A Tuesday night Kent derby under the lights awaits at the Megger Community Stadium as Dover Athletic welcome Ebbsfleet United to Crabble, with both sides eager to sign off the festive period on a high. The Whites will be looking to usher in the New Year with three points in front of a home crowd, while the visitors arrive in confident mood. Dover currently sit 14th in the table, with Ebbsfleet ninth, and recent form adds extra edge to the contest. Fleet come into the derby on the back of two straight wins, while Dover will be determined to halt a run of back-to-back defeats and turn momentum in their favour on home soil.
Dover Athletic
Dover Athletic were edged out 1–0 by Maidstone United in a tight Boxing Day Kent derby at the Gallagher Stadium. The Whites defended resolutely in the first half, with Jalen Jones dominant in the air, while Maidstone struck the woodwork through Papadopoulos. The decisive moment came on 64 minutes when Sam Corne headed home from close range. Dover pressed late and went agonisingly close to an equaliser, Jones seeing a header blocked on the line by Corne. Despite a determined finish and late pressure, the Whites were unable to find a way through and left frustrated by the narrow defeat.
From the Management
“Obviously the games come thick and fast over the festive period. Maidstone was the start of a really difficult run, and we’re back at home on Tuesday night. When the Christmas fixtures came out, we knew straight away it was going to be a really tough period.”
Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United continued their strong form with a 1–0 Boxing Day win over Tonbridge Angels, lifting them to ninth and within a point of the play-offs. After a cagey first half, both sides had chances, with Fleet growing into the game through Lennon Peake and Charlie Seaman. Tonbridge threatened early in the second half, but Fleet found the breakthrough 12 minutes from time. Peake drove to the byline before combining with Dominic Samuel, who created space and fired a low shot across goal. Fleet managed the closing stages well to secure another valuable three points.
Last Six
Ebbsfleet United 1–2 Horsham (25 Nov, National League South)
Farnborough 1–1 Ebbsfleet United (29 Nov, National League South)
Ebbsfleet United 1–2 Worthing (6 Dec, National League South)
Ebbsfleet United 3–1 Braintree Town (13 Dec, FA Trophy Third Round)
Chelmsford City 0–1 Ebbsfleet United (20 Dec, National League South)
Ebbsfleet United 1–0 Tonbridge Angels (26 Dec, 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.
This fixture is segregated.