Canvey Island face a big test against the league leaders on Saturday, as they travel to Kent to face Dover Athletic in the Isthmian League Premier.

Our Opponents
The Whites are a big name in the Isthmian Premier this season, with the club having been a regular feature of the Vanarama National League in the last few years.

The club were formed formed in 1983 following the dissolution of the towns former club, Dover FC, and took their place in the Southern League. The club spent several seasons in the Football Conference during the 90's before being relegated back to the Isthmian League in the early 00's. Financial problems saw them shift between the 1st and 2nd tier, before the club won promotion to the Conference South in the 08/09 season.

There, they spent five seasons before playoff promotion in the 13/14 season saw them reach the Conference top flight for the first time in 12 years. They remained competitive in the division, renamed The National League in that time, before relegation to the National League South in the 21/22 season. Further financial problems hampered the clubs return to Step 6, meaning they were relegated again to the Isthmian League at the end of last season.

They've steadied the ship in their return to Step 7 though, and currently lead the table with 30 points from their first 14 games. Their last result saw them pick up a point on the road at Chatham Town in a Kent derby last saturday, with the two sides drawing 1-1 at The Bauvill.

Promotion back to the National South is the Whites aim this season, and manager Jake Leberl certainly has the squad at his disposal to do that. Top Isthmian names adorn the teamsheet, with the reliable Mitch Walker between the sticks, Luca Cocorachhio in defence and Ruben Soares-Junior driving the attack. Up front, they have one of the league's most in form marksmen in George Nikaj.

This is the first meeting between the two sides since Dover's promotion winning 08/09 season. We met 3 times that season in both league and league cup, with an on-the-rise Dover winning all three meetings - the last of those a 2-1 win at Crabble, with Jay Curran getting the Canvey goal on the day.

The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, will be looking to continue their own climb up the table, and build on a late win at home to Whitehawk last weekend.

Goals from Jaxon Brown and Bradley Sach saw the Gulls pick up another valuable three points in a hectic November schedule, moving them to within 4 points of the playoff pack.

While they know the test will be a tough one, they'll go into the game confident their good away form can shine through again - with the side having won their last 4 away games in all competitions.

***
Yellow Army, thank you once again for your top draw support at home last weekend. You stuck with the boys to the very end, and played your part in getting us over the line to secure another valuable three points.

With this being a trip many would have earmarked in the calendar, we hope to see a healthy contingent of the Yellow Army there to cheer on Brad Wellmen's side once more on their travels.

We wish all travelling a safe and easy journey to Dover.

Come on you Gulls!

Kick Off - 3:00pm

Admission Prices*
Adults - £15
Concessions - £14
U18s - £9
U11s - FREE

*Please note - Dover Athletic operate cashless on matchdays, card only.

Address
Megger Community Stadium
Crabble Athletic Ground
Lewisham Road
Dover, Kent
CT17 0JB

Coach Travel
The club will be running a supporters coach for this fixture.

The coach will leave the Steves Taxis Stadium at 10:15am sharp. Tickets are priced at £18pp.
To reserve your place, please contact Gary Sutton on 07790 025 828.

Parking
Parking for the Crabble Athletic Ground is available at the rugby club adjacent to the entrance of the ground. Please consult one of Dover's matchday volunteers should you encounter any difficulties.

Train
Kearsney (southeastern) 1.2m

Bus
Crabble Avenue (64/93/981)