The FA Cup – Page 3 – DOVER ATHLETIC FC

Dover caused an FA cup upset on Sunday afternoon by beating League One Southend United at Crabble in front of the BT Sport cameras.

Substitute Ruel Sotiriou, making his debut after signing on loan from Leyton Orient earlier this month, fired home the winner with seven minutes of the match remaining.

The first round victory sees Andy Hessenthaler’s men qualify for the second round proper for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.

Jack Munns nearly put the hosts ahead early on when running onto Bobby-Joe Taylor’s pass across the penalty area, only for Nathan Ralph to make a crucial interception before Dover’s midfielder could connect with the ball.

Visiting stopper Nathan Bishop was called into action just moments later, palming away Taylor’s cross-cum-shot.

Stephen McLaughlin volleyed over after bursting into Athletic’s penalty area and Isaac Hutchinson fired low into home stopper Yusuf Mersin’s arms from the edge of the box.

Dover were next to attack and Michael Woods headed Oscar Gobern’s cross wide of Bishop’s far post.

Jai Reason curled Inih Effiong’s lay-off high over the bar, but Whites’ creative player went closer with his next effort.

Reason seized upon a misplaced pass and after a striding forward, forced Bishop to turn his 20-yard drive around the post.

Tom Hopper cleared off the line after Jack Munns’ corner bounced off Joe Shaugnessy and towards goal, with Mersin diving onto Ethan Hamilton’s low shot at the other end.

Munns then blazed Effiong’s placed ball wide following the restart and Reason smashed Munns’ corner narrowly over just after the hour mark.

The home side continued to apply pressure and Paul Rooney nodded another Munns set piece inches over the bar.

With the game on a knife edge, substitute Nassim L’Ghoul nodded Aaron Simpson’s cross straight into Bishop’s midriff.

And the tie was decided by late replacement Sotiriou.

The Cypriot, only on the pitch for two minutes after replacing Steven Rigg, latched onto a long ball and fired across bishop and into the net.

Sub Nassim L’Ghoul stopped United from replying immediately with a brave block on Elvis Bwomono.

Reason then nearly made the game safe with minutes to spare.

The midfielder cut onto his left foot and sent a fine effort onto the corner of the post and crossbar from 20-yards.

But Athletic held on to seal their place in Monday evening’s draw, to be broadcast live on BBC2 from 7 pm.

Earlier, Boss Hessenthaler made one change to the side that started at Fylde last weekend with Taylor replacing the injured Josh Passley.

Whites are in front of the BT Sport cameras once again when they next travel to Yeovil Town in the National League on Saturday 16th November, kick off 5:20 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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Dover qualified for the FA Cup First Round Proper, but needed two late goals to put their name in Monday night’s draw.

Hosts Weymouth had gone ahead late on when Jake McCarthy found the bottom corner, but Whites hit back through Jai Reason’s fine finish and sealed the win when Anthony Jeffrey blasted in Will De Havilland’s knock-down after home stopper Calum Ward dropped the ball into the substitute’s path.

Earlier, Whites were almost behind when Josh McQuoid went for a spectacular lob and though visiting stopper Yusuf Mersin was beaten, the woodwork was not as the ball bounced off the crossbar with Abdulai Baggie skewing the rebound wide.

Calvin Brooks latched onto Bobby-Joe-Taylor’s weak clearance, but smashed wide of the mark.

Mersin then stood strong as the Turkish goalkeeper denied Ben Thomson at his near post.

Inih Effiong then blasted inches the wrong side of the bottom corner and following the restart, Nassim L’Ghoul stung the palms of Ward from distance.

The Frenchman then went even closer moments later after Effiong found him in the box, however skied his volley from five yards.

McCarthy went for glory with a 30-yard free-kick, however Mersin was equal to his effort.

Zubar and Passley both went close at either end with headers, however, it was the home side that went ahead with 12 minutes remaining.

McCarthy appeared to have been taken too wide, but cut back inside and drilled the ball into bottom corner.

However the lead did not last and Reason fired the visitors level from the edge of the area four minutes later.

And Whites won in with 60 seconds of normal time to spare when Jeffrey blasted his side into the First Round Proper.

Earlier boss Hessenthaler made six changes to the side that started the 4-0 defeat at Aldershot 11 days previous. Mersin, De Havilland and Modeste came in with Rooney, Bedford and Mersin making their competitive debuts.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION