A fine individual effort from Captain Connor Essam was enough to send home hard woking Gateshead back on their 350 mile trip with nothing. ‘I thought it was absolutely outstanding today and the players did great’ said Kinnear. ‘We set it up for the second half by breaking them down a bit in the way that we played. We really were the better side today.’

Connor took all the plaudits, but the team ethic really made the difference in Chris’ eyes. ‘I didn’t want to make a sub as everyone had worked so hard – I just could not change it! We have got such good balance and though individually Gateshead’s players are probably better than ours, it really shows how important to have the right players on the pitch to win games.’*Q1*

He went on to add. ‘We had an iffy spell of games, but we have now bounced back and won three on the spin. I keep telling the players not to ever get down and give 100%. They are doing it and that character is why we are able to turn the form around.’

Essam’s second half volley from Deverdic’s cross really lit up the game and Chris praised the player’s all round performance. ‘Connor is Connor, He was at right back and midfield for most of the game. He is the Captain and if players are prepared to play anywhere for the team then you have a chance and fortunately we have players out there that are always going to give 100%. It was a great strike, but the goals we are scoring are no fluke – They are the result of hard work in training.’

The home games keep coming and next up at Crabble is a visit from Grimsby on Tuesday night, a team that not so long ago were plying their trade in the second tier of English football. Chris is looking forward to the visit from the promotion challengers. ‘They are a massive side, but then again, so are Gateshead. We are setting ourselves to see what it is like to play the top sides. Gateshead are one of them and we got a result, so hopefully we can do the same on Tuesday.’*Lpic1*

*Link1*
*Link2*
*Link3*

*BS*Connor Essam’s spectacular goal secured Dover Athletic a third consecutive Vanarama Conference win with victory over Gateshead at Crabble on Saturday.*BF*

Nick Deverdics’ tackle inside the Tynesiders’ six-yard box saw the ball loop over the area and into Essam’s path who struck a sweet first-time volley off the post and in.

Chances were few and far between but Essam’s wonder strike deservedly clinched the three points and sees Whites just 10 points off the play-off positions.

*Q1*Chris Kinnear’s side entertain Grimsby Town next on Tuesday evening, and the manager was pleased with another excellent performance at Crabble.

“I thought it was absolutely outstanding today and the players did great,” said Kinnear, “we set it up for the second half by breaking them down a bit in the way that we played. We really were the better side today.

“I didn’t want to make a sub as everyone had worked so hard – I just could not change it! We have got such good balance and though individually Gateshead’s players are probably better than ours, it really shows how important to have the right players on the pitch to win games.”

*Lpic1**BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE RESULTS*BF*
*BS**IS*Friday 20 March 2015*IF**BF*
Bristol Rovers 3-1 Aldershot Town

*BS**IS*Saturday 21 March 2015*IF**BF*
Alfreton Town 1-1 Chester
Altrincham 0-0 FC Halifax Town
Barnet 5-0 Welling United
Grimsby Town 2-1 Eastleigh
Macclesfield Town 0-1 Nuneaton Town
Southport 2-0 Dartford
Torquay United 2-1 Kidderminster Harriers
Woking 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Wrexham 1-1 Lincoln City

A fine individual effort from Captain Connor Essam was enough to send home hard woking Gateshead back on their 350 mile trip with nothing. ‘I thought it was absolutely outstanding today and the players did great’ said Kinnear. ‘We set it up for the second half by breaking them down a bit in the way that we played. We really were the better side today.’

Connor took all the plaudits, but the team ethic really made the difference in Chris’ eyes. ‘I didn’t want to make a sub as everyone had worked so hard – I just could not change it! We have got such good balance and though individually Gateshead’s players are probably better than ours, it really shows how important to have the right players on the pitch to win games.’*Q1*

He went on to add. ‘We had an iffy spell of games, but we have now bounced back and won three on the spin. I keep telling the players not to ever get down and give 100%. They are doing it and that character is why we are able to turn the form around.’

Essam’s second half volley from Deverdic’s cross really lit up the game and Chris praised the player’s all round performance. ‘Connor is Connor, He was at right back and midfield for most of the game. He is the Captain and if players are prepared to play anywhere for the team then you have a chance and fortunately we have players out there that are always going to give 100%. It was a great strike, but the goals we are scoring are no fluke – They are the result of hard work in training.’

The home games keep coming and next up at Crabble is a visit from Grimsby on Tuesday night, a team that not so long ago were plying their trade in the second tier of English football. Chris is looking forward to the visit from the promotion challengers. ‘They are a massive side, but then again, so are Gateshead. We are setting ourselves to see what it is like to play the top sides. Gateshead are one of them and we got a result, so hopefully we can do the same on Tuesday.’*Lpic1*

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*BS*Dover Athletic look to make it a double against Gateshead as they take on the Tynesiders in their latest Vanarama Conference fixture at Crabble on Saturday.*BF*

After suffering a seven-match winless run in all competitions, Whites secured back-to-back victories for the first time since January with 2-0 and 2-1 wins against Kidderminster Harriers and Altrincham respectively.

