Report

ROSS Lafayette and Aswad Thomas scored the goals as Dover beat Welling United 2-0 to win the Kent Reliance Senior Cup final at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium on Monday.

It was the first time Dover have won the cup since 1991 and they did it without conceding a goal along the way.

To complete a memorable day for Dover captain Loui Fazakerley, who was playing against his former club, he was named Man-of-the-Match.

Dover started brightly against the National League South side and Moses Emmanuel, one of the three changes boss Chris Kinnear made to his starting side following Saturday’s win at Barrow AFC, was soon in action.

He had the first effort of the day with his shot easily gathered by goalkeeper Chris Lewington before Mitch Pinnock’s 25-yarder flew just over the Welling bar.

Dover goalkeeper Mitch Walker was called into action not long after, diving low to his left to turn Ali Fuseni’s shot away for a corner.

Back at the other end, Thomas saw his header from Sam Magri’s cross easily caught by Lewington.

Walker then saved from his Wings namesake Darren and Tom Richards before Sam Hatton’s drive whistled inches wide of the Dover goal.

Lewington needed to be alert after Emmanuel charged down Danny Waldron’s clearance and the keeper won the foot race with the Dover frontman to the loose ball.

Welling had the first chance of the second half with Alex Cathline turning well in Dover’s box before seeing his shot saved at close range by Walker moments after the restart.

The deadlock was broken in the 54^th minute and it stunning style by Lafayette.

His curling 25-yarder gave Lewington no chance as it flew into the top corner of the goal in front of the Dover fans.

Welling saw efforts from Hatton and Ricky Hayles fly well wide before Walker safely caught former Dover striker Harry Crawford’s shot.

Walker saved from Walker again before substitute Peter Skapetis’ overhead kick went close just after the Australian striker came on for his Dover debut.

Magri saw his header from Joe Healy’s corner saved by Lewington as Whites pressed for a second.

Thomas delivered it with three minutes to go when he headed home Healy’s cross.

Earlier, Kinnear had to make three enforced changes.

Jamie Grimes and Ricky Miller missed out through injury while Connor Essam’s loan deal from Eastleigh had ended.

They were replaced by Fazakerley, Pinnock and Emmanuel.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

WELLING UNITED REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”197″ gal_title=”Kent Senior Cup Victory”]