*BS*Dover Athletic travel to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, in search of the points that will secure them a historic top-five finish in the top-flight of non-league football. However, Whites’ playoff spot could be secured even if they don’t win – depending on the results for Braintree Town (away to Wrexham) and Eastleigh (at home to Tranmere Rovers).*BF*

Below, we look at each permutation ahead of Saturday’s round of fixtures..

*BS*WHITES WILL SECURE A PLAYOFF SPOT IF..*BF*
– They win, regardless of how Braintree and Eastleigh get on

– They draw, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other draws
– They draw, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other loses
– They draw, and Braintree and Eastleigh both draw
– They draw, and Braintree and Eastleigh both lose
– They draw, either Braintree or Eastleigh draw and the other loses

– They lose, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other loses
– They lose, and Braintree and Eastleigh both lose
– They lose, either Braintree or Eastleigh draw and the other loses

*BS*WHITES WILL ALL BUT SECURE A PLAYOFF SPOT IF..*BF*
– They lose, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other draws
– They lose, and Braintree and Eastleigh both draw

*IS*(In the two above scenarios, Whites may need a single point from their final game of the season, but even if they lose against Forest Green Rovers they are still odds-on to make the playoffs thanks to their superior goal difference).*IF*

*BS*WHITES MAY NEED A WIN IN THEIR FINAL GAME IF..*BF*
– They draw, and Braintree and Eastleigh both win
– They lose, and Braintree and Eastleigh both win

COYW!

*BS*Dover Athletic travel to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, in search of the points that will secure them a historic top-five finish in the top-flight of non-league football. However, Whites’ playoff spot could be secured even if they don’t win – depending on the results for Braintree Town (away to Wrexham) and Eastleigh (at home to Tranmere Rovers).*BF*

Below, we look at each permutation ahead of Saturday’s round of fixtures..

*BS*WHITES WILL SECURE A PLAYOFF SPOT IF..*BF*
– They win, regardless of how Braintree and Eastleigh get on

– They draw, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other draws
– They draw, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other loses
– They draw, and Braintree and Eastleigh both draw
– They draw, and Braintree and Eastleigh both lose
– They draw, either Braintree or Eastleigh draw and the other loses

– They lose, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other loses
– They lose, and Braintree and Eastleigh both lose
– They lose, either Braintree or Eastleigh draw and the other loses

*BS*WHITES WILL ALL BUT SECURE A PLAYOFF SPOT IF..*BF*
– They lose, either Braintree or Eastleigh win and the other draws
– They lose, and Braintree and Eastleigh both draw

*IS*(In the two above scenarios, Whites may need a single point from their final game of the season, but even if they lose against Forest Green Rovers they are still odds-on to make the playoffs thanks to their superior goal difference).*IF*

*BS*WHITES MAY NEED A WIN IN THEIR FINAL GAME IF..*BF*
– They draw, and Braintree and Eastleigh both win
– They lose, and Braintree and Eastleigh both win

COYW!

*BS*Dover Athletic are pleased to announce that defender Richard Orlu has agreed a new deal with the club, keeping him at Crabble until the end of the 2016/17 season.*BF*

Orlu, 27, signed for the club in August 2013 following a successful trial. A tall central defender, Richard is powerful in the air and quickly became a fans’ favourite during the club’s promotion to the top-flight of non-league football in 2014.

Previously of Staines Town, Farnborough and Canvey Island, Orlu has made 48 first-team appearances for Whites so far this season, scoring once – against Barrow in November last year.

The defender is currently serving a three-match suspension, following his dismissal in our recent goalless draw away at Macclesfield Town. If Whites make the playoffs this season, Orlu will be eligible to return to the side and attempt to help the side earn a historic promotion to the Football League.

Orlu is the latest in a line of players to extend their deals with Whites for next season.

Now signed up for the next campaign are goalkeeper Mitch Walker, defenders Richard Orlu, Aswad Thomas, Tyrone Sterling, Jack Parkinson and Sam Magri, midfielder Ricky Modeste and strikers Tyrone Marsh and Ricky Miller.

