Whites hit back to earn a point.
We kick started our National League South campaign with a hard fought draw against promotion favourites, Torquay United. Despite falling behind to a Chevron McLean own goal after only three minutes, the Whites rallied to ensure that the River End went home satisfied, following a battling second half performance.
The season literally couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start as no sooner had Mitch Brundle sent the lads onto the pitch, they found themselves a goal behind in the most bizarre of circumstances. A low cross from the Torquay left caused panic to debutant McLean who didn’t know whether to stick or twist and ended up putting the ball into his own net. It was a nightmare start for the hosts.
Dover looked rattled after the early setback and took some time to find a rhythm. In the 21st minute, a wicked cross by McGavin was met by opposing skipper Asa Hall, who’s effort doubled the lead for the Gulls and left debutant goalkeeper Billy Terrell picking the ball out his net again. While you could have been forgiven for thinking how many could this be now, the boys in white rolled up their sleeves and began to dig in. Moments after the second goal, debutant Zidan Sutherland struck a fierce shot that Mark Halstead could only palm onto the top of his crossbar with the ball falling agonisingly the wrong side of the goal.
Just minutes before half time, Sutherland again was in the thick of the action. A snapshot by George Nikaj went through a sea of legs, with Sutherland getting the slightest of touches before the ball hit the inside of the post before slowly trickling along the line and into the far bottom corner. The home support cheered and the Whites were back in the game at a vital time.
In the second half, Dover were like a greyhound out of the traps with the impressive Roman Charles-Cook beginning to open his legs down the right hand side. With the home side now playing the game at their pace, it was only a matter of time before the River End would be celebrating another goal. Mclean, desperate to appease his earlier error, began marauding down the left flank and managed to find Bello. The forward hit an early shot but somehow Halstead stuck out a leg and pushed it onto the crossbar to see the woodwork wobble for a second time in the match.
In the 67th minute Charles-Cook restored parity. Neat link up play by Nikaj and Sutherland dragged the Gulls defence out of shape before slipping a pass into the feet of Charles-Cook who rammed it through the legs of Halstead and into the net. The River End went wild. It was a well deserved goal for the Whites after the hard graft the lads had put in.
The hosts pushed and pushed but couldn’t complete the comeback and eventually settled for a draw. It was a fantastic result considering the opening period of the match but it certainly shows that this team has spirit and character. We now focus on our next match on Saturday at Slough Town.
Dover Athletic: Terrell, Charles-Cook, Olarewaju, Naylor, Oyenuga, Dunne, Anifowose, Allen, Sutherland, McLean, Nikaj
Subs: Baptiste, Bello, Dembele, Young, Ojemen
Torquay United: Halstead, Lapslie, Hall, Jarvis, Collins, Ash, McGavin, Craske, Donnellan, Jenkins-Davies, Tomlinson
Subs: Martin, Hanson, De Silva, Lovett, Moxey
Attendance: 798
