Kentish Football 
DOVER CALL THE SHOTS: It’s just one of those fantastic days and you’re just glad to be apart of it
Saturday 27th November 2010
DOVER ATHLETIC boss Martin Hayes paid tribute to every single one of his heroes as the Kent club booked their place in the Third Round of the FA Cup on the club’s greatest ever day, writes Stephen McCartney.
From 1-11 every single player in white were immense against League Two side Aldershot Town in front of 4,123 fans - and although 25-year-old striker Adam Birchall will deservedly grab all the headlines, Hayes was certainly proud of all eleven players.
“The boys today, they’ve shown some experience, they’ve shown years above what they actually are,” the former Arsenal star told www.kentishfootball.co.uk during the press conference.
“I’m proud of them, they’ve listened, they’ve worked hard and they’ve had to today because Aldershot are a good side.
“Second half we just grew in confidence and started to play and make some chances and it could’ve been more.
“It was such a great team performance.”
Hayes paid tribute to striker Birchall - who certainly caught the attention off former England defender Gareth Southgate, who said on ITV’s highlight’s programme on Saturday night, “I think a lot of teams will be having a look at him.”
The Dover boss hailed Birchall and said: “When you’re watching him with the ball like he is in training you know he’s going to try and do something. I knew he was going to have a shot!
“The last couple of weeks he couldn’t score even if he stayed out for seven or eight hours but today he’s just got his name on the FA Cup and we just hope it continues.
“It’s just one of those fantastic days and you’re just glad to be apart of it.”
Aldershot’s Luke Gettridge pulled the strings during the first half - but Jon Wallis took centre stage for Dover during an outstanding second half performance.
Hayes, 44, said: “That’s Jon. That’s how he plays. We want him in there, he’s not been consistent like I want him to be. He’s been a bit frustrated.
“Today was time, just let him loose, put him out there and when he’s on his game he helps makes us tick and he was interchanging well and just keeping hold of the ball.
“That’s why we love him here and that’s why I want him to do that every week. It’s up to him but Jon, Birch and Barry (Cogan) out on the wing were all passing well and showed some experience and that’s what helped get us through.”
The tension during the time that referee Brendan Malone pointed to the spot after Anthony Straker stuck out an arm following Harry Baker’s cross was unbearable before Birchall stepped up to send Aldershot keeper Jamie Young the wrong way with a right-footed penalty to send Crabble wild.
“We needed that second goal,” admitted Hayes. “I could just see them getting an equaliser because they chucked everything at us.
“There was so much at stake. Today we wanted to give ourselves a chance and we were solid and we tried to keep ourselves in the match.
“Second half we grew and we started to do things. It was just a typical blood and thunder Cup tie but obviously with a lot at stake for both sides.”
Aldershot play a similar system to Blue Square Bet South rivals Woking, who came away from Crabble with a 2-1 win in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy last weekend. Hayes will take credit for issuing his side’s match-winning tactics during his two training sessions during the week.
Hayes said: “Aldershot have got a lot of pace up front and that’s difficult to stop sometimes. They play a system where they get people in little pockets and it was really to make sure they didn’t get on the ball and have time and space to thread it through.
“We tried to get it out wide and get at them. That’s what we tried and thankfully today I thought that paid off.
“To get the first goal was great and the second goal gave us that cushion.”
Hayes made 102 appearances, scoring 26 goals, for Arsenal between 1983-1990, so a trip to north London will be his dream Third Round draw.
“That would throw up an interesting encounter if it was at Arsenal,” he said.
“There’s two or three of the lads who support Arsenal that have been there before and my past is there. That would be a fabulous day out at The Emirates.
“I just like to see us play a Premiership side. It’s one of those occasions in the FA Cup you want to have. If you go out in a blaze of glory, do it on the biggest stage and I think that’s what everyone now would like to see.”
Hayes paid tribute to Olly Schulz, an old fashioned central defender, brought to the club by former manager Andy Hessenthaler, who broke up a successful Ramsgate side.
“It’s what he does, he’s there and it was the same at Gillingham,” said Hayes.
“Birchy got all the praise for the goal but only Olly that day was patched up, he had stitches in his eye (at Gillingham), he was heading balls and that’s what he does best.”
Schulz relished marshalling a giant Aldershot strike force.
Hayes agreed, saying: “To be honest I’m probably happier with him battling with big’uns than chasing small, quick ones, so he immense.”
Club staff were all going to have their Christmas meal after the game - with chairman Jim Parmenter saying that the champagne was on ice.
“We’ve got a party to go to so it’s going to be a great night and that will finish sometime Monday, I think,” added Hayes.
On the subject of celebrating, local bars and clubs will have three thousand jubilant football fans to look after.
Hayes said: “It was great to get the Dover support behind the lads. The more we was in the game they got behind us.
“I’m just pleased for everyone. We’ve got to enjoy this day, go home and be happy. I’m sure the pubs in town will have a good night on the back of us.”
The draw for the Third Round will be screened live on itv1 at 6pm on Sunday - Dover Athletic are ball number 63 - and fans are invited to the Centre Spot at Crabble from 5pm to watch the drama unfold in front of SKY Sports cameras.
Proud Dover fan Phil Smith added: “Mate. I’m speechless! This is the greatest day in Kent non-league football ever in my opinion. I just hope the draw is kind. I want any of the big six away. If it’s not one of the big six, anyone at home, so it will guarantee Television coverage.”
In May 2000, Calais became the first amateur side to reach the final of the French Cup, taking a first-half lead before losing to Nantes.
Twenty-six miles away, Dover Athletic have already played six games to get past Erith Town, Cambridge City, Farnborough, Gillingham and now Aldershot Town and are now only FIVE WINS away from reaching the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
Coult it ever happen in England? Can Dover Athletic emulate their French neighbours?
Why should the run come to an end in January?!
Why should the run come to an end in January?!
Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd