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Dover Athletic boss Andy Hessenthaler to make changes to starting line-up for FA Trophy match against National League rivals Bromley

05:00, 15 December 2021

updated: 07:23, 15 December 2021

Manager Andy Hessenthaler will make changes to his starting line-up for Dover's FA Trophy home match against Bromley.

The winless Whites will no doubt welcome the break from the league, with Dover 23 points from safety and now 19 points behind second-bottom King’s Lynn who beat them 2-1 on Saturday.

Dover striker Ben Williamson battles King's Lynn man Brett McGavin during Whites' 2-1 defeat on Saturday. Picture: Tim Smith
Dover striker Ben Williamson battles King's Lynn man Brett McGavin during Whites' 2-1 defeat on Saturday. Picture: Tim Smith

Reflecting on their latest National League loss, Hessenthaler conceded: “I’m disappointed.

"The boys are disappointed with the performance as well.

“The performance wasn’t good enough and I couldn’t have said that in the last few weeks. The problem we have is we cannot have off days.

“On the day, we just had too many off their game. If we had been anywhere near the performance against Wrexham (the previous weekend), we would have got a result.

“You can perhaps have one or two having a rough day but we had too many.

Dover defenders Danny Collinge and Jake Goodman pay close attention to home player Josh Barrett who tries to break through. Picture: Tim Smith
Dover defenders Danny Collinge and Jake Goodman pay close attention to home player Josh Barrett who tries to break through. Picture: Tim Smith

“The next game is an FA Trophy game against a side going really well in our league in Bromley.

"They are third so it will be a really tough game for us.”

Tickets for the Bromley match will feature reduced admission prices - £10 for adults, £5 for children aged 11-17, and all under-11s go free.

Striker Alfie Pavey struck for Hessenthaler’s team but the on-loan Maidstone hitman hasn’t been given permission to feature in the third-round tie against Andy Woodman’s men, who are chasing promotion.

The teams met in the league in September at Crabble, with Bromley running out narrow 1-0 winners.

Gold Omotayo on the ball for King's Lynn as Dover's Goodman and Ryan Hanson watch on. Picture: Tim Smith
Gold Omotayo on the ball for King's Lynn as Dover's Goodman and Ryan Hanson watch on. Picture: Tim Smith

Hessenthaler explained: “Alfie did terrifically, although he probably didn’t get the service on Saturday. But he gives us something different.

“He makes it awkward for defenders, and we have not really got someone else who does what he does.

"But he cannot play on Saturday.

“They (Maidstone) have not given permission for him to play but that gives an opportunity to someone else.”

Some may hope to see Academy striker Noah Carney take Pavey’s place.

Dover's Collinge is challenged by Malachi Linton. Picture: Tim Smith
Dover's Collinge is challenged by Malachi Linton. Picture: Tim Smith

But while Hessenthaler has been pleased with what he has seen from Carney, he is taking part in the final part of the English Schools’ under-18 trials the following day.

Hessenthaler admitted: “We have been really impressed with Noah but we need to be a little bit careful with him.

“The final part of his trials with the England Schoolboys is on Sunday, which is great for him and his family.

“So he will probably play some part on Saturday for us but he might not start.”

Other Dover players who have been watching from the sidelines may get a chance to impress, though.

Hessenthaler said: “There’s a few boys that need some game time. They are first-team players so why not?

“I don’t have lots of players to change it around with but there will be some changes from the side which played on Saturday.”

Hessenthaler hopes a desperately-needed home win against their high-flying league rivals will give his side some much-needed impetus, heading into the busy festive period.

He said: “It’s so important with the Christmas period coming up with Dagenham home and away, and Woking in between that. We are looking for the result before then.

“But it’s been a long time - 19 league games, it’s not easy.

“I think we have lost 10 by the odd goal (in all competitions) so we are close. But we are desperate to get that first win on the board.”

Defender Seth Twumasi (knee) and player-coach Reda Johnson (thigh) are expected to miss the match alongside Travis Gregory who hasn’t featured since he pulled out in the warm-up before the 1-1 draw at Yeovil last month.

The winner of the FA Trophy tie will collect £4,500 in prize money as well as a place in round four.

If the match remains level after 90 minutes, it will go straight to penalties.

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