Report

ALFIE Pavey’s second-half finish handed Athletic a single-goal victory at Ebbsfleet United on Bank Holiday Monday.

The striker smashed in Anthony Jeffrey’s ball into the area in the 52nd minute to move Andy Hessenthaler’s men up to 15th on the National League table.

The away also ends Fleet’s playoff bid, with Garry Hill’s men six points behind seventh-placed Eastleigh with one game of the season remaining.

Pavey had combined with Jeffrey, coolly converting the winger’s cross on 10 minutes, only to be ruled offside by the linesman.

Home keeper Nathan Ashmore then let Pavey’s ball into the area out of his grasp, but his defence was on hand to block the follow-up shot from the onrushing Mitch Brundle.

Lee Worgan was called into action for the first time midway through the first half.

The visiting stopper beat away Danny Kedwell’s drive after Gozie Ugwu’s initial strike was blocked.

At the other end, Ashmore dived low to parry Bobby-Joe Taylor’s accurate freekick away for a corner.

Jeffrey then outpaced Lawrie Wilson out wide, however, Pavey was unable to guide the winger’s driven cross goalwards.

And the visiting fans were celebrating ten minutes before the break.

Brundle sent a thumping header past Ashmore from Taylor’s set-piece, but Dover’s joy was short-lived as the linesman signalled offside once more, despite heated protestations from Athletic’s skipper

Brundle tried again, seeing his close-range effort at the far post from Jeffrey’s cross clip Myles Weston’s heels and spin away for a corner.

Lokko sent Jamie Allen’s ball wide of the mark and Jai Reason nodded Taylor’s centre narrowly over as the away side continued to apply pressure.

Dover went even closer following the restart through Pavey.

The centre-forward curled Brundle’s lay-off onto the crossbar with Ashmore beaten.

But Pavey was not to be denied and fired Dover ahead on 52 minutes.

Jeffrey fired across the goalmouth for the centre-forward to notch his sixth National League goal of the campaign.

Worgan denied Fleet an instant leveller, saving Bagasan Graham’s bouncing header and the same player volleyed high over Worgan’s crossbar minutes later.

Danny Kedwell was just off target with a header from Jack Payne’s ball in the area and a Dover counter attack nearly ended with Jeffrey netting, only for Ashmore to pluck the ball from out of the Guyana international’s feet as he went to round Fleet’s keeper.

Whites’ fans behind the Fleet goal were stunned when Jeffrey missed his next chance.

The pacey wide man blasting over from a few yards after sub Inih Effiong had diverted Josh Passley’s pass towards goal.

Effiong shielded Ashmore off the ball, but Pavey curled his fellow striker’s ball wide of the mark.

Reason then headed Passley’s cross over the bar, but despite late home pressure, Athletic held on to register their sixth league win on the road this campaign.

Earlier boss Hessenthaler made four changes to the side that beat Aldershot on Good Friday.  Passley, Pavey, Reason and Scott Doe came in for Effiong, Nortei Nortey, Manny Adebowale and Joshua Debayo.

Whites next host Sutton United on Saturday 27th April, Dover’s final National League game of the 2018/19 campaign, kick off 12:30 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

EBBSFLEET UNITED REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”305″ gal_title=”Ebbsfleet United v DAFC 22/04/19″]