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*BS*Dover Athletic look to recover from their FA Trophy exit on Tuesday evening as they travel to the Shay to face FC Halifax Town in the Vanarama Conference on Saturday.*BF*

Whites exited the competition in midweek after losing 2-1 in a Fourth Round Replay at Bath City after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the initial tie at Crabble just three days earlier.

With Chris Kinnear’s side now out of every cup competition, they only have the league to concentrate on as they look to push hard for a play-off position for the rest of the campaign.

They come up against a Halifax side who suffered similar misfortune to Dover after getting knocked out of the FA Trophy theirselves on Tuesday, but are stronger contenders for the play-offs.

*Lpic1**BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
James Poole made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute at Bath and superbly assisting Tyrone Sterling for Whites’ only goal of the game, and he is knocking on the door for a first Dover start on Saturday.

The former Bury striker has made nine appearances in two spells – scoring two goals – for Whites but all have come from the bench, and is looking to make the starting line-up while top goalscorer Stefan Payne serves the second game of his three-match suspension.

Solomon Taiwo withdrew from the starting line-up last Saturday with a hamstring injury but returned to action on Tuesday after coming on as a 75th minute substitute, and is pushing to get back into the starting line-up.

*BS*MORE ON THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Halifax, also known as the Shaymen, are currently in their second consecutive season in the Conference after the new club secured three promotions in four seasons since the demise of Halifax Town AFC in 2007/08.

They won the Northern Premier League Division One North in 2009/10 and the Northern Premier League the following season and although they lost to Gainsborough Trinity in the play-offs in their first Conference North campaign, they were second time lucky in the play-offs after defeating Brackley Town in the final in 2012/13.

*Lpic2*The Shaymen enjoyed an excellent first season back in the Conference as they finished 5th place to secure a play-off spot for the third season in succession but they lost 2-1 aggregate to eventual winners Cambridge United.

They currently lie 9th in the Conference and six points below the play-offs this season but have at least three games in hand over everyone in the top 5 due to postponements over recent problems with their pitch.

Problems with the pitch saw the Yorkshire side ‘host’ Dartford at Droylsden last Saturday but they played their first game at the Shay in 2015 on Tuesday – losing 1-0 to Wrexham.

But they hold a strong record at the Shay this season, having won 9 of their 14 league games at home in the Vanarama Conference.

*BS*HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD*BF*
Dover entertained Halifax in their first Conference game in over 12 years following promotion from the Conference South but *Link1* through Scott McManus’ goal just after the interval.

Whites travel to the Shay for the first time since 1997/98 when they drew 1-1 in March 1998.

In five meetings between the two sides at the Shay, Halifax and Dover have won two-a-piece with the draw coming in the final meeting in Yorkshire.

*BS*MATCH INFORMATION*BF*
Anyone wishing to travel to the game can book their place on the Dover Athletic Supporters Club coach – which departs Crabble at 07:00 and costs £30 for members and £35 for non-members, with an accompanied child under 16 jumping on for only £15.

Entrance fees into the ground are £17 adults, £13 concessions, £6 16 and under, £6 U12 and £3 U7.

Live text commentary will be provided on Twitter via @DAFCLiveText for supporters unable to make the game at the Shay.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE FIXTURES*BF*
AFC Telford United v Dartford
Aldershot Town v Welling United
Altrincham v Forest Green Rovers
Braintree Town v Alfreton Town
Eastleigh v Torquay United
Gateshead v Nuneaton Town
Grimsby Town v Bristol Rovers
Kidderminster Harriers v Woking
Lincoln City v Chester
Southport v Macclesfield Town
Wrexham v Barnet

*BS*Dover Athletic look to recover from their FA Trophy exit on Tuesday evening as they travel to the Shay to face FC Halifax Town in the Vanarama Conference on Saturday.*BF*

Whites exited the competition in midweek after losing 2-1 in a Fourth Round Replay at Bath City after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the initial tie at Crabble just three days earlier.

With Chris Kinnear’s side now out of every cup competition, they only have the league to concentrate on as they look to push hard for a play-off position for the rest of the campaign.

