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Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear stresses an FA Cup win against Stourbridge is far from a foregone conclusion

Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear has been around too long to underestimate Stourbridge, Saturday’s FA Cup first round visitors to Crabble.

His side are third in the Vanarama National League, but Kinnear stresses a win against the Evo-Stick Premier Division side, who ply their trade two levels below Whites, is far from a foregone conclusion.

Kinnear insists his players must be on their game if they are to overcome their opponents from the West Midlands.

Dover boss Chris Kinnear Picture: Tony Flashman
Dover boss Chris Kinnear Picture: Tony Flashman

There is absolutely no room for any complacency as far as he is concerned.

He said: “If we go into the game with the wrong attitude, well, let’s just say we won’t get very far in this competition.

“Stourbridge turned over Kidder­minster Harriers in the last round, and did it really well (they won 3-0).

“They have a lot more experience than us in their squad, so we cannot afford to take them at all lightly and you can be sure we won’t be.

“Stourbridge will pose a dangerous threat, regardless of what league they are in. This is the FA Cup and they will be up for it.

“They will have no pressure on them. They will come here as underdogs and really have a go at us and we’ve got to be prepared for that.

“The important thing is that we approach the game in the same manner as any other we play and prepare right.

“If we do that, and play as well as we are capable of, I like to think our name will be in the hat for the next round.”

Dover reached the third round last season, eventually losing 4-0 against Premier League Crystal Palace at Crabble.

Kinnear would love to have another decent cup run.

He said: “To get that far last season was a fantastic experience, and one all at the club enjoyed.

“Hopefully we will get some memories from this season’s competition as well.”

Dover resume their league campaign against Eastleigh at Crabble on Tuesday (7.45pm).

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