Dover eager for FA Cup glory

Thursday 22nd October 2009

MANAGER Andy Hessenthaler has warned his Dover Athletic players just how much they have to lose in Saturday's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie at Crabble against fellow Blue Square South side Eastleigh, writes Mike Green.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after Tuesday's 3-2 home defeat against Basingstoke Town, the Dover boss laid it on the line - " There's no doubt in my mind just how massive Saturday has become especially as we were so poor tonight" Hessenthaler said.

"Its the biggest Cup competition in the World and we have the potential now to get through and either bring a massive club to Crabble or perhaps go to a massive club. Come 3:00pm on Saturday, I'll be looking for a response from my players. These 90 minutes represent a massive opportunity for the club, and for the players as individuals.

“I was lucky enough to play in the Quarter Finals of the competition as a player which was a wonderful achievement - these players are good enough for a good Cup run this season; I'm not saying that we're going to win it but there is still I believe another round or two in us.

“We haven't had a Cup run since I took over here, so you could say that we're due on, and there's no doubt that the club deserves one."

Hessenthaler, who reached the Quarter Finals with the Gills, was also quite open on what was needed for his side to be in Sunday's live televised draw for the First Round Proper.

He said: "We wont need to motivate the players that much. We were poor against Basingstoke, and I'll be looking for the best possible response, and after all, as I've already said if a chance to play in the First round of the Cup cant motivate them, then maybe we need to change a few things."

Defeats to Hythe Town and AFC Wimbledon have so far scuppered Hessenthaler's chance of taking a side into Round One, a point that not lost on the Dover boss.

"It is fair to say that I'm disappointed not to have taken this club into the First Round already," he said.

"The Hythe defeat was particularly difficult to take, as over my time here we should really have gone further in the Cup than we have.

“All we have to do come Saturday is to believe in ourselves - we need to find some inner belief which we've been sadly lacking over the past couple of weeks."

The Dover boss is also well aware how victory on Saturday and a kind draw on Sunday could benefit his side's long term ambition of promotion to the Blue Square Premier Division.

"The financial rewards are huge. In the coming months we may have to shake a few things up. To get to the First Round and beyond could well give us the options of bringing in players if and when we need to."

When asked which tie he would pray for Saturday night if his side get through, the answer was really quite predictable.

"A trip to Priestfield would be nice - that's the tie that most of the County would like to see - it wouldn’t matter if it were there or down here! Truthfully though, it doesn't really matter who we get.

“It'll just be nice to be sitting watching the draw on Sunday with the anticipation waiting for Dover Athletic to be pulled out." The Dover boss then added "That said, I'm sure that Eastleigh and their people think exactly the same thing, so lets get through first and then we can start dreaming!"

Chairman Jim Parmenter has issued a rallying call to the people of the town to go to Crabble on Saturday to cheer their side through.

"If we do win and make it into the draw it'll be one hell of a day,” the Whites chairman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We're hoping for a good Crabble crowd to come through the turnstiles and turn out to cheer the boys on. If they do we've got every chance."

Mr Parmenter then echoed his mangers view about the financial rewards for a place in Sundays draw.

"We don't budget for Cup runs" he said, "so when they come along they're a bonus and a great fillip to the club.

“We beat Eastleigh at their place and we know what to expect - they'll be a big strong side, and after Tuesday's defeat we'll have to be on our game to beat them!"

The chairman was as forthright as to his hopes for potential First Round opponents. With a large smile on his face, he said "Gills at home will do for me!"

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE of this game.

BBC Radio Kent will also be providing updates on 96.7fm or 104.2fm.

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

Dover Athletic v Eastleigh

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Fourth Qualifying Round

Saturday 24th October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB