CLIVE WALKER has told his Dover team: “Buck up away from home or face staying in Ryman One.”

Whites were beaten at Molesey and have lost three games on the road.

And the Dover boss believes their poor form away from Crabble has got to be sorted out … and quickly.

With this in mind, the club are allowing Clive to freshen up his injury-hit squad with one or two new signings.

Whites face a low-key League Cup third round match with Ryman Premier club Leyton on Tuesday night at Crabble before a home date with Banstead Athletic on Saturday.

Clive said: “There seems to be something missing from us at the moment. I know we have injury problems but there should be enough about us to grind out results at places like Hastings and Molesey.

“The performances this week have been shocking and it’s not something we can tolerate if we’re to get out of this league. We’ve got to be up for these games every week. If you’re not, then you’re in danger of getting beat and that’s what has happened to us.

“We’re probably going to bring in a new player or two this week because we need more quality in the team. I’m not going to be signing players just to make up the numbers – they’re going to be players who are better than what we’ve got here now.

“This situation has been forced on to us a bit because of injuries to key players and the last couple of performances, which have not been good enough.”

Clive had the players down at Crabble for extra training this morning (Sunday). The Whites boss was waiting at the ground for his players as early as 10.30am in a bid to get to the bottom of the defensive blunders which are costing them dearly at the moment.

Molesey’s equaliser, from a deflected free-kick, came after another shocking refereeing decision. Video highlights on DAFCtv clearly show Craig Wilkins won a header fair and square, yet the official bizarrely awarded the hosts their set-piece.

However, as Clive is quick to point out, the team then need to show character to bounce back from such a set-back – and sadly they did not show enough and were punished in the second half.

He said: “It was a ridiculous decision. Everyone could see it was a great header away from Wilko – but that’s no excuse for our performance. It was poor.”

Clive was so furious with his side after the game, he did not want to be interviewed in front of the DAFCtv camera.

He said: “I might have said something I’d later regret.

“We’ve got to bounce back from what we hope is a blip and show that we’re good enough to get out of this division.”

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “Obviously, we’re sticking to a budget – and things will have to be moved around a bit to allow us to get some new players in.

“Buster Smissen has gone on loan to Sittingbourne, so that frees some funds up, and we’ll be looking at other ways we can make money available to Clive. We don’t want to lose the momentum of our great start to the season.

“I’ve said all along that the board will do everything it can to ensure we get back out of this division.”

DANNY CHAPMAN hopes to take pain-killing injections on his knee Tuesday night to enable him to take on Tonbridge.

The tough-tackling, no-nonsense Whites midfielder is desperate to line up in the big top-of-the-table clash with Kent rivals Tonbridge at Crabble.

Dover Athletic are expecting a huge crowd at Crabble to roar them to victory against Angels and to the top of Ryman One.

And Danny, who is close friends with Tonbridge boss Tony Dolby, wants to play a part in helping Clive Walker’s men to post what could prove to be an important victory.

He said: “It’s been frustrating not to play in the last two games. I got caught on my knee against Dartford last Saturday and, although I tried to play on, it was in so much pain there was no way I could continue.

“The rest has done it good this week – although I’ve been gutted watching us from the sidelines at the Dartford and Met Police games.

“A doctor is going to see me at the ground at 7pm on Tuesday and it’ll be decided there and then if I can take an injection or not. I’m going to do my best to play. I’m always like that – I want to play if I can, especially such a big game like this one.

“I know a few of the lads at Tonbridge and used to be a trainee at Millwall with Tony, so it’ll be great to see him again. We’re old mates so I’ll be hoping to get one up on him – but most important of all is to help Dover to the top of the table, because this club needs to be in a higher division.

“It’ll be a great atmosphere at Crabble and I’m sure that will have Tonbridge fired up, not that it’ll take much to get them motivated with it being a top-of-the-table clash.”

Tonbridge’s 7-0 win against Newport IoW on Saturday certainly has raised a few eyebrows and they remain unbeaten, although they are only two points clear of Whites having played a game more.

Danny said: “A lot of teams just try to shut up shop against Dover. It’s not been like that for Tonbridge, so they’ve been able to open teams up a lot easier. My mates over there have been keeping me informed of how they’re getting on – and I’m sure it’s going to be one hell of a game on Tuesday, one we’d love to win.

“It’s early in the season, so the result may not prove to be too crucial come the end of the season. But it’s a top-of-the-table clash and it’s certainly going to have everyone fired up.”

Clive could potentially be without five of his best players for the game, with Daniel Braithwaite and Craig Cloke ruled out until after Christmas – and Shane Hamshare, Danny and Craig Wilkins all racing against the clock to be fit for the Crabble cruncher.

