Dover Athletic 0 Bath City 0

It was another point on the board and another clean sheet this week as the Whites again failed to find the net for the second time in a month. Bath City were a very organised team but were clearly there for the taking with Mitch Brundle’s team riding high following Tuesday nights victory over Havant.

Boss Brundle had told the players that he was ‘bored’, during his half-time team talk. Speaking to Kent Online Sport post match, Brundle said ‘I think we had the better of the chances. But it wasn’t a game for the neutral! I said to them at half-time that it’s the most bored I’ve been, stood on the side line as a manager. That didn’t excite me one bit but it’s six unbeaten. It’s still positive, don’t get me wrong, and it shows where we have come to that we are disappointed to draw 0-0 with Bath and earn our fourth clean sheet in a row. It was just one of those days. I’ve just looked at the results and a lot of teams drew today. We weren’t at the races. It’s the worst we’ve performed. I could be critical with aspects of certain bits but the keeper has tipped one onto the bar and we’ve had chances in the first half, and Noah Carney should score. But to be fair, it didn’t look like we were ever going to score. But they didn’t look like ever scoring, either.”

It’s another clean sheet which is now four on the spin for the club and credit is due to both the backline and the goalkeeper. ‘Four clean sheets, as well, and it’s four years since the club last did that. ‘That’s where we’ve come as a club,’ noted Brundle. ‘That’s where we have changed now. I’d have snapped your hand off for that when I first got the job. But I will always try and be better and, to be fair, that’s why I’m so – I wouldn’t say disappointed – more frustrated. We created enough chances to score and win the game. It is what it is. I’ve not really got the words to try and describe how I’m feeling. I could just be critical, and I’m allowed to be, but we’d have snapped peoples’ hands off a few weeks ago to be six unbeaten and we are now. We’re going in the right direction and I think it’s a positive the fact that I can stand here as the manager and be frustrated that we haven’t won the game, and we’ve drawn against a good team.

There was a minute’s applause before kick-off in tribute to long-serving Dover fan Bob Hill, who recently died. Brundle himself acknowledged that fact and was quick to ensure that the family were given the clubs condolences. ‘I’d just like to send my condolences to Bob Hill’s family,’ said Brundle. It’s sad that he’s lost his life and we respected him today with a round of applause. As you could see, it meant a lot to a lot of people here. He’s been a fan for plenty of years. We just wish their whole family well and hope they’re all doing okay, and that’s from everyone – from top to bottom – at this football club.’

Stuart Nelson, part of the reason the Whites haven’t conceded in the last four matches, was keen to point out to Kent Online Sport that it was a team effort. ‘It’s Dover’s clean sheet,’ said Nelson. ‘Obviously, I’m in goal so clean sheets mean as much to me as goals mean to strikers, so I’ll take every single one of them. That’s 11 for me for the season so I’m happy with it from a personal perspective. But ultimately, I can’t do it without the 10 other players who are on the pitch with me at that time. In the last four and quite a bit games since conceding the boys have been excellent on the defensive side of things.’

Our number one came to the defence of his manger who’s age had been raised in the discussion. ‘The age thing – that’s your issue, not mine for starters. Everyone wants to say about age but age doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s a number. We’re keeping clean sheets and that’s down to how he’s setting us up. I don’t care whether he’s 12 or 102, it doesn’t mean anything to me. Age is really irrelevant and it does bug me, which is why I’ve reacted like this. I think Mitch has come in and done a really fantastic job, and the results have shown that. ‘Soon, someone is going to get thumped. That’s the bottom line. If we keep defending the way we’re doing it, then someone is going to come on a good run of goals from us.’

The Whites face Cheshunt tomorrow evening who are on a decent run of form themselves with only two defeats coming in their last nine matches. Dover will be looking to avenge the 2-0 defeat back in December but there is a completely different dynamic to the squad now compared to a couple of months ago.

We hope to see you all there. We understand that there has been a run of home games lately but we completely appreciate your continued support.

COYW

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be purchased at the turnstile only.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult