Mass exodus will add spice to battle of Kent, says Dover boss Martin Hayes

Wednesday 27th October 2010

DOVER ATHLETIC’S heroic players smashed Farnborough 5-0 last night to set up a dream FA Cup First Round showdown away to bitter Kent rivals Gillingham, pleasing not only the passionate Crabble faithful, but manager Martin Hayes, writes Stephen McCartney.

As soon as the First Round draw was made last Sunday, the winners of the all-Blue Square Bet South tussle, would face League Two side Gillingham, the scene was set for a magical Crabble night.

A hat-trick from Adam Birchell and goals from Elliott Charles and the impressive Harry Baker, not only put Dover Athletic into the First Round for the first time in eight years (or the third time in 28 years) it also set up a reunion with former personnel Andy Hessenthaler, Darren Hare, Nicky Southall and Ian Hendon.

The Whites romped into a 4-0 lead after just 19 minutes and have now scored 11 GOALS against stunned Farnborough in their two games at Crabble this season.

When asked how he was feeling this morning, Whites boss Hayes told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “It’s good. It’s good. It’s nice to have a big game and it’s nice to come through it and look forward to another big game.

“We started very well and bright and got a couple of lucky breaks with a deflection and it seemed the first 20 minutes was all us and it went our way and you’re sitting there suddenly 4-0 up and looking at your watch seeing it go backwards really.”

Hayes expressed his feelings when the First Round draw was made on Sunday lunchtime - Dover had to deliver the goods or break their brilliant fans’ hearts.

“It’s a great draw to be away at a League club, but it just brought out so many complications, with obviously it being a big Kent derby,” he said.

“There’s an ex-manager, other ex-members of staff and we’ve got ex-Gillingham players with us, so there’s many twists and turns involved in it.

“It threw up such a massive incentive and it was also a major hindrance because if it didn’t go to plan it would have caused major disappointment.”

Hayes didn’t have to motivate his players before last night’s masterclass.

He said: “You certainly say that was the case for the first half-an-hour. It was a horrible night, it was raining and windy and everything was against the players but to get the chance to go and play away in the First Round at a League club, being Gillingham was even better, was a massive incentive for certain people at the club.

“But you’ve got Farnborough players who wanted to play in those games as well so it was an incentive for everybody. It gave us a major edge and we took advantage of it for 20 minutes.

“To be fair they had a go after that. It wasn’t all one way traffic. They had a lot of possession, they could have scored a couple of goals and they could have made it far more nervy and more than a close game.

“Luckily we got a fifth goal in the second half and it petered out a little bit so mission accomplished.”

Hayes was asked who stood out last night and the former Arsenal star replied: “I could honestly say it was a really good, solid team performance. Adam takes the credits because he scored three goals, but I had to put Matt Fish at left-back and he done a good job. Bobby Aisien came in and it was only his second start of the season and the back four looked nice and solid. It was nice to have Harry (Baker) and Sam (Long) back on either wing and they caused them problems.

“We had a good shape about us and we played well and it really was a good, overall team performance, but obviously Adam’s getting the credit and he’s scoring goals for fun and he’s showing what a good player he still is and we’re pleased that he’s on fire.”

Farnborough boss Steve King will not be wanting to go back to Crabble again - Dover also thrashed his side 6-3 in a League game earlier in the season.

Hayes said: “It’s not been a good place for them to visit and to be fair we’ve scored 11 goals against them and I do generally rate them as a good, strong side and I still think they will be in the mix at the end of the season, being one of the top five sides.

“I’m amazed we’ve scored 11 goals against them, knowing what we’ve done, what quality players they’ve got and they play Chelmsford on Saturday and they’re quite capable of beating them and that will just highlight how good we’ve been against them.”

Beating Gillingham on 6 November will be so sweet!

Hayes said: “Yes, obviously there was a mass exodus with Andy and then he took Darren Hare with him and Nicky Southall went and Ian Hendon briefly took over and Ian joined them as well.

“I don’t think Gillingham were on the chairman’s Christmas card list back in June put it that way, so it adds a lot of spice about the game and I think that’s settled down.

“We’ve got to go there and show we can play. I want the lads to go and play and enjoy the occasion and give them a really good game and who knows? If we do what we can do and we may have a chance of causing an upset, but we’ll certainly enjoy playing them.”

Before the BATTLE OF KENT, Hayes takes his side to his former club, Bishop’s Stortford, for equally important Blue Square Bet South league game.

Dover are presently in fifth place in the table with 20 points from 11 games - six points behind leaders Braintree Town - whilst the Hertfordshire side are in thirteenth place with 15 points from 12 games.

“It’s going to be very strange going back there having spent so many years in charge and running it, to go back there and just be a visitor on the day.” said Hayes.

“I’ve got to make sure I don’t walk into the wrong dressing room!

“Obviously I’ve got my differences with personnel there and that happened to me nearly two years ago now but my main focus now is to get us back on track. We need three points to get our promotion push back on track and that’s the most important thing.

“We’ll train tomorrow night and we’ve got to get the heads back as it’s important with all these Cup games is to keep picking up points.

“We’ve achieved getting into the First Round, that is good, that’s one box ticked. Our FA Cup run will come to an end soon, we know that, but we’ve got 31 more league games that are very vital to us. They’re all Cup finals and they’re all three points to get us closer to where we want to be.”

TICKETING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DOVER ATHLETIC FANS AT GILLINGHAM:

Dover Athletic have been allocated 2,400 tickets for the Brian Moore Stand.

Prices are: £15 (adults), £10 (over 65s), £5 (under 16s).

VIP boxes are available at £850 for ten people, including a three course meal.

Dover season ticket holders will have a ticket reserves until Monday 1st at 2pm. This will be available in person only and you must bring your season ticket with you.

Tickets will be available from the Centre Spot Venue at Crabble at these times:

Thursday 28 October - 11am until 2pm

Friday 29 October - 10am until 2pm

Sunday 31 October - 10:30am until 12:30pm

Monday 1 November - Wednesday 3 November - 10:00am until 2pm

Tickets are also available by phone, during Ticket Office opening hours - 01304 822 373.

The club accept all major debit and credit cards and can deliver tickets. Credit card purchases in person will attract a 50p handling charge, while tickets sent out in the post will have a charge of £2.50, including postage.

Meanwhile, if a replay is needed, it will take place at Crabble on Tuesday, 16th November. That game will be an ALL-TICKET game, with terrace prices costing £12 (adults), £9 (over 60s), £6 (under 18s). Seating prices will be £15 (adults), £10 (over 60s), £7 (under 18).

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

Bishop’s Stortford v Dover Athletic

Blue Square Bet South

Saturday 30th October 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Woodside Park, Dumnow Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 5RG