Dover Athletic take on Eastbourne Borough at the Hoverspeed Stadium this afternoon aiming to secure another three points in their quest to guarantee a place in next season’s Conference Division 2 South.

But that’s not all that’s at stake. The Whites will be aiming to extend their best winning sequence in over a decade to seven consecutive wins. And who better to do it against than an Eastbourne side who snatched all three points from Athletic’s grasp in the reverse fixture back in August?

On that occasion the Whites were coasting, 1-0 up after 80 minutes thanks to Lee Spiller’s headed goal. Then Eastbourne struck three times in eight minutes, including a goal from ex-White Scott Ramsay and a fluke effort from Steve Yates, to send Clive Walker’s team back up the coast empty-handed.

The Hoverspeed Stadium’s highest attendance of the season is expected for this Dr. Martens League clash.

Form

The Borough have failed to live up to their early season form and are currently three points behind Dover, albeit with two games in hand. Whilst the Whites’ current league form is good with wins and cleansheets in each of their last 3 matches, Eastbourne in contrast have lost their last three, conceding eight goals in the process. In addition, Dover have lost only once at the Hoverspeed Stadium in their last 19 competitive matches there.

Team News

Dover boss Richard Langley is expected to make only one change from the XI that defeated Grantham and Weston-super-Mare. Jimmy Jackson has been recalled from his loan by Dagenham & Redbridge so the Whites must replace him on the lefthand side. Langley has the defensive option of Darren Davies or the more attacking James Rogers to choose from.

Simon Glover and Dean Readings are both absent with broken bones whilst Nicky Humphrey, back in contention after a career-threatening ankle injury, could be given a place on the substitute’s bench for the first time since being stretchered off against Tamworth almost 14 months ago.

Eastbourne’s main threat is forward Scott Ramsay. The former Brighton player failed to make his mark with Dover in the Conference two years ago but has been prolific since returning to East Sussex. Another ex-White, former Gillingham utility player Ben White, has been released and as such will not be involved.

Meanwhile the visitors should be boosted by the news that Matt Smart, Stewart Holmes, Danny Simmonds, Stuart Tuck and Andy Ducille are all likely to be involved having shaken off injuries.