They come up against a Halifax side who suffered similar misfortune to Dover after getting knocked out of the FA Trophy theirselves on Tuesday, but are stronger contenders for the play-offs.

*Lpic1**BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
James Poole made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute at Bath and superbly assisting Tyrone Sterling for Whites’ only goal of the game, and he is knocking on the door for a first Dover start on Saturday.

The former Bury striker has made nine appearances in two spells – scoring two goals – for Whites but all have come from the bench, and is looking to make the starting line-up while top goalscorer Stefan Payne serves the second game of his three-match suspension.

Solomon Taiwo withdrew from the starting line-up last Saturday with a hamstring injury but returned to action on Tuesday after coming on as a 75th minute substitute, and is pushing to get back into the starting line-up.

*BS*MORE ON THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Halifax, also known as the Shaymen, are currently in their second consecutive season in the Conference after the new club secured three promotions in four seasons since the demise of Halifax Town AFC in 2007/08.

They won the Northern Premier League Division One North in 2009/10 and the Northern Premier League the following season and although they lost to Gainsborough Trinity in the play-offs in their first Conference North campaign, they were second time lucky in the play-offs after defeating Brackley Town in the final in 2012/13.

*Lpic2*The Shaymen enjoyed an excellent first season back in the Conference as they finished 5th place to secure a play-off spot for the third season in succession but they lost 2-1 aggregate to eventual winners Cambridge United.

They currently lie 9th in the Conference and six points below the play-offs this season but have at least three games in hand over everyone in the top 5 due to postponements over recent problems with their pitch.

Problems with the pitch saw the Yorkshire side ‘host’ Dartford at Droylsden last Saturday but they played their first game at the Shay in 2015 on Tuesday – losing 1-0 to Wrexham.

But they hold a strong record at the Shay this season, having won 9 of their 14 league games at home in the Vanarama Conference.

*BS*HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD*BF*
Dover entertained Halifax in their first Conference game in over 12 years following promotion from the Conference South but *Link1* through Scott McManus’ goal just after the interval.

Whites travel to the Shay for the first time since 1997/98 when they drew 1-1 in March 1998.

In five meetings between the two sides at the Shay, Halifax and Dover have won two-a-piece with the draw coming in the final meeting in Yorkshire.

*BS*MATCH INFORMATION*BF*
Anyone wishing to travel to the game can book their place on the Dover Athletic Supporters Club coach – which departs Crabble at 07:00 and costs £30 for members and £35 for non-members, with an accompanied child under 16 jumping on for only £15.

Entrance fees into the ground are £17 adults, £13 concessions, £6 16 and under, £6 U12 and £3 U7.

Live text commentary will be provided on Twitter via @DAFCLiveText for supporters unable to make the game at the Shay.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA CONFERENCE FIXTURES*BF*
AFC Telford United v Dartford
Aldershot Town v Welling United
Altrincham v Forest Green Rovers
Braintree Town v Alfreton Town
Eastleigh v Torquay United
Gateshead v Nuneaton Town
Grimsby Town v Bristol Rovers
Kidderminster Harriers v Woking
Lincoln City v Chester
Southport v Macclesfield Town
Wrexham v Barnet

*BS*Dover Athletic FC are set to host a unique ‘walking football’ match, which will see children aged between 10 and 14 years play against a team made up of their grandparents and the local Age Concern.*BF*

Children from Dover and the local area will be put through their paces with a week of regular football coaching at Dover Athletic FC in preparation for the match.

Walking football is a slower version of the regular game, where running and slide tackles are banned. The game is encouraged for older people to play to help keep fit.

Forty youngsters aged 10 – 14 years will spend their half term getting fit, increasing their self-esteem and improving their teamwork, all in preparation for the walking football game – showcasing the skills they have learnt during their sessions to their friends and families who will be in the stands supporting them.

As part of project MixUp, run by the charity Groundwork Kent and Medway, the week is part of a long-term project that aims to empower young people – involving them in their local community, decision making, team working and even local politics.

At the end of the week the children will attend an award ceremony, picking up a v10 Award in Social Action and Volunteering.

