Category: Match Report

Report: Weston-super-Mare 2-3 Dover Athletic

Weston-super-Mare 2-3 Dover Athletic

A stunning 90th-minute strike from debutant Corie Andrews secured a dramatic 3-2 victory for Dover Athletic at Weston-super-Mare.

The new signing, introduced from the bench midway through the second half, marked his first appearance for the Whites in spectacular fashion, finding the top corner from 25 yards to settle an end-to-end contest in Somerset.

Jake Leberl made changes to the side which faced Tonbridge Angels in midweek, with Harry Beadle returning to the starting XI and Rolando Onu partnering Decarrey Sheriff in attack. Andrews, whose arrival at Crabble had been confirmed ahead of the game, was named among the substitutes.

Dover made a bright start and had to deal with an early warning when a long Harris free-kick threatened to release Coulson, only for Beadle to recover and clear the danger. The Whites responded by winning the game’s first corner after three minutes and almost made it count moments later when Nazir Bakrin rose highest, his header narrowly failing to find the target.

Onu was next to threaten after eight minutes as Dover continued to find joy with balls in behind the Weston defence. The forward raced onto one such pass and drove towards goal before seeing his effort from around 18 yards kept out by a strong hand from Harris.

The hosts then enjoyed their first sustained spell of pressure, forcing Mitch Walker into action, although Dover continued to pose a threat on the counter. Another well-weighted pass over the top gave Sheriff something to chase in the 11th minute, but Harris reacted quickly to race from his goal and gather before the striker could reach it.

An injury to a Weston player brought a temporary halt to proceedings midway through the half and allowed both sides to take on water and receive instructions from the dugouts. Once play resumed, Dover were quickly back on the front foot and a succession of corners around the 27-minute mark placed the home defence under increasing pressure, with Jack Bates providing a series of dangerous deliveries.

That pressure eventually told two minutes later. Sheriff burst into the penalty area and was brought down by Harris, leaving the referee with little hesitation in pointing to the spot. Sheriff took responsibility himself and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Dover a deserved 31st-minute lead.

The advantage lasted only five minutes. Weston worked the ball to the byline before a pull-back found Louis Britton around 12 yards from goal, and the striker produced an excellent first-time finish beyond Walker to bring the hosts level.

Weston grew into the contest after their equaliser and began to apply more pressure before the interval. Louie Derrick dragged an effort from distance while Britton looked to create another opening inside the Dover area, but a heavy touch allowed Walker to collect.

The hosts then came close to completing the turnaround during first-half stoppage time after breaking rapidly from a Dover set-piece. Sercombe won possession near the corner and Weston poured forward with numbers, Hulbert eventually releasing Dawes down the left. His clipped delivery reached Derrick at the back post, but the midfielder sliced his volley wide.

The sides therefore went into the interval level at 1-1, Sheriff having put Dover ahead from the penalty spot before Britton’s quick response.

Leberl made a change at the break, with Euan Williams replacing Beadle, and Weston were first to threaten after the restart as Walker produced a good save to tip a looping header over his crossbar.

Dover responded with a slick move of their own three minutes later. Onu flicked a header into the path of Sheriff, who had found space behind the home defence, but his first-time volley from inside the box carried over Harris’ goal.

Weston took the lead in the 55th minute. Martin’s quickly taken throw released Jagger Cane into the penalty area and his pull-back found Britton, who created the space for himself around 12 yards out before firing emphatically into the roof of Walker’s net for his second of the afternoon.

Rather than allowing the hosts to take control, Dover responded strongly. Bates sent another dangerous delivery across the Weston penalty area which narrowly evaded both Bakrin and Jalen Jones, before a sustained spell of pressure saw the Whites win several corners in quick succession.

The visitors continued to dominate in the air and came agonisingly close to an equaliser after 63 minutes when another corner dropped into a crowded penalty area. The loose ball fell towards Baptiste, but he was unable to force it home through the bodies in front of goal.

Dover then handed Andrews his debut in the 64th minute, the new arrival replacing Onu, before a brief stoppage followed after a coming together involving Oyenuga. The Whites continued to push Weston back and Andrews soon gave an early indication of his threat, turning smartly before getting a shot away in the 73rd minute which bobbled narrowly beyond the far post.

Oyenuga was replaced by Fuad Sesay moments later as Leberl looked for a route back into the game, and that equaliser arrived in remarkable circumstances in the 76th minute.

Harris came out of his area to clear but lost his footing and could only send the ball towards Williams, who was positioned around 35 yards from goal. The Dover midfielder controlled before sending an audacious effort towards the unguarded net. Harris desperately attempted to recover his ground, but the ball seemed to hang in the air before eventually dropping beyond him and into the goal to make it 2-2.

Weston responded by putting Dover under pressure as they looked to restore their advantage, but it was the Whites who began to look the more likely side to find a winner as the game entered its closing stages.

Baptiste made way for Mo Jallow after 85 minutes before Sheriff went desperately close to his second of the afternoon. The striker was slipped in behind the Weston back line and showed his pace to outstrip the recovering defenders, but his low effort across Harris rolled narrowly wide of the far post.

Sheriff’s afternoon ended shortly afterwards as Kola Salami was introduced with two minutes of normal time remaining, but Dover were not finished.

With the clock reaching 90 minutes, Andrews collected possession in space outside the Weston penalty area. The debutant set himself before unleashing an outstanding strike from around 25 yards which flew beyond Harris and into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Dover players and travelling support.

It was a spectacular way for Andrews to announce himself in a Dover shirt and, despite three additional minutes being indicated, the Whites held firm to complete a memorable comeback and claim all three points.

Dover had led through Sheriff’s first-half penalty before Britton struck twice either side of the interval to turn the match in Weston’s favour. Williams’ long-range equaliser brought the Whites level before Andrews produced the decisive moment at the death to seal a 3-2 victory.

The Whites now return to Crabble next Saturday when Braintree Town are the visitors.

Teams

Weston-super-Mare: Harris, Avery (c), Coulson, Britton, Hulbert, Dawes, Pope, Derrick, Martin, Long, Sercombe.
Subs: Glover (GK), Smith, Wood, Jagger Cane, Ash, Robesten, Thompson.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Charles-Cook, Jones, Beadle, Bakrin, Oyenuga, Wilson-Braithwaite, Baptiste, Bates, Sheriff, Onu.
Subs: Wilkinson, Williams, Jallow, Andrews, Salami, Sesay, Bartlett.

Goals: Sheriff 31′ (pen), Williams 76′, Andrews 90′.

Report: Dover Athletic 0-1 Tonbridge Angels

Ten-man Dover edged out in Kent derby

Dover Athletic were left frustrated at the Megger Stadium as Tonbridge Angels claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in a fiercely contested Kent derby, with the decisive moment coming early in the second half after the Whites had been reduced to ten men deep into first-half stoppage time.

The opening stages were broken up by a number of stoppages, with much of the first five minutes played inside the Dover half as Tonbridge looked to apply early pressure through set pieces and long throws. Dover stayed organised, dealt with the early aerial threat and gradually began to work their way into the contest.

The Whites won their first corner after eight minutes and Bates immediately caused problems with the delivery, sending the ball towards the goalmouth where it appeared to be looping underneath the crossbar before the Tonbridge goalkeeper was forced to punch clear.

Tonbridge then won a free-kick in a dangerous position at the other end after Wilkinson committed a foul on the edge of the area, but the resulting delivery was comfortably dealt with and Dover were able to clear their lines without Walker being seriously tested.

Dover started to find some rhythm in possession as Bates and Wilkinson combined neatly in midfield, with the move eventually opening space for Sesay to send a ball into the area, although there was nobody arriving to meet it.

That promising spell was interrupted when Sesay went down inside the Dover penalty area and required treatment. The defender was eventually helped to the sideline, leaving the Whites temporarily down to ten men while play continued, but Tonbridge were unable to take advantage of the extra player and Sesay returned to the pitch in the 19th minute.

Bakrin picked up the first booking of the evening three minutes later, before Tonbridge produced the clearest chance of the game up to that point. Tanga found room to get a shot away and sent the ball narrowly wide of Walker’s far post, with the Dover goalkeeper watching it drift just beyond the upright.

Dover continued to look for openings of their own and Baptiste found space to attack down the flank on 29 minutes, although his chipped cross was overhit and sailed away from the intended target.

The Whites then came agonisingly close to opening the scoring just a minute later. Bates delivered another excellent ball into the area and Sheriff rose to meet it with his head, sending the ball beyond the goalkeeper, but the effort struck Baptiste on its way through and the accidental touch prevented it from finding the net.

It was a moment which summed up a first half in which Dover had begun to look increasingly dangerous whenever they were able to put together sustained passages of play.

Another stoppage followed in the 38th minute when Fish went down and required treatment. Dover had been beginning to enjoy their best spell of the half before the break in play, but after several minutes of attention it became clear Fish would be unable to continue and Onu was introduced in his place in the 44th minute.

Eight minutes of additional time were signalled at the end of the half and the game then took a dramatic turn.

Four minutes into stoppage time, Bakrin became involved in a tussle inside the penalty area and the referee showed him a second yellow card, leaving Dover to play the remainder of the match with ten men. A Tonbridge player was also cautioned following the incident.

Sheriff was then shown a yellow card two minutes later after returning to the field of play too early, while a card was also shown to the Dover technical area during a chaotic end to the opening 45 minutes.

Despite all of the interruptions and controversy, the score remained goalless at the interval, with the Whites having created arguably the best attacking moment of the half through Sheriff’s header.

Tonbridge made their numerical advantage count seven minutes after the restart.

