Andy Hessenthaler has described Dover’s Academy as one of the best in the area for producing players.

The Academy have enjoyed great success in recent years and helped develop centre-back Sean Raggett, now with League 1 Portsmouth.

They have progressed to the Second Round of this season’s FA Youth Cup under the guidance of Mike Sandmann.

“With the situation we are in as a club financially, we have had to call on those young boys,” said first-team boss Hessenthaler.

“For me, for producing young players, it’s one of the best around and that’s largely thanks to Mike and his team.

“I think I get the best of both worlds.”

Dover’s Academy beat Langley 3-2 at Crabble last Tuesday to progress to the Second Round through goals from Archie Hatcher, Leo Dodds and Joel-Michael Oderian.

Sandmann’s team are due to visit Lowestoft Town on Tuesday with a place in the Third Round at stake.

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Hessenthaler said: “It was a good game. We had our game on the Monday [at Chelmsford] and they played on Tuesday.

“We did very well against a good side. Langley had good individuals, I’ve got to give them credit.

“It’s a long journey [to Lowestoft] but a chance to get through to the Third Round where the big boys come in.

"It can only be good for the football club.”

Plenty of Academy players - including Harrison Byford, Will Moses, George Wilkinson, Luke Baptiste, Noah Carney and George Nikaj - have been among those to get recent senior chances. There is a familiar face for them and any of the current youngsters who earn first-team call-ups in Sandmann, who coaches the first-team now as well as managing the Academy.

Hessenthaler said: “They are dealing with a coach they know. Some don’t know how I work but they get told and, as coaches, we are on the same wavelength.

“It helps the transition for the young players that they know the first-team coach.

“When you are a young lad coming into the first-team, they are nervous - you are going to be, aren’t you?

“But credit to the senior lads as well. They make them so welcome. The young ones themselves would say Lee Martin, Tyrone Sterling, Jordan Higgs, Luke Wanadio and Mitch Brundle are excellent with them.”

Whites drew 1-1 at home to Chippenham in National League South last Saturday, despite playing with 10 men for more than an hour after captain Lee Martin was sent off. Striker Alfie Pavey netted a second-half leveller.

“It was a great point under the circumstances,” Hessenthaler reflected. “I thought we played well.

“It’s probably the best we have started for a while at home and Luke Baptiste should have scored. Unfortunately we lost Lee Martin to two yellows, which isn’t going to help us, and we conceded from a set-play, which was disappointing.

“But it was all us in the second half. If there had been another 10 minutes, I think we probably would have won it. It showed great character from the boys.”

Martin, 35, was dismissed after receiving a second caution in quick succession.

Hessenthaler said: “I’m disappointed with the referee.

“Obviously, Lee is disappointed in himself as well. The first one is not a yellow for me and the second, if he’s not on a yellow at that stage, I don’t think he books him. The assessors agreed with us after the game but it doesn’t help us.

“I thought the referee did all right in general but, in the second half, there were two challenges on our players [which should have been bookings]. It’s just the inconsistency which drives me mad.

“But Lee knows. He’s a competitor, like me, and wants to win.

"Sometimes you just get carried away with the situation. He apologised after the game.

“I’m trying not to be too critical because he’s doing really well, leading the group.”

Dover lost 3-1 on Tuesday at Oxford City, despite Nikaj's consolation effort, while Martin will serve a one-game ban this Saturday when Whites travel to Uxbridge in the Second Round of the FA Trophy.

Hessenthaler knows little about the Isthmian South Central side but will speak to Leatherhead’s management team about them after they were due to meet in midweek, Leatherhead winning 2-0.

Dover’s boss explained: “We will get a bit of information on them after Tuesday night, they have got Leatherhead I believe, and I know the manager at Leatherhead [Hayden Bird].

“The FA Trophy is important to us. We want a result and we will be strong. We have a small squad and we will lose Lee - one plus is that he will not miss a league game.

“It will be a tough game, but we will try to win the game and get into the next round.”

The winner of the FA Trophy tie will earn £3,750 in prize money.

Dover are scheduled to visit Isthmian South East Chatham Town in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday (7.30pm kick-off).