Boz's Fruit & Veg

Cards look to build on away win

Brian Caffarey
7:48pm, Sun 20th Nov 2016
Dover Athletic v Woking
Vanarama National League
7.45pm on Tuesday 22 November 2016

The Cards, buoyed by their excellent 3-0 win at Maidstone United on Saturday, travel to Crabble on Tuesday evening for what is always one of the toughest away games of the season. Let’s hope that another wholehearted performance enables Garry Hill’s side to come away with a point or three.

WOKING

After a slightly uncertain first 25 minutes or so at the Gallagher Stadium yesterday the Cards went on to dominate the game, leaving Maidstone looking a pretty disheartened outfit by the end. It was a terrific team performance, started initially by a couple of fine saves from keeper Brandon Hall, showing his England C form, and then building on some commanding defending by the impressive Terell Thomas, Brian Saah and Joey Jones in particular, some skillful offensive midfield play from Keiran Murtagh especially, and two superb headers from the hard-working Gozie Ugwu, latching on to marvellous crosses from Jake Caprice. But what was most noticeable was the energy and commitment of the whole side as they pressed the opposition, never giving them a chance to settle. Jurgen Klopp would have approved!

It’s tough to expect the side to play to the same high standard on Tuesday but that’s almost certainly what will be needed to get any joy from a Dover side who have been in fine form. Indeed, Garry Hill will want to stress the importance of starting more quickly than his charges did at the Gallagher Stadium.

DOVER ATHLETIC

Chris Kinnear is proving yet again what an accomplished manager he is in the non-League game. Having taken Dover to the play-offs last year, he saw three of his best players leave in the summer: top scorer Stefan Payne joining Barnsley, influential midfielder Nicky Deverdics signing for Hartlepool and defender Sean Raggett joining Lincoln City. But the Whites have made light of these losses and look set to challenge for another play-off place, currently sitting in 6th position with 37 points from 20 games.

They are hugely indebted to the form shown by Ricky Miller, who has already bagged 23 goals this season in all competitions. But Dover look strong in all areas, with some useful additions made in the summer to compensate for the departures. Among them were keeper Steve Arnold arriving from Forest Green Rovers; midfielder Jim Stevenson joining from Aldershot Town; striker Ross Lafayette from Eastleigh; centre back Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, formerly with Crystal Palace and Hearts; and Ira Jackson Jr, an Academy graduate who featured for Worthing last season. Two recent additions are Joe Healy, opting to join the Whites rather than stay at Maidstone United; and 21 year-old former West Ham midfielder, Amos Nasha. Defender Ayo Obileye is on a two-month loan from Eastleigh.

Both Ricky Miller (in the Academy) and Ross Lafayette (on loan) have worn the Cardinal red and white, but there are several other former Woking players in the Whites’ squad: Moses Emmanuel (formerly Ademola), Jack Parkinson and Aswad Thomas.

Other, familiar, names from last season include keeper Mitch Walker, defenders Richard Orlu, Tyrone Sterling and Jamie Grimes and forwards Ricky Modeste and Tyrone Marsh. Sammy Moore has returned to Crabble on loan from Leyton Orient.

At home Dover have won seven league games and lost three. Notable scalps include Forest Green Rovers, Lincoln City and Barrow. On Saturday they beat Guiseley 2-0 at home, with goals early in the second half from Ricky Miller and Moses Emmanuel.

In the FA Cup Dover beat Burgess Hill 5-0 away in the 4th Qualifying Round. They drew 1-1 at Cambridge United in the 1st Round Proper and, on Thursday evening, lost 4-2 at home, after extra time, in the replay, being hauled back as late as the 90th minute after Ricky Miller had given them the lead.

GETTING THERE

Crabble Athletic Ground
Lewisham Road
River
Dover
Kent
CT17 0JB

Official website: www.doverathletic.com

By coach

The Cards Trust is not running a coach to this match.

By car

The directions on Dover’s official website are as follows: make your way to the M25 and then take the M2/A2 (following the signs to Canterbury and then Dover) as far as the Whitfield roundabout (there is a McDonald's Drive-Thru on the left).

Take the fourth exit at this roundabout, down Whitfield Hill. At the bottom of the hill turn left at the roundabout and follow this road until the first set of traffic lights. At the lights turn right (180 degrees down the hill) and follow the road under the railway bridge; the ground is a little further up the road on the left.

There is no parking for supporters within the ground, although parking is available in the rugby ground, which is just inside the main entrance.

By train

The main railway station in Dover is Dover Priory, which is about two miles from Crabble and would take you about 25/30 minutes on foot. The closest station to Crabble is Kearsney, which is about a 20-minute walk from the ground. If you get off at Kearsney, turn right as you leave the station, go under the railway bridge and then take the first road on the left (Lower Road). Follow Lower Road all the way along, past a pond on your right and Crabble Corn Mill on your left. At the end you will see the Cricketers pub on the other side of the road. Turn right and you will see the entrance to the ground.

Getting down to Dover Priory is reasonably straightforward: make your way to St Pancras International and catch the 17.07, arriving at 18.15, or, via a change at Ashford International, the 17.20, arriving at 18.40. But trains back are more complicated, with the 22.48 from Dover Priory, arriving at St Pancras at 23.54, probably the best bet.

Trains down to Kearsney, either from Cannon Street or Victoria, are generally slower. But possibilities are the 16.37 from Victoria, arriving at 18.35, and the 17.08 from Cannon Street, arriving at 19.00. Going back, there is a train, if you’re quick, at 22.01 to Dover Priory, where you could catch the 22.48 to St Pancras (see above), but the 22.09 doesn’t reach Victoria till 00.37.

A careful study of www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com is advisable for anyone thinking of travelling by train.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults: £15
Over 60's: £12
Under 18's: £6
Under 11's (accompanied): FREE

Transfer to the seated stands:

Adults: £1.50
Over 60's & Under 18s: £1
Under 11's: Free

On Saturday Dover opened a new £1.3m Family Stand, with 500 seats, and incorporating new changing rooms etc.

COMING UP

The Cards are at home to Gateshead next Saturday (26 November) and then at home again, to Bromley, on the Tuesday evening (29 November). A busy week is completed with the home Emirates FA Cup tie against Accrington Stanley at 2pm on Sunday 4 December.

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget the Cards Trust Quiz Night on Friday 25 November. See the official site for details.



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