Hessenthaler plotting a couple of Trophy upsets - EXCLUSIVE

Dover Athletic player-manager Andy Hessenthaler is plotting a couple of shocks in the FA Carlsberg Trophy, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Ryman League Division One South leaders travel to Sutton United tomorrow night, and if successful, will welcome Blue Square Premier outfit Forest Green Rovers to SeaFrance Crabble Stadium in the first round proper on 15^th December.

But the Whites boss has warned that Sutton United, currently at the foot of the Blue Square South - two leagues above the Kent club - will not rollover at Gander Green Lane.

Dover Athletic were thankful to Craig Cloke and his second goal of the season to cancel out Warren McBean’s opener to earn a second bite of the cherry.

“I mean we were testing ourselves against a side two league’s above and a draw was a fair result on the day,” Hessenthaler admitted when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“The first half was pretty even. We went 1-0 down, which was unfortunate, but second half we came out and played a lot better, and got it back to 1-1.

“Both sides had good chances so overall a draw was a true reflection.

Saturday’s draw ended a run of eight successive victories for the Whites, but Hessenthaler has every faith that the Kent club can clinch a lucrative home tie in the next round.

“We’ve got an opportunity of going through,” he said. “The onus is on them, it’s at their home, but we’ve got to go there and hopefully get a result.

But Dover Athletic have a squad that’s more than capable of holding their own against a Surrey side that’s coming together under the new manager, Ernie Howe.

“We’re still in the league we’re in and you can only sign players for this level,” explained the boss. 

“Even though the players I’ve signed certainly go and play at that level.

“The players we’ve got will hopefully handle the league above. We have got some good players - and so do Sutton.

“They’re two leagues above, so it gives our players another good test, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Despite having played at a much higher level, Hessenthaler would relish the opportunity to “pit his wits” against Jim Harvey’s side - currently fifth in the Blue Square Premier table.

“If we can get through, we’ve got a nice Conference side against Forest Green Rovers,” he said.

“I saw them at Rushden & Diamonds and they’re a very good team.

“I want to pit my wits against Conference sides. The manager at Forest Green Rovers is an experienced guy, and an incentive for my players is to go out and perform, being at home we should get a good crowd - it’s an incentive for Sutton as well.”

But looking forward to the Gander Green Lane replay, Hessenthaler warned: “They’ve picked up lately with a new manager in Ernie Howe, and he’s turned it around result wise.

“He’s brought in new players and they’re certainly a threat going forward, with lots of pace. The striker who scored Saturday is a handful and he’s played League football.

“It’s all on the night. I believe we’re up for the game, and put on a good performance.

“We’ve got to be defensively strong to keep them quiet, but they’ll be saying we’re a force going forward too.

“The players we’ve got will hopefully handle the league above. We have got some good players and so do they. They’re two leagues above, so it gives our players another good test and we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be a tough game, they’re a tough side to beat.”

But Hessenthaler would like an extended run in the FA Trophy this season.

“We want to get as far as we can,” he said. “We’d love to get there (to Wembley Stadium) but we’re going to be playing against a full-time side in Forest Green, so that will be a massive challenge, three leagues above.

“We’ll wait and see. Who knows where it can take us. We were hoping for a home draw, it could be an upset.”

But Dover Athletic aren’t there yet, as Sutton United stand in their way.

He added: “Sutton are a tough side. It’s not going to be easy, even though in their league they’re not doing fantastic but the manager is doing a very good job there.”

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

Subject to facilities, www.kentishfootball.co.uk are planning to bring you LIVE coverage of this match.

Sutton United v Dover Athletic
FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 27^th November 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2EY