Teenager Archie Hatcher discusses being thrown into Dover Athletic’s first-team spotlight, his goal in their 2-2 National League South draw at Bath City and their FA Cup match against Haringey Borough

Archie Hatcher is out to help Dover continue their FA Cup journey - and the teenager already knows a thing or two about enjoying runs in FA competitions.

Whites are preparing to host Isthmian Premier Haringey in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round this Saturday.

Hatcher will hope to keep his spot in the starting line-up, having made his first senior Dover start in the previous round’s 3-2 success against Hastings this month.

He put in a player-of-the-match performance then, before he struck in Saturday’s 2-2 National League South draw at Bath.

The 18-year-old youth product, who has signed a professional contract this week, made the FA Youth Cup Third Round with the Academy last term, where they were beaten 2-1 away to Brighton.

He said: “Playing in the FA Youth Cup last year, getting to the Third Round proper, losing at Brighton, that was a great experience.

“Growing up as a boy, the FA Cup was something I always wanted to play in. To replicate something like that [their FA Youth Cup run] would be special.”

A whirlwind fortnight in the first-team spotlight culminated in Hatcher getting his opening competitive first-team goal at early high-fliers Bath.

It came in great style, too, as he drilled them 1-0 ahead spectacularly.

“I have played in midfield,” he said. “An attacking midfielder needs to contribute to the team as much as possible.

“It’s been a good start for me. I hope to contribute more this season - whether that’s with goals, assists or just generally good performances to try to get us back to winning ways.

“Previously with the Academy, in the FA Youth Cup, I played, naturally, as a striker.

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“But growing up, I always enjoyed playing in that No.10 position, getting into