*BS*The National Game Awards, in conjunction with The Non-League Paper, are making their annual return this year with the ceremony to be held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on Wednesday May 19th – and WE need YOUR help to get Whites amongst the prizes!*BF*

With a number of exceptional individual and collective performances put on by Chris Kinnear’s men this season, these Awards offer supporters another chance to get Whites on the map. To vote, you can either e-mail ngavotes@greenwayspublishing.com or use #NGAvotes on Twitter, ensuring you include both the name of your winner and the category.

The full list of awards are:

*IS*- Sport Shield Player of the Year
– Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year
– FieldTurf Manager of the Year
– Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year
– Morrant Golden Boot
– SK Kits Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year
– Red Insure Team of the Year
– Acerbis Cup Run of the Year
– The Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement
– Huck Nets Goal of the Season
– William Hill Fan of the Year
– The Football Foundation Community Club of the Year
– The PFA Fair Play Award
– SCL Unsung Hero*IF*

COYW!

*BS*Dover Athletic are pleased to announce that defender Richard Orlu has agreed a new deal with the club, keeping him at Crabble until the end of the 2016/17 season.*BF*

Orlu, 27, signed for the club in August 2013 following a successful trial. A tall central defender, Richard is powerful in the air and quickly became a fans’ favourite during the club’s promotion to the top-flight of non-league football in 2014.

Previously of Staines Town, Farnborough and Canvey Island, Orlu has made 48 first-team appearances for Whites so far this season, scoring once – against Barrow in November last year.

The defender is currently serving a three-match suspension, following his dismissal in our recent goalless draw away at Macclesfield Town. If Whites make the playoffs this season, Orlu will be eligible to return to the side and attempt to help the side earn a historic promotion to the Football League.

Orlu is the latest in a line of players to extend their deals with Whites for next season.

Now signed up for the next campaign are goalkeeper Mitch Walker, defenders Richard Orlu, Aswad Thomas, Tyrone Sterling, Jack Parkinson and Sam Magri, midfielder Ricky Modeste and strikers Tyrone Marsh and Ricky Miller.

*BS*The National Game Awards, in conjunction with The Non-League Paper, are making their annual return this year with the ceremony to be held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on Wednesday May 19th – and WE need YOUR help to get Whites amongst the prizes!*BF*

With a number of exceptional individual and collective performances put on by Chris Kinnear’s men this season, these Awards offer supporters another chance to get Whites on the map. To vote, you can either e-mail ngavotes@greenwayspublishing.com or use #NGAvotes on Twitter, ensuring you include both the name of your winner and the category.

The full list of awards are:

*IS*- Sport Shield Player of the Year
– Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year
– FieldTurf Manager of the Year
– Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year
– Morrant Golden Boot
– SK Kits Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year
– Red Insure Team of the Year
– Acerbis Cup Run of the Year
– The Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement
– Huck Nets Goal of the Season
– William Hill Fan of the Year
– The Football Foundation Community Club of the Year
– The PFA Fair Play Award
– SCL Unsung Hero*IF*

COYW!

*BS*Voting has now closed for the club’s Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards – which will be presented to the winning players after the club’s final game of the season against Forest Green Rovers on April 30th. We received over 850 nominations in total – thank you to all who cast their vote!*BF*

In what has been another exciting and successful season for Dover Athletic, voting has been open for the past couple of weeks for fans to nominate their player of the season – and also let us know what their goal of the season was – and we’ve been overwhelmed with the volume of votes received.

Almost 450 votes were made for Player of the Season – to eight different players in total – with over 400 nominations made for Goal of the Season – for eleven individual goals! Both awards were incredibly closely fought, with just nine votes between the winner and runner-up of Player of the Season, and only thirteen votes between first and second place in Goal of the Season..

The club’s annual end of season awards evening will take place in the Centre Spot after the final match of the regular season – against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday April 30th. That fixture kicks off at 5.30pm, so the awards evening is scheduled to start at around 8pm, however this is subject to change. This event is open to all, and is free of charge to attend.

Once again, thank you to all who voted and we’ll see you after the game in two weeks time to celebrate the winners!

