By Andrew Gidley

Andy Hessenthaler is heading into the Christmas and New Year programme satisfied with his Dover team’s progress in Blue Square South.

Whites face a trip to strugglers Lewes on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm), and are home to Chelmsford on Monday (3pm) and the Dover boss, pictured, said: "I’m happy to be in the top five because this is a tough league. We are right in the pack, though, and have a great chance of doing something.

"The difference between this and the Ryman League is that we are making mistakes and getting punished every time."

He added "We have gone six games without defeat and want to stay unbeaten. We will go to Lewes looking for three points to make up for only drawing against St Albans but they are fighting for their lives."

Hessenthaler praised the efforts of the groundstaff and volunteers to get Saturday’s game on but admitted: "We didn’t turn up and I thought the game passed us by at times, which was a little bit disappointing."

Hessenthaler will consider sending out defender Craig Cloke on loan early in the New Year to help his match fitness, but stresses he needs all his squad together for the festive period.

Lee Browning and Sam Gore are both still nursing groin problems but Jake Leberl and Dean Hill are back in the fold.

The Dover squad trained on Tuesday before linking up again on Boxing Day for the trip to Lewes, ahead of three games in a week.