Bullishness Rising: Dover 1-0 Stevenage

I did not envisage that I would be bothered to write any blogs after run-of-the-mill friendly games but after we dismantled League One Stevenage Borough last night I quickly changed my mind. (Before any of you narcissistic scrotums attempt to point out that Stevenage have dropped the 'Borough' from their name, then yes you have been whooshed).

I expected a very tough game from the 'nidge last night but I felt we more than out-matched them in most departments. At the moment it is great to be starting to taste the humble pie, as most of Martin Hayes' signings to date this pre-season look the business. Triallist Steven Watt, formally of Grimsby had an excellent game last night and as he just tweeted to me a few minutes, he is "interested in joining Dover but still have a few irons in the fire". Whatever the fuck that means, lets just hope he puts pen to paper for us. Corcoron appears to be the leader we have been crying out for and took his penalty emphatically. His face was a picture of psychotic delight after beating Alan Julian from the spot, who handled all the anti-Gillingscum banter directed at him very well. Matt Johnson, again, is a very imposing figure and gives us a lot of presence in midfielder. Purcell and Bricknell worked very hard together upfront and hopefully that combined work-rate will yield us lots of goals. Georgie seems to like running at defenders, similar to the departed Gillingham fella. The whole team worked very hard, looked very fit and from our second half substitutions it appears we have lots of quality in depth, meaning lots of competition for places in the side (something we severely lacked last season). Even some heavily criticized players like Hook (very solid last night), Baker and Cogan look like refreshed, rejuvinated players, with the hunger to succeed. And long may that continue.

Most of you who know me will know that I'm not exactly the post positive person in the world, but I'd have to be lying if i said I was'nt extremely excited for the new season! And given how suicidal I felt after the departures of Fish, Wallis, Birchall and Flitney, that is an achievement in itself. But we have a lot more quality in the side now than we did that finished the season, as I'm sure you'd all agree. Martin, you'll have a lot to fuck up this season with the calibre of these players!

Stevenage, for a near full-strength side of theirs were very dissapointing. I know pre-season friendly results are pretty irrelevent in the grand scheme of things but they looked a shadow of the side that ripped us a new one in the trophy a couple of seasons ago. If I were a fan of theirs, I would be worried about the following season. Well actually, with trips to Hillsborough, The Valley, Brammall Lane, Deepdale etc all ahead of them, I don't think they should really give a shit too much!
I know Stevenage are a very disliked club in the lower league circles, particular non-league, but I've never had a problem with them or a reason to. In fact, I think they are a good model to clubs like us, managing to establish themselves into the football league without spending too much whilst getting fairly low gates. Good luck to them I say, I wish them all the best. I have to admit I even found their notorious drinks break very amusing last night - If you don't know what  the fuck i'm going on about, then google it.


Right now, onto Adam Birchall again. As i'm sure you're all aware, Birchall got stretchered off yesterday in a friendly against Welling with a suspected broken leg, and is expected to be out for at least 6 months according to initial reports. Despite my bitterness over his move to the Medway Pikies, I would never have wished this upon him and feel very bad for him. Fingers crossed he has a speedy recovery. HOWEVER, there is that nasty, harsh cunt inside of me that is glad Hess and Scally have just spunked 70k on someone who will be on the sidelines for a long time. So, as a Gillingham hater and all roung not very a nice human being..... gutted Scally, you fucking four-eyed weasel wanker.

Finally, onto something a certain Steven King said to me last night (it is great to have him back on the terraces - even though he is a massive cunt, he is always amusing company). Anyway, he told me that "Blogs are for attention seeking wankers like yourself" (luckily for him he won't be reading this then). Whilst I would usually agree with him on this statement, I am not like most bloggers. I am not some wannabe journalist, and I certainly am not writing in a journalistic style. It is just here to entertain/amuse myself and any of my friends who want to read it. The purpose of this blog is not to write detailed match reports, but rather my experiences and thoughts regarding DAFC. For what its worth, Kevin Harris' match reports on the main website are always excellent and worth a read, so I would not attempt to emulate them. Anyway, I should be back on Wednesday to tell you about my bizarre midweek trip to East Thurrock (who?), unless something significant happens at Gravesindia and Webbedfeet United on Saturday. Take care for now chaps.