Report

A five-star performance saw Dover register their biggest win of the campaign against struggling Fylde at Crabble on Saturday.

Tom Walker’s early penalty had the visitors ahead, however Andy Hessenthaler’s men were in the lead at the break thanks to Dominic Poleon’s finish and an Inih Effiong penalty.

Effiong completed his treble with two quick-fire strikes after the restart, with substitute Bobby-Joe Taylor completing the rout late on.

Is was the worst possible start for Whites when Fylde were awarded a spot kick for a handball against Aaron Simpson, much to the home crowd’s disagreement.

Midfielder Tom Walker seemed unfazed by Dover’s protestations, slotting into the middle of the goal to give the away side the lead.

Will De Havilland then found himself in space inside the area, only to make minimal contact with the ball and leaving visiting keeper Sam Hornby with the simplest of saves.

Dominic Poleon received the ball on the edge of the box, only the see his shot fly into Hornby’s arms via a deflection.

Moments later, on his first start for Dover, the Newport loanee gave Hornby no chance just after the 30-minute mark with Dover’s equaliser.

Following a slick one-two with Simpson, Ricky Modeste swung over a cross for Poleon to take a touch and slide in his first goal for Athletic via the inside of the post.

On the stroke of half-time, the referee then awarded his second spot-kick of the game, this time in favour of the home team.

Away skipper Lewis Montrose was penalised for tugging Paul Rooney’s shirt in the area as a free-kick was floated towards the box.

Effiong stepped up to slam the ball into the middle of the net, his 14th league goal of the campaign.

After the restart, Jack Munns’ long ball landed at Modeste’s feet, only for the Grenada international to take too heavy a touch, with the ball rolling forward for Hornby to gather.

The Coasters went close to levelling when Jamie Proctor was unable to divert Tyler French’s header from a corner towards goal.

Michael Woods then forced Hornby to turn his stinging 20-yard drive behind for a corner and Modeste was soon combining with Effiong as Hornby pushed aside the striker’s low drive.

Another foul on Rooney in the area saw Effiong presented with the chance to score his second of the match.

Though Hornby saved his initial penalty, both Ade Yusuff and Effiong raced onto the rebound, with both players claiming they got the final touch.

There was no doubting the scorer of the fourth as Effiong raced onto Woods’ through ball and slotted past Hornby to complete his treble.

Home keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer stopped sub Danny Philliskirk from grabbing a consolation and Dover completed a five-star performance with a fifth goal of the game minutes before full-time.

Woods sent a ball into the area for Taylor to volley home with his right foot under Hornby and add gloss on an impressive win for the Kent side.

The win sees Dover move up to sixth on the National League table, two points inside the play-offs.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made four changes to the side that started at Barrow, with Poleon, Rooney, Modeste and Nassim L’Ghoul replacing Steven Rigg, Kevin Lokko, Jai Reason and Taylor.

Whites next travel to Solihull Moors on Saturday 29th February, kick off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

AFC FYLDE REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”400″ gal_title=”DAFC v AFC Fylde 22/02/20″]