Dover Athletic return to Crabble on Saturday looking to halt a difficult run of results as they take on Bath City in a key National League South clash. The Whites sit 15th in the table and will be eager to turn recent performances into points against a Bath side just four places below them in 19th. With City also having one eye on their rearranged fixture against Southend on Tuesday, Dover will be keen to make home advantage count and reassert themselves in a tightly packed lower half of the division.
Dover Athletic
Dover Athletic were narrowly beaten 2–1 by Hemel Hempstead Town at Crabble as their winless run continued. An early setback saw the visitors take the lead inside two minutes, but Dover responded well and drew level when George Nikaj finished a fine cross from Decarrey Sheriff. The Whites pushed on and created chances, striking the post early in the second half and enjoying a strong spell of pressure. However, Hemel regained the lead midway through the half with a well-taken finish. Despite late pressure and six minutes of added time, Dover were unable to find an equaliser.
From the Management
“Bath here on Saturday — we want three points from every game, of course we do. It’s relentless. Bath are a really good side and, although we won down there, it was a really tough game. It’ll be no different here.”
Bath City
Bath City come to Crabble following a disrupted schedule, with their last two games postponed — the league fixture against Ebbsfleet and yesterday’s FA Trophy tie at home to Southend. City now face Southend in the rearranged fixture on Tuesday.
Bath ended 2025 with a hard-fought 0–0 draw against Torquay United at Twerton Park. The visitors dominated early but were denied by Harvey Wiles-Richards, who made key saves to keep City level. After weathering the pressure, Bath grew into the game and created chances through Jordan Alves and Owen Windsor. The second half remained even, with Bath City looking secure defensively and going closest late on when Matt Bowman fired narrowly over.
Last Time
Last time against Bath City, Dover Athletic secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory at Twerton Park to claim their first points of the season. Bath dominated long spells and twice struck the woodwork, but Dover stayed resilient and made their chances count. Early in the second half, Francis Mampolo delivered a fine cross for Ruben Soares-Junior to head the Whites in front, before Mampolo marked his birthday by racing through to double the lead. Bath responded late through Alex Fisher and pushed hard in stoppage time, yet Dover’s defence and Mitch Walker held firm to see out a disciplined and determined away win.
Last Six
Bath City 1–1 Enfield (29 Nov, National League South)
Maidstone United 2–0 Bath City (6 Dec, National League South)
Dorking Wanderers 1–1 Bath City (13 Dec, FA Trophy Third Round, Bath City won 4–2 on penalties)
Bath City 2–0 Salisbury (20 Dec, National League South)
Chippenham Town 3–2 Bath City (26 Dec, National League South)
Bath City 0–0 Torquay United (30 Dec, National League South)
The Venue
We look forward to welcoming Bath 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.