*BS*Voting has now closed for the club’s Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards – which will be presented to the winning players after the club’s final game of the season against Forest Green Rovers on April 30th. We received over 850 nominations in total – thank you to all who cast their vote!*BF*

In what has been another exciting and successful season for Dover Athletic, voting has been open for the past couple of weeks for fans to nominate their player of the season – and also let us know what their goal of the season was – and we’ve been overwhelmed with the volume of votes received.

Almost 450 votes were made for Player of the Season – to eight different players in total – with over 400 nominations made for Goal of the Season – for eleven individual goals! Both awards were incredibly closely fought, with just nine votes between the winner and runner-up of Player of the Season, and only thirteen votes between first and second place in Goal of the Season..

The club’s annual end of season awards evening will take place in the Centre Spot after the final match of the regular season – against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday April 30th. That fixture kicks off at 5.30pm, so the awards evening is scheduled to start at around 8pm, however this is subject to change. This event is open to all, and is free of charge to attend.

Once again, thank you to all who voted and we’ll see you after the game in two weeks time to celebrate the winners!

DOVERƒ??S Emirates FA Cup campaign continues on Saturday with a first round clash at League Two side Cambridge United.

But boss Chris Kinnear admitted his preparation for the game was no different to any other his team plays.

He said: ƒ??Yes, itƒ??s the FA Cup, but the important thing is that we approach the game in the same manner as any other we play and we prepare right for it.

ƒ??Weƒ??ve got to forget about the occasion and just go out there and make sure we play the way we want to play.

ƒ??If we do that, and perform as well as we are capable of, Iƒ??d like to think our name will be in the hat for the next round.ƒ?

And Kinnear said his players wonƒ??t be leaving anything out there come the end of the clash at the Cambs Glass Stadium.

He said: ƒ??We wonƒ??t be holding back ƒ?? thatƒ??s not my style.

ƒ??Weƒ??ll be going all out to win, something we do in every game regardless of who we are playing against.ƒ?

*BS*WHAT IS CAMBRIDGE BOSS SHAUN DERRY SAYING?*BF*

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Derry said he doesnƒ??t feel thereƒ??s much to choose between League Two and the National League, but wants the Uƒ??s to do what they can to make certain theyƒ??re not on the end of an upset against Dover.

ƒ??Saturdayƒ??s going to bring a real tough opposition and weƒ??ve got to make sure weƒ??re at the top of our game to get through it.ƒ?

*BS*CAMBRIDGE UNITEDƒ??S RECENT FORM*BF*

The Uƒ??s lost 1-0 at home to Portsmouth in the League Two clash last Saturday, their second consecutive defeat in front of their own fans following the loss by the same margin against promoted Grimsby Town.

In between those defeats, Cambridge won the league clash at Exeter 2-1.

*BS*HITMEN*BF*

Whites’ top scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with 15, the best return in the competition, while Cambridgeƒ??s leading man is Luke Berry with five .

*BS*DOVER TEAM NEWS*BF*

Loanee Ayo Obileye has been recalled by parent club Eastleigh while Leyton Orient loanee Sammy Moore will have to sit the game out as his parent club wonƒ??t allow him to play in the competition.

Striker Tyrone Marsh, who scored in the 5-0 win at Burgess Hill Town, is back in contention after missing the past three games with a knee injury.

*BS*DOVER COLOURS*BF*

For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Cambridge by wearing the matching shirts as the players, Whites will be wearing their blue shirts.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*

If you are unable to make the trip to the Cambs Glass Stadium we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText ƒ?? follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

*BS*COACH TRAVEL*BF*

There will be two Supporters Club coaches making the trip to Cambridge and itƒ??s not too late to get on board.

They leave Crabble at 10.30am and the cost is as follows:

Adults Members ¶œ20, Adult Non Members ¶œ25 and accompanied child (under 16) ¶œ10.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat ASAP.

