Dover can only get better, warns Hessenthaler

DOVER ATHLETIC have the quality in their ranks to win three more games to play in the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in six years, writes Stephen McCartney.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler, backed by his chairman, has the quality in his squad to progress further in the competition, after winning a controversial game at Tonbridge Angels yesterday.

Winning the game 2-1, courtesy of goals from Jon Wallis and Shaun Welford, the Whites lost central defenders Craig Cloke (ripped ear) and Ollie Schulz (broken ribs) and were forced to play John Keister and Matt Fish at the heart of defence.

The Angels opened the scoring with a twice taken penalty, which Carl Rook finally converted and the former Dover striker had a last-gasp header ruled out as he climbed on Dean Hill before thumping a header past goalkeeper John Whitehouse.

There was still time for Lee Browning to have a goal ruled out for offside but Hessenthaler, who apologised to the referee for his red card, wants a home draw in the next round.

“I’ve been quite fortunate to get quite far in it as a player, obviously getting to the quarter-final (for Gillingham, playing Premier League side Chelsea),” Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk  yesterday.

“All my players should be hungry to play in the FA Cup and in the second half performance you could tell they wanted to get through to the next round.

“That (win) keeps our momentum going, that’s six wins now on the bounce with the Cup game.

“It will be interesting to see who we get in the next round because it will be nice to get a home tie. We don’t get many of them so it would be nice to get a home tie. Whoever it’s going to be, we’ll be up for it.”

Hessenthaler was quick to praise substitute Keister, who slotted in at the heart of Dover’s defence with ease.

“Craig Cloke got a ripped ear, he’s ears gone from one side to another, he’ll have major stitches in there, which I feel sorry for him because he’s not had much luck this season and he’s gone to hospital,” revealed Hessenthaler.

“Ollie Schulz (has) suspected broken ribs, so that’s a blow.

“Just shows the depth of our squad when you bring the likes of Keister on and push (Matt) Fish into centre half and put Nicky (Southall) in at right-back.

“John was tremendous when he played second half. I left him out of the side for a couple of games for fresh legs. Typical John, typical pro, he played a first class performance second half alongside Matt Fish.”

Table-topping Dover Athletic play two league games before their second qualifying round tie, and Hessenthaler insists his side can only improve.

He said: “I still believe there’s more to come from this team. We’re a footballing team that haven’t really got going, especially in the first half (of games).

“We seem to struggle to get off to good starts but once we do we’ll come out of ourselves and be better.”

Gillingham legend Hessenthaler is confident Giuliano Grazioli will be a big hit with the Crabble faithful, having arrived from Blue Square South club Braintree Town last week.

The striker, a legend in Barnet supporters eyes, played a cameo four minute role at Tonbridge Angels yesterday, and almost scored but was denied by a flying save from goalkeeper Lee Worgan.

“A bit frustrating for him because of the changes that we had to make at the back, it sort of limited our substitutions,” admitted Hessenthaler.

“But he will score goals. He’s an eighteen-yard box player, anything that goes in he’ll get on the end of.

“He’s a big signing for us. We’ve got four very good forwards at the club and if we’re going to compete to win this division this year we’ve got to have options.

“We did say when we won the (Ryman League Division One South title) last year we watched the (Ryman) Premier League last year, a few games.

“We felt we needed strength in depth on the bench. We’ve got strength in depth on the bench and sitting in the stand at times as well.

“It’s a massive luxury for us but great to have and credit to the chairman. He’s having a right go this year. He wants to go again, he wants to go back-to-back (winning titles).

“It’s my job to do that. It’s my job to bring the players in and my job for the players to perform.”

Visit Dover Athletic’s websites: www.doverathletic.com & www.dafctv.co.uk