EXCLUSIVE: LIAM BELLAMY

EXCLUSIVE: LIAM BELLAMY

*BS*Whites missed the opportunity to climb into the play-off places in the Skrill South on Saturday, suffering their sixth home defeat of the season with a 3-2 loss against Bishops Stortford.*BF*

Things were looking positive at half-time – goals from Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy gave Dover a 2-0 lead going into the break, but a disappointing performance in the second period saw three goals conceded and the visitors leave with all three points.

It was midfielder Bellamy, who has been one of the most consistent players over the past few games, who contacted me after the game to express both his frustration and desire to improve his own performances:

“I think we all need to apologise to the fans for what happened on Saturday. We went into half-time two goals up, which probably should have been more – Nathan’s goal definitely wasn’t offside. It was a real Jekyll & Hyde performance.

“The second half was very poor. We looked a totally different team and there’s no way we should have lost that game after being in such a comfortable position. Our home form hasn’t been great, but we still go into every game thinking we will win – I think that showed in the first half.

“We let ourselves down, and the supporters down. We now have two huge games coming up – at home to Sutton in the league (note: match has since been postponed), and then we travel to Eastleigh in the FA Trophy.

“I firmly believe that we have one of the best sides in the division and it is becoming very important that we start to show that at home, as well as away.

“My own aspirations are to get back playing football professionally, and that is why I came to Dover. I didn’t join to play for a club that wasn’t ambitious or good enough to be promoted – I want to be right up there in the league. Promotion is the main reason I came to Dover – I could have gone elsewhere, and I live in Wanstead, but I wanted to be a part of this club and I am determined to help us up the table.

“I am quite happy with my recent form – especially as I’ve started to add goals to my game – but there is always room for improvement. I have areas of my game I want to be stronger in.

“There is still a lot of football to be played this season, and we can still have a successful season. If we can maintain our excellent away record and start to win more games at home then, usually, that is promotion form.

“We need to learn our mistakes from Saturday but also need to make sure that doesn’t stay in our mind for too long – the next games are a perfect opportunity for us to right those wrongs and pick up a win which would put us right back up there.”