*IS**BS*Macclesfield Town vs Dover Athletic – Vanarama National League
Saturday 20 February 2016 – 3.00pm kick-off
Referee: Stephen Ross*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
With progression to the quarter-final stage of the FA Trophy sealed thanks to a midweek win over Guiseley, Chris Kinnear’s men are on the road again this Saturday with a trip to Macclesfield Town. Tuesday night’s results in the Vanarama National League were favourable for Dover, with fellow playoff hopefuls Eastleigh and Braintree Town both losing, meaning that Whites still sit in fifth place in the league table ahead of the weekend’s clash.

Macclesfield lost their FA Trophy replay on Tuesday night, against Torquay United, continuing a poor run of form for the Cheshire side. They remain with an outside chance of making the playoffs, but will need to arrest their slump in form if they want to get their promotion hunt back on track.

A win for Dover could see them climb above Tranmere Rovers – who host league leaders Cheltenham Town – and into fourth place. Three points for Town would give them the chance to jump as many as five places, and into seventh spot.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Macclesfield Town FC | Manager: John Askey
Ground: Moss Rose | Nickname: The Silkmen

Following their relegation from League Two in the 2011/12 season, Steve King was appointed manager in the summer of 2012 for the Silkmen’s first season back in non-League football. Playing attractive football they were often chasing a play-off position and reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history when they lost by a single goal to the eventual winners Wigan Athletic. Towards the end of the season King was dismissed with John Askey taking over as caretaker manager, the team completing the campaign in 11th position.

John Askey was appointed manager in the summer of 2013 with former Silkmen Efe Sodje as his assistant, completing the season in fifteenth position in the league and reaching the third round of the FA Cup going out to Championship club Sheffield Wednesday after a replay at Hillsborough.

The 2014/15 season saw a successful season for the Silkmen ultimately end the club finishing just a point and place from the Vanarama Conference Play-Offs.

This season, The Silkmen have struggled for consistency and currently find themselves in twelfth place in the Vanarama National League. They are just five points behind fifth place, but have played more than most of their other playoff hopefuls – meaning that positive results against these rivals need to be picked up.

Macclesfield have drawn just two of their 33 league matches thus far, a league low.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of four wins, one draw and one defeats in their last six matches. Those wins came against Lincoln City (3-2), Southport (FA Trophy, 2-1), Gateshead (4-0) and Guiseley (FA Trophy replay, 3-0), with a draw against Guiseley (FA Trophy, 2-2) and a defeat against Cheltenham Town (1-2).

Macclesfield’s record over the same number of matches shows one win, one draw and four defeats. Their solitary victory was over Truro City (FA Trophy, 2-0), with a draw against Torquay United (FA Trophy, 3-3) and defeats against Aldershot Town (0-2), Forest Green Rovers (1-2), Kidderminster Harriers (1-3) and Torquay United (FA Trophy, 0-1).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
At home this season, Macclesfield have the fourteenth best home record in the division, with seven wins and two draws from their fifteen matches at Moss Rose.

Away from home, Dover have the ninth best away record in the division, with six wins and four draws from their sixteen matches on the road in the league.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
17/10/15: Dover Athletic 2-1 Macclesfield
18/10/14: Macclesfield 1-0 Dover Athletic
13/09/14: Dover Athletic 0-1 Macclesfield

Highlights of our 1-0 defeat at Crabble last season can be seen here:

[utube]

*BS*HISTORIC MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 18 October 2014
Vanarama Conference – Macclesfield Town 1-0 Dover Athletic
Dover Athletic fell to their tenth defeat of the Vanarama Conference at Moss Rose, their sixth away on the road, at the expense of a smash and grab style victory by Macclesfield Town FC’s Silkmen.

With Whites’ only defeat in the previous six games occurring away to Nuneaton Town, scooping a point away to Bristol Rovers plus three home wins in the league on the bounce left Kinnear’s men buoyed and looking to attain a result, however it was not to be and the visitors were lucky to concede just one thanks to some assured goalkeeping by Andrew Rafferty.

The Silkmen snatched the only goal of the game on 66 minutes. In a move which took them from their own half right up the pitch, Fairhurst was fed the ball up the field on the right hand side from Paul Lewis who had managed to dispossess Christian Nanetti and leave him in his wake. Holroyd raced past Tom Wynter to collect Fairhurst’s pass before supplying Lewis with the ball at the near post. Macclesfield’s number 8 was then able to comfortably slot his effort past Rafferty from close range and send Dover home empty handed. *IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
New signings Tyrone Marsh and Harry Crawford, who both made their debuts as substitutes in last weekend’s 4-0 thumping of Gateshead, were ineligible for Tuesday’s FA Trophy tie but will be available for selection once again this weekend.

Mitch Walker, on the back of consecutive clean sheets, is expected to keep his place in goal ahead of the injury Andy Rafferty, whilst Liam Bellamy can be expected to deputise at left-back at the expense of the injured Aswad Thomas.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Macclesfield’s top scorer is hotshot Kristian Dennis, who has twenty-four goals to his name this season – all but three of them coming in the Vanarama National League. Dennis aside, Town’s top scorer is Danny Whitaker, who sits on six.

Whites’ top scorer in all competitions is Stefan Payne, who scored a brace on Tuesday night to put his tally up to seventeen for the season.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
Supporters unable to make the game are able to follow the action via our Live Text service on Twitter – all you need to do is follow @DAFCLiveText.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Saturday 20th February, 7.45pm*IF*
Altrincham v Guiseley
Barrow v Braintree
Boreham Wood v Torquay
Bromley v Woking
Halifax v Grimsby
Forest Green v Eastleigh
Gateshead v Aldershot
Kidderminster v Chester
Lincoln City v Southport
Tranmere v Cheltenham
Welling v Wrexham

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Nantwich on Saturday 27th February

Adults Members £10
Adult Non Members £15

Accompanied Child (under 16) £5

DASC Lotto Winner

Departs Crabble @ 8:00am

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS*The draw for week 33 of the Striker draw (17/02/2016) has been made, and the results are as follows:*BF*

£1000
5456 – T Iverson

£50
7688 – W Haines

£25
7612 – S Tomkins
3602 – A Luff
185 – J Shilling

£20
253 – R Edwards
6243 – E Bundock
6920 – P Mercer

£10
5470 – L Castle
6576 – P Nash
26 – V Pennal
207 – P Spencer
804 – S Baldock

The next draw will be held at Crabble at 12pm on Wednesday 24th February 2016.

*BS*The Striker is an opportunity to support your local team and give yourself a chance to win valuable cash prizes of up to £1,000 every week.*BF*

*BS**IS*How does The Striker work?*IF**BF*
When you join The Striker, you’ll be given a unique number. Each week, so long as you have paid your weekly subscription, your number will be entered into a draw. If your number is drawn, congratulations – you’re a winner! It’s as simple as that. The draw is held on Wednesday afternoon. Keep an eye on the local press for full details. Who knows, your number could scoop the £1,000 top prize.

*BS**IS*How much does it cost?*IF**BF*
Just £1 a week is all it costs to become a member of The Striker. Please note that only paid-for tickets are entered in the draw. For your convenience, your membership fee can be collected from you, or you can pay at the Club Office or, to save time, you can pay monthly or quarterly by standing order.

*BS**IS*What are the prizes?*IF**BF*
Each week, we draw a number of prizes. The top prize is £1,000, plus there’s a string of cash consolation prizes, ranging from £50 to £10.

*BS**IS*What happens to the proceeds?*IF**BF*
Naturally, we use the proceeds to fund the weekly cash prizes and a small element is used to cover certain expenses. But we put the surplus to good use. All the profit from The Striker Lottery in donated to Dover Athletic FC, to support your local football club and it’s work in the community. Dover Athletic has many teams ranging from it’s hugely successful youth scheme, through to it’s first team.

For further information, including details on how to sign up, please visit www.doverathletic.com/thestriker

*BS*Whites fans are invited to take advantage of a heavily discounted price to travel on the supporters club coach to our FA Trophy quarter final fixture at Nantwich Town on Saturday February 27th, made possible by a generous donation from Nick Cunningham.*BF*

In ten days time, Whites will make the trip to Cheshire to take on Northern Premier League Premier Division side Nantwich Town, in the FA Trophy quarter final. This will be Dover’s second successive season of reaching the last eight, and we’re keen to go one step further than last season – but we need your support.

Thanks to a generous donation from Nick Cunningham, the supporters club are running discounted travel to the big match.

