PREVIEW: BARNET HOME

PREVIEW: BARNET HOME

*BS*Dover Athletic take on current Vanarama Conference Premier leaders Barnet at Crabble in front of the BT Sport cameras on Wednesday evening.*BF*

*Link3* on Saturday as they came from a goal behind to thrash AFC Telford United 4-1 – their second win league of the season.

Tom Bonner’s header cancelled out Mike Phenix’s opener before Jake Reid’s double and a debut goal from Luton Town-loanee striker Ricky Miller secured the victory.

Dover’s emphatic win on Saturday comes at perfect timing as they look to bring in confidence against the Bees in their first live televised fixture since losing 1-0 at Stalybridge Celtic in the Conference in February 1998.

*Lpic1*Sean Raggett has completed his three-match suspension while Reid will be looking for his second start of the season after his brace at Telford helped Whites to their biggest win in this division since defeating Hayes by the same scoreline back in December 2000.

Another player in search for a place in the starting XI is Miller after his impressive cameo on Saturday, however his lack of match fitness means he may have to settle for a place on the bench again.

Barnet are currently enjoying their second season in the Conference Premier after they were relegated on goal difference on the final day of the 2012/13 League Two season.

The Bees finished 8th in their first season back at this level after Dutch legend Edgar Davids – whose clubs include Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona in an illustrious career – resigned as manager of the club by mutual consent in January.

*Lpic2*But they are eyeing a quick return to the Football League under former Gillingham manager Martin Allen, who have won six of their opening seven games of the season.

One of those wins includes a narrow 2-1 victory at the expense of rock-bottom Alfreton Town on Saturday while their only loss came against Lincoln City.

They are leading the goal-scoring charts after netting an impressive 18 goals, with strike trio Lee Cook, Charlie MacDonald and John Akinde – who once appeared as a trialist for Whites last season – sharing 14 goals between themselves.

They also currently hold the joint-meanest defence along with Kidderminster Harriers after conceding only three times – a record which has helped veteran keeper Graham Stack claim the Vanarama Conference Player of August award.

*Ppic1*The last meeting between the two sides saw *Link1* over Whites in the third round of the FA Trophy in the 2003/04 season, with Jamie Day and Tommy Tyne finding the net for Dover.

However, the result was later overturned after the Bees admitted fielding an illegible player, with Adam Campion cup-tied after already playing twice for Aylesbury earlier in the competition – meaning Barnet became the second club to be expelled from the FA Trophy in just four days that season.

Whites went on to defeat Forest Green Rovers in the next round after winning a replay before losing to eventual winners Hednesford Town.

The last league meeting between the two sides ended in a *Link2* at Crabble back in December 2001, with Jimmy Strouts cancelling out Frazer Toms’ opener before Jake Leberl – now assistant manager – put Whites in the lead but they were made to settle for a point after Steve Norman’s own goal.

Wednesday evening’s game at Crabble will be segregated for the first time this season – meaning Whites fans will be located at the River End.

Fans unable to attend the game or watch the game live on BT Sport can follow live text commentary on Twitter – just follow @DAFCLiveText for all the coverage including team news, photos and the match action.