Dover Athletic vs Stourbridge - Jake Leberl looks for repeat of last year's FA Cup heroics

Posted Friday, November 06, 2015 by PA

Dover assistant manager Jake Leberl is hoping last year's run to the FA Cup third round can be a source of inspiration against fellow non-league side Stourbridge this weekend.

Dover, currently third in the Vanarama National League, eventually fell 4-0 to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in last season's competition.

They host Stourbridge in the first round on Saturday with midfielder Liam Bellamy (knee ligament) the only long-term absentee.

"I really believe last year's run [in the FA Cup] helped us after our poor start to the season," Leberl told the club's official website. "The FA Cup is a nice distraction [from the league] and seems to galvanise the fans."

Stourbridge, victorious against neighbours Kidderminster in the previous round, could have a couple of players missing ahead of their trip to the Crabble.

Drew Canavan misses out with an Achilles injury picked up in the Birmingham Senior Cup clash against a young Wolves side on Monday night.

Ben Billingham is also a doubt after picking up a knock in the same game but Lewis McPike has been added to the travelling party.

The Glassboys were the lowest ranked team left in the second round of the 2013/14 FA Cup and boss Gary Hackett will be hoping to add to their impressive recent history in the competition having guided them to the first round in four of the last seven seasons.