Although they cannot move any higher up than their current position of tenth in the table after the weekend, a win will move Chris Kinnear’s side within four points of their 7th placed opponents.

But victory for the Heed could move the visitors to just three points below the play-offs and put a dent on Dover’s faint play-off hopes.

*Lpic1**BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Manager Kinnear is expected to name the same side that has started each of the previous three games – including the two victories over Kidderminster and Altrincham within the last seven days.

Colchester United loanee Dan Holman is still doubtful with an ankle injury he picked up following the 3-1 defeat at Aldershot Town earlier this month.

Holman has scored two goals in three appearances for Dover and is initially with the club until the end of the season.

*BS*MORE ON THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Gateshead have been playing in the Conference since 2009 after securing promotion through the Conference North play-offs which contained Alfreton, AFC Telford United and Southport, who have all gained promotion to the Conference since.

*Lpic2*Football League participants between 1930 and 1960, the Tynesiders were close to a return to it last season after falling just short against Cambridge in the Conference play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

The Heed are challenging for promotion into League 2 once again this season as, although they lay six points below the play-offs, they do have two games in hand over 5th-placed Forest Green Rovers.

On a three-game unbeaten run, Gateshead will prove difficult opposition for Dover at Crabble this Saturday as they hold the fourth best away record in the division.

*BS*HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD*BF*
Dover are aiming for their first win against Gateshead at Crabble since September 1993 when a brace from Corey Browne and a Dave Leworthy goal helped Whites to a 3-1 win.

Whites are without a victory in their last four league meetings against the Tynesiders at Crabble since, with the last being a 1-0 loss in March 1998.

But Chris Kinnear’s side did record *Link1* at the Gateshead International Stadium back in November, when goals from Stefan Payne and Sean Francis gave the travelling 80 fans a day to remember.

*Ppic1**BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE FIXTURES*BF*
*BS**IS*Friday 20 March 2015*IF**BF*
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town

*BS**IS*Saturday 21 March 2015*IF**BF*
Alfreton Town v Chester
Altrincham v FC Halifax Town
Barnet v Welling United
Grimsby Town v Eastleigh
Macclesfield Town v Nuneaton Town
Southport v Dartford
Torquay United v Kidderminster Harriers
Woking v Forest Green Rovers
Wrexham v Lincoln City

*BS*Dover Athletic look to make it a double against Gateshead as they take on the Tynesiders in their latest Vanarama Conference fixture at Crabble on Saturday.*BF*

After suffering a seven-match winless run in all competitions, Whites secured back-to-back victories for the first time since January with 2-0 and 2-1 wins against Kidderminster Harriers and Altrincham respectively.

Although they cannot move any higher up than their current position of tenth in the table after the weekend, a win will move Chris Kinnear’s side within four points of their 7th placed opponents.

But victory for the Heed could move the visitors to just three points below the play-offs and put a dent on Dover’s faint play-off hopes.

*Lpic1**BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Manager Kinnear is expected to name the same side that has started each of the previous three games – including the two victories over Kidderminster and Altrincham within the last seven days.

Colchester United loanee Dan Holman is still doubtful with an ankle injury he picked up following the 3-1 defeat at Aldershot Town earlier this month.

Holman has scored two goals in three appearances for Dover and is initially with the club until the end of the season.

*BS*MORE ON THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Gateshead have been playing in the Conference since 2009 after securing promotion through the Conference North play-offs which contained Alfreton, AFC Telford United and Southport, who have all gained promotion to the Conference since.

*Lpic2*Football League participants between 1930 and 1960, the Tynesiders were close to a return to it last season after falling just short against Cambridge in the Conference play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

The Heed are challenging for promotion into League 2 once again this season as, although they lay six points below the play-offs, they do have two games in hand over 5th-placed Forest Green Rovers.

On a three-game unbeaten run, Gateshead will prove difficult opposition for Dover at Crabble this Saturday as they hold the fourth best away record in the division.

*BS*HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD*BF*
Dover are aiming for their first win against Gateshead at Crabble since September 1993 when a brace from Corey Browne and a Dave Leworthy goal helped Whites to a 3-1 win.

Whites are without a victory in their last four league meetings against the Tynesiders at Crabble since, with the last being a 1-0 loss in March 1998.

But Chris Kinnear’s side did record *Link1* at the Gateshead International Stadium back in November, when goals from Stefan Payne and Sean Francis gave the travelling 80 fans a day to remember.

