teams in the league.”

Hornchurch

On Saturday, Hornchurch endured a frustrating afternoon as they fell to a 1–0 defeat away at AFC Totton. The visitors struggled to find rhythm early on, with limited chances in a scrappy first half. The decisive moment came when Gibbs turned a dangerous cross into his own net, giving Totton a deserved lead. The second half saw Hornchurch under sustained pressure, with Nasta producing several strong saves to keep the score down. Although they improved late on and saw more of the ball, they couldn’t find a breakthrough. Tempers flared in a tense finish, but Hornchurch left empty-handed after a difficult contest.

The last time the sides met was in the FA Trophy in December, when Hornchurch ran out 4–1 winners at Crabble with a dominant display. They took control early and led through Gibbs before a Baptiste own goal made it 2–0 at the break. Hornchurch continued to dictate after half-time, with Balanta adding a third following good work from Morias. Dover briefly responded through Wilkinson, but any hopes of a comeback were ended when Sandat struck late to seal an emphatic win. It was a composed and clinical performance from Hornchurch, who controlled the game throughout to progress comfortably.

Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture, Dover Athletic earned a valuable 0–0 draw away at the then league leaders Hornchurch with a disciplined performance. The hosts started strongly, forcing early saves from Walker, but Dover grew into the game and created chances of their own, with Nikaj and Baptiste linking up well. Hornchurch came closest before the break when McQueen struck the woodwork. Dover pushed again in the second half and nearly snatched it as Mensah headed against the post. Despite late pressure from both sides, neither could find a breakthrough, and the Whites secured a hard-earned point against the division’s form team.

Last Six

Weston-super-Mare 1–2 Hornchurch (24 Jan, National League South)
Hornchurch 1–2 Torquay United (31 Jan, National League South)
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2–2 Hornchurch (7 Feb, National League South)
Hornchurch 3–2 Tonbridge Angels (14 Feb, National League South)
Dorking Wanderers 1–0 Hornchurch (17 Feb, National League South)
AFC Totton 1–0 Hornchurch (18 Feb, National League South)

The Venue

We look forward to welcoming Hornchurch to the Megger Community Stadium. More information on getting to the ground can be found here: https://doverathletic.com/visit-crabble/

Megger Community Stadium. Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 0JB.

Admission  

Adults: £18
Concessions: £17
U18: £10
U11: FREE with a paying adult

We only accept card on the gate and operate a cashless ground.