PREVIEW: BARROW V WHITES

Dover will be aiming for a fourth successive National League victory when they make the 367-mile journey to Holker Street this weekend.

And Whites can look to a strong record against Saturday’s opponents, having not lost to Barrow in four matches.

But a familiar face in Ady Pennock’s squad will be aiming to frustrate Athletic.

Goalkeeper Steve Arnold featured 30 times for Dover last season.

BARROW’S RECENT FORM

21/03/18: BARROW 1-2 HARTLEPOOL

Carl Magnay’s stunning strike was the difference between these two sides battling to avoid the drop.

Luke James slotted underneath visiting keeper Scott Loach from Donovan Makoma’s to give the hosts an 18th minute lead.

But Pool were level in first half stoppage time as Connor Newton lashed in a loose ball when Steve Arnold dropped Jake Cassidy’s flick-on after colliding with Scott Oates.

And the turnaround was complete after the restart in spectacular fashion.

Magnay stunned the 1,018 attending with a 35-yard shot into the top corner to extend Barrow’s winless home league run to nine matches.

Arnold also saved from Michael Woods and Devante Rodney late on to deny the visitors a bigger lead as Hartlepool moved three points clear of the bottom four.

PREVIOUS MEETING

19/08/17:  DOVER 1-1 BARROW

Ryan Bird rescued a point for Whites as they drew 1-1 with Barrow at Crabble.

The big striker headed home his second home goal in as many games to level the scores on 72 minutes after Jordan White had nodded the Cumbrian side ahead 20 minutes earlier.

Dover skipper Mitch Brundle fired in the first shot on target of the game, but his free-kick went straight at visiting keeper Stuart Moore.

Barrow also had some chances early on as Harry Panayiotou dragged an effort wide when well placed and Dave Nieskens volleyed an attempt from the edge of the box out for a throw in.

Femi Ilesanmi’s ball into the penalty area narrowly evaded the onrushing Bird and Panayiotou’s cross at the other end appeared to strike the bar.

Panayiotou could only stab Dan Jones’ lob into the box straight at Mitch Walker from yards out as the away side grew into the match.

Thierry Audel almost opened the scoring before the break in stunning fashion.  The Frenchman slalomed through the Athletic defence having picked the ball up on the halfway line, but was unable to beat Walker at his near post.

A minute later the away side took the lead as White powered in Jones’ accurate left wing cross.

It was almost an instant reply with Bird poised to fire home Ilesanmi’s assist.  But the striker was denied by Moussa Diarra’s last-ditch challenge.

However, Dover’s striker was not to be kept out for long.

Bird flicked home substitute Kadell Daniel’s cross to level matters with 20 minutes to go.

But it was Barrow who could have won the match late on.  Sub Sam Cockerline opted to shoot at Walker instead of passing across the box to an awaiting Alex-Ray Harvey.

And Bedsente Gomis ballooned an injury time effort over the bar after Cockerline found the midfielder in space with only Dover’s stopper to beat.

OTHER MEETINGS

29/04/17: Barrow 2-3 Dover
20/08/16: Dover 3-1 Barrow
21/11/15: Dover 3-1 Barrow

TEAM COLOURS

For those wanting to show the same colours as the players, captain Mitch Brundle and his teammates will be wearing their yellow ones.

TICKET NEWS

Prices are as follows:

Adults: £15
Concessions: £12
Young Adult (18-22): £8
Youth (12-17): £5
Child (Under 12): Free (Accompanied by a paying adult)
Unaccompanied Child (Under 12): £5

COVERAGE

The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!

Coverage starts from 2pm.

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

TRANMERE ROVERS V EASTLEIGH
ALDERSHOT TOWN V BOREHAM WOOD
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE V AFC FYLDE
EBBSFLEET UNITED V MAIDENHEAD UNITED
FC HALIFAX TOWN V SOLIHULL MOORS
HARTLEPOOL UNITED V BROMLEY
LEYTON ORIENT V WOKING
SUTTON UNITED V CHESTER
TORQUAY UNITED V GUISELEY
WREXHAM V MAIDSTONE UNITED

AWAY TRAVEL

There is a coach travelling to Eastleigh on Tuesday 27th March and it is not too late to book your space on it.

It departs Crabble at 3:30pm and the prices are as follows:

Adult members £20, adult non-members £35 and accompanied child (Under 16) £10.

There is also a coach leaving Crabble at 1pm for Ebbsfleet on Monday 2nd April and the prices are:

Adult members £15, adult non-members £30 and accompanied child (Under 16) £5.

Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the match against Tranmere for the Ebbsfleet game.

Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.