*Ppic1**BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE FIXTURES*BF*
*BS**IS*Friday 20 March 2015*IF**BF*
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town

*BS**IS*Saturday 21 March 2015*IF**BF*
Alfreton Town v Chester
Altrincham v FC Halifax Town
Barnet v Welling United
Grimsby Town v Eastleigh
Macclesfield Town v Nuneaton Town
Southport v Dartford
Torquay United v Kidderminster Harriers
Woking v Forest Green Rovers
Wrexham v Lincoln City

[utube]

*Link1*
*Link2*
*Link3*

*BS*Dover Athletic recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since January as Nick Deverdics’ brace helped Whites see off Altrincham in the Vanarama Conference.*BF*

Deverdics put the hosts in an early lead when he superbly drilled past Alty keeper David Parton towards the far bottom corner but Gianluca Havern levelled matters after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area before stabbing home.

*Q1*But Dover’s winner came on 85 minutes when Parton could only parry out Chris Kinnear Jnr’s long range effort out before captain Connor Essam chipped over Parton for Deverdics to head in the winner.

Deverdics’ 9th and 10th goals of the season saw Whites climb up to 10th in the latest league standings, and the character of the squad particularly pleased manager Chris Kinnear.

“Points are points,” stated Kinnear, “at 1-1 and not playing great, the lads could have laid down, but as I have said all along our players have got some character and they gave 100%.”

His side host Gateshead next in the second home game of four consecutive Crabble fixtures on Saturday.

*Lpic1**BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE RESULTS*BF*
AFC Telford United 0-1 Gateshead
Alfreton Town 0-0 Lincoln City
Chester 1-2 Dartford
Eastleigh 2-2 Wrexham
FC Halifax Town 1-1 Barnet
Torquay United 1-5 Braintree Town

A late header from midfielder Nicky Deverdics made it six points in 4 days for Whites, and appreciative of a below par performance, he heaped praise on his players after they cancelled out Altrincham’s equalizer moments earlier. ‘Points are points’ he beamed. ‘At 1-1 and not playing great, the lads could have laid down, but as I have said all along our players have got some character and they gave 100%.’ He added ‘Altrincham have got some old strong players there and as a club they have won this league a few times.’

Two victories on the spin have put Whites back on track after a seven game winless run. ‘Let’s not get carried away that we lost a few games. At the end of the day we are tenth in the league and the third highest scorers, so we can all be positive. We are really dangerous going forward and teams have got to be wary of us. When we have lost it has always been a close game.’*Q1*

Chris was also pleased for the supporters as they were able to celebrate a home victory once again. ‘We have done much better at home this season than previous. The supporters did not get on their backs at 1-1, wheras previously players would have got a bit of stick and maybe lost it. The fans stayed with them and the players do appreciate it.’

Whites face a number of teams battling for promotion in the run in, a great test for the team as they continue to improve, according to the experienced boss. ‘If that is the standard to get into the play offs, then we are going to learn a lot in those games, regardless of the results. We have been showing great progression for the last two years we are now learning for next year.’*Lpic1*

With progression in mind, contract offers are out early as Chris looks to avoid second season syndrome, a fate suffered by other Kent clubs recently. ‘I think sorting out player futures early is why we could do better than most sides in the second season because they lost their better players and struggled. We really want to continue going from strength to strength.’

Next up for Athletic is the second of four consecutive home games as they face Gateshead, who will be looking to avenge their 2-1 loss to Dover earlier in the campaign.

[utube]

*Link1*
*Link2*
*Link3*

*BS*Dover Athletic recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since January as Nick Deverdics’ brace helped Whites see off Altrincham in the Vanarama Conference.*BF*

Deverdics put the hosts in an early lead when he superbly drilled past Alty keeper David Parton towards the far bottom corner but Gianluca Havern levelled matters after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area before stabbing home.

*Q1*But Dover’s winner came on 85 minutes when Parton could only parry out Chris Kinnear Jnr’s long range effort out before captain Connor Essam chipped over Parton for Deverdics to head in the winner.

Deverdics’ 9th and 10th goals of the season saw Whites climb up to 10th in the latest league standings, and the character of the squad particularly pleased manager Chris Kinnear.

“Points are points,” stated Kinnear, “at 1-1 and not playing great, the lads could have laid down, but as I have said all along our players have got some character and they gave 100%.”

His side host Gateshead next in the second home game of four consecutive Crabble fixtures on Saturday.

*Lpic1**BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE RESULTS*BF*
AFC Telford United 0-1 Gateshead
Alfreton Town 0-0 Lincoln City
Chester 1-2 Dartford
Eastleigh 2-2 Wrexham
FC Halifax Town 1-1 Barnet
Torquay United 1-5 Braintree Town