It's time to end our blip, says Dover Athletic boss Nicky Forster

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Nicky Forster says it’s imperative that his side end their blip and send their fans’ home happy from Dartford tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Crabble faithful have seen Forster’s men lose their last three games and the former Brentford boss wants to get back to winning ways at Princes Park.

He said: “It will be a tough game.  They’re up there, right up where we’re chasing to be, so it will be a very tough game I’m sure.”

Dover Athletic have lost twice to Boreham Wood (once in the FA Carlsberg Trophy) and at home to league leaders Woking, leaving the club in seventh place in the Blue Square Bet South table with 28 points from 18 games.

Arch-rivals Dartford, meanwhile, go into the crunch game sitting in fourth-place with 34 points from 18 games, following an unbeaten November.

Forster said: “It’s disappointing to lose any game but we were beaten by a good team in Woking but the two defeats against Boreham Wood, the manner of the defeats, was disappointing.

“Having said that we knew there would be a blip and we would suffer a slight downturn at some time.  It’s been a magnificent achievement leading up to that first loss.  We’ve put in a good run of performances and we’ve gained a lot of points and got ourselves up within touching distance of the play-offs so we knew it would come.  It’s just how long this will last and we’re looking to bounce back and get back into winning ways tomorrow.”

Fixtures between Dartford and Dover Athletic are arguably the biggest clashes in Kent and Forster is looking forward to his first fixture against Tony Burman’s side.

“It’s a special occasion, I’ve played in them and I’m looking forward to this one tomorrow,” said Forster.

“It’s all about us.  We can’t worry, it’s a derby or worrying the fact that Dartford are above us in the table.  We have to worry about ourselves.

“It’s nice for the fans’ to come and see us.  It’s a charged atmosphere tomorrow.  If we play as well as we can, the fans will go home happy.”

When asked about life at Conference South level, Forster replied, “We’re enjoying it.  At times it’s testing, other times it’s enjoyable and it’s a challenge that I’m embracing, enjoying and looking forward to.”

Meanwhile, the club have today announced that Sam Cutler has been released from his contract by mutual consent.

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

Dartford  v  Dover Athletic
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 3^rd December 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT