Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler hopes shock loss to Southern Counties East League Division 1 team Larkfield & New Hythe can serve as 'kick up the backside' for his players

Andy Hessenthaler hopes Dover’s shock weekend loss serves as “a kick up the backside” for his players.

Whites were beaten 1-0 by Larkfield & New Hythe, who play in Southern Counties East League Division 1 - some four leagues below.

Dover’s boss admits it was a game he expected his side to win, but says he learnt plenty from the fixture.

“[It’s] not good to be honest,” Hessenthaler reflected.

“I will be honest, the pitch was not particularly good. It was going to be the youth section that was going to use it but we didn’t have a game ourselves.

“We expected to go and win the game - but we didn’t. Not being disrespectful to them, but we should be winning those games.

“But if you win the game 5-0 or 6-0, how much do you learn from it? I learnt a lot on Saturday about the group.

“It’s a bit of a kick up the backside. It’s a little bit concerning but we won’t get too carried away.

“I have been at clubs where we have won every friendly, then you lose the first two or three games of the season after it.”

This summer, as Whites prepare for life in National League South, plenty of changes have been made and Hessenthaler concedes it may be taking a little bit of time for the squad to gel.

He said: “It’s taking a little bit of time but we will get there. On paper, we look a good side, but we have to gel it all together.

“The problem with pre-season is you are using so many players. Once the season starts - yes, you will make changes during games and pick up injuries - but you don’t get trialists coming in and out. I do get frustrated with pre-season.

“But it’s important we get together now and use the rest of pre-season to be ready for August 6.”

Dover, who started pre-season with a win over Gillingham, have also suffered losses to