Crabble Stadium Archives

Dover Athletic – a game of survival?

Posted on October 6, 2018 by mattbristow

A question. Whats the hardest part of being a sports photographer shooting football? The answer, covering a game of the club you support when they are struggling and you have to get pictures that are newsworthy! roughly translated means I had to basically cover them getting stuffed and be at the end of goals!

Its been a pretty hard week/season at Dover. No Sh*t Sherlock I hear you say. But, probably not for the reasons that are immediately obvious. But enough of that as I am no pundit or reporter, I am just a humble photographer that sits and takes pictures of what happens in front of me! Here are just a few personal favourites from today’s clash against high flying Salford City FC. It was however, not the result that the club wanted but in my opinion a lot of positives to take away. To be fair the difference was this fella, Adam Rooney currently top scorer in the league, and today he bagged a hat trick in what has to be said style.

Salford’s defender Carl Piergianni celebrates with Salford’s forward Adam Rooney after scoring his hat-trick during the National League match between Dover Athletic FC and Salford City FC.

I think for now, Dover’s problems are clear and simple. But as a rudderless ship adrift in the suddenly very competitive National League. However, salvation will come from a very strong leader be that who it may. It is my peronsla opinion is that at this level now to succeed you just have to be full time. But I guess this week will be full of announcements and revelations.

: Dovers midfielder Bedsenté Gomis fires home Dovers only goal during the National League match between Dover Athletic FC and Salford City FC

: Dovers forward Tobi Sho-Silva leaps to head the ball.

: Salford’s forward Adam Rooney reels away after scoring for the third time.

: Dovers defender Connor Essam wins the ball over Salford’s forward Adam Rooney.

: Salford’s forward Adam Rooney keeps Dovers defender George Smith at bay.

: Dovers keeper Mitch Walker collects the ball ahead of Salford’s forward Rory Gaffney.

: Dovers midfielder Nortei Nortey clashes with Salford’s midfielder Danny Lloyd.

: Salford’s forward Adam Rooney heads the ball past Dovers midfielder Nortei Nortey for his second goal.

There is a larger gallery here. All images are copyright to me, self billing applies. If in doubt please get in contact with me.

Dover Athletic FC v Wrexham FC – 04/08/2018

Posted on August 4, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic FC v Wrexham FC – So the 2018 season got underway. However, it wasn’t the result that Dover were looking for loosing by a goal to nothing.

Probably, even more galling was the fact they could have been winners. If it was not for possibly the weakest penalty I have ever seen that was saved as a result and having a goal disallowed by a questionable decision. But this is football and there is a long, long way to go yet! Here are a few of my favorites from the game.

Dovers defender Josh Passley is wresstled to the ground by Wrexhams forward Stuart Beavon during the opening National League match between Dover Athletic and Wrexham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 04 August 2018.

I think its far too early to start making any far reaching statements, there is a load of talent in the new Dover squad given time I am convinced they will be right up there.

Dovers defender Tim Schmoll and Wrexhams midfielder Luke Young clash mid field during the opening National League match between Dover Athletic and Wrexham FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 04 August 2018.

Here are a few more:

: Wrexhams midfielder Luke Young hooks the ball around Dovers forward Inih Effiong.

: Wrexhams midfielder Akil Wright clears the ball.

: Wrexhams forward Mike Fondop sits on the ground after putting Wrexham a goal up.

: Wrexhams forward Mike Fondop turns on the ball.

: Dovers midfielder Mitch Brundle and Dovers forward Inih Effiong cant believe the penalty was saved.

: Dovers defender Kevin Lokko keeps the ball in play.

: Dovers forward Jamie Allen is held back by Wrexhams midfielder Luke Young.

There is a full gallery available here all the images are available for licence.

Dover Athletic v Dagenham and Redbridge FC – 20/02/2018

Posted on February 21, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Dagenham and Redbridge FC. The Whites were looking to pull themselves out of a lack lustre run and get back into the playoff running. Right from the start they looked like a side on a mission. It was Mitch Pinnocks overhead kick that turned out to be the winner. It could quite possibly turn out to be a contender for the goal of the season.

Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock scores with a spectacular over head kick during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 6 January 2018.

It was one of those goals that you sit there watching thinking; “Hes not going to try that is he?…. oh he has, well surely he wont score…..Damn!” Then much to my surprise he reeled around and ran right at me (cheers for that ;)). So much so I had to shout stop at him to stop him getting to close so I could keep taking pictures! But what is pulling the shorts up high all about?

Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock elated after scoring his spectacular over head kicked goal during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 6 January 2018.

Here are a few favourites from the game

: Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock tries to copntrol a high ball during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s midefiedler Liam Bellamy just gets a toe to the ball ahead of two Dagenham players during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s forward Kadell Daniel during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dovers Mitch Pinnock rushes to celebrate after scoring during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle and Dagenhams defender Craig Robson battle over the ball as Dagenhams keeper Mark Cousins comes to the ball during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey and Dagenhams defender Craig Robson during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s midefiedler Liam Bellamy heads the ball on during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

If you still want more there is a larger gallery here

Dover Athletic v Sutton United – 10/02/2018

Posted on February 11, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Sutton United. I am fast coming to the conclusion that football has to be played in the rain! I think its about 6 straight weeks now and I’d be lost without my ThinkTank Hydraphobias

Dovers Ryan Bird cannot believe his luck as he narrowly misses scoring

So torrential rain and a game that was too close to call what was not to like! Sadly it wasn’t to be Dovers day as Sutton ran out winners by a single goal. Despite being reduced to 10 men and surviving a barrage of pressure from Dover during the closing minutes the equaliser remaind elusive. The frustrastion on the Dover players faces is clear to see.