The week is free for children to take part and for both girls and boys, and for more information or to book a place please e-mail [email protected]

The half term week will see similar footballing events take place in Thanet with Margate FC.

*BS*Dover Athletic FC are set to host a unique ‘walking football’ match, which will see children aged between 10 and 14 years play against a team made up of their grandparents and the local Age Concern.*BF*

Children from Dover and the local area will be put through their paces with a week of regular football coaching at Dover Athletic FC in preparation for the match.

Walking football is a slower version of the regular game, where running and slide tackles are banned. The game is encouraged for older people to play to help keep fit.

Forty youngsters aged 10 – 14 years will spend their half term getting fit, increasing their self-esteem and improving their teamwork, all in preparation for the walking football game – showcasing the skills they have learnt during their sessions to their friends and families who will be in the stands supporting them.

As part of project MixUp, run by the charity Groundwork Kent and Medway, the week is part of a long-term project that aims to empower young people – involving them in their local community, decision making, team working and even local politics.

At the end of the week the children will attend an award ceremony, picking up a v10 Award in Social Action and Volunteering.

The week is free for children to take part and for both girls and boys, and for more information or to book a place please e-mail [email protected]

The half term week will see similar footballing events take place in Thanet with Margate FC.

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*BS*Dover Athletic attempt to make the FA Trophy semi-final for the first time in 17 years as they travel to Bath City on Tuesday night after *Link1*.*BF*

Whites came from 1-3 down with four minutes to play when firstly Richard Orlu, then Jake Reid with just his third goal of the season headed home to snatch a dramatic draw to force a replay at Twerton Park.

Either Dover or Bath will face Vanarama Conference Confere club North Ferriby United, who defeated rivals Ebbsfleet 1-0 in the quarter-final.

*Lpic1**BS*Team News for Dover*BF*
Midfielder Solomon Taiwo is a doubt on Tuesday after he pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury in the warm up last Saturday
Chris Kinnear Junior replaced him last Saturday, and will be hopeful of keeping his place again in the replay.

Top scorer Stefan Payne will start the first of a three match suspension after his red card for violent conduct against Bath.

Last Saturday’s hero Jake Reid could start in place of Payne, with James Poole the other like for like option available to Chris Kinnear.

Midfielder Liam Bellamy is definitely unavailable for Dover due to a hand injury picked up against Woking on 24 January, whilst midfielder Adam Mekki and striker Dan Holman – both yet to make a first team appearance for the club – are cup-tied having already featured in this season’s competition for Barnet and Aldershot Town.

*BS*Team news for Bath*BF*
Naby Diallo also saw red in the dying seconds of last Saturdays dramatic draw, but due to the differing suspension rules in the FA Trophy for Conference Premier and Conference South clubs, does not begin his suspension until Saturday and thus will be available for tonight’s game.

Striker Ross Stearn was a second half substitute and scored the Romans third goal and will be pushing for a place in the starting XI.

*Lpic2**BS*Opposition form*BF*
Lee Howells’ Bath City side currently sit 12th in the Vanarama Conference South, but have games in hand over the teams above them due to their FA Trophy cup run.

Bath, also known as the Romans, have been in decent form ahead of the game against Dover, having lost just once in their last seven games. In that run, Bath defeated table toppers Boreham Wood, however lost to 2-1 Whitehawk last Tuesday.

Bath have one of the best defences in the Conference south, having conceded just 29 goals to date. Only Ebbsfleet and Gosport have conceded less.

*BS*Match information*BF*
Manager Howells was named Vanarama Conference South manager of the month for January thanks to a great cup run and steady league form.

The last time Dover won an FA Trophy quarter final was in 1998 beating Barrow on penalties. If the teams cannot be separated after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties will come into play.

Any Whites fans unable to make the trip to Bath can follow all the live action on the clubs twitter feed. Please follow @DAFCLiveText.

*BS*OTHER FA TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL FIXTURE:*BF*
Halifax v Wrexham

*BS*SEMI FINAL DRAW:*BF*
Dover Athletic/Bath City v North Ferriby United
Halifax Town/Wrexham v Torquay United