Kentish Football 
We're one of ten sides going for the top five, says Dover boss Martin Hayes
Wednesday 11th August 2010
DOVER ATHLETIC boss Martin Hayes says he is targeting a top-five finish in Blue Square Bet South in his first season in charge of the Kent club, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Whites lock horns with the side that ended their promotion bid last season - Woking - and they travel to Kingfield Stadium on Saturday looking for three satisfying points.
Hayes follows in the footsteps of Andy Hessenthaler, who in his three years at Crabble, clinched comfortable back-to-back Ryman League titles and runners-up spot in the club’s first campaign at this level, losing the title to runaway champions Newport County, before Graham Baker’s Woking dashed their promotion hopes in a two-legged play-off semi-final.
Looking ahead to the mouth-watering opening day clash, Hayes, who previously managed Bishop’s Stortford at this level told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “There is always a buzz about the first game.
“It’s ironic that it ends up being against the team that we played in the last two games of last year, but obviously I wasn’t involved in that.
“It’s a big game because of what happened last year but unfortunately this is a new season and there’s not a potential Conference (premier) place up for stake, but an important three points and we have to see how many of the three we can go and get.”
Hayes is determined to make his first season in charge a success.
“My main target, at the moment, is I’d like us to be contending for one of those top five places,” said the former Arsenal star.
“I would like to try and at least match what the club achieved last year. It’s difficult to get into that top five but I achieved it once at Bishop’s Stortford.
“There’s a lot of clubs that have their eye on those places but we have to make sure we build on last year. Top five is my target. The higher the place the better. If anyone said now, ‘you can have fifth place, you’d take it, and then you take your chance against anybody (in the play-off’s).”
Dover Athletic go into the Woking opener on a fine run of pre-season form, which included four wins out of their seven warm-up games.
Hayes added: “The boys have worked hard. We tried new systems, played the ball a bit more and they all seem to be enjoying it and fingers crossed, we can continue that on into the first league game.”
Dover Athletic lock horns with Welling United - managed by former Whites midfielder Jamie Day - at Crabble next Tuesday.
“I’m sure that one will be interesting,” predicted Billericay-based Hayes.
“I’ve always had some tough battles with them, again when I was with my previous side. They’re a good side.
“I’m sure they will have one eye on the top five places themselves. It will be a great one to start with but I’m not too focused on that one yet as I’m desperately want to come away from Woking with something.
“We’re trying to get maximum points from our home games. Our target is to be strong at home.”
With three other Kent sides in the division, Bromley, Dartford and Ebbsfleet United, Hayes appreciates how strong the Blue Square Bet South division is going to be this season.
“Dartford coming up will add a bit, Ebbsfleet coming down will add a bit more as well and there’s your usual suspects every year, your Chelmsford’s, Havant & Waterlooville’s and Eastleigh’s are always strong,” said Hayes.
“All your Kent sides are good strong sides so yes potentially there’s nine or ten sides realistically looking at those top five places, so it will be a long hard scrap all season so I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m sure we will be capable of holding our own against the sides mentioned.”
Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com
Woking v Dover Athletic
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 14th August 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Kingfield Stadium, Kingfield Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 9AA
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