We're ahead of our monthly target, reveals Hessenthaler

Wednesday 02nd September 2009

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Andy Hessenthaler says his side are two points clear of their August points target, writes Stephen McCartney.

Dover took their points tally to seventeen after their first seven Blue Square South games, following their comfortable 2-0 home win over Welling United on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Whites play four league games in September, starting with Saturday’s trip to Havant & Waterlooville and then a trip to Essex to play Thurrock next Tuesday.

“Thurrock, we know a bit about them,” Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk. “We know a bit about them. With their resources and stuff they’ve done fantastic and their manager has done great.

“Havant, they’re a big club and they’ve done well over the years so two real tests for us.

“We’ve got nothing to fear going into those games on what we’ve achieved over the first month.

“There’s nothing won or lost at this stage of the season, (there’s) a long way to go but I can’t praise my players enough, they’ve been fantastic for the first month of the season.”

With his side the early pace-setters in Blue Square South, level on points with Basingstoke Town, Hessenthaler wants his side to continue their unbeaten start to the new campaign, having comfortably sealed back-to-back titles to clinch promotion from the Ryman League.

When asked his points target for this month, Hessenthaler replied, “That’s top secret! That’s between myself, (assistant) Darren (Hare), my staff and all the players.

“We haven’t sat down and looked at the month’s fixtures, but we’ll put a target up on the board. We’ve succeeded (our August target) by two points, let’s hope that we can exceed it (during September). It’s not going to be easy.”

Injuries are causing the Dover boss headaches at the moment so he will delve deeper into his squad.

“We’ve got to keep the momentum going,” he said. “We’ve actually got five players out injured at the moment so fortunately we’ve got a bit of depth with the squad.

“It will test us a little bit if we pick up any more injuries - but it’s a good start to the season.”

Hessenthaler praised the passionate support that Dover supporters created during the win over Welling United, courtesy of goals from midfielders Sammy Moore and Lee Browning.

“The fans were fantastic first half, they never stopped signing and kept the boys going even though it was a little bit flat (on the pitch),” he said.

“The fans’ energy levels were fantastic so credit to them - they made a lot of noise.”

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

Havant & Waterlooville v Dover Athletic

Blue Square South

Saturday 5th September 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Westleigh Park, Martin Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 5TH