Dover Athletic manager Jake Leberl says club’s current crop compare to squad he first watched at club as youngster as they host Sittingbourne in FA Trophy

Manager Jake Leberl thinks Dover’s current crop compare to the squad he first watched at the club as a youngster.

Whites hit the Isthmian Premier summit with a 4-2 home win over Hashtag United on a successful community day last weekend.

That attracted a crowd of 2,732 - the largest at Crabble since November 2017 - including several young fans.

There was live music before the match and face-painting on offer during a memorable day.

But Whites’ next home game is an FA Trophy tie against Sittingbourne this Saturday.

Dover progressed to the first round of the competition with a 3-0 victory against Cheshunt this month in front of just 436 fans, as FA rules mean even season-ticket holders have to pay on the day to watch cup ties amid the Trophy attracting less interest than it once did.

Asked if it was a slight concern the match with the Brickies would bring in a similar crowd, Leberl, whose side host Cray Valley PM in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday, said: “Possibly. Understandably, as well.

Whites player makes team-of-the-week

Report: Dover 4-2 Hashtag United

Leberl on his table-topping Whites

“But, hopefully, the word will spread. Everyone had a good sight of us on Saturday and I hope they have enjoyed their day.

“It’s fantastic for young supporters to be here. Obviously, I was one of them so many years ago with my dad. I was fortunate enough to watch a fantastic side back in that era.

“I’d like to think the side that we have got now is up there with them. I really do believe that. There’s so much togetherness.

“The boys are absolutely buzzing, they love playing here and they love playing for the club.

"Long may it continue.”

It will be a third meeting of the season between Dover and Sittingbourne. Ryan Maxwell’s