Dover’s Season a Success Regardless of Play-off Outcome, Says Manager Jake Leberl
The manager of Dover Athletic, Jake Leberl, believes that his team’s season should be regarded as a success, regardless of the outcome of their upcoming play-off matches. The Whites secured a top-five finish in the Isthmian Premier division with a 3-1 win at Chichester last weekend, earning them a spot in the play-offs.
According to Kent Online, Leberl expressed his pride in his team’s achievement, stating, “It was important we got into the play-offs. After the start we made to the season, to not finish in the play-offs, that would have been a failure in a lot of peoples’ eyes.” He also praised the team’s performance in the match against Chichester, saying, “The whole day pretty much went to plan, apart from them scoring from a second phase of a set-piece.”
The team came from behind to win the match against Chichester, with goals from top scorer George Nikaj and forward Ruben Soares-Junior, before Luke Baptiste converted an injury-time penalty. This result secured Dover’s fifth-place finish and a spot in the play-offs. Leberl also praised his team’s display, saying, “It was really good. I was a bit concerned, going into it. Obviously, we have done a lot of homework on them and we knew they had been on such a good run.”
The Kent Online report also highlighted the importance of the team’s fans, who produced a superb atmosphere at Chichester despite a small number of supporters causing issues off the pitch during the last away match. Leberl said, “The fans were brilliant on Saturday. I don’t think there was any trouble and there was a good atmosphere. That’s what you want to see.”
Leberl also commented on the news that Frank Clarke is to step down as Dover’s secretary after more than two decades of dedicated service this summer. Clarke, 85, will now be taking on a new role as honorary club president, while Simon Brooker is expected to take over his secretarial post. Leberl said, “It’s going to be a huge loss. The amount of contacts Frank has and the amount of knowledge Frank has, he has been there, seen it and done it.”
The team will face Billericay in their play-off semi-final, and Leberl is confident that his team can manage the occasion and progress to the next stage. He said, “Let’s be honest, all the pressure is on Billericay. Hopefully, our boys can manage the occasion because we have full faith in them regarding the football side of it.” Regardless of the outcome, Leberl believes that his team has had a successful season, saying, “But no matter what happens, I think it’s been a really good season.”
Dover Athletic will be away to Dartford or Cray Valley on Monday if they see off Billericay in their play-off semi-final. The team’s goalkeeper, Mitch Walker, made his injury comeback in the match against Chichester, and Leberl praised his performance, saying, “It was great to have Mitch back. He’s such a calming influence and he’s a great goalie.”
As reported by Kent Online, Leberl also reflected on the team’s season, saying, “I couldn’t be prouder. Horsham are champions. It’s unbelievable, really, that it went to the last day of the season and they have won it by just one goal!” He also praised the team’s performance in the division, saying, “If you look at the budgets in our division, four or five teams would have been expecting to get into the play-offs and maybe even win it.”
The Kent Online report concluded that Dover’s season has been a success, and that Leberl’s team has exceeded expectations. With their play-off semi-final against Billericay approaching, the team will look to build on their momentum and secure a positive result.
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