TT PREVIEW
Steve Harris – @steveharris84
MATCH DETAILS
Match details: Dover Athletic versus Torquay United
Competition: National League South
Venue: The Crabble, Dover
Date: Saturday 3rd January 2026
Kick-off: 3pm
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Dover: 4
Draw: 2
Torquay: 9*
*Includes the result of one meeting between the two sides in 2020-21
which was expunged.
CURRENT FORM (LAST 6)
Dover (W2 – D0 – L4):
W 2-0 Slough Town H
W 1-0 Chesham United A
L 1-4 Hornchurch H
L 2-5 Eastbourne Borough H
L 0-1 Maidstone United A
L 1-2 Ebbsfleet United H
Torquay (W3 – D1 – L2):
W 3-2 Worthing H
W 2-0 Chelmsford City A
L 1-2 Tonbridge Angels H
L 0-1 AFC Totton A
W 3-1 Weston Super Mare H
D 0-0 Bath City A
TOP GOAL-SCORERS
Dover: George Nikaj (7)
Torquay: Louis Dennis (13)
DOVER FACT FILE
Year founded: 1983
Nickname: The Lilywhites
Last season’s league finish: 5th in the Isthmian Premier Division
(promoted via the play-offs)
Notable honours:
Conference South:
Play-off winners 2013-14
Isthmian League:
Premier League winners: 2008-09
Southern League:
Premier Division: 1989-90 & 1992-93
MANAGER – JAKE LEBERL
Now in his fifth spell with his hometown club as both a player and as a coach, Jake Leberl became manager of the Lilywhites in December 2023 following the departure of Mitch Brundle.
He had previously had two playing spells with Dover, in a career that also included stints with Crewe Alexandra, Margate, Dagenham & Redbridge and AFC Wimbledon. Leberl later returned to the Crabble as assistant to Chris Kinnear and he had previously served as Brundle’s number two prior to his appointment as first team boss.
Leberl successfully guided the Lilywhites to promotion to National League South in the 2024-25 season, as they beat Dartford 2-1 in the league’s play-off final.
PLAYER PROFILE – RYAN HANSON
Dover-born midfielder Ryan Hanson began his career at Crystal Palace as a youth before moving on to Hull City where he was a regular in their Under-23 side. On his release from the EFL club in the summer of 2021, he joined his hometown club, where he had previously spent a spell on loan. A good season attracted the attention of Torquay United, who he joined during the summer of 2022. He signed for Tonbridge during the 23-24 season. Ryan re-joined the Lilywhites on loan from Tonbridge at the tail end of their promotion winning campaign.
PLAYER STATS:
Position: Midfielder
DOB: 06/12/00
Height: 1.82m
Previous Clubs: Tonbridge Angels
NLS Stats 25/26: Appearances: 7, Goals 0, Assists 0, Yellow/Red Cards 0/0
OLD BOYS
Dover: Ryan Hanson, Jacob Mensah
Torquay United: None
LAST MEETING
Last meeting: Monday 25th August 2025, Torquay United 3 Dover Athletic 2
Torquay United showed real bouncebackability as they recovered from being a goal down to beat Dover Athletic by the odd goal in five on Bank Holiday Monday at Plainmoor.
Alfie Matthews’ free-kick gave the visiting side the lead, before Cody Cooke levelled matters up from the spot. Matthews also fired home a penalty following the restart, before Jordan Young restored parity once more. It looked as though both sides would have to settle for a share of the spoils until Matt Jay’s late winner stole the show.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Dover Athletic (4-3-3): Mitch Walker, Roman Charles-Cook, Jalen Jones, Harry Beadle, Harrison Sodje; Luca Cocoracchio, Ryan Hanson, George Wilkinson; George Nikaj, Rolando Onu, Francis Mampolo
Torquay United (4-2-3-1): James Hamon; Jordan Thomas, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jay Foulston; Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Dan Hayfield; Jordan Young, Matt Jay, Dylan Morgan; Louis Dennis
COYY – STEVE
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