We're starting to turn Crabble now into a little bit of a fortress, says Nicky Forster

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Nicky Forster says he wants to make Crabble a fortress going into Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Bromley.


The Whites drew their first two Blue Square Bet (Conference) South games on home soil to Farnborough and Eastbourne Borough, before Chelmsford City and Hayes & Yeading came away with all three points in the bag.

However, it took their first home Kent derby to get on track, a 2-1 home win over Tommy Warrilow’s Tonbridge Angels in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, before Maidenhead United were beaten in their last home League game.

Dover Athletic remain in sixth-place in the table following their 1-1 draw at Welling United last night.

Dover Athletic opened the scoring through Ben May’s fourth goal of the season in the 32^nd minute after he won his side a penalty after being nudged from behind by Ben Martin.

But Welling United maintained their unbeaten home record when Joe Healy steered home a last-gasp penalty.

Forster, 39, is looking forward to Saturday’s FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie against Mark Goldberg’s side, who go into the game on a six-match unbeaten run.

Bromley came away from Basingstoke Town with a 1-1 draw last night and go into the game sitting in ninth-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table.

And Frenchman Pierre Joseph-Dubois has this week been named Conference South player-of-the-moth after scoring six goals in as many games for the Hayes Lane outfit.

As well as Kentish bragging rights up for grabs – there is £7,500 is prize money up at stake and a place in the final qualifying round of The FA Cup when the Conference Premier club’s come into the competition.

Forster said: “Very important. It’s important on many levels – to keep the run going first and foremost, financially for the club.

“We’re starting to pick up and play well and score goals and win games at home so it’s important we keep that going on many levels.  It’s very important for us.”

Forster wants to make Crabble a venue where away sides fear.

He said: “We’re starting to turn Crabble now into a little bit of a fortress. We’re starting to get results there that our performances have warranted and we’ll go into that game confident.  We’re on a good run of form.”

When asked what he is expecting against a club that reached the FA Cup First Round last season, Forster replied, “Cup games are always open encounters. Teams want to win on the day.  They don’t want replay’s now and extra time. 

“It’s a good feeling.  There’s still a buzz about The FA Cup I think in the lower league’s and it’s one we look forward to.”

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

Dover Athletic  v  Bromley
The FA Cup with Budweiser Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 6^th October 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB