We can still keep improving, says Dover Athletic boss Nicky Forster

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Nicky Forster says he wants to progress towards the latter stages of The FA Carlsberg Trophy this season.



The Whites are in sixth-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table following their 3-0 win away to Eastbourne Borough last weekend.

Goals were scored by midfielder Barry Cogan and strikers Ben May and Calum Willock, which pleased the Dover boss.

“It was a professional performance,” said Forster. “The more I thought about it, I thought we were good enough on the day, but on reflection I thought we were better than that.  I thought we were far superior and dominated them physically and with our play.”

Former Millwall striker May, whose brothers Alfie and Sam play for Kent League side Corinthian, took his tally for the season to seven.

Forster said: “It’s nice to have a goalscorer that’s scoring regularly but it’s also nice seeing Calum scoring. Billy chipped in with a goal as well so it’s very positive.

“It’s pleasing when anyone scores and you’re winning games but it’s particularly good when your strikers are scoring and the two boys who started both got a goal apiece so that’s a good sign.”

Dover Athletic are in sixth-place in the table, with 22 points from 13 games and are only two points behind second-placed Chelmsford City, who won the battle of Essex last weekend, a 3-1 home win over Colchester United in the FA Cup First Round.

When asked about his side’s start, Forster said: “Yes, I am pleased with it. We can still keep improving. I think the players’ are starting to believe and with that achievement will come. We’ve very much worthy of our position at the moment.

“It’s tight throughout the league. You lose a couple of games you could be eighteenth, so it’s an incredibly tight league at the moment.”

Salisbury City, meanwhile, are nine points clear of Chelmsford City at the summit.

Forster said: “The only team who are consistent at the moment are Salisbury, that’s why they’re a little bit ahead.  I think over the course of the season other teams will catch up, but it’s finding that consistency.”

Dover Athletic embark on their FA Carlsberg Trophy campaign with a mouth-watering clash with Chelmsford City at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

The Whites suffered a 2-1 home defeat to league rivals Bromley in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round and Forster would like a run in The FA Trophy this term.

Forster said: “It’s a nice tournament to play in. It gives us a real chance to progress to the latter stages of it and they’ll be in good spirits after their win in the FA Cup this week.

“We’re in good form so it should be an entertaining cracker.”

Forster believes Chelmsford will be too professional to allow FA Cup fever to creep into their ranks ahead of the visit of Dover Athletic.

“Winning is a momentum,” explained Forster.  “No team doesn’t like to go out there and say it doesn’t matter if we get beat this week and we’ll pick up next week.

“Form isn’t like that. When you’re in a winning habit you don’t want to break that no matter what the tournament.

“I think it will be end-to-end, high action but fairly tight but two teams having a go.

“Yes, it’s a tournament you can go to the latter stages. The FA Cup is a money earner, but you’re never, ever, as a Conference South team, going to win the FA Cup. It’s a day out but this tournament is different. You can push on and get to the latter stages.

“There is a more realistic chance of playing at Wembley in this.”

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

Chelmsford City  v  Dover Athletic
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 10^th November 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Melbourne Park, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2EH