Football – England – Conference Premier
Saturday 23rd August 2014 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Dover Athletic go in search of registering their first home win since their return to the Conference Premier when they take on Eastleigh at Crabble on Saturday afternoon.
Following back-to-back defeats in their first two matches of this new campaign with losses against Halifax Town 0-1 at home and a 0-3 defeat away at Braintree Town, Dover grabbed their first point of the Conference season with a point away at Grimsby Town in a creditable 1-1 draw.
The Whites now have home advantage this afternoon as they return to their Crabble ground, although their recent head-to-head history against today’s opponents Eastleigh suggests that this fixture may well be another tough assignment for Chris Kinnear’s boys.
Eastleigh have won the last three encounters between the two sides winning 1-0 and 3-2 at home while beating Dover the last time they visited in a 2-1 win back in mid-December last year.
Onto Eastleigh now then, and The Spitfires have hit the ground running in the non-league top flight since their promotion from the Conference South. Comparisons can be made with Eastleigh’s rise to that of Fleetwood Town who have made similar giant leaps up the footballing pyramid, and the recent signings of Constable and Midson up front have provided an instant return.
An opening day 3-0 away win at Nuneaton Town made a few clubs sit up and take notice, and Eastleigh followed that up with a 1-0 home win over south coast rivals Aldershot Town. They held Gateshead to a 2-2 draw last Saturday, but defender Green will miss today’s clash after being sent off.
No matter,as Eastleigh have the depth in squad that is the envy of many clubs in this division and they stand a very good chance of claiming a fourth win on the trot over today’s hosts with the attacking options open to manager Ricky Hill.
Dover Athletic did well to get a point away at Grimsby last weekend, but Eastleigh are in confident mood right now and my money is on the visitors to grab the points this afternoon. A 2-1 win to Eastleigh.
Pick: Eastleigh straight win @ 2.10 Bet Victor