But Danny insists if Shane, Craig and himself all fail to make the match, the young lads must step up to the plate, show they can handle the pressure of a Kent derby and get the right result.

He said: “The lads did well against Met Police. There’s some good young players at the club but they’ve got to show us all what they’re made of. They need to grab the chance to show they’re worthy of being in the first-team and come of age.

“Hopefully, I’ll make it and be able to help the younger lads but if not then it’s time for them to stand up and be counted.”

Clive knows his men will be in for a tough match at Crabble and Tonbridge will almost certainly treat it as a cup final.

He said: “They’re flying at the moment and to score seven against any side takes some doing. They must be doing something right. It’s going to be hard and I think it’s time we won one of these Kent derbies.”

Whites have lost to Folkestone twice, Tonbridge, Margate and Dartford in big Kent derbies during the past 11 months. Whites’ only wins against Kent clubs in competitive action came against Cray and Ashford at home.

DANNY CHAPMAN hopes to take pain-killing injections on his knee Tuesday night to enable him to take on Tonbridge.

The tough-tackling, no-nonsense Whites midfielder is desperate to line up in the big top-of-the-table clash with Kent rivals Tonbridge at Crabble.

Dover Athletic are expecting a huge crowd at Crabble to roar them to victory against Angels and to the top of Ryman One.

And Danny, who is close friends with Tonbridge boss Tony Dolby, wants to play a part in helping Clive Walker’s men to post what could prove to be an important victory.

He said: “It’s been frustrating not to play in the last two games. I got caught on my knee against Dartford last Saturday and, although I tried to play on, it was in so much pain there was no way I could continue.

“The rest has done it good this week – although I’ve been gutted watching us from the sidelines at the Dartford and Met Police games.

“A doctor is going to see me at the ground at 7pm on Tuesday and it’ll be decided there and then if I can take an injection or not. I’m going to do my best to play. I’m always like that – I want to play if I can, especially such a big game like this one.

“I know a few of the lads at Tonbridge and used to be a trainee at Millwall with Tony, so it’ll be great to see him again. We’re old mates so I’ll be hoping to get one up on him – but most important of all is to help Dover to the top of the table, because this club needs to be in a higher division.

“It’ll be a great atmosphere at Crabble and I’m sure that will have Tonbridge fired up, not that it’ll take much to get them motivated with it being a top-of-the-table clash.”

Tonbridge’s 7-0 win against Newport IoW on Saturday certainly has raised a few eyebrows and they remain unbeaten, although they are only two points clear of Whites having played a game more.

Danny said: “A lot of teams just try to shut up shop against Dover. It’s not been like that for Tonbridge, so they’ve been able to open teams up a lot easier. My mates over there have been keeping me informed of how they’re getting on – and I’m sure it’s going to be one hell of a game on Tuesday, one we’d love to win.

“It’s early in the season, so the result may not prove to be too crucial come the end of the season. But it’s a top-of-the-table clash and it’s certainly going to have everyone fired up.”

Clive could potentially be without five of his best players for the game, with Daniel Braithwaite and Craig Cloke ruled out until after Christmas – and Shane Hamshare, Danny and Craig Wilkins all racing against the clock to be fit for the Crabble cruncher.

But Danny insists if Shane, Craig and himself all fail to make the match, the young lads must step up to the plate, show they can handle the pressure of a Kent derby and get the right result.

He said: “The lads did well against Met Police. There’s some good young players at the club but they’ve got to show us all what they’re made of. They need to grab the chance to show they’re worthy of being in the first-team and come of age.

“Hopefully, I’ll make it and be able to help the younger lads but if not then it’s time for them to stand up and be counted.”

Clive knows his men will be in for a tough match at Crabble and Tonbridge will almost certainly treat it as a cup final.

He said: “They’re flying at the moment and to score seven against any side takes some doing. They must be doing something right. It’s going to be hard and I think it’s time we won one of these Kent derbies.”

Whites have lost to Folkestone twice, Tonbridge, Margate and Dartford in big Kent derbies during the past 11 months. Whites’ only wins against Kent clubs in competitive action came against Cray and Ashford at home.

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CLIVE WALKER has challenged his young players to stand up and be counted as Whites enter a tough series of games in Ryman One.

The Dover boss – never allowing injuries to be an excuse for defeat – admits his team did not defend well at Stonebridge Road against Dartford.

He was particularly disappointed with both Darts’ goals in the first half, although recognises that Steve Hafner’s winner after the break was a stunning strike.

Clive said: “We could’ve won the game had we done some basic defending right. Their two first-half goals were poor from our point of view. The third was a good strike, I’ll give their lad that, but he could’ve perhaps been closed down quickly.

“But we’ve got to get this defeat out of our heads and look to beat Met Police away on Saturday, which won’t be easy. However, I feel we can improve on the performance against Dartford and it’s down to these young lads to stand up and be counted.

“We’ve lost some important players during these two games. Danny Chapman, Craig Cloke, Daniel Braithwaite and Shane Hamshare are all good lads, who work hard for the team.

“Now it’s down to the kids to step up to the first team and show us what they’re made of. They’ve all got first-team experience, but the only problem is the amount of games they’ve played. You need experience in any successful side – and there’s going to be a lot of that missing now.

“However, what are the fringe players here for? They’re here to step up if we have injury problems like we do now. It’s their chance to break into the side and add competition for places.”

A lot of comment has been made, much of it not from Dover Athletic Football Club, about Dartford’s tactics during the two games. It is no coincidence that FOUR players were badly injured in the two games.

Clive does not want to get drawn into the argument – but admitted: “I thought the refs should’ve booked a few more players because there were some big tackles going in.

“Being big and strong is what football is all about and getting injuries like now happens all the time – and we’ve just got to deal with it.

“Steve Hafner’s tackle on Shane was a bit over the top in my opinion and he was very lucky not to get sent off. But that’s not my problem – my job is to get Dover Athletic out of Ryman One so we can get this big club back up the leagues again. We’re going to have to work our socks off to do that.”

Darts boss Tony Burnham’s matchday programme notes for Tuesday’s match suggested that Dover officials should apologise for comments after Saturday’s match and that there was nothing wrong with his side’s tactics.

Chairman Jim Parmenter insisted that referee Lee Venamore should have stamped down on dangerous tackles from the off during that game. Instead he opted not to, allowing some irresponsible challenges to be put in.

He said: “Well, their manager would say that, wouldn’t he? The tackle on Daniel Braithwaite was horrific and, again, the tackle last night on Shane was shocking.

“I used to know Steve Hafner at Margate. He’s a nice lad – and it’s disappointing to see someone like him putting in tackles like that.

“Clive has told us he doesn’t want to bring anyone in at the moment. He’s going to stick with his squad – but we are willing to assist him if he wishes to bring a couple in to plug the gaping holes in our squad.

“It is no coincidence that during two games, we’ve ended up with all our key players getting crocked. It’s a shame that football has become like this.

“If that was the way Dartford wanted to play, I said during the match ‘let them have the game’. I don’t want to be associated with football being played like that.”

Much has been made of the Dover officials’ decision to leave the ground straight after the match – rather than mixing with their Dartford counterparts.

Jim today issued a statement to the local media, after a one-sided press report that did not explain fully the situation.

He said: “The Dover directors left the ground after the match because our party (including two ladies) was subjected to a stream of foul-mouthed abuse from an individual, who appeared to be a Dartford official, and the decision was made to leave to avoid further confrontation.”

WHITES tonight crashed out of the FA Trophy after losing 3-2 against Dartford at Stonebridge Road.

It was inevitable that after having two perfectly good goals disallowed in the first match at Crabble, as well as having three players CROCKED long-term, that Dover would probably lose.

But Dover’s mixture of young reserve players, who have been plying their trade in the Surburban League, and surviving first-teamers, who were fortunate enough not to have been injured, put on a brave show against a physical Dartford side.

Anthony Hogg fired Whites ahead only for Darts to hit back soon after.

However, reserve striker Buster Smissen restored Dover’s lead with a 20-yard screamer – but again the hosts hit back just before the break.

Then Steve Hafner fired in a wonder goal one minute into the second half for the Darts.

And, if Saturday was not enough, with Craig Cloke, Daniel Braithwaite and Danny Chapman all picking up long-term injuries, a fourth player joined the casualty list.

Shane Hamshare was pole-axed by Hafner, who was booked, and taken off on a stretcher.

Reports, yet to be confirmed, suggest the injury may not be as bad as first feared. But doverathletic.com will bring you an update as and when we get it.

It must be said that Dartford fans sang, with gloating tones, “another one bites the dust” as young Shane whinced in pain following the x-rated tackle.

The club is fast running out of players after having the heart of its team ripped out in the space of just three days.

One piece of good news is that Tommy Tyne returned to the side, coming on as a sub in the second half. It is also hoped that top-scorer Craig Wilkins will be back in the side for the match against Met Police on Saturday.

Chairman Jim Parmenter has already pledged the board’s full support to boss Clive Walker if he feels the squad needs bolstering, even just for the short-term, while the club tries to get its key players back to full fitness.

PICTURE ABOVE: Dale Skelton in action for Whites at Stonebridge Road.