JAMIE Grimes scored his first goal of the season in the 2-0 win against Lincoln City at Crabble in September.
The captain says he wouldn’t mind repeating it when Whites play the now table-topping Imps at Sincil Bank on Friday night.
But the defender, who has scored in his past two National League games, admits that comes way down on his list of priorities as boss Chris Kinnear’s side aim to complete the double over Lincoln for the second consecutive season.
Grimes said: “A win is my first priority, regardless of who scores – I don’t mind at all as long as we get the three points.
“I would then say a win with a clean sheet is next on my list and then a win with goal from yours truly would be nice as I will have about 12 family members in the crowd!
And Grimes is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead in Lincolnshire.
He said: “We want the points – they want them too.
“It’s going to be a massive game with a massive crowd in attendance.
“As player, these are games you want to play in. Me and lads are really looking forward to it.”
LINCOLN’S RECENT FORM
The Imps dumped Championship side Ipswich Town out of the FA Cup on Tuesday night after winning the Third Round replay 1-0 at Sincil Bank.
Nathan Arnold scored the all-important goal in injury time after the sides had drawn 2-2 at Portman Road 10 days earlier.
In their last National League game, Lincoln came from behind to beat nine-man Guiseley 3-1 at Sincil Bank on New Year’s Day.
Guiseley took the lead through Sam Habergham’s own goal before the hosts replied with an Alan Power penalty and goals from Sean Raggett and Arnold.
RECENT MEETINGS
31/01/15: Lincoln City 1-0 Dover Athletic
07/03/15: Dover Athletic 1-2 Lincoln City
09/01/16: Lincoln City 2-3 Dover Athletic
15/03/16: Dover Athletic 4-1 Lincoln City
24/09/16: Dover Athletic 2-0 Lincoln City
HITMEN
Whites’ top scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with 25.
Miller’s strike partners Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette are also both in double figures with 11 and 10 respectively.
Matt Rhead is Lincoln’s top marksman in the league with 11 goals while Arnold has got 10.
TEAM NEWS
Boss Chris Kinnear says all players are fit for the trip apart from an ill Ricky Modeste.
The squad will also include loan signing, defender Connor Essam. who arrived from Eastleigh last week and played in the Kent Reliance Senior Cup win at Herne Bay on Monday.
Lincoln signed Brighton & Hove Albion winger Joe Ward on a one-month loan deal last week.
The 21-year-old has played four games this season for Albion’s under-21 side in the EFL Trophy.
DOVER COLOURS
For Dover fans wanting to show their colours at Lincoln by wearing the matching shirts as the players, captain Jamie Grimes and his team-mates will be wearing their blue shirts.
TICKET NEWS
With the game being broadcast live on BT Sport, and due to the interest in the fixture from Imps’ supporters, the decision has been made to open up the Stacey West Stand for home fans.
That means Dover supporters will now be in blocks 1-3 of the Bridge McFarland Stand and not in the normal away end.
Dover fans will be able to buy tickets at the away turnstiles on Friday night and prices are as follows:
Adult £18
60+/*Disabled £13
Student (Photo ID) £7
Junior U18 £7
*Disabled – Proof of DLA Medium/ High | PIP – enhanced. If travelling disabled supporters have the HIGH or ENHANCED rate they will be entitled to the helpers ticket free of charge.
COVERAGE
The game starts at 7.45pm but if you are unable to make the trip north, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText - follow us and get all the news as it happens!
Coverage starts from 7pm.
COACH TRAVEL
The Supporters Club are running a coach to the game at Lincoln City and it’s not too late to get on it.
Thanks to a generous donation by local businessman and huge Dover Athletic fan Nick Cunningham– who owns Nick Cunningham Plumbing and Heating Engineers, based in Sandwich –seats on the coach are being sold at a reduced price.
We thank Nick for his kind gesture and hope that fans take advantage of his generosity.
Coach leaves Crabble at 1pm and the cost is:
Adults Members £10, Adult Non Members £20 and accompanied child (under 16) £5.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat.