Mike Sandmann has been reflecting on another proud day for Dover’s young prospects.

Whites’ first team edged past Isthmian Premier Hastings 3-2 to progress to the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round on Saturday.

Young forward Archie Hatcher shone on his first senior start while fellow Academy product Henry Young also started, having signed a contract after his 18th birthday.

“Archie Hatcher got his first start on Saturday and ended up getting man-of-the-match,” said Academy manager Sandmann, as Whites substitutes George Nikaj and Luke Baptiste - two more club youth products – netted after midfielder Iffy Allen’s 11th-minute penalty.

“Obviously, Archie and Youngy still have lots to learn but they have good, experienced players around them.

“You could see, when they were around the Academy boys, the effect of them playing first-team football is rubbing off on the other boys. Saturday, there was Hatcher and Young starting and two Academy graduates getting goals.

“It was another fantastic day for the football club and from an Academy point of view.”

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Whites, who gave a debut to on-loan young AFC Wimbledon winger Paris Lock, were 3-0 up at Crabble heading into the latter stages after away defender Sam Okoye received a second yellow card and was sent off on 29 minutes.

Hastings hit back with two late goals in front of a crowd of 559 but Dover survived to set up a tie at home to Haringey on Saturday, September 30.

Teenager Young has already cemented a strong partnership with skipper James Dunne in centre midfield, with Sandmann watching them play in last month’s 1-0 derby defeat at Tonbridge.

On Young, Sandmann said: “He’s one that was given the opportunity through pre-season and took it with both hands.

“We know the quality Youngy has.

“Towards the back-end of last season, he started to mature and got some experience with Margate. He’s a good lad and, when those types of lads do well, you could not be more pleased for them.

“I watched him against Tonbridge and we spoke afterwards. We both felt he’s playing within himself a little bit. That’s natural as a young player.

“But just before he got injured, he played really well and was Henry again. He was confident. He has got a lot of quality.

“Hopefully, he can keep improving and playing regularly for the first team.”

Sandmann has stepped away from his first-team role this term.

But he’s still in regular contact with boss Mitch Brundle, whose second-bottom team visit Bath in National League South this Saturday.

“We’re still good friends,” he said.

“He knows the work we do with the Academy. When I say ‘I think we have got a player you should look at’, he trusts us. We want to make sure they’re ready for the first team.

“But, obviously, every player we have given him, they have done pretty well.”

While Sandmann concedes there are elements of being around the first-team set-up he misses, he’s comfortable enough working solely alongside the club’s talented youth players.

He said: “I want Dover and Mitch to do well. But when they’re talking about going to Bath this Saturday, I certainly don’t miss that!

“There’s certain aspects that I miss. But it’s important I have the balance right for myself and my family.

“I certainly have that.”

Dover’s latest crop of young guns, who are aiming to defend their National League under-19 Alliance title, visit Rusthall tomorrow night (7.30pm) in the FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round.

Sandmann, whose side were knocked out in the Third Round of the competition at Brighton & Hove Albion last year, said: “Rusthall are a good side. They beat Chatham in the Preliminary Round.

“It gives another opportunity for some of the younger players to impress in that competition.

“We started our league season against Welling and we again have got players with potential. People will see the result and that we won 3-0 against a good Welling side - but the truth is they were better than us for 60 minutes.

“It’s my job to get them gelling as quickly as we can.”

Defenders Chevron McLean and Mike Olarewaju have left Dover.

Whites will begin their Kent Senior Cup campaign at Isthmian South East Beckenham on Tuesday, October, 31 in the Second Round.