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Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler sets new points target as Whites prepare to visit Chesterfield in the National League

Boss Andy Hessenthaler has a new points target in mind with Dover having finally moved out of minus points.

Whites are now on exactly zero points in the National League after they claimed their first away win in more than two years at Boreham Wood on Friday, winning 2-1 through Michael Gyasi’s penalty and a stunning Koby Arthur strike.

Dover frontman Michael Gyasi gets stuck in during the home defeat to Woking on Monday. Picture: Stuart Brock
Dover frontman Michael Gyasi gets stuck in during the home defeat to Woking on Monday. Picture: Stuart Brock

But they failed to build on that victory on Monday at Crabble, as they were beaten 4-1 by Woking.

“We have six games to go and I would love to win a couple more games,” said Hessenthaler.

“If we could get to six points, that would be great.”

Dover are at fifth-placed Chesterfield this Saturday.

The Spireites have only claimed one win from their past five league fixtures themselves while Dover only narrowly lost their away encounters against leaders Stockport (1-0) and second-placed Wrexham (6-5) this campaign.

A tussle breaks out at Crabble between the two sides. Picture: Stuart Brock
A tussle breaks out at Crabble between the two sides. Picture: Stuart Brock

“We shouldn’t go there with any fear - we didn’t (have any fear) at Stockport, Wrexham or Boreham Wood on Friday,” said Hessenthaler who says they will be making the journey to Chesterfield on the day.

“They are not on a fantastic run themselves, the pressure is all on them. They are in the play-off positions at the moment.

“It’s going to be a tough game. They are physically strong as well.

"We just need to make sure we do a lot better than we did on Monday.”

Whites then play host to Notts County in a re-arranged match on Tuesday at Crabble.

“Notts County is going to be an interesting one. We have got them twice - next Tuesday and then we play them away (on May 2),” Hessenthaler said.

Dover's Myles Judd battles for the ball. Picture: Stuart Brock
Dover's Myles Judd battles for the ball. Picture: Stuart Brock

“So that’ll be another two tough games against them. They are another team in the play-offs, but we will try and make it difficult for them.”

There were just three days between Dover’s two matches over the Easter weekend and Hessenthaler felt that took its toll on his young squad.

“I think the second game was a game too far really,” he conceded.

“The performance on Friday was excellent against a really physical side in Boreham Wood. We were able to match them physically and then able to play.

“The first was a penalty and the second was a fantastic strike by Koby. Unfortunately, we couldn’t follow it up on Monday.

Dover skipper Jake Goodman tries to control the ball. Picture: Stuart Brock
Dover skipper Jake Goodman tries to control the ball. Picture: Stuart Brock

“They made five changes and we only made one on Monday - and that was forced with Koby out injured (with Luke Baptiste taking his place as he returned from a ban) - and I think it showed.

“You have to give them credit, they were much better than us. They definitely respected us after (our result on) Friday and didn’t feel sorry for us.

“It was a game that came around quite quickly for some of our younger players.”

There was a positive for the Whites from their match against Woking, though, as 18-year-old Academy forward George Nikaj netted a consolation - his first senior goal.

Hessenthaler commented: “That was a positive at the end. It was a tricky pitch.

“We need to work on our pitch at the end of the season which isn’t that far away. Young George took his goal ever so well.

“It was his first senior goal so I was very pleased for him.”

Playmaker Arthur (knee) is rated as 50-50 for Chesterfield while Ryan Hanson, TJ Bramble and Seth Twumasi are back in training.

Midfielder Marshall Wratten also made cameo appearances off the bench against Boreham Wood and Woking having recovered from a hamstring injury.

But young frontman Noah Carney (broken metatarsal) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Prior to the victory at Boreham Wood, their second win this season, basement boys Dover had not won on their travels since a 2-0 success at Stockport in February 2020.

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