Midfielder Alfie Matthews has praised Dover’s united approach this season.

A brilliant brace of free-kicks from Matthews sent Athletic into the Isthmian Premier play-off final at Dartford on Monday with a pulsating 2-1 extra-time win at Billericay on Wednesday night.

Matthews, who started out at Arsenal and also counts Worthing, Hemel Hempstead and Braintree among his former clubs, rates Dover boss Jake Leberl as one of the best he’s worked under.

But the 23-year-old also highlighted the work of those behind-the-scenes at Crabble, including Academy manager and No.2 Mike Sandmann and popular husband-and-wife duo Paul and Debbie Harrison.

Matthews, who lives in a hotel in the area, said: “He's a great gaffer, probably one of the best I've worked under.

“I think he knows what the boys want off the pitch, which is an unbelievable attribute to have.

“Him and also the people behind the scenes - Mike, Deb, Paul and the kit people, like Josh (Humphreys) - have all been a massive help.

No pain, no gain for Whites matchwinner Matthews

“It's not just about one person, it's about everybody.”

In front of a huge crowd of 2,857 at New Lodge, Dover trailed to a goal by forward Femi Akinwade after a goalless first 90 minutes.

It was then Matthews who firmly took centre stage, though, as fine set-pieces flipped the game on its head.

But Matthews revealed: “I'd only scored one free-kick this season! But there was something where I just felt like the game needed a bit of magic.

“Luckily, the first one went in and then another three or four others in the game went over or hit the wall.

“With the last one, we were going to do our little set-piece routine and I saw the keeper was a little bit more to the left. I think he's tried to leave it but, obviously, it just went underneath his hand.

“But a goal’s a goal and we're through to the final.”

Matthews also felt the Whites faithful were as loud as he has heard them this term, having ran the length of the field, kissing the club badge, as he celebrated his leveller.

Dover had suffered two relegations in three years prior to this season but, now just a game away from an instant National League South return, those days seem a thing of the past.

“The fans have had such a hard time over the last three or four years with so many relegations,” said Matthews, who is battling through the pain as he nurses a broken bone in his wrist. “So many people and players probably not caring enough.

“But this group of boys, we love it here.”

Attention now swiftly switches to Whites’ showdown against Ady Pennock’s Dartford team, who were 4-3 midweek winners over Cray Valley after extra-time in their play-off semi-final.

Dover thumped the Darts amid their strong early-season form, winning 5-1, only for Dartford to avenge that loss with Easter Friday’s 3-1 win.

Matthews said: “We've all got ambitions to get in the league whether that's with Dover or whether that's getting a move somewhere else. But I think our aim for now is just to focus on Monday.

“It's 1-1 in games so may the best team win.”

Another massive attendance is expected at Princes Park - home to National League football about a decade ago - with the chance to join Horsham at Step 2 for the 2025/26 campaign at stake.

“Their stadium's just as good as our stadium,” admitted Matthews. “That was a big reason why I came, as well, with the facilities we've got and the management and, obviously, the team. It's a massive game on Monday.

“Let's hope we come back with a trophy.”