Hawks Fly In Second Half - Dover Athletic vs. Havant And Waterlooville

Forested surrounding to The Crabble

The torrential rain on Friday narrowed my choices for a game and the first game that I heard was definatly on was the Blue Square South clash between Dover Athletic and Havant And Waterlooville. I'd been meaning to visit The Crabble for a little while now and this weekend provided the perfect opportunity. The only time I'd seen either side play was when I saw Dover Athletic play at Corinthian Casuals when they were in the Ryman Division One South. Since replacing Nicky Forster a couple of weeks ago, Dover have moved up the table and sat in third place. Havant were sitting in mid table and had draw ten of their sixteen away games in the league so far this season.

Pitch side for kick off

A nice touch before kick off was the Dover staff coming over and chatting to the fans stood next to the dugout before kick off. Dover have the first chance of the half, the ball is chipped over the keeper but wide of the post following a long ball over the top. The Dover fans are making a lot of noise as their team dominates the opening stages of the game. They come even closer when they have an effort cleared off the line and the ball goes out for a corner. From that corner they take the lead with a free header at the back post. Just before half time the hosts double their lead when a free kick goes in off the post.

Havant on a rare first half attack

Dover continue to attack at the start of the second half and their keeper makes a good save from a free kick. Havant begin to pose a threat and the ball is put well over following neat build up play. They get back in to the game when the winger cuts inside and fires a low shot past the Dover keeper. Havant are on the up and the Dover keeper makes a good save at his near post. Havant get the equaliser they deserve when a cross across the edge of the six yard box is slid home at the back post. Dover lay siege to the Havant goal but they hold on for their eleventh away draw of the season.

Family Stand side of the ground.

I can imagine Dover being quite scenic on a sunny day, but even in the thick fog, the white cliffs are still impressive. The quick train from St Pancras takes just over an hour and the trains depart every hour. The slow trains depart from Charing Cross and this journey takes the best part of two hours. In the town centre is Blakes which is a cool cellar bar which serves a good selection of ales. Next to the station itself is The Priory Hotel which is ideal if you're early for your train. The walk to The Crabble takes about forty minutes and is a lot easier on the way back. The clubhouse looks like it has been recently decorated and had a couple of interesting displays detailing recent cup runs and league triumphs.

The programme has a lot of reading and there are four pages about the visiting side. The programme is full colour and the only tiny criticism is that text can be a bit difficult to read but this doesn't deter from a very good programme.

View from the terrace behind the goal.