Dover Athletic return to Crabble looking to halt a run of four consecutive defeats as they edge towards safety in National League South. The Whites sit 17th, two points ahead of Farnborough, and eight clear of the drop with just three games remaining, knowing a positive result could all but secure their status mathematically.
Farnborough arrive buoyed by a crucial 2–0 win over Horsham, a result that has given them a foothold in the survival race. Currently 20th with 47 points, their recent form has kept them within touching distance. With both sides still looking over their shoulder, this clash carries plenty at stake at the bottom end of the table.
Dover Athletic
Ebbsfleet United ran out 4–0 winners over Dover Athletic in the Easter Monday Kent derby. The Whites had early sights of goal, with Nikaj testing Hall and Soares-Junior hitting the bar, but fell behind on 14 minutes when Nelson reacted quickest from a corner. Chapman doubled the lead early in the second half with a curled finish. Dover saw spells of possession without creating clear openings, and the game was put beyond reach when Seaman converted a rebound on 70 minutes. Appiah added a fourth late on, as the hosts punished Dover with a clinical display.
From the Management
“It’s a really difficult period for us. We’ve had four defeats on the bounce, the squad is depleted, confidence is low and there’s frustration from the fans. But if we’re honest, at the start of the season we would have taken this position. We’ve given ourselves a really good chance of staying up. It’s just the way it’s unfolded that’s made it tough for everyone.”
Farnborough FC
Farnborough secured a 2–0 victory over Horsham at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium, with Mason Bloomfield netting twice in the second half. After a goalless opening period, the hosts grew into the game following several changes, including the introduction of Wesley Fonguck at the break. Bloomfield broke the deadlock on 59 minutes, finishing well to give Farnborough the lead. Horsham struggled to respond, and Bloomfield struck again on 72 minutes to seal the points. Farnborough managed the closing stages comfortably, making further substitutions to see out the game and secure a solid home win in National League South action.
Dover Athletic have already faced Farnborough twice this season, first in the reverse league fixture before meeting again a week later in the Emirates FA Cup, with mixed results. In the National League South clash, Dover secured a 2–1 win at Cherrywood Road. Ruben Soares-Junior gave the Whites an early lead, and despite Farnborough levelling through Lachlan Byrd, Dover remained on top. George Nikaj restored the advantage in the second half, and the visitors held firm under late pressure to claim all three points.
However, the FA Cup tie told a different story. Dover again started brightly, with Soares-Junior opening the scoring, but Farnborough responded quickly. Goals from Dominic Poleon and Mason Bloomfield turned the game around before the break, with Poleon adding a second and Rakish Bingham sealing a 4–1 win.
Last Six
Farnborough 2–3 Dagenham & Redbridge (17 Mar, National League South)
Farnborough 2–0 Slough Town (21 Mar, National League South)
Farnborough 4–2 Chelmsford City (25 Mar, National League South)
Farnborough 2–2 Hornchurch (28 Mar, National League South)
Hampton & Richmond Borough 3–1 Farnborough (3 Apr, National League South)
Farnborough 2–0 Horsham (6 Apr, National League South)
The Venue
We look forward to welcoming Farnborough 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.