Supporters club members will be able to travel for *BS*£10*BF*, with non-members paying just *BS*£15*BF*. Accompanied under 16’s will be charged *BS*£5*BF*.

The coach will leave Crabble at 8am sharp.

To book your spot, please call or text Andy Fisher on 07934 300335 as soon as possible.

*IS*RULES OF COACH TRAVEL*IF*
– All vehicles are non-smoking
– No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
– Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
– Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
– No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a zero tolerance policy if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle. It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Nantwich on Saturday 27th February

Adults Members £10
Adult Non Members £15

Accompanied Child (under 16) £5

DASC Lotto Winner

Departs Crabble @ 8:00am

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS*The draw for week 33 of the Striker draw (17/02/2016) has been made, and the results are as follows:*BF*

£1000
5456 – T Iverson

£50
7688 – W Haines

£25
7612 – S Tomkins
3602 – A Luff
185 – J Shilling

£20
253 – R Edwards
6243 – E Bundock
6920 – P Mercer

£10
5470 – L Castle
6576 – P Nash
26 – V Pennal
207 – P Spencer
804 – S Baldock

The next draw will be held at Crabble at 12pm on Wednesday 24th February 2016.

*BS*The Striker is an opportunity to support your local team and give yourself a chance to win valuable cash prizes of up to £1,000 every week.*BF*

*BS**IS*How does The Striker work?*IF**BF*
When you join The Striker, you’ll be given a unique number. Each week, so long as you have paid your weekly subscription, your number will be entered into a draw. If your number is drawn, congratulations – you’re a winner! It’s as simple as that. The draw is held on Wednesday afternoon. Keep an eye on the local press for full details. Who knows, your number could scoop the £1,000 top prize.

*BS**IS*How much does it cost?*IF**BF*
Just £1 a week is all it costs to become a member of The Striker. Please note that only paid-for tickets are entered in the draw. For your convenience, your membership fee can be collected from you, or you can pay at the Club Office or, to save time, you can pay monthly or quarterly by standing order.

*BS**IS*What are the prizes?*IF**BF*
Each week, we draw a number of prizes. The top prize is £1,000, plus there’s a string of cash consolation prizes, ranging from £50 to £10.

*BS**IS*What happens to the proceeds?*IF**BF*
Naturally, we use the proceeds to fund the weekly cash prizes and a small element is used to cover certain expenses. But we put the surplus to good use. All the profit from The Striker Lottery in donated to Dover Athletic FC, to support your local football club and it’s work in the community. Dover Athletic has many teams ranging from it’s hugely successful youth scheme, through to it’s first team.

For further information, including details on how to sign up, please visit www.doverathletic.com/thestriker

*BS*Whites fans are invited to take advantage of a heavily discounted price to travel on the supporters club coach to our FA Trophy quarter final fixture at Nantwich Town on Saturday February 27th, made possible by a generous donation from Nick Cunningham.*BF*

In ten days time, Whites will make the trip to Cheshire to take on Northern Premier League Premier Division side Nantwich Town, in the FA Trophy quarter final. This will be Dover’s second successive season of reaching the last eight, and we’re keen to go one step further than last season – but we need your support.

Thanks to a generous donation from Nick Cunningham, the supporters club are running discounted travel to the big match.

Supporters club members will be able to travel for *BS*£10*BF*, with non-members paying just *BS*£15*BF*. Accompanied under 16’s will be charged *BS*£5*BF*.

The coach will leave Crabble at 8am sharp.

To book your spot, please call or text Andy Fisher on 07934 300335 as soon as possible.

*IS*RULES OF COACH TRAVEL*IF*
– All vehicles are non-smoking
– No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
– Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
– Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
– No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a zero tolerance policy if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle. It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

NULL

NULL

*IS**BS*Guiseley vs Dover Athletic – FA Trophy third round replay
Tuesday 16 February 2016 – 7.45pm kick-off
Referee: Ian Hussin*BF**IF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
Ten days after the side’s battled to a 2-2 draw at Crabble, the third round replay between Dover Athletic and Guiseley will take place tomorrow (Tuesday). Last Tuesday’s scheduled match was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch, however the sides will be keen to lock horns once again with a place in the quarter finals of the FA Trophy up for grabs – in addition to £7000 in prize money.

The two sides now know that waiting for the winner in the last eight is a trip to either Nantwich Town or Stourbridge, either of which would bring their own challenges, however at this stage of the competition it is a draw that both sides would fancy.

Both sides come into the match on the back of impressive weekend victories. Whites thumped fellow promotion hopefuls Gateshead 4-0 at Crabble, with a brace from Ricky Miller adding to goals from Nicky Deverdics and Stefan Payne, who celebrated his return from suspension with a sterling performance. Guiseley made the trip to Woking, who also have playoff aspirations, and won 1-0 to record their second win in three league matches.

Tuesday’s tie must be played to a conclusion, so if the scores are level after 90 minutes then extra-time will be played – with a penalty shootout taking place if there is still no winner after this additional thirty minutes play.

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Guiseley AFC | Manager: Mark Bower
Ground: Nethermoor Park | Nickname: The Lions

Early into the 2013/14 Conference North season, manager Steve Kittrick was axed from the hotseat, with his side having picked up eight points from their opening six matches. Former Bradford City man Mark Bower was brought in as manager, and his influence was apparent as the side finished the season in fifth place. Having overcome North Ferriby United in the playoff semi-final, the side suffered heartbreak as a last-minute winner was conceded against Altrincham in the Promotion Final.

A finishing position of fifth was achieved in the 2014/15 season, but this time it yielded success. Beating AFC Fylde 3-1 on aggregate in the playoff semi-final, they overcame Chorley 3-2 in the Final – despite going 2-0 down – which saw Guiseley promoted into the top tier of non-league football for the first time in their history.

This season, The Lions have flirted with the top half on the odd occasion, but now find themselves in 17th place in the Vanarama National League. They are now eight points clear of the bottom four, and consolidation in the division would be a good finish for Bower’s men.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of three wins, one draw and two defeats in their last six matches. Those wins came against Lincoln City (3-2), Southport (FA Trophy, 2-1) and Gateshead (4-0), with the draw against Guiseley which led to this replay, and defeats against Bromley (2-3) and Cheltenham Town (1-2).

Guiseley’s record over the same number of matches shows three wins, two draws and one defeat. The wins came against Dulwich Hamlet (FA Trophy, 2-1), Kidderminster Harriers (1-0) and Woking (1-0), with draws against Grimsby Town (1-1) and Dover in the FA Trophy, and a defeat against Lincoln City (0-1).

*BS*HOW THEY GOT HERE*BF*
FA Trophy first round:
Whitehawk 1-3 Dover Athletic
Guiseley 3-2 Burscough (replay, after initial 2-2 draw)

FA Trophy second round:
Dover Athletic 2-1 Southport
Dulwich Hamlet 1-2 Guiseley

*BS*PREVIOUS MEETINGS*BF*
06/02/16: Dover Athletic 2-2 Guiseley
19/09/15: Dover Athletic 0-0 Guiseley

*BS*HISTORIC MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 6 February 2016
FA Trophy – Dover Athletic 2-2 Guiseley
Substitute Duane Ofori-Acheampong scored a dramatic late equaliser to keep Dover’s FA Trophy dream alive at Crabble. The big striker turned home winger Ricky Modeste’s cross from close range with just a minute of normal time remaining to earn Whites a replay in Yorkshire on Tuesday night. Guiseley appeared to be course to put their name in the hat for Monday’s quarter final draw with goals from Will Hatfield and Gavin Rotherey heading into the final seconds. But with the clock ticking down, Modeste went on a surging run before firing a cross across the visitors goalmouth and Ofori-Acheampong did the rest. It was his second goal of the season, and it ensured his team live to fight another day. *IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
New signings Tyrone Marsh and Harry Crawford – who both made their debuts for Dover against Gateshead on Saturday – are both ineligible to play. The starting XI should remain the same as on Saturday, with Whites manager Chris Kinnear confirming that all players from that game came through unscathed.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
The top scorer on Guiseley’s books is James Hurst, who is on eight for the season – seven of which came whilst at previous club Torquay United. Whites’ top scorers in all competitions are Ricky Miller and Stefan Payne, both on 15 goals, two ahead of Nicky Deverdics.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
Supporters unable to make the game are able to follow the action via our Live Text service on Twitter – all you need to do is follow @DAFCLiveText.

*BS*OTHER FA TROPHY THIRD ROUND FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Tuesday 16th February, 7.45pm*IF*
Macclesfield Town vs Torquay United (replay)
Nantwich Town vs Stourbridge (initial match)