Dover boss Martin Hayes experiences mixed feelings over his side's start

Thursday 19th August 2010

DOVER ATHLETIC fans will be delighted to know boss Martin Hayes has not been placed on suicide watch - even if his team did almost hang themselves at Crabble on Tuesday night, writes Justin Allen.

Dover took an early lead against Welling United through Luke I'Anson, then wasted several chances before allowing their old rivals to get back into the game.

And at one stage the Whites were in serious danger of losing until Adam Birchall's equaliser saved a point.

Hayes told www.doverathletic.com : “Well, I’m not quite suicidal – but that was a depressing night.

“We were expecting a solid performance and wanted to build on the superb win at Woking – but we ended up getting a bit of everything. We created lots of chances, should have put the game to bed, and then didn’t look the same team and let them back into it.

“I ended up being very grateful for a point – although we really were aiming to win.”

That is four points from the first two games – and having played Woking away and Welling at home that is a return Hayes would have taken before the season started.

He admitted: “Four points from these two games would have been acceptable. But I just have a feeling I’d have felt so much better had we got a point at Woking and beat Welling.

“Yet, for some reason, I feel a little deflated with the results the other way round.

“All the lads are dejected but we must put the bad parts of the Welling performance behind us – and focus on beating Staines at home on Saturday. And they’re another club with play-off ambitions this season.”

Matt Fish was out of sorts before going off injured – and Hayes admitted: “Welling had a lot more joy down the right flank than we expected.

“Fishy was a bit off colour before getting injured – but I am sure he will bounce back.”

Hayes insists that the start of seasons are always unpredictable.

He said: “Bishop’s Stortford are aiming to stay up – and they’ve won their first two. I expected Staines to get something against them last night.

“It’s so much harder at the start of the season because generally everyone starts strongly. It’s later in the season, when clubs let players go, that you start to see a difference between the top and bottom sides.”

Hayes was delighted for Birchall getting his first goal of the season.

He said: “Adam was unlucky not to get a couple of Woking. He snatched at a few. He’s working hard and it was nice to see him get off the mark.”

Hayes has completed the signing of central defender Bobby Aisien.

Aisien played for the Whites during pre-season against Carshalton and comes highly recommended from Rushden and Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh.

Hayes said: "We needed some cover at centre-half, as we only really have Dean Hill as back-up in that position.

"Bobby was at Wingate and Finchley when I was there very briefly. I didn't really know him that well as I was there for a short time and he was a very young player.

"But since then he has played in the Conference and is a strong lad. I am happy to take him on board to battle it out with the other lads for a starting spot."

Article courtesy of www.doverathletic.com

Dover Athletic v Staines Town

Blue Square Bet South

Saturday 21st August 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm

At Perrys Crabble, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB