PREVIEW: HAVANT V DAFC

PREVIEW: LOWESTOFT V DAFC

*BS*Dover Athletic kick off their FA Trophy campaign away at Conference north side Lowestoft Town on Saturday as they attempt to secure back-to-back cup victories.*BF*

Whites progressed to the third round of the FA Cup for the second time in four years after defeating League 2 side Cheltenham Town 0-1 at Whaddon Road last Sunday, courtesy of captain Connor Essam’s goal seven minutes from time.

Chris Kinnear’s side were then awarded a home draw against Premier League Crystal Palace. They will welcome Neil Warnock’s team on the weekend 3rd/4th January.

Dover have had a mixed record in recent years in the FA Trophy – qualifying for the second round four times from the last eight seasons.

Last time Whites lost a competitive game was in the Kent Senior Cup on November 4.

*Lpic1**BS*DOVER TEAM NEWS*BF*
Gillingham Loanee Callum Davies limped off injured in the first half against Cheltenham on Sunday and is unlikely to be fit for Saturday’s game.

Tom Wynter, who replaced Davies, is expected to keep his place in the side to take on Lowestoft.

Winger Ricky Modeste is still unavailable for Whites and has been out of action since Dover’s first league win of the season against Eastleigh on August 23.

With big league games against Altrincham and Welling coming up, Kinnear may rest some of Sunday’s FA Cup heroes.

Sean Raggett, Liam Bellamy, Barry Cogan and Greg Rutherford are four names that could feature on Saturday to get some game time under their belts having all not played much recently.

*BS*LOWESTOFT TEAM NEWS*BF*
Goalkeeper Ashlee Jones was shown a red card in their last game, therefore substitute keeper Jake Jessup will start between the sticks.

Versatile right back Dean Mason has recently joined the Conference north club from Arlesey Town of the Southern Football League Premier Division. He made his debut in the clubs last game.

Defender Joe Marsden is unlikely to be fit after recently picking up an ankle injury in training.

Strikers Jefferson Lewis and Chris Henderson are their top goal scorers so far this season, both with six goals.

Henderson is a doubt for the game with an injury picked up earlier in the season.

Also on the treatment table are midfielders Lee Smith and Andrew Fisk, who are both unlikely to play on Saturday.

Forward Jake Reed bagged a brace in the third qualifying round and is expected to start up-front for the home team on Saturday. He also scored in the last game as well as getting an assist.

*Lpic2**BS*MORE ON OPPOSITION*BF*
Lowestoft are currently 16th in the Conference north having won 5, drawn 6 and lost 9 games so far this season.

In their most recent game, Lowestoft came back from 3-0 down with 10 men to claim an astonishing 3-3 draw against 5th placed Solihull Moors.

They have picked up five points in last seven league games.

Lowestoft Town defeated Conference south side Eastbourne Borough in the third qualifying round of the competition – a team that Dover needed a replay to defeat in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.

The home team on Saturday are the third lowest scorers in the league with 21 goals in 20 games.

*BS*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*BF*
There is £5,000 up for grabs for the winners of the first round FA Trophy tie.

Now League two side Cambridge United beat Conference south side Gosport Borough 4-0 in the final at Wembley last season.

The first ever final in the FA Trophy was played between Macclesfield Town and Telford in the 1969-1970 season. Macclesfield won that game 2-0 at the old Wembley.

Admission for the game is £12 for adults, £9 for students and OAP’s and under 16s £3.

The second round for this competition is due to be played on Saturday 10 January.

Any supporters unable to make the trip to Lowestoft on Saturday, please follow @DAFCLiveText on twitter to get regular updates during the game.

*Ppic1**BS*OTHER FA TROPHY FIXTURES*BF*
Nuneaton Town v Grimsby Town
Hyde v Spennymoor Town
Altrincham v Macclesfield Town
AFC Fylde v Gainsborough Trinity
Guiseley v Chorley
Lincoln City v Alfreton Town
North Ferriby United v Boston United
Gateshead v Halesowen Town
Worcester City v FC Halifax Town
Southport v Wrexham
Ramsbottom United v Stockport County
Bradford Park Avenue v Kidderminster Harriers
AFC Telford United v Chester
FC United of Manchester v Harrogate Town
Aldershot Town v Burgess Hill Town
Weymouth v Havant & Waterlooville
Bishop’s Stortford v Torquay United
Ebbsfleet United v Welling United
Wealdstone v Hayes & Yeading United
Wimborne Town v Oxford City
Weston-super-Mare v Farnborough
Dartford v Solihull Moors
Woking v Eastleigh
Hemel Hempstead Town v Sutton United
Basingstoke Town v Gosport Borough
Bromley v Leiston
Forest Green Rovers v Didcot Town
Bristol Rovers v Bath City
Maidenhead United v Poole Town
Braintree Town v AFC Sudbury
Concord Rangers v Barnet