Report

NEW signing James Caton marked an impressive debut with a goal as Dover reached the semi-finals of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup after beating Ryman League North side VCD Athletic at Crabble on Monday night.

Moses Emmanuel’s second-half header put Dover ahead before further goals from Connor Essam, Caton and Ira Jackson jnr sealed the win.

But VCD, who had lost their past five league games, didn’t let the hosts have it all their own way.

They started brightly and it needed a smart save from Mitch Walker to turn Victor Caicedo’s shot away.

Dover replied with Emmanuel heading a cross from James Hurst straight at visiting keeper Niklas Freund, son of former Tottenham and Leicester midfielder Steffen.

Hurst then tried his luck with a snap volley, but his effort flew harmlessly over.

Emmanuel found Jim Stevenson with a clever pass, but the ball was taken off the midfielder’s toes before he could shoot.

Former Shrewsbury Town man Caton, sparkling on his first start, unleashed a fierce volley which just cleared the crossbar.

A poor defensive clearance let Emmanuel through on goal, but his audacious chip sailed narrowly wide.

Lewis Perkins’ smart turn and shot was well held by a diving Walker.

Walker then spectacularly denied Caceido with a fingertip save after the visiting striker pounced on captain Loui Fazakerley’s weak back pass.

Mitch Pinnock’s curling free-kick just before half-time flew the wrong side of the post as Whites ended a dominant first half performance without a goal.

Whites stayed on the attack after the break and Hurst saw his header easily gathered by Freund.

A lightning counter-attack started by Emmanuel found Jackson bearing down on goal, but his snatched effort went wide.

Dover finally made the pressure pay when Emmanuel opened the scoring in the 65^th  minute, bravely heading home Hurst’s cross.

Whites doubled their lead five minutes later in spectacular fashion thanks to substitute Essam.

Hurst sent another set-piece into the box and the centre back, who had his back to goal, turned and fired past Freund.

The goalkeeper soon found himself stranded again moments later but was relieved to see Emmanuel’s lob hit the top of the net.

It was soon 3-0 after Caton’s trickery proved too much for the VCD defence as he was bundled over in the penalty area.

Caton picked himself up to dispatch the spot kick low past Freund.

Jackson, who has returned to Crabble after a loan spell at Margate, rounded things off with a stunning 25-yard strike in stoppage time.

Bromley or Welling, who play each other next week, Charlton Athletic and Folkestone are the other sides left in the competition.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION