CLIVE WALKER apologised to Dover fans after his team froze against our fiercest rivals Folkestone.

Local lad James Dryden headed a heart-breaking late winner for Invicta in front of a bumper 2390 crowd.

Dover only managed one shot on target in the entire match – a 25-yard pile-driver from Daniel Braithwaite – which was superbly pushed over the bar by keeper Tony Kessels.

The Dover boss said: “I can only say sorry for the way we played. We didn’t turn up and didn’t put up much of a fight as I would have expected.

“It was always a concern of mine that the youngsters in the side may struggle to meet the challenge of a must-win game against our biggest rivals and in front of a huge crowd.

“However, Cheshunt lost again which means we are still very much in with a shout of staying up. We are running out of games but the margin is still six points and if we can scrap something up at Braintree on Saturday, suddenly we’re back in that mixer again.

“The fans, as always, were brilliant. Sadly we didn’t give them a performance to cheer. But days like today demonstrate what a big club Dover Athletic are and outlines our potential.

“For Folkestone, you have to give them credit but it’s probably not going to get any better than this for them. Whereas we are playing a few levels down from our proper potential.”

CHAIRMAN Jim Parmenter was upbeat after our Bank Holiday Monday defeat against Folkestone.

Despite the disappointing 1-0 defeat, Whites still have a chance of avoiding the drop.

And whatever happens at the end of the season, Dover Athletic are in a robust and stable financial position.

Jim said: “It’s very important that this defeat doesn’t get everybody too downhearted. The club has made huge strides since January on and off the field.

“We were dead and buried, practically relegated and on the verge of bankruptcy.

“Yet now, thanks to the joint efforts of the directors, Supporters Trust, local businesses and importantly the fans, this club is moving forward.

“Although we lost against Folkestone, the fundraising ventures – the Brazil shirt raffle and Mascot Mayhem – earned the club more than �2000. A magnificent effort.

“If relegation happens, and at this moment in time it hasn’t, we will not allow that to stop the club going forward. I can assure fans that we will put a squad in place which will win Ryman League Division One at this first time of asking.

“Finally, may I say a huge thank you to our supporters and, although we’ve been beaten in a crucial match, this is a club to be proud of. I urge everyone to keep the faith.”

Dover boss Clive Walker is set to sign vastly experienced utility-man Bradley Sandeman.

Sandeman, 35 yesterday, started his career as a trainee at Northampton under the managerment of Walker. He then signed professional forms with the Cobblers in 1988 before making a £10,000 move to Maidstone three years later to rejoin Walker at the Kent club.

The midfielder-cum-defender then went on to play for Port Vale, Rotherham and Hereford in the Football League before having spells at Northwich, Kettering, Worcester, Leek and most recently has been playing for Unibond Premier League side Kidsgrove Athletic.

Walker said: “Bradley is someone who is very well known to me, having been at two clubs at the same time as me. I know him from when he was a kid at Northampton and then he played for me at Maidstone United.

“He can play in a number of positions, has vast experience, having played more than 100 games in the Football League, and can be a useful addition for the run-in.

“Bradley moved down to Maidstone earlier this month and is looking for a club. The lad knows me so he gave me a call, asking about Dover. I’ve got to sit down with him next week but hopefully we’ll have him signed up ahead of the Leyton game.”

Walker is also going to sign keeper Darren Smith – a friend of Craig Wilkins – as cover for Paul Hyde until the end of the season.

Dover boss Clive Walker is set to sign vastly experienced utility-man Bradley Sandeman.

Sandeman, 35 yesterday, started his career as a trainee at Northampton under the managerment of Walker. He then signed professional forms with the Cobblers in 1988 before making a £10,000 move to Maidstone three years later to rejoin Walker at the Kent club.

The midfielder-cum-defender then went on to play for Port Vale, Rotherham and Hereford in the Football League before having spells at Northwich, Kettering, Worcester, Leek and most recently has been playing for Unibond Premier League side Kidsgrove Athletic.

Walker said: “Bradley is someone who is very well known to me, having been at two clubs at the same time as me. I know him from when he was a kid at Northampton and then he played for me at Maidstone United.

“He can play in a number of positions, has vast experience, having played more than 100 games in the Football League, and can be a useful addition for the run-in.

“Bradley moved down to Maidstone earlier this month and is looking for a club. The lad knows me so he gave me a call, asking about Dover. I’ve got to sit down with him next week but hopefully we’ll have him signed up ahead of the Leyton game.”

Walker is also going to sign keeper Darren Smith – a friend of Craig Wilkins – as cover for Paul Hyde until the end of the season.

DOVER ATHLETIC’S Live Match Update service is to be provided at all games – home and away – thanks to sponsors and fans.

Long-term supporter Kevin King, of Heritage International Transport, along with the county’s premier football website www.kentishfootball.co.uk and photography site www.takingthepics.com have joined forces with individual fans to secure the service.

A laptop will be purchased within the next week and donated to the club, which will enable the service to run from every match – keeping all Whites fans up-to-date with the latest happenings from Clive Walker’s side.

In the two weeks that the service has run on www.doverathletic.com many fans have already benefited. Our thanks to fans Stephen Polly and Andrew Stucken, who have provided the updates from the grounds.

Official website editor Justin Allen said: “We feel this service is of great benefit to our fans, especially at away games. Many people sometimes can’t get to games because of work or can’t travel to the away matches. This service enables our supporters to keep up-to-date with all the action.

“We’ve also been approached by some volunteers who would like to develop audio commentary and this is something we will look into at a later date. But, in the meantime, we now have a facility, which is unique below Conference level.

“There are a couple of clubs, Kingstonian and AFC Wimbledon, who provide a latest score service. We believe we’re going one better than that by having running text throughout the game – and hope that this will encourage other clubs to do likewise and raise the profile of non-league football.

“We’d like to thank Kevin King, a great supporter of the club, and Stephen McCartney, editor of www.kentishfootball.co.uk, for their generosity – and to those fans who donated money to secure the service. It’s much appreciated and I’m sure supporters will enjoy regular updates from matches they can’t get to.

“Despite the club’s difficulties in recent seasons, which has seen us drop a couple of divisions, we still have a big loyal fanbase and the interest in the Whites remains strong.

“I’d like to think that radio stations will continue to bare this in mind when they decide on their coverage on Saturday afternoons. We may not be a Conference club at the moment, but there’s still a huge interest in Kent and beyond in Dover Athletic.”

PAUL HYDE insists it is very much “game on” in the scramble to avoid relegation.

Whites, seemingly dead and buried a few weeks back, are now in with an outside chance of beating the drop after four league wins out of five.

Hyde, who has played a key part in that run despite missing the Salisbury game after injuring his head, believes that winning becomes as much a habit as losing.

He said: “Earlier in the season we were losing week-in, week-out and leaking late goals, which sapped confidence. Now it’s the other way round, we’re winning and beat Salisbury thanks to a late winner.

“Before Christmas we let two points drop against Harrow – we were coasting to victory and then suddenly they’ve hit us with an injury-time equaliser. That kind of thing really knocks your confidence.

“But now, under Clive Walker, we’re showing a tougher mentality to win matches. Salisbury being an excellent example.

“We played poor in the first half of the match but had a good chat at half time, then gone out there and showed fighting spirit to equalise and win the match late on. We got our rewards for working hard.

“That did this team a world of good because it showed we can win matches, after we fall behind, by showing the right attitude and not giving up.

“This is testament to Clive’s approach to the game and the way the young players in the squad respond to his coaching. After all, he knows all these young lads and coached them when they were 13 and 14 years old – some of them younger than that. There’s no doubt that Clive has made a huge difference but the players have got their rewards too, by working their socks off.”

Victor Renner was the star of the show that day, weighing in with two excellent strikes and Hydie reveals the Whites striker responded to some sound half-time advice.

He said: “We told Victor to get stuck in a bit more. It was obvious to us that the Salisbury keeper wasn’t the best in the world and if we put him under a bit of pressure Victor would cash in.

“We told Victor to chase down every ball and really put their defence and keeper under pressure. That’s exactly how he got the equalising goal. He’s won a ball by chasing it down, and then hit it superbly, catching their keeper completely out of position.

“Then we’ve bombarded their goal and Victor’s come up trumps again. He worked so hard and, look, he’s got two goals and we’ve won the match.

“Now, with another excellent win against Harrow, it’s game on. Yes, on paper, nine points are a lot to make up at the bottom but we cannot even think about that. We’ve just got to go into each match and win. That has to be our approach, home or away, and then it doesn’t matter what happens elsewhere.”

Hyde rates Whites’ performance at Harrow, where they won 4-1, as one of their best performances in the last couple of years. The veteran stopper barely had a save to make the entire afternoon in what was a crucial victory against a side flirting dangerously with relegation themselves.

He said: “It was good to have a quiet day. I wish it could be like that every day. My head was killing me a bit, as I still have a bit of pain after hurting it in training the other week, but, luckily, I didn’t get called upon much.

“The boys looked solid and took their goals well. It was a thoroughly professional performance and that’s what you need if you’re going to pick up points at some of these grounds.

“It took a little while for us to get used to the pitch conditions there, but, once we settled down, there only looked to be one winner.”

The atmosphere has changed for the better in recent weeks and Hyde explains that it runs from the players and management through to the directors and supporters.

He said: “All the lads are going into the bar after the games and buzzing. The fans are buzzing too and everyone seems to get on with each other. It’s a real community spirit at Dover Athletic at the moment. The fans, players, management and directors are all in this together – and that has been a key feature.”

Chelmsford have only lost once in 13 games and Hyde insists that Saturday’s game will be between the two biggest clubs in the division – and, on current form, is a top-of-the-table clash.

He said: “It’s hardly going to be a game between a side second from bottom and another in mid-table. Both sides, on current form, are the best two in the division. We’d be the top two on our form at the moment and we’ve got to be right on top of our game if we’re going to win it.

“The pitch is under snow at the moment but we really hope the game goes ahead. I’m sure Chelmsford want to play the game too. When you’re winning, you want to play. You want to keep the momentum going.

“If the game goes ahead, it’s going to be a bit of a mud bath, which will be a leveller. We’ve then got to go out there and just grind out a vital win.”

The club are hoping for a bumper crowd. Chelmsford could be bringing around 100 fans down and it is hoped that the Dover public will turn up in numbers for a huge game – one that Whites are desperate to win.

Hyde added: “We’re the two biggest clubs in this division. I’d say we’re the biggest club, followed by them. They can get good support up there and this will be a good game, I’m sure. Let’s hope we make it five wins from six league games. We could pull to within six points of the safety zone if we win it.”

DOVER ATHLETIC’S Live Match Update service is to be provided at all games – home and away – thanks to sponsors and fans.

Long-term supporter Kevin King, of Heritage International Transport, along with the county’s premier football website www.kentishfootball.co.uk and photography site www.takingthepics.com have joined forces with individual fans to secure the service.

A laptop will be purchased within the next week and donated to the club, which will enable the service to run from every match – keeping all Whites fans up-to-date with the latest happenings from Clive Walker’s side.

In the two weeks that the service has run on www.doverathletic.com many fans have already benefited. Our thanks to fans Stephen Polly and Andrew Stucken, who have provided the updates from the grounds.

Official website editor Justin Allen said: “We feel this service is of great benefit to our fans, especially at away games. Many people sometimes can’t get to games because of work or can’t travel to the away matches. This service enables our supporters to keep up-to-date with all the action.

“We’ve also been approached by some volunteers who would like to develop audio commentary and this is something we will look into at a later date. But, in the meantime, we now have a facility, which is unique below Conference level.

