Report

WHITES stunned promotion-chasing Salford with a stylish 3-1 win at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After falling behind to an early Dennis Politic wonder strike, Dover rallied and were ahead thanks to a goal in each half from Danny McNamara and Scott Doe.

Jai Reason’s fine late finish sealed the win to end Athletic’s four-match winless National League run.

Earlier, It was nearly a nightmare start for Andy Hessenthaler’s men as Danny Whitehead sent a deflected goal-bound shot towards the bottom corner, however, Bedsente Gomis, back in the side following a three-game suspension, was on hand to stop the ball finding the back of the net.

However, the Frenchman was powerless to stop the hosts’ spectacular opener on nine minutes.

A clearance from Mitch Walker was poked towards Politic by Tom Walker’s challenge and Bolton loanee Politic, sent the ball goalwards from just within the opposition half and despite the Dover stopper’s best attempts to backpedal, the ball landed in the back of the net – A strike the onlooking David Beckham, in attendance after recently acquiring shares in City, would have been proud of.

The home side continued to apply the early pressure and nearly doubled their lead through Carl Piergianni, but Doe was on hand to hack the defender’s scuffed effort off the line following a corner.

Those goalline clearances proved pivotal as Andy Hessenthaler’s side levelled on 25 minutes thanks to Danny McNamara’s first goal for the club.

The Millwall loanee found the bottom corner with an assured finish after home goalie Chris Neal had parried Inih Effiong’s shot towards the young right-back.

Effiong himself went close, sending a 25-yard free kick whistling just wide of Neal’s far post.

Salford almost netted another stunner shortly after the restart as Tom Walker’s dipping volley flew inches off target.

And the Ammies were punished by Doe just a minute before the hour mark.

The centre-back powered Bobby-Joe Taylor’s pinpoint cross into the top corner as he also opened his account for Dover.

Neal blocked Gomis’ long-range effort, but could only watch as Reason scored from outside the area for the second week running.

Midfielder Reason collected substitute Anthony Jeffrey’s pass and curled the ball into Neal’s far corner from 25-yards, his fourth goal of the campaign.

Jeffrey then fired wide after sprinting clear of the Salford defence and at the other end, Dover were given a late fright when Walker crashed a header against the crossbar for the home team.

But Whites held on to move out of the relegation zone, two points clear and one place above 21st placed Havant & Waterlooville.

Boss Hessenthaler made two changes to the side that lost at home to Harrogate Town last weekend.  Ricky Modeste and Bedsente Gomis replaced Mitch Brundle and Josh Debayo.

Whites next travel to Maidenhead United on Saturday 23rd February for their next National League fixture, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

SALFORD CITY REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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