We take the trip down to Dover to kick-off our September schedule. 

 

A season of ups and downs aplenty last time round, The Whites finished 20th but safely seven points above the drop. Form in the former parts of the season proved vital as their season ended in rather a slump. It was at a no to dissimilar time to this we faced Dover last season, in what was a 2-1 win for United. Two goals from the skipper, Will de Havilland, came either side of George Nikaj’s strike. A brace and the trademark post-game plane celebration came out in what was the first away win of the season and the second in an eventual streak of six. The reverse fixture was The Magpies’ last at York Road for 2025/26 as capped off the season with a 1-0 win and a celebration of the season gone. Ryan Bartley’s scrambled in the game’s and his only goal for United soon after the break, latching onto a de Havilland header. 

 

Jake Leberl joins the long list of managers in the National League South who have entered double digits for recruits this summer. Many with experience in and around non-league like Jack Bates with Enfield Town and Horsham last campaign. A shorter trip for Nazir Bakrin took him from Tonbridge Angels to The Whites; a centre back by nature he has also stepped into midfield when needed. Another impressive coup was Euan Williams from League Two side Gillingham. An international for England and Northern Ireland at youth level, Williams is known for his energetic and creative midfield nature. 

 

One of those new recruits has played for both United and Athletic as Corie Andrews made the switch from Berkshire to Kent. Our number nine last season appeared 19 times across all competitions notching twice, with both coming against Winslow in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. Following the switch to Dover, life couldn’t have started much better for Andrews. Signing the morning of the fixture against Weston-Super-Mare, he came off the bench with half an hour to go and 2-1 down. Williams’ equaliser set it up perfectly for Andrews to score a rocket into the top corner on the verge of full-time for all three points. 

 

A man in fine form and the one to watch is Decarrey Sheriff. Six goals in his last six games, Sheriff was the obvious and deserved winner of The Whites Player of the Month for August. Showing a variety in his finishing as well, the number nine has scored with his head, left foot, right foot and from the penalty spot already this campaign. His hot start to the season has left him just one goal shy of last season's tally with at minimum 39 games to go; the season prior he reached 10 with Billericay Town leaving a strong chance to improve on both totals. 

 

Our famous face from Dover is the first ever captain of England’s national team, Cuthbert Ottaway. On 30th November 1872, Ottaway had the privilege of leading The Three Lions out against Scotland in what is recognised by FIFA as the first international match. A well-versed sportsman, Ottaway went on to represent Oxford University in five different sports; football, cricket, racquets, athletics and real tennis – which is thought to be a record to this day. Football was his most successful sport, despite being amateur at the time, and it would give him successes competing in three successive FA Cup finals between 1873 and 1875, winning once with Oxford University. 

 

Maidenhead United 1-0 Dover Athletic (2026) 

Dover Athletic 1-2 Maidenhead United (2025) 

Dover Athletic 0-1 Maidenhead United (2022) 

Maidenhead United 2-0 Dover Athletic (2021) 

Dover Athletic 3-4 Maidenhead United (2019) 

Maidenhead United 1-2 Dover Athletic (2019) 

Maidenhead United 1-0 Dover Athletic (2019) 

 

Travel to Dover is expected to take between 2.5-3.5 hours, as always depending on traffic and rail delays. The main railway station in Dover is Dover Priory which is approximately 2 miles from Crabble Athletic Ground. The closest station to Crabble Athletic Ground is Kearsney which is about a 10-15 minute walk from the ground. Bus services do run from Dover Priory which can take you closer to the ground, alternatively taxis are a good option. 

 

Car  

From Maidenhead find your way to the M25, then take the M2/A2 (following the signs to Canterbury, then from Canterbury follow signs to Dover) as far as the Whitfield roundabout (there is a McDonald’s Drive-Thru on the left). 

 

Take the fourth exit at this roundabout, down Whitfield Hill. At the bottom of the hill turn left at the roundabout and follow this road until the first set of traffic lights. At the lights turn right (180 degrees down the hill) and follow the road under the railway bridge, the ground is a little further up the road on the left. 

 

There is no parking for supporters within the ground, although parking is available in the rugby ground, which is just inside the main entrance – stewards will direct you. 

We expect this fixture WILL NOT be segregated. The Crabble Athletic Ground is a cashless stadium and only accepts card payments on the gate.  

 

 

 

Adult: £18 

Concession (over 60 & student): £17 

Youth (U18): £10 

Under 11 (must be accompanied by adult): FREE