*BS*THE OTHER FA CUP TIES*BF*

Sheffield United v Leyton Orient
Millwall v Southend United
Dagenham & Redbridge v FC Halifax Town
Merstham v Oxford United
Taunton v Barrow
Southport v Fleetwood Town
Yeovil v Solihull Moors
Stockport County v Woking
Dartford v Sutton United
Walsall v Macclesfield Town
Port Vale v Stevenage
Northampton v Harrow Borough
Westfields v Curzon Ashton
MK Dons v Spennymoor Town
Gillingham v Brackley Town
Alfreton v Newport County
Portsmouth v Wycombe Wanderers
Maidstone United v Rochdale
Bury v AFC Wimbledon
St Albans City v Carlisle United
Boreham Wood v Notts County
Mansfield Town v Plymouth Argyle
Braintree Town v Eastbourne Borough
Hartlepool United v Stamford
Bolton Wanderers v Grimsby Town
Bradford City v Accrington Stanley
Oldham Athletic v Doncaster Rovers
Eastleigh v Swindon Town
Shrewsbury Town v Barnet
Morecambe v Coventry City
Crawley Town v Bristol Rovers
Whitehawk v Stourbridge
Colchester United v Chesterfield
Lincoln City v Altrincham
Exeter City v Luton Town
Charlton Athletic v Scunthorpe United
Cheltenham Town v Crewe Alexandra
Peterborough United v Chesham
Blackpool v Kidderminster Harriers

*IS**BS*Dover Athletic vs FC Halifax Town
Saturday 2nd April 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: Craig Hicks*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
Whites’ Easter weekend saw their 5-0 thumping of Torquay United followed up with an uncharacteristic performance, losing 3-0 at Boreham Wood on Easter Monday. Chris Kinnear’s men will be determined to get back to winning ways this weekend, with FC Halifax Town the visitors to Crabble – there are just seven matches remaining for Whites to navigate if they want to be involved in the playoffs for promotion to the Football League, and every point is crucial.

Another thirteen points from their remaining fixtures should be enough to see the side finish in the top five, but with Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers still yet to visit Crabble – and a couple of tricky away ties to get through – this Saturday’s match is of prime importance.

It is nearly seven months since Whites failed to score in successive matches, and the side’s welcome return to Crabble will give supporters confidence that all three points can be picked up, against a side desperately battling against relegation.

Halifax also lost by three goals on Monday – going down 4-1 at Barrow – a result which saw them drop to 20th in the Vanarama National League table, one place and one point outside of the drop zone. After Saturday’s game, Whites are on the road for three in a row – away at Altrincham (21st), Wrexham (8th) and Macclesfield Town (10th).

Three points for Dover could see them rise one place to fourth, depending on Tranmere’s result at home to Welling, and a win would also see them continue to shrug off the teams just outside of the top five, hoping for a Dover slip-up. A victory for Halifax could see them climb two places, to 18th.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: FC Halifax Town | Manager: Jim Harvey
Ground: The Shay | Nickname: The Shaymen

The present club was formed in 2008, replacing Halifax Town F.C. which had gone out of business with around £2 million in debts. The original club was formed in 1911 and played in the Yorkshire Combination and then the Midland League becoming a founder member of the Football League Third Division (North) in 1921.

After several poor seasons, it all came right in 1997-98 and Halifax were promoted back to the Football League as Conference champions, but in 2002 they were again relegated to the Conference. Four years later Halifax lost the play-off final to Hereford in extra time, but their money problems meant that the club was wound up in May 2008. They twice reached the Fifth Round of the F.A.Cup, in 1932-33 and 1952-53, and beat Manchester United in the Watney Cup – a pre-season tournament – in 1971.

The new club had to start life in the Northern Premier League Division One North, and finished in a respectable eighth position. In the 2009-10 season they finished as champions with 100 points from the 42 games, and just as we had done two years earlier in the Isthmian League, they immediately won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title, with 98 points.

Their first season in the Conference North saw them finish third, but they lost to Gainsborough Trinity in the play-offs, but in 2012-13 they finished fifth, but went on to beat Brackley Town 1-0 in the play-off final to win promotion to the Conference Premier. 2013-14 was again a good season for Halifax, finishing fifth in the top non-League division, but they lost to Cambridge United in the play-off semi-final.

