Last year's heartbreak will spur us towards promotion, says Nolan - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Dover Athletic assistant manager Steve Nolan believes his team will hold their nerve during the play-off lottery this week, writes Stephen McCartney.

A passion filled Crabble welcomes Hastings United on Tuesday night in their semi-final showdown, before looking forward to playing Tooting & Mitcham United or Fleet Town in the final.

On-form Tooting & Mitcham United, who lost last year’s semi-final at Tonbridge Angels, are expected to beat Fleet Town tomorrow night, considering that they’re THIRTY games unbeaten.

If they do, they will host the final at Imperial Fields on Saturday - reward for finishing runners-up to Maidstone United after their 42 match Ryman League Division One South campaign.

But if Andy Sinton’s Fleet side win, then they will travel to Crabble on Bank Holiday Monday - an encounter that will attract over 2,000 fans.

Dover Athletic, meanwhile, are no strangers to playing in the play-off’s.

Last season they won 1-0 at Metropolitan Police in their semi-final tie but lost 3-2 in a dramatic final at Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels.

And suffering from that heartbreak is spurring on the Whites, to ensure that they clinch promotion with their friends from Maidstone United.

Needing to win their last game of the season, The Stones won 2-1 at Walton Casuals on Saturday.

Two headed goals from defender Ryan Royston clinched the vital victory, as Tooting and Dover Athletic could have grabbed the title away from them had they failed to win.

The Stones emulated Ramsgate’s achievement twelve months earlier, winning back-to-back titles to race from the Kent League into the Ryman Premier League in just two seasons.

Dover would love to join them but standing in their way are two nerve wracking games of football.

“It will be a one-off game but we’re in good form at the moment, so we’re confident,” Nolan said EXCLUSIVLEY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

Reflecting on last year’s heartbreak, the former Sittingbourne boss added: “It was difficult for us last year and a massive disappointment.

“So to be in that situation this year gives us a will to do it this year.

“It’s always pleasing to get a home game. Last year (the games) were both away, so to have the home game is a bonus for us.

“The morale has been good all the way through (this season) and the attitude from the players has been absolutely spot on.”

But the Whites go into the South Coast clash in good form, having won their last five games. The first of that sequence was a 2-1 win over Hastings at Crabble on Easter Monday.

“They’re a well organised side,” Nolan said of Hastings. “Very strong, and they’ve scored a lot of goals this year.

“They’re back to full strength (and) they score goals from all over the pitch.”

But he insisted that Dover will be able to handle them, adding: “There’s a lot of experienced and young players who have been in that situation before.

“It’s a one-off game, a big game, and I think they will certainly deal with (the pressure).”

Nolan has issued a rallying cry to the Jolly Boys and Girls to continue their excellent support.

He said: “We’ve had some fantastic support this season and I’m sure there will be a big crowd there Tuesday night willing us on.”

And Dover Athletic chairman, Mr Jim Parmenter is confident that his club will clinch promotion.

“The team have looked organised, played with an excellent spirit and hungry for goals,” he told www.doverathletic.com. 

“We can take our form into the play-off’s and if we can continue playing like this I don’t see us having too many problems in getting that promotion we all want.

“Hopefully the whole town of Dover can get behind us on Tuesday night and make it one of those memorable Crabble evenings.

“It would be great to see a packed ground with everyone cheering the lads on. The fans have been excellent getting behind us and we’re counting on them to help get us over the line.”