Dover Athletic v Folkestone Invicta

FOLKESTONE Invicta travel to the Hoverspeed Stadium on Easter Monday on the back of seven consecutive away defeats and with the worst away record in the Ryman Premier League.

But supporters will still travel in anticipation that the side can put everything right to record a first ever league double over their local rivals since Invicta took over use of the Cheriton Road ground in 1991.

A second half goal from centre half John Guest was enough to give Invicta a 1-0 win over Dover in front of a record 2278 crowd on December 27th, by far the highest attendance in the Ryman Premier League so far this season.

Guest misses the return match through suspension, but Invicta have fellow centre half Adam Flanagan available again after suspension for both of their Easter games. And Dover themselves will be without suspended trio captain Craig Cloke and key strikers Matt Carruthers and Victor Renner.

Passions are sure to be running high on Easter Monday as Dover themselves desperately need the three points in their bid to complete what would be a remarkable survival. They appeared to be relegation certainties after a poor start to the season, but have been revitalised since Clive Walker took over as manager from Steve Browne.

Dover have won five, drawn two and lost two since Walker took over for a second time at the club and on Tuesday night reached the Kent Senior Cup Final when they defeated Gravesend & Northfleet on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Invicta themselves play at home to holders Margate in their semi final on Tuesday April 12th.

Invicta’s Steve Norman, Scott Lindsey, Mark Munday, Paul Sykes and Simon Glover are all former Dover players, whilst the Crabble club recently signed former Invicta midfielder Anthony Hogg from Tonbridge Angels.

Only Daniel Braithwiate and possibly striker Chris Wright are expected to remain from the Dover starting eleven which lined up against Invicta over Christmas. Dean Readings, who may be skipper on Easter Monday, and Shane Hamshare, are expected to start after being on the substitutes’ bench last time out and there could be a first home start for striker Walid Matata.

Dover may also have the experienced Craig Wilkins available again for his first league game since December after a back injury. Wilkins started on the substitutes' bench on Tuesday night.

Goalkeeper Paul Hyde will play through the pain barrier despite worries that he fractured a hand in the club’s recent 3-0 home defeat against Yeading.

Former Invicta man Hogg is also troubled with a niggling ankle injury which has caused him to have painkilling injections before matches but he is expected to be fit.

* Tune into kmfm in Shepway and Whitecliffs Country on Monday to hear regular live updates from the match with Simon Watts.