Dover Athletic were left frustrated on a difficult, wind-swept evening in the capital, falling to a 3–1 defeat against Enfield Town despite creating several promising opportunities across the 90 minutes.

With Jalen Jones away on international duty Cocoracchio joined the back three, Hanson returned from injury and into the starting XI in midfield, while Gillmore was back among the substitutes.

Conditions played a major role early on, with strong winds disrupting both sides’ rhythm. Enfield registered the first real moment on two minutes, forcing a corner that Dover dealt with comfortably.

The Whites began to grow into the game, with Hanson showing excellent vision to pick out Soares-Junior on five minutes, though the forward couldn’t quite work space in the box. Sodje then drove forward with intent soon after as Dover looked to impose themselves.

Clear-cut chances followed. On 18 minutes, Wilkinson’s free kick from the edge of the area was tipped over by Wright from a tight angle. Dover’s best opportunity of the half came on 24 minutes. Nikaj did well to muscle past his marker and go one-on-one, but his effort bobbled inches wide of the post.

Enfield began to threaten more as the half wore on, with Walker called into action on the half-hour mark to deny a well-struck volley. At the other end, Nikaj again tested the keeper, who got down well to make the save.

The breakthrough came on 37 minutes. A well-worked move down the left saw Youngs and Knight combine before the ball was worked to Andrews, who teed up Youngs to fire into the corner and give the hosts the lead.

Dover responded with attacking intent before the break, Soares-Junior delivering dangerously into the box, but no one could apply the finishing touch. Dover head into the break a goal behind.

The Whites were dealt a blow just three minutes after the restart. Enfield doubled their lead as Wright collected a cross and quickly released Reynolds, who raced through and delicately dinked the ball over the advancing keeper to make it 2–0.

Injuries and changes followed, with Beadle forced off for Sesay on 51 minutes, and Gurung replaced by Sheriff shortly after as Dover looked to reshuffle.

Dover continued to push. Nikaj won a free kick in a dangerous area on the hour mark, but once again the Enfield keeper was equal to it. A corner on 68 minutes caused problems but wouldn’t quite fall for a finishing touch.

Enfield effectively sealed the game on 75 minutes. Reynolds again found space in behind and squared for Youngs, who calmly finished into the corner for his second of the night.

The Whites did get a goal back on 81 minutes. Soares-Junior produced an excellent run down the wing before delivering a pinpoint cross, which Sheriff met in the box to fire home. Despite late pressure, Dover couldn’t reduce the deficit further.

A frustrating evening for Dover as attention now turns quickly to Saturday’s trip to Salisbury.

Dover Athletic XI
1 Walker (C), 29 Marjoram, 16 Beadle, 21 Mensah, 15 Sodje, 6 Cocoracchio, 23 Wilkinson, 25 Hanson, 18 Gurung, 14 Soares-Junior, 10 Nikaj

Subs: Baptiste, Charles-Cook, Coker, Sheriff, Gillmore, Jallow, Sesay

Enfield Town XI
Wright, Benjamin, Appiah, Hawkins, Adom-Malaki, Bullas, Parcell (C), Knight, Youngs, Andrews, Reynolds

Subs: Connolly (GK), Lambert, Donaldson, Traore, Leonard, Ackason, Cass