Hume vows to be the side that turns Dover over at fortress Crabble

UPBEAT Maidstone United joint-manager Lloyd Hume fancies his side’s chances at runaway Ryman Premier League leaders Dover Athletic, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Stones fought back from 2-0 down to defeat Kent rivals Ramsgate in a five-goal thriller at Bourne Park last weekend and Hume, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game, is in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday’s Crabble cracker.

It will be a disaster if Dover Athletic do not clinch the Ryman Premier League title this season, especially as Andy Hessenthaler’s men after SEVENTEEN points clear of Staines Town with 20 games remaining.

So it’s a fight for those four play-off places that are up for grabs and although his side are 21 points behind the leaders in fifth place, Hume believes his side can become the first side to come away from fortress Perrys Crabble with more than just a defeat.

Dover Athletic have won all ten of their home games and are formidable opposition and even the likes of Tonbridge Angels and Dartford have been swept aside in White Cliffs Country this season.

“We’re certainly not going down there with our tail between our legs thinking it’s a hiding to nothing,” said Hume.

“We’re going down there believing that if we perform well and to our maximum potential and we get our game plan right on the day that we can turn them over. We have to believe that or there’s no point in going.

“The last two times we’ve played Dover in the league, two years ago, I believe we came out on top both times and they were good games and the fans enjoyed it.

“I believe we can be as good as Dover, what we haven’t got are the resources Dover have got. We haven’t got the big squad that they’ve got so it’s important that we get most of the players on the pitch and they’re fit and I think we’ll be a match for them.

Hume, who revealed the club slashed their wage bill by 40% over three weeks ago, is pleased with the resilience shown from his remaining players.

“All the players have contributed towards the wage cuts that have gone on between them,” revealed Hume.

“They’ve agreed certain things with the chairman, which again is a credit to them. I know the chairman is thankful for that and it just shows the spirit that we’ve got within the side.”

Hume knows that the Stones - or any other Kent club for that matter - can NOT compete with Dover Athletic’s financial backing.

“I’m not going to say Dover have won it, but only a fool would bet against them right now,” said Hume.

“We’ve got to play them twice, if we can turn them over who knows.

“They’ve got the resources to bring players in as and when they need and Andy Hessenthaler is a good manager and he knows what he’s doing.

“He’s not going to let them rest on their laurels, thinking they’ve won it already, which is why his team keeps pushing on and keep winning games.”

Striker, Lloyd Blackman, who scored twice against the Rams, believes Maidstone United can become the first side to come away from Dover with at least a point.

“We don’t fear anyone and I generally mean that,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I’ve seen Dover play a couple of times already and I know we can go out there and on our day we can beat them and that’s coming from the heart and I generally believe we can do that.”

Although Stones chairman, Mr Paul Bowden-Brown, insists his aspirations are to avoid relegation and not qualify for the play-off’s, on the pitch, that’s a different matter.

“Although I only played in this league towards the end of last season for a few months when I came into this side, I thought we had a great chance with this side and although we’ve made cut-backs the nucleus of the side is still there,” said Blackman.

“Who knows what could happen in a month’s time or six weeks or next week for that matter.”

Visit Maidstone United’s website:  www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

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

Dover Athletic v Maidstone United
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 27^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Perrys Crabble, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB