Dover Athletic v Dulwich Hamlet

MIDFIELDER Lee Spiller is relishing the prospect of leading Dover Athletic out for the first time as their Ryman League Division 1 campaign gets underway against Dulwich Hamlet at the Crabble on Saturday.

The 24-year-old had no hesitation in accepting Whites manager Clive Walker's offer to captain the side and insists he will make sure the players stay focused.

He said: "If we do get a good run going then my job will be to make sure that no signs of complacency begin to creep in, especially among the younger players.

"Dulwich are a good side, but if we can beat them then we will be off and running."

Expectations are high at Dover ahead of the new season, especially with players like Spiller, Danny Chapman and Tony Browne in the squad, who could all be playing at a higher level.

And Walker wants to keep a fairly consistent starting line-up throughout the season, something he was prevented from doing during the last campaign.

He said: "We need a settled side. You don’t win championships by chopping and changing all the time."

On the injury front, striker Walid Matata (calf) is out for another two weeks, while midfielder Tom Hickman is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines with a knee problem.

Dulwich finished 15th in Ryman League Division 1 last season, despite starting as one of the title favourites.