Enterprise National League South
Saturday 7 March 2026 – Beveree Stadium
Attendance: 915
Referee: Adam Merchant
Dover Athletic were left to rue a difficult opening twenty minutes as Hampton & Richmond Borough held on to claim a 2–1 victory at the Beveree Stadium.
The Whites began brightly and saw plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges, but Hampton threatened early on the break. After Dover conceded the game’s first corner, Mitch Walker was called into action inside five minutes, diving low to save a powerful effort before the rebound was turned in from an offside position.
The home side continued to press, with Eduino Vaz cutting inside from the left and firing into the side netting following a swift counterattack. At the other end, Dover showed their own attacking intent when George Nikaj forced Marcus Dewhurst into a smart save after Ryan Hanson’s dangerous delivery from the right.
However, Hampton took the lead on 12 minutes. Reece Greco-Cox found space down the right flank and picked out Ronan Silva arriving on the edge of the box, who struck a first-time effort past Walker to give the Beavers the advantage.
The hosts doubled their lead nine minutes later with another quick counterattack. This time Silva turned provider, driving down the left before delivering a pinpoint cross to the back post where Greco-Cox slid home to make it 2–0.
Dover responded well and were rewarded just after the half-hour mark. Luke Baptiste showed great determination to win possession back near the corner flag after Alan Massey failed to clear his lines. The winger’s deep cross looped over Dewhurst and dropped into the far top corner to halve the deficit.
The goal lifted the Whites, who finished the half on the front foot and won their first corner shortly before the interval, although Hampton held firm to take a 2–1 lead into the break.
Early in the second half, Walker produced an excellent save to keep Dover in the contest, denying Silva after the Hampton forward found space inside the area. Shortly after, play was briefly halted following a clash of heads involving Harry Beadle, who required treatment but was able to continue.
Dover pushed for an equaliser as the half progressed. Ruben Soares-Junior struck the side netting from a tight angle before the visitors began to increase the pressure, with Jake Leberl’s side introducing George Wilkinson, Momodou Jallow and Alfie Matthews in search of a breakthrough.
Hampton remained dangerous on the counter, with Walker again called into action to deny Vaz after Nana Boateng’s driving run created another opportunity for the hosts.
The Whites continued to press late on, with Francis Mampolo and Kenny Coker also introduced as Dover pushed bodies forward during eight minutes of added time. Despite sustained pressure around the Hampton penalty area, the Beavers defended resolutely to see out the victory.
Dover now turn their attention to a Tuesday night Kent Derby against Tonbridge Angels as they look to respond and return to winning ways.
Dover Athletic: 1 Mitch Walker (C), 2 Roman Charles-Cook, 16 Harry Beadle, 21 Jacob Mensah, 15 Harrison Sodje, 6 Luca Cocoracchio, 25 Ryan Hanson, 18 Bivesh Gurung, 7 Luke Baptiste, 14 Ruben Soares-Junior, 10 George Nikaj.
Subs: 4 Jalen Jones, 8 Alfie Matthews, 27 Jordan Gillmore, 9 Kenny Coker, 22 Momodou Jallow, 23 George Wilkinson, 24 Francis Mampolo.
Hampton & Richmond Borough: 31 Marcus Dewhurst, 3 Eduino Vaz, 5 Ronan Silva, 8 Sam Deadfield, 10 Max Kretzchmar, 21 Nana Boateng, 24 Alan Massey (C), 26 Kwaku Frimpong, 30 David Longe-King, 37 Luis Fernandez, 39 Reece Greco-Cox.
Subs: 6 Haydon Vaughan, 7 Brendan Kiernan, 9 Craig Fasanmade, 12 Jordan Greenidge, 14 Aaron Lacey, 25 Harry Gardner, 27 Mike Atkinson.