Sutton Face Familiar Foes Dover
- Mark Bravery
- Nov 28, 2016
- 2 min read
Sutton reach the halfway stage in their National League programme this Tuesday evening when the face old rivals Dover Athletic at Gander Green Lane.
Sutton have already played at Dover’s Crabble ground this season, two goals from the division’s leading scorer Ricky Miller helping the hosts to a 3-1 victory. Sutton’s consolation goal came late on from Kevin Amankwaah, but the match will be remembered for what looked a legitimate Sutton goal being missed by the officials with the score at 1-0 to Dover.
The two clubs have met several other times in recent years, in the Ryman League and then the Conference South. Dover’s last visit to the Lane was in the second leg of the South division’s play-off semi-final in May 2014 when, despite playing almost all the match with ten men, Dover won 3-0 (4-1 on aggregate). They went on to beat Ebbsfleet in the final and so earn promotion to this level.
Dover currently lie 6th in the table and are in decent form, having won five of their last six league games. They are the division’s joint second highest scorers, with 42 goals in 21 matches, though they have conceded 34 times, easily the worst defensive record in the top half of the table. Winger Ricky Modeste – who scored twice in that 2014 play-off match – may miss this match because of a hamstring strain.
Sutton manager Paul Doswell will have an eye on next Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Cheltenham Town, and so may choose to rest some players for this game. Craig McAllister and Craig Dundas, both cup-tied next Saturday, may well feature up front and in midfield. Centre back Dean Beckwith returns after a one-match suspension, and creative midfielder Ryan Burge could be available again following illness. Fans can also expect to see a Sutton debut for nineteen year old forward Herson Alves, just signed on loan from Brentford.