Dover Athletic boss Andy Hessenthaler hopes surprise FA Cup victory at Ebbsfleet United can help turn their season around

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler hopes a surprise FA Cup win at Ebbsfleet can help them turn their season around.

On paper, Whites will be up against it this Saturday as they take on Dennis Kutrieb’s in-form team in the Second Qualifying Round.

Whites have lost five of their past six National League South matches, having fallen to a 3-1 home loss to Dartford on Tuesday. League rivals the Fleet, who have already beaten Dover 3-0 in the league this campaign, have a perfect record from their eight league fixtures.

But ahead of the clash at Stonebridge Road, Hessenthaler said: “It could be the turning point of our season, that’s how we have got to look at it.

“We have to go there and try and get through to the next round of the FA Cup.

“The draw could have been a little bit kinder to us. They are probably one of the best non-league sides around at the moment - a side that could top the National League - and rightly so, with the resources they have got. I’m sure they will go up this year.

“It’s a bit of a free hit but we have to work this week now… Could this be the game that turns our season around?”

The winner of the tie will pocket £3,375 while a run in the competition could help put Whites back on the map after a tough couple of years at Crabble.

On the importance of the FA Cup, Hessenthaler said: “It’s massive to us. We are going to play a team that is on fire at the moment and have won eight out of eight.

“We have been there and been on the end of a loss. But the FA Cup means a lot to me as a person, I have been involved in it.

“I have got to the quarter-final in it and I’m sure it’ll be equally exciting for the players.”

Luke Baptiste scored what proved a consolation goal for Dover and he, alongside fellow young