Just before the start of last season Lee Gregory left for Millwall for a fee of £250,000. Manager Aspin brought in Macclesfield top scorer Scott Boden and young striker Richard Peniket from Tamworth to try and fill the void left by Gregory.

Some impressive pre-season results and five consecutive wins at the start of the season increased fans’ expectations even further as Halifax sat clear at the top of the league. Inevitably they dropped off slightly but still picked up some credible results in September as they ended the month in second place.

A poor run in October and November with only one win in eight games saw Halifax drop as low as 11th place. However within this poor league run was an FA Cup run which saw Halifax get drawn against local rivals Bradford City. Halifax lost the match 2–1 in front of a new club record 8,042 fans at The Shay which marked the start of Bradford’s infamous cup run in which Bradford reached the Quarter-finals.

Halifax ended the season with a couple of impressive results, namely draws against league champions and runners-up Barnet and Bristol Rovers respectively. However these two draws were part of nine that Halifax drew in their final 15 games which saw them drop away from the play-offs, and they only won one of those 15. They did, however, finish as the third highest part-time side in the league.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of four wins, one draw and one defeat in their last six Vanarama National League matches. Wins were picked up against Welling United (2-1), Lincoln City (4-1), Guiseley (1-0) and Torquay United (5-0), with a draw against Tranmere Rovers (0-0) and the defeat against Boreham Wood (0-3).

Halifax’s record over the same number of matches shows two wins, one draw and three defeats. The victories came against Southport (1-0) and Altrincham (1-0), with a draw against Torquay United (0-0) and defeats suffered against Braintree Town (0-2), Bromley (0-1) and Barrow (1-4).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
At home this season, Dover have the sixth best record in the division. They have won twelve and drawn four of their twenty matches at Crabble.

Away from home this season, Dover have the ninenteenth best record in the division, with five wins and two draws accumulated from nineteen matches on their travels.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
28/11/2015: FC Halifax 4-2 Dover Athletic
14/02/2015: FC Halifax 3-2 Dover Athletic
09/08/2014: Dover Athletic 0-1 FC Halifax

*BS*MEMORABLE MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 9th August 2014
National League – Dover Athletic 0-1 FC Halifax Town
Dover Athletic’s first league game since returning to Conference football ended in defeat at the hands of Halifax Town at Crabble.

Scott McManus scored the only goal of the game when his left footed effort from distance bounced in off the inside of the post shortly after half-time.

Manager Chris Kinnear’s first starting eleven of the new league season saw him keep faith in the players that got the Whites promoted last season, with Tyrone Sterling being the only player to come into the side that was not a part of last season’s promotion winning campaign.

Halifax opened the scoring right after half-time when Town left-back McManus was afforded too much time and space in Dover’s half and this time the visitors got the right bounce off the woodwork as his strike bounced in off the post.

Dover then squandered their best chance of the second half as more good work on the left hand side from Wynter saw him pick out Barry Cogan on the edge of the box, but fired his shot over the bar.

Dover can take a lot of heart from their performance in the game going forward, knowing that they were not outplayed or over matched against a side that was knocked out in the playoffs last time around.*IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Ricky Modeste picked up a hamstring injury in Monday’s defeat at Boreham Wood so faces a fight to to be fit for this match, whilst Aswad Thomas, Andy Rafferty and Tyrone Sterling continue to be unavailable.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league is Ricky Miller with eighteen, one goal ahead of Stefan Payne and five more than Nicky Deverdics.

Halifax’s top scorer in the league this season is Jordan Burrow, who has the found the back of the net thirteen times.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
The best place to see Saturday’s big game is at Crabble, but for supporters unable to make the game, our Live Text service on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – will be running as usual.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Friday 1st April, 7.45pm – live on BT Sport*IF*
Cheltenham v Grimsby

*IS*Saturday 2nd April, 3.00pm*IF*
Aldershot v Barrow
Bromley v Lincoln City
Chester v Boreham Wood
Eastleigh v Guiseley
Forest Green v Wrexham
Gateshead v Torquay
Kidderminster v Altrincham
Macclesfield v Braintree
Southport v Woking
Tranmere v Welling