Dover Athletic return to the Megger Community Stadium on Tuesday night for a Kent derby under the lights against Tonbridge Angels. The Whites head into the fixture buoyed by Saturday’s thrilling 5-3 victory over Slough Town, while Tonbridge make the trip to Crabble looking to respond after a narrow 2-1 home defeat to Torquay United. With both sides already showing plenty of attacking intent in the opening weeks of the season, another competitive National League South encounter awaits as two familiar Kent rivals go head-to-head.

Dover Athletic

Dover Athletic secured their first three points of the season with a dramatic 5-3 victory over Slough Town at the Megger Community Stadium. Despite losing Rendall to injury inside nine minutes, Dover took control through Fish, whose looping effort opened the scoring after 16 minutes. Sheriff doubled the advantage four minutes later before adding his second in first-half stoppage time, converting Bates’ low delivery to send the Whites into the break 3-0 ahead. Slough responded emphatically after the restart. Goddard converted a penalty before Holness struck twice in six minutes to complete a remarkable comeback and level the contest at 3-3. Dover recovered well from the setback and restored their lead in the 78th minute. Charles-Cook delivered into the area and Bates was left free at the back post to head home. With Slough pushing for another equaliser, substitute Onu finally made the points safe in added time. He reacted quickest to a ball over the top, rounded McNamara and finished into the empty net. After a dominant first half, a dramatic Slough fightback and an impressive response, Dover held on to claim a memorable 5-3 victory in front of 711 supporters.

From the Management

“Tonbridge have recruited really well in the summer, taking the Maidstone captain and a few of the other experienced boys, so they’re obviously going for it. You’d like to think they’re going to be right up there as favourites, so it’s never going to be an easy game. They’ll be looking to bounce back and they’ll be fired up. I thought we did really well against them here last year, although we were very disappointed at their place.”

Tonbridge Angels

On Saturday, Tonbridge Angels were denied a deserved point as Torquay United claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory at Longmead. The visitors took the lead after 16 minutes when Kian Jenkins’ corner evaded everyone and found the net. Tonbridge responded well, with Bailey Akehurst striking the crossbar early in the second half after goalkeeper Nathan Harness had produced an excellent save to deny Callum Morton. Angels drew level shortly after the hour. Akehurst played a short corner to Kai Martin, whose cross was headed home by Ethan Sutcliffe. Alan Dunne’s side then pushed for a winner and had a strong penalty appeal waved away before Beeden headed narrowly wide. However, Torquay struck on the break. Deon Moore released substitute Robertson, whose cut-back was converted by Matt Jay from close range. Tonbridge’s task became harder when Jephte Tanga was shown a second yellow card, but they continued to threaten. Harness raced back to make an outstanding save after joining a late corner, before Torquay goalkeeper Toby Savin produced an exceptional stoppage-time stop to claw away Alfie Pavey’s looping header. Dunne praised his side afterwards for going “toe-to-toe” with one of the division’s strongest teams.

Tonbridge Angels begin 2026/27 looking to build on a 14th-place finish in National League South last season. Alan Dunne’s arrival in September helped steady a difficult start, with the former Bromley assistant overseeing a recovery that carried the club comfortably clear of danger. There has been considerable change during the summer. Goalkeeper Nathan Harness has arrived from Maidstone United, while Ethan Sutcliffe has returned permanently from AFC Wimbledon following several loan spells with the Angels. Defenders Harvey Lintott and Lexus Beeden strengthen the back line, with Harry Gardner and former Maidstone captain Sam Corne adding options in midfield. Further forward, Jephte Tanga and Lamar Reynolds provide additional attacking threat, while Frankie Baker has returned after spending part of last season on loan at Longmead. Bunmi Babajide remains among the established attacking options. Several members of last season’s squad have moved on, including leading scorer Tom Leahy, Marcus Sablier, Martell Taylor-Crossdale, Scott Wagstaff and Nazir Bakrin. Dunne therefore starts his first full season in charge with a reshaped group containing retained players, experienced arrivals and younger additions. The Angels opened their league campaign with a 4–0 victory away at Braintree Town

Last Time

The most recent meeting between Dover Athletic and Tonbridge Angels came at Crabble on 10 March 2026, when two goals from George Wilkinson earned Dover a 2–0 National League South victory. The opening stages were evenly contested, with clear chances at a premium. Tonbridge threatened on the counter through Ricky Korboa, Frankie Baker and Bunmi Babajide, before Alfie Pavey fired over. Dover created the breakthrough after 21 minutes when a passing move through midfield released Wilkinson, who finished calmly beyond goalkeeper Ted Rowley. Tonbridge enjoyed periods of possession before the interval and Baker was lively in attacking areas, but Dover remained ahead at half-time. The visitors then threatened early in the second period when Bailey Akehurst found Pavey at the back post, only for his effort to be blocked. Dover doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute. A Harry Beadle delivery was cleared by the Angels defence, but the loose ball fell to Wilkinson around 30 yards from goal. The midfielder struck first time and found the top corner for his second of the evening. Tonbridge continued to look for a route back into the contest, with Akehurst forcing Mitch Walker into a save from a tight angle. At the other end, Dover nearly added a third when Rowley gathered a low cross ahead of Luke Baptiste. The closing stages saw Tonbridge retain possession without creating a decisive opening, while Dover made several changes and managed the final minutes effectively to complete a 2–0 win in the Kent derby.

The Venue

We look forward to welcoming Tonbridge Angels 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.