I fully believe we will give Millwall a good game and then we’ll see what happens from there result wise, says Dover Athletic Academy manager Mike Sandmann

DOVER ATHLETIC Academy manager Mike Sandmann says his players have earnt their FA Youth Cup First Round tie at Millwall.

The Whites have defeated Croydon Athletic, Tonbridge Angels, Dartford and Camberley Town and their reward is to play at The Den on Tuesday 3 November (19:00).

“The Academy had to do it the hard way on Monday night, away to Camberley Town, winning 4-2 after extra time,” said a proud Sandmann.

“On reflection we were really disappointed with how our performance levels dropped and the game should have been out of sight.

“We performed well in the first half and deserved our lead but after the second goal we stopped doing the right things and expected to see the game through.

“After the penalty decision went against us we really lost our way and we were disappointed with that.

“Credit to the players, they showed real character in extra time and didn’t feel sorry for themselves and finished the job getting the all-important result, which is the main thing.”

The Vanarama National League club kicked off their FA Youth Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Croydon Athletic at Crabble.

“I thought Croydon Athletic caused us problems and won’t be many teams beating them by that scoreline this season,” reflected Sandmann.

Dover Athletic then came away from Tonbridge Angels with a 3-0 win, before beating Dartford 6-1 at Princes Park.

“We played Tonbridge, winning 3-0, in a game which we was also slightly disappointed with but credit to their young side which made it difficult for us at times.

“It’s strange to hear a manager being disappointed after winning 3-0 but as a squad we are always looking to improve and we are trying to teach the players, despite the level of opposition, you still need to create your own tempo and do the right things regardless of the scoreline.

“Throughout the competition so far we have played some really good stuff, in particular against Dartford.  We were excellent. We deserved our 6-1 victory and created so many chances going forward as a team. We had a good shape defensively to deny a decent Dartford team.

“The players’ performance in this game in particular has created lots of interest from professional clubs such as Reading, Barnet, Millwall and Gillingham.

“We are going up to Reading on Monday to their training ground to play their youth team which will be a good experience for the players.

“The interest from these clubs doesn’t surprise me at all. We have some real talented players that have a great work ethic and are desperate to improve.

“What you also have is a group of level headed players that haven’t been too distracted by the professional clubs attention.” 

The FA Youth Cup is a great cup competition where teenagers at non-league football clubs have an early opportunity to play Football League opposition in a prestigious cup competition.

It is also a shop window to go on and enhance their own careers.

Sandmann is relishing their trip to south east London to play a League One football club.

“We will travel up to The Den and put in a performance that will give Millwall a tough game,” he said.

“I want the players to enjoy the experience and they have certainly earned it.

“We will try and play with confidence and be creative in the final third as well as making sure we have a good defensive shape without the ball.

“Millwall will be a good side with plenty of pace and power, which we will need to match.

“We won’t be travelling up there with any pressure with expectation to win the game, which we have had to experience in previous rounds.

“Don’t get me wrong, I fully believe we will give Millwall a good game and then we’ll see what happens from there result wise.

“The whole club and The Abbey School are looking forward to this game and hopefully can bring a crowd up to support t the players.

“This once again shows what a massive club Dover Athletic is and more and more young players want to be a part of it.”

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