Introduction – Pre-Season – August – September – October

Compared to a busy October, November calmed things down a little with Dover looking to escape from the bottom three and Weymouth pushing the likes of Stockport, Notts County and Wrexham for automatic promotion.

Weymouth

Despite having won eight of nine games prior to taking on Colchester in the FA Cup First Round, it was United who took the chocolates. Mampala, on loan from Carlisle, continued the form that earned him October’s Young Player and Player of the Month awards by opening the scoring before Alan Judge notched two to turn the game around at the JobServe Community Stadium. A big game against Chesterfield saw Andy Robinson score from a header off a free-kick before the flag was slowly raised, then McQuoid had a penalty saved in the second half but from the resulting corner, Mampala nodded home to earn all three points. Jamie Sendles-White picked up a late red card. A 2 – 2 draw with managerless Woking was a poor return at home but spirits were raised as a two-year contract extension was offered by the Chairman to continue as manager. The month ended with not only a new deal but a 2 – 0 win over Torquay United to leave the side in third place on the National League ladder.

Weymouth will face Eastleigh in the FA Trophy Third Round.

King’s Lynn Town

King’s Lynn took an early exit in the FA Cup First Round, losing 3 – 1 to hosts Hartlepool United as Ken Charles departed on loan to Barwell. Goalkeeper Paul Jones suffered a broken ankle which will keep him out for up to nine months. He is said to be contemplating retirement. Formerly on the books of Championship clubs Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday, he is now 35 years old. A desperate scramble for a senior goalkeeper saw former Fylde stopper James Montgomery turned down due to wage demands (£1k a week!) before Ryan Huddart eventually signed.

The side were massive underdogs at home to Wrexham and despite Dunnwald-Turan equalising off the goalkeeper’s arse after Paul Mullin’s opener, Jones’ initial replacement Itani allowed a tame effort from Mullin to beat him at the near post and Gareth Jones secured all three points for Ryan Reynolds’ outfit. After five games without a win, a 1 – 0 triumph over Bromley thanks to a Malachi Linton screamer was very much crucial to getting back on track. An expected 2 – 1 loss to Stockport County was followed by a tight 1 – 0 triumph over toothless Aldershot Town.

King’s Lynn Town have been drawn against either Stafford or Oxford City in the FA Trophy Third Round.

Dover Athletic

Deep in the relegation mire, Dover were the last of the three teams to contest the FA Cup First Round. A narrow loss to Boreham Wood as Danny Collinge had a goal disallowed in the last minute meant all three Kings said farewell to the FA Cup prestige, money and potential Premier League opposition at the same stage. Much like King’s Lynn on the same day taking on Wrexham, nobody expected 22nd Dover to take anything from Torquay up in second and so it proved. Leak and Lewis got the Torquay United goals to secure victory. Three red cards in one game against FC Halifax marred the day as Harvey Gilmour (Halifax), James Songo (Dover) and Jesse Debrah (Halifax) all took an early shower. It became a battle of which team would cope with the losses best, Taylor-Croasdale scoring the only goal of the game to earn Athletic a valuable win. 0 – 0 at home to Wealdstone felt like a missed opportunity especially when the next fixture garnered three points away against Yeovil Town.

Dover play Eastbourne Boro in the FA Trophy Third Round.

Manager of the Month: Dave Challinor – Stockport County

Player of the Month: Paddy Madden – Stockport County

Young Player of the Month: Manasse Mampala – Weymouth