: Dover’s forward Kane Richards stretches to control the ball.

: Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi and Sutton’s midfielder Tom Bolarinwa.

: Sutton’s midfielder Kieron Cadogan fires home the only goal of the game.

: Dover’s defender Manny Parry rises to a crossed ball during.

: Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock jumps over a challenge from Sutton’s midfielder Nicky Bailey.

: Dover’s forward Ryan Bird shot is deflected away from the Sutton goal.

There is a full gallery from the game here

Dover Athletic v Guiseley FC – 27/01/2018

Posted on January 27, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Guiseley FC. It is a wet and windy January and high flying Dover Athletic host lowely Guiseley FC in the Vanorama National League. Whats not to like?

Guiseleys defender Harry Flowers keeps Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle from the ball.

Here are a few of my favorites:

: Dover’s midfielder Nortei Nortey and Guiseleys forward James Roberts.

: Guiseleys midfielder Simon Lenighan and Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle clash while challenging for the ball.

: Guiseleys forward Dayle Southwell celebrates bring the visitors level and opens up the game.

: Dover’s forward Ryan Bird controls the ball and scores only to be judged off side. He was desperately unlucky as he had two goals disallowed.

: Dover’s manager Chris Kinnear looks on in the pouring rain.

Now I’m not one to complain and its great to have a player celebrate right in front of you, but sometimes its too close! I literally couldn’t focus on Mitch Pinnock. I did get up and move back and Mitch Brundle then performed some kind of smack down move on my stool LOL!

Thanks guys but too close! fail on my behalf!

There is a larger gallery of Dover Athletic v Guiseley FC on my Photoshelter account

FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying – Dover Athletic V Bromely FC

Posted on October 14, 2017 by mattbristow

FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying – The FA Cup is a wonderful thing I do think that. I just like the immediateness of the whole thing, away from any league pressures. Simply you win, you continue. Dovers 2017 Emirites FA Cup campaign got underway on 14th October at home to Bromely FC. The last time they met each other in the league Bromely ran out winners. So the home side were out to prove a point. The game ran out a goalless draw and moves to a replay. But the game wasn’t without it its action. Here are a few of my favorites, theres a bigger gallery here.

OCTOBER 14: Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi takes a shot on goal and Bromely’s Roger Johnson tries to get in the way!

A few more

: OCTOBER 14: Bromely’s Adam Mekki tries to pull Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi off the ball. (Photo by Matt Bristow/mattbristow.net)

: OCTOBER 14: Dover’s forward Kadell Daniel gets airbourne to control the ball.

: Bromely’s goalkeeper David Gregory collects the ball as Bromely’s Tyrone Sterling and Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock all collide. unfortunately Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock was awarded a yellow card for his troubles.

: OCTOBER 14: Dover’s defender Connor Essam is denied by Bromely’s goalkeeper David Gregory

: OCTOBER 14: Bromely’s goalkeeper David Gregory collects yet another Dover cross.

Finally, I particularly like this frame.

OCTOBER 14: As Dover’s defender Josh Passley makes a run down the wing. Bromely’s manager Neil Smith thinks its a good idea to start shouting at Bromely’s Frankie Raymond which distracts him!

Dover Athletic V Chester FC – 16th September 2017

Posted on September 17, 2017 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic V Chester FC – 16th September 2017. So at the end of an unexpected long day for me Dover were playing at home against struggling manager-less Chester FC. It is fair to say that this years home record for Dover has left a lot of room for improvement. Something that the Whites most definitely put paid to running out emphatic 4 goals to nothing and climbing up to second in the league!

Here, are a couple of my favorites from the game. Loads more can be found here. As usual all usage has to be paid for and self billing applies.

Dover’s defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco celebrates after putting Dover a goal up.

: Dover’s midfielder Nortei Nortey passes the ball despite the best efforts of Chester’s Lucas Dawson.

: Chesters Wade Joyce and Criag Mahon sandwich Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi.

: Dover’s midfielder Nortei Nortey celebrates scoring Dovers third goal. Clear to see how much this means to him.

: Chester’s keeper Alex Lynch at full stretch to deny Dover’s forward Kadell Daniel.

Dover Athletic V Boreham Wood 12th September 2017

Posted on September 13, 2017 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic V Boreham Wood. So who would have thought it the Whites are top of the table! I know its early days but surely the last time this must have happened someone thought that hover craft were the new way to get to France! It was a text book Autumn Tuesday evening, very windy and rain! Unfortunately not the result the home side were looking for.

Here are a few of my favorites from the game. A full gallery can be found here. As usual all usage has to be paid for and self billing applies.

Dover Athletic v Boreham Wood. Conference Premier

Dover’s forward Ryan Bird is swamped by Boreham Wood players.

: Dover’s Kadell Daniel gets muscled off the ball by two Boreham Wood players. 1

: Boreham Wood’s Mark Ricketts tackles Dover’s defender Josh Passley.

: Dover’s defender Manny Parry makes a surge forward.

: Dover’s defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco and Boreham Wood’s goalkeeper Grant Smith locked contesting the ball.

xxx