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Dover boss Chris Kinnear wants to maintain Wembley focus as play-off rivals wobble

Chris Kinnear believes his players’ focus on trying to get to Wembley twice this season is increasing with every game.

The 3-0 FA Trophy third round replay win at Vanarama National League rivals Guiseley on Tuesday night sees Dover travel to Evo-Stik Premier Division side Nantwich in the quarter-finals on Saturday week, eager to put right the wrongs of losing to Bath City at the same stage of the competition last season.

Boss Kinnear said: “The boys want to get to Wembley twice – in the Trophy and the play-offs. It’s up to me and my coaching staff to make sure they keep that focus.”

Dover manager Chris Kinnear Picture: Paul Amos
Dover manager Chris Kinnear Picture: Paul Amos

He added: “It was another outstanding, effective performance, (at Guiseley), following on from the win against Gateshead and we created loads and loads of chances.

“We didn’t feel sorry for ourselves up there, having not played so well in the first game. We were so much on top and I don’t think Guiseley won their first corner until the second half.”

More good news for Dover was the fact league results went in their favour with play-off rivals Eastleigh and Braintree both losing.

Kinnear said: “As soon as we came off the pitch, we knew how the other teams had got on.

"Everyone apart from Cheltenham and Forest Green seem to be having a wobble.”

Dover head back north on Saturday with a trip to 12th-placed Macclesfield.

Liam Bellamy (ankle) and Richard Orlu (groin) both picked up knocks at Guiseley.

Goalkeeper Andy Rafferty could be out for up to three weeks with an abductor problem suffered in the warm-up on Saturday

Defender Aswad Thomas saw a specialist last week and looks set to undergo keyhole surgery on his knee problem.

Meanwhile, Dover have appointed a new physio with Calum Green moving from Welling. He replaces Wayne Jones

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