“There are a couple of clubs, Kingstonian and AFC Wimbledon, who provide a latest score service. We believe we’re going one better than that by having running text throughout the game – and hope that this will encourage other clubs to do likewise and raise the profile of non-league football.

“We’d like to thank Kevin King, a great supporter of the club, and Stephen McCartney, editor of www.kentishfootball.co.uk, for their generosity – and to those fans who donated money to secure the service. It’s much appreciated and I’m sure supporters will enjoy regular updates from matches they can’t get to.

“Despite the club’s difficulties in recent seasons, which has seen us drop a couple of divisions, we still have a big loyal fanbase and the interest in the Whites remains strong.

“I’d like to think that radio stations will continue to bare this in mind when they decide on their coverage on Saturday afternoons. We may not be a Conference club at the moment, but there’s still a huge interest in Kent and beyond in Dover Athletic.”

PAUL HYDE insists it is very much “game on” in the scramble to avoid relegation.

Whites, seemingly dead and buried a few weeks back, are now in with an outside chance of beating the drop after four league wins out of five.

Hyde, who has played a key part in that run despite missing the Salisbury game after injuring his head, believes that winning becomes as much a habit as losing.

He said: “Earlier in the season we were losing week-in, week-out and leaking late goals, which sapped confidence. Now it’s the other way round, we’re winning and beat Salisbury thanks to a late winner.

“Before Christmas we let two points drop against Harrow – we were coasting to victory and then suddenly they’ve hit us with an injury-time equaliser. That kind of thing really knocks your confidence.

“But now, under Clive Walker, we’re showing a tougher mentality to win matches. Salisbury being an excellent example.

“We played poor in the first half of the match but had a good chat at half time, then gone out there and showed fighting spirit to equalise and win the match late on. We got our rewards for working hard.

“That did this team a world of good because it showed we can win matches, after we fall behind, by showing the right attitude and not giving up.

“This is testament to Clive’s approach to the game and the way the young players in the squad respond to his coaching. After all, he knows all these young lads and coached them when they were 13 and 14 years old – some of them younger than that. There’s no doubt that Clive has made a huge difference but the players have got their rewards too, by working their socks off.”

Victor Renner was the star of the show that day, weighing in with two excellent strikes and Hydie reveals the Whites striker responded to some sound half-time advice.

He said: “We told Victor to get stuck in a bit more. It was obvious to us that the Salisbury keeper wasn’t the best in the world and if we put him under a bit of pressure Victor would cash in.

“We told Victor to chase down every ball and really put their defence and keeper under pressure. That’s exactly how he got the equalising goal. He’s won a ball by chasing it down, and then hit it superbly, catching their keeper completely out of position.

“Then we’ve bombarded their goal and Victor’s come up trumps again. He worked so hard and, look, he’s got two goals and we’ve won the match.

“Now, with another excellent win against Harrow, it’s game on. Yes, on paper, nine points are a lot to make up at the bottom but we cannot even think about that. We’ve just got to go into each match and win. That has to be our approach, home or away, and then it doesn’t matter what happens elsewhere.”

Hyde rates Whites’ performance at Harrow, where they won 4-1, as one of their best performances in the last couple of years. The veteran stopper barely had a save to make the entire afternoon in what was a crucial victory against a side flirting dangerously with relegation themselves.

He said: “It was good to have a quiet day. I wish it could be like that every day. My head was killing me a bit, as I still have a bit of pain after hurting it in training the other week, but, luckily, I didn’t get called upon much.

“The boys looked solid and took their goals well. It was a thoroughly professional performance and that’s what you need if you’re going to pick up points at some of these grounds.

“It took a little while for us to get used to the pitch conditions there, but, once we settled down, there only looked to be one winner.”

The atmosphere has changed for the better in recent weeks and Hyde explains that it runs from the players and management through to the directors and supporters.

He said: “All the lads are going into the bar after the games and buzzing. The fans are buzzing too and everyone seems to get on with each other. It’s a real community spirit at Dover Athletic at the moment. The fans, players, management and directors are all in this together – and that has been a key feature.”

Chelmsford have only lost once in 13 games and Hyde insists that Saturday’s game will be between the two biggest clubs in the division – and, on current form, is a top-of-the-table clash.

He said: “It’s hardly going to be a game between a side second from bottom and another in mid-table. Both sides, on current form, are the best two in the division. We’d be the top two on our form at the moment and we’ve got to be right on top of our game if we’re going to win it.

“The pitch is under snow at the moment but we really hope the game goes ahead. I’m sure Chelmsford want to play the game too. When you’re winning, you want to play. You want to keep the momentum going.

“If the game goes ahead, it’s going to be a bit of a mud bath, which will be a leveller. We’ve then got to go out there and just grind out a vital win.”

The club are hoping for a bumper crowd. Chelmsford could be bringing around 100 fans down and it is hoped that the Dover public will turn up in numbers for a huge game – one that Whites are desperate to win.

Hyde added: “We’re the two biggest clubs in this division. I’d say we’re the biggest club, followed by them. They can get good support up there and this will be a good game, I’m sure. Let’s hope we make it five wins from six league games. We could pull to within six points of the safety zone if we win it.”

CLIVE WALKER is resisting the temptation of signing new players this week – insisting: “If it’s not broke, do nowt.”

Whites missed out on signing Leigh Bremner from Cray last week. The prolific frontman opted to snub playing for Dover in favour of staying at the North Kent club.

With Dover winning four of their last five Ryman Premier matches, Clive does not want to meddle with the side too much – especially as a couple of poor results could end our slim chances of pulling off a great escape from relegation.

He said: “We’ve got a settled team and when you bring in a new player or two it can sometimes mess everything up.

“Although I might be able to bring in good quality players, it can take a few weeks for new lads to settle into the team – and we just cannot afford that at the moment. We’ve got to keep this run going – to stand any chance of staying up.

“We’ve simply got to keep winning and the side is doing that. And, as they say, if it’s not broke, do nowt.”

Whites have received a seven-day approach for another one of its players from a Conference South club. Walker hopes the player concerned will opt to stay but, as was the case with Dean Palmer and Paul Armstrong two weeks ago, he is powerless to prevent any move.

That illustrates why it is important for Dover to have its main squad players on contract.

Clive said: “It’s just not ideal at all. Players can leave at the drop of a hat and that just isn’t any good to the club. We need our players committed to playing for Dover Athletic, not moving for more money two or three months down the line.

“We’re not going to just hand out contracts though. We’ll only give them to good quality players who are 100 per cent focussed on getting Dover up the pyramid again. That’s what we need in order to reverse the club’s fortunes and whatever happen this season that’ll be our future policy.”

Saturday’s opponents, Chelmsford, are in a rich vein of form themseles. The Essex club, traditional old Southern League rivals of Whites, have lost just once in their last 13 league games.

But Whites have got to face table-topping Yeading and high-flying Eastleigh and Hampton and Richmond, not to mention making a tough looking trip to Leyton, in their remaining 10 games.

So this is another must-win match and Clive knows defeat cannot even be an option for his young side.

He said: “Chelmsford are a decent side. I know a bit about them and they’ve still got some good players there.

“We’ve just got to keep our run going although it’s going to be tough. We need a big crowd to turn up, create a noisy atmosphere and hopefully act like a 12th man for us. Make no mistake, this is going to be a tough match.”

Whites chairman Jim Parmenter would like to see a crowd breaking the 800-mark. The club’s form of five wins out of six in total, since Clive took over as manager, is impressive – and has suddenly given Dover hope of survival.

Jim said: “We’d like to see the town of Dover get behind us for this one. It’s vital for our survival chances that we win this game.

“Our supporters here really can make a difference for us at home games. No other side in this division gets gates like ours and the fans can be like having an extra man in your side. I urge fans to get up to watch us on Saturday and cheer us on to what would be a massive win.”

Daniel Braithwaite returns from suspension but Clive is sweating on the fitness of Dean Readings, Chris Wright, Matt Carruthers and Paul Hyde – although all should be fine. Keeper Paul Rogers has sustained a knee injury and is out for a month – which means the Whites boss is looking to sign a keeper as cover for Hyde this week.

He said: “I’m going to resist signing any players on-loan, unless there’s an emergency situation. Loan players aren’t always committed to the cause and are only turning out to get fit.

“I need players who want to stay at this club and be part of what we’re trying to build here.”

CLIVE WALKER is resisting the temptation of signing new players this week – insisting: “If it’s not broke, do nowt.”

Whites missed out on signing Leigh Bremner from Cray last week. The prolific frontman opted to snub playing for Dover in favour of staying at the North Kent club.

With Dover winning four of their last five Ryman Premier matches, Clive does not want to meddle with the side too much – especially as a couple of poor results could end our slim chances of pulling off a great escape from relegation.

He said: “We’ve got a settled team and when you bring in a new player or two it can sometimes mess everything up.

“Although I might be able to bring in good quality players, it can take a few weeks for new lads to settle into the team – and we just cannot afford that at the moment. We’ve got to keep this run going – to stand any chance of staying up.

“We’ve simply got to keep winning and the side is doing that. And, as they say, if it’s not broke, do nowt.”

Whites have received a seven-day approach for another one of its players from a Conference South club. Walker hopes the player concerned will opt to stay but, as was the case with Dean Palmer and Paul Armstrong two weeks ago, he is powerless to prevent any move.

That illustrates why it is important for Dover to have its main squad players on contract.

Clive said: “It’s just not ideal at all. Players can leave at the drop of a hat and that just isn’t any good to the club. We need our players committed to playing for Dover Athletic, not moving for more money two or three months down the line.

“We’re not going to just hand out contracts though. We’ll only give them to good quality players who are 100 per cent focussed on getting Dover up the pyramid again. That’s what we need in order to reverse the club’s fortunes and whatever happen this season that’ll be our future policy.”

Saturday’s opponents, Chelmsford, are in a rich vein of form themseles. The Essex club, traditional old Southern League rivals of Whites, have lost just once in their last 13 league games.

But Whites have got to face table-topping Yeading and high-flying Eastleigh and Hampton and Richmond, not to mention making a tough looking trip to Leyton, in their remaining 10 games.

So this is another must-win match and Clive knows defeat cannot even be an option for his young side.

He said: “Chelmsford are a decent side. I know a bit about them and they’ve still got some good players there.

“We’ve just got to keep our run going although it’s going to be tough. We need a big crowd to turn up, create a noisy atmosphere and hopefully act like a 12th man for us. Make no mistake, this is going to be a tough match.”

Whites chairman Jim Parmenter would like to see a crowd breaking the 800-mark. The club’s form of five wins out of six in total, since Clive took over as manager, is impressive – and has suddenly given Dover hope of survival.

Jim said: “We’d like to see the town of Dover get behind us for this one. It’s vital for our survival chances that we win this game.

“Our supporters here really can make a difference for us at home games. No other side in this division gets gates like ours and the fans can be like having an extra man in your side. I urge fans to get up to watch us on Saturday and cheer us on to what would be a massive win.”

Daniel Braithwaite returns from suspension but Clive is sweating on the fitness of Dean Readings, Chris Wright, Matt Carruthers and Paul Hyde – although all should be fine. Keeper Paul Rogers has sustained a knee injury and is out for a month – which means the Whites boss is looking to sign a keeper as cover for Hyde this week.

He said: “I’m going to resist signing any players on-loan, unless there’s an emergency situation. Loan players aren’t always committed to the cause and are only turning out to get fit.

“I need players who want to stay at this club and be part of what we’re trying to build here.”