Chelmsford clash will show us where we stand, says Martin Hayes

Thursday 14th October 2010

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Martin Hayes is licking his lips over the prospect of locking horns with fellow title challengers Chelmsford City on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Both sides are locked inside the Blue Square Bet South play-off zone after 10 games and the Clarets are fresh from their FA Cup win at Bromley in midweek as goals from Billy Bricknell, Sam Higgins and Anthony Cook inflicted Bromley’s first defeat of the season after 13 unbeaten games.

Chelmsford will now travel to Ryman Premier League side Carshalton Athletic on 23 October, whilst Dover travel to league rivals Farnborough for a place in the First Round of the FA Cup for the first time in eight years at stake.

Dover comfortably eased past Zamaretto Premier League side Cambridge City last weekend, as a brace from Adam Birchall and a strike from the impressive Jon Wallis, sealed a 3-1 win at Crabble.

“I think Saturday will be a big test for us as I still think Chelmsford are candidates to win the league as well (as us),” Hayes told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Let’s see, lets put ourselves up against them and see how we fair, then it gives us a yardstick then to move on with the season.

“If we’re going to be in contention, I expect them to be in and around us.

“I know a couple of their players, they’re good players. Saturday’s game will show us where we stand.”

Table-topping Bromley assistant manager, Hayden Bird, meanwhile, admitted that both Dover and Chelmsford will be fighting it out for the title this season.

“If you asked me at the start of the season who my money would be on to win the league, I would say you wouldn’t have to look much further than Chelmsford and Dover and I think that’s just been justified on Tuesday evening,” Bird told www.kentishfootball.co.uk following his side’s defeat to Chelmsford.

Visit Dover Athletic's website: www.doverathletic.com

Dover Athletic v Chelmsford City

Blue Square Bet South

Saturday 16th October 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB