Alfie Matthews has urged his Dover team-mates to concentrate on themselves in their Isthmian Premier play-off push.

Midfielder Matthews has been a regular starter for Whites this term, scoring seven goals, despite also being sent off for two bookings in last month’s 2-1 loss at Wingate & Finchley.

It is all set-up for an exciting climax to the Isthmian Premier campaign as fifth-placed Athletic hold the final play-off position, ahead of this weekend’s trip to mid-table Cray Wanderers.

But Matthews doesn’t want to see Dover worrying about results elsewhere in order to earn a top-five finish, with their destiny in their own hands.

“I think the thing that we need to start worrying about is ourselves,” he said. “We shouldn’t be worrying about the teams above us and below us because it’s in our hands.

“If we win our six games, we’ll get into the play-offs.”

Whites’ 1-0 home win against struggling Dulwich Hamlet through fellow midfielder Luca Cocoracchio’s first-half goal was a much-needed victory last weekend after a run of 11 points from 11 league fixtures prior to the visit of the London club had effectively ended what appeared genuine title hopes.

Matthews, signed last summer, noted: “I wouldn’t say we were lucky necessarily, but we were definitely clinical at the start of the season.

“Things have dropped off, like they can do all the time, but I have got full faith in all the boys.

“I think the fans have got full faith in us, as well, to just carry on.”

The one-time Arsenal youngster denied confidence had been dented within Dover’s camp despite their poor run.

“No, never,” said the 23-year-old. “We’re still buzzing during training.

“The gaffer (Jake Leberl), Mike (Sandmann, his assistant) and the chairman (Jim Parmenter) have still got full faith in us.

“I think we’re all on the same page, just ready to bounce back. We now have six more cup finals.

“Everyone has a little downfall in the season - possibly, ours came at the wrong time.

“But with the group of lads we have got, we’re trying our hardest and our main aim now is to finish in the play-off places.”