Dover Athletic
When the National League handed a twelve-point deduction out to Dover Athletic last season, it was inevitable they would end up back in the National South. During the pandemic the club decided to furlough its players because of the costs and were unable to fulfill their fixtures. As a result, the Kent side were handed a fine, a points deduction and kept just four players. A new squad was built and their points total broke even after nine months. On the penultimate game of the season, they moved onto one point which is how it all ended.
2021/2022 Season
National League: 23rd
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 2nd Round
Top League Scorer: Alfie Pavey, Michael Gyasi and Koby Arthur (5 goals)
Manager – Andy Hessenthaler
A midfielder for the Darts in Peter Taylor’s successful side of the late eighties, Hessenthaler made 215 appearances for Dartford. He broke into the Football League when he was recommended to Watford. Hessenthaler teamed up with Taylor again at Gillingham, where they won the playoff final to take the Gills into what is now the Championship. His managerial career started shortly after that promotion by taking on a player manager role at Gillingham. In his first spell as Dover Athletic boss, he won the Isthmian Division One South and Isthmian Premier League and since returning in October 2018, Hessenthaler has guided his squad through difficult times.
Summer Transfers
| Transfers In | Transfers Out |
| Alfie Pavey (Maidstone United) | Koby Arthur (Maidenhead United) |
| Reece Grant (Maidstone United) | Danny Collinge (Barnet) |
| Jordan Higgs (Dulwich Hamlet) | Ryan Hanson (Torquay United) |
| Tyrone Sterling (Dulwich Hamlet) | Josh Bexon (Ramsgate) |
| Luke Wanadio (Folkestone Invicta) | James Caton |
| Alfie Paxman (Folkestone Invicta) | Travis Gregory |
| Stuart Nelson (Sutton United) | Seth Twumasi |
| Mitch Brundle (Farnborough) | Reda Johnson |
| Lee Martin (Ebbsfleet United) | TJ Bramble |
| Marshall Wratten |
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 14 / Dover Athletic wins: 11 / Draws: 12
Previous Matches (last six)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (08/03/2022 – Kent Senior Cup)
Dover Athletic 1 – 2 Dartford (13/12/2016 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 1 – 1 Dover Athletic (10/12/2016 – F.A Trophy)
Dover Athletic 6 – 1 Dartford (17/01/2015 – National League)
Dartford 2 – 1 Dover Athletic (16/09/2014 – National League)
Dartford 0 – 3 Dover Athletic (04/03/2014 – Kent Senior Cup)
Next Meetings
Dover Athletic v Dartford – 13/09/2022
Dartford v Dover Athletic – 10/04/2023
Statistics
- Dartford are unbeaten in three games against Dover Athletic all in cup competitions (W2, L1)
- The Darts have won the last three league games at home against the Whites with an aggregate score of 9-2 and only lost once in the league at home versus Dover Athletic (W4, D4)
- Dartford’s last trip to the Crabble in the league was their joint heaviest defeat against Dover Athletic (lost 6-1 in 2015 and 2002 at home in the Southern League Cup).
Match Highlights – 2021/2022
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