I really do think we can beat them, says Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear

DOVER ATHLETIC manager Chris Kinnear says he wants his side to be the non-league club that grabs The FA Cup giant-killing headlines tomorrow.

The Kent side travel to League One outfit Milton Keynes Dons in the Second Round tomorrow, aiming to create a cup upset as they bid to reach the Third Round for only the second time in the club’s history.

Martin Hayes’ side of 2010-11 knocked out Gillingham and Aldershot Town before going to Huddersfield Town in the Third Round and bowing out 2-0.

Dover Athletic have banked £42,500 in prize money from The Football Association after beating Guernsey, AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Oxford City and Corby Town – but tomorrow is their biggest test.

“The lads’ have done well,” said Kinnear. “We’re still in a good run.  As I say everything we went into we’ve still got a chance of winning, maybe we won’t win The FA Cup, but the League, The FA Trophy and the Kent Senior Cup, we’ve got a chance of that and it’s into December. I think we’re the only club that can say that.

“Kevin Raine (scout) has been to see them. I’ve been with Kevin and Jake (Leberl, my assistant) and I have had a look at the dossier and we’ll hopefully have something set up to try and get a result there.”

Karl Robinson’s side are in 12th place in League One with 22 points from 18 games.  Three of their eight defeats have been at the  impressive 30,500 all-seater stadiummk.

Dover Athletic, meanwhile, are also in 12th place, in Skrill (Conference) Soiuth and ironically enough have also collected 22 points, but from fourteen games.

The Dons have lost their last three games and when asked whether it’s a good time to play their opponents, Kinnear replied: “I think so. It will still be difficult really. They should beat us shouldn’t they, by being the virtual where they are but strange things happen.

“We’ll make it difficult for them but we’re not going to just sit back. We’re going to have a go at them and hopefully that’s enough.”

Kinnear added: “Their stadium is absolutely marvellous. It was part of the World Cup bid wasn’t it? It’s absolutely immaculate. If they can’t play World Cup games I think it will be alright for our game!”

Kinnear insists his player’s – which include Barry Cogan who came on as a substitute in the 2004 Final for Millwall against Manchester United in Cardiff – are not just going there for a big day out.

Kinnear said: “It will be won by us trying to go at them as we do every game.  There’s not any games that we try and get a draw, but obviously if they have a lot of the ball, we’ll have to defend. That’s not our aim. We always try to attack and score lots of goals, even though sometimes it backfires because the other side tends to sit back.

“Milton Keynes Dons will be confident in going through, they beat Halifax of the Conference Premier in the last round. They expect to be at least in the Championship so it will be interesting to see what side he puts out but it’s up to them.

“We’ll just have to worry about our lads’ playing well and they’re really looking forward to it.”

The Dover Athletic boss says his supporters will give his side excellent support throughout – which is what all fans of non-league clubs do against their League counterparts in The FA Cup.

“Our supporters are great,” said Kinnear.

“From the first (Conference South) game at Gosport, we went there and there’s players who hadn’t played for us before and they couldn’t believe it and they said we sounded like the home side.

“We do have good support and we want to do things to make them cheer really. The lads’ do appreciate it when they get behind them.

“Earlier on in the season we went through a bit of an iffy patch but they kept behind us and that’s what allowed us to turn it around quicker than a lot of clubs would have done.

“They’ve just got to stay behind us and the lads’ will appreciate that.”

But will they be making the trip from Dover to enjoy a big day out or watch their heroes produce a FA Cup giant-killing?

“Everyone says (big day out), but I really do think we can (beat them),” said Kinnear.

“Realistically they should be at us, shouldn’t they? It will be different playing (Manchester) United, Arsenal or Man City.

“Some of our lads, Terrell (Forbes) and Barry Cogan have played in Division One. Terrell has played higher and a lot of the younger lads want to play in the higher levels or at least that level.

“It gives them something to shoot at and that’s exactly how we’re going to take it.”

Dover Athletic are only 90 minutes away from a potential date against a Premier League giant.

“At least we’ve got that chance,” said Kinnear. “We’re the lowest ranked side in the competition. There will be some shocks, maybe it’s not us, but we have to do our utmost to make sure that it can be us. We just have to give ourselves a chance.

“They should win but we’re not going to lie down.

“There’s no bigger club really in the competition at the moment than MK Dons with what they’ve got.

“They’ve got Alan Smith, former Manchester United, Leeds and England, they’ve got him as a player. He came on as a sub last Saturday. They’ve got unbelievable players or have been unbelievable players but it’s not what you’ve done in the past, it’s what you’re doing now and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”

Meanwhile, MK Dons will hold a minute’s applause prior to the kick-off as a mark of respect for the late Nelson Mandela.

The Football League has asked its club to hold a minute’s applause ahead of matches this weekend to celebrate the life of the South African, who died last night at the age of 95.

Football League chief executive, Shaun Harvey said in a statement: “Nelson Mandela was an inspiration to millions with his determination, courage and forgiveness marked him out as a truly great man.  We are delighted to give clubs and their supporters the opportunity to pay their own tributes to Nelson Mandela and recognise his extraordinary legacy.

Meanwhile, tomorrow’s match referee, Brendan Malone, took charge of Dover Athletic’s 2-0 home win over Aldershot Town in that FA Cup Second Round win at Crabble on 22 November 2010.

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com

Milton Keynes Dons  v  Dover Athletic
The FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round
Saturday 7th December 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Stadiummk, Stadium Way West, Milton Keynes, MK1 1ST