A Dover mistake allowed Tanga to capitalise in a dangerous area and he made no mistake with the opportunity, driving a low finish into the corner to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.

The response from Dover, however, was immediate and encouraging.

Rather than sit deep and simply try to limit the damage with ten men, the Whites continued to push forward and enjoyed a prolonged spell of pressure as they searched for an equaliser.

Bates remained a constant threat from dead-ball situations and another dangerous corner in the 57th minute caused problems inside the Tonbridge area. The goalkeeper was forced to punch clear before Dover could bundle the loose ball home, while those behind the goal in the River End were also appealing for a foul during the scramble.

Dover’s pressure continued and Oyenuga was next to threaten, driving into the penalty area in the 64th minute before forcing Harness into a save at his near post. The Tonbridge goalkeeper could only palm the effort behind, giving the Whites another corner and adding to a sustained spell in which the visitors were being pushed deeper despite holding the numerical advantage.

Another Dover corner followed soon afterwards as the home side kept the pressure on, with Tonbridge struggling to relieve it for any meaningful period.

It was not until the 73rd minute that the Angels registered another serious attempt after taking the lead. Gardner tried his luck from around 20 yards with a swerving effort, but Walker reacted well and punched the ball away from danger.

By that stage Dover had spent much of the previous ten minutes on top, showing plenty of energy and ambition despite having played the whole of the second half with a man fewer.

Leberl made another change in the 75th minute as Jallow replaced Wilkinson, adding fresh legs as Dover continued to search for a way back into the game.

Tonbridge looked to exploit the extra space as the Whites committed more bodies forward, but Wilson-Braithwaite produced an excellent challenge in the 83rd minute to stop a dangerous attack and keep Dover within one goal of the visitors.

Sesay, who had battled on after his first-half injury, was withdrawn two minutes later and replaced by Beadle for Dover’s final substitution.

Three minutes were added at the end of the second half and the Whites continued to push, but Tonbridge held firm and saw out the closing stages to secure a narrow victory.

It was a frustrating result for Dover, particularly after a spirited second-half performance in which they spent long spells on the front foot despite playing with ten men. The Whites restricted Tonbridge to very little after the goal and created enough pressure of their own to leave the final scoreline feeling harsh.

The attendance at the Megger Stadium was 1,005, including 102 travelling supporters.

Dover return to National League South action on Saturday when they travel to Weston-super-Mare.

Dover Athletic

Starting XI:
Walker, Oyenuga, Jones, Bakrin, Sesay, Wilson-Braithwaite, Wilkinson, Bates, Sheriff, Fish, Baptiste.

Substitutes:
Beadle, Bartlett, Onu, Jallow, Charles-Cook, Salami.

Tonbridge Angels

Starting XI:
Harness, Sutcliffe, Beeden, Korboa, Baker, Babajide, Brown, Bullas, Tanga, Thompson (C), Akehurst.

Substitutes:
Burford, Lintott, Osew, Pavey, Cockerill, McDonald, Gardner.

Attendance: 1,005 (102 away)

Truro City 1-0 Dover Athletic

Match Report by Fred Deveson

A beautiful evening in Gloucester saw Dover once again come away with nothing in a game that could have ended differently had some big chances been taken.

The game started with a mesmeric sunset behind the stadium on a chilly evening in Gloucester, and the Whites started the game on the front foot. The ball was laid off to Baptiste on the edge of the area but his effort went over the bar with three minutes on the clock.

Baptiste was at it again a few minutes later with an effort that went much closer, and got a touch on the way for a corner. He and Dover had started well.

Truro started to form some attacks of their own, firing the ball into the front men who held it up and linked the play well.

The “home” side forced a good save by Rowley on minute 20, and the ball fell for the attacker but Oyenuga was there to stop it going in for Dover.

The Whites did not let this get to them, however, as Nikaj had a superb chance to put Dover in front but hit the bar from relatively close range.

It only took Truro 5 minutes after this scare to score the first and only goal of the game. It was a well worked goal with number 9 Harvey finishing well into the bottom corner past the outstretched Rowley.

Soon after, it was Harvey again who attempted a chip on Rowley but the ball bounced back off the bar. The rebound also hit the woodwork and Dover survived.

The second half started poorly for Dover, with the hosts dominating. No notable chances came until the 61st minute, with a flowing move ending in a shot going wide from a good position.

Baptiste was still looking lively and his shot from range went just past Hamon’s goal. Stewart had a shot from a similar position soon after, which was saved well by the goalkeeper.

Substitutions were made during the second half, with Wilkinson and Drakes-Thomas coming on to sure up the midfield, but these did little to impact the game.

The game gradually drew to a close with Truro defending their lead very well and seeing out the 1-0 win to make it back-to-back wins for the team.

A special thank you to the 15 travelling Dover fans who made the journey, a fantastic commitment and