Dover Athletic returned to winning ways with a much-needed 2-0 victory over bottom club Bowers & Pitsea at Crabble, ending a five-match winless streak and securing their first home triumph since mid-November. Former captain Ryan Hanson marked his return to the side in style, opening the scoring early on, before Luke Baptiste doubled the lead before half-time to ensure Jake Leberl’s side strengthened their promotion push.
The visitors, despite their lowly league position, started brightly and almost stunned the home crowd of 661 in just the fourth minute when Alfie Evans’ ambitious strike rattled the crossbar with Claudio Boakye-Sarfo beaten.
But Dover, desperate for three points, responded swiftly and broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. A cross from the right caused problems for the Bowers defence, and when the clearance fell invitingly, Hanson showed great determination to beat Luca Albon to the ball, sending a looping header beyond goalkeeper David Hughes.
The home side’s momentum continued, and they nearly doubled their advantage five minutes later, with Hughes denying Baptiste at his near post. Bowers suffered an early setback when Albon was forced off through injury, replaced by Kai Redgrave.
Dover’s second goal arrived soon after and came courtesy of relentless pressing high up the pitch. A combination of top scorer George Nikaj and Alfie Matthews forced an error, allowing Baptiste to race through and drill an assured finish into the bottom corner for his 17th goal of an impressive season.
The Whites remained on the front foot, with Matthews going closest to a third when his strike cannoned off the crossbar. Captain Ruben Soares-Junior then saw his header drift wide before Nikaj, who had looked lively throughout, spurned a glorious opportunity, breaking free from the offside trap but seeing his effort smothered by Hughes.
Bowers struggled to create clear-cut chances but nearly found a way back into the contest before half-time when George Scales’ long-range effort whistled just past Boakye-Sarfo’s right-hand post. The second half saw Dover manage the game well, although there was concern when Hanson pulled up with a groin issue while stretching to cut out a pass. However, the midfielder was able to continue before being substituted later in the half.
Soares-Junior was denied by Hughes’ legs after a strong run from the left, while at the other end, Boakye-Sarfo produced a smart stop to keep out TQ Addy after a dangerous free-kick delivery fell his way.Leberl’s side continued to push for a third, with Baptiste going close once again, dragging a shot inches wide following good play from Matthews and Soares-Junior.
The hosts had further opportunities in stoppage time, with defender Fuad Sesay missing the target from close range before Hughes made a fine late save to prevent substitute Eniye Amgbaduba from adding a third. Nevertheless, Dover had done enough to claim all three points, securing a second consecutive clean sheet in the process.
Next up, the Whites face a crucial trip to fellow play-off hopefuls Cray Valley before returning to Crabble for a rearranged Kent derby against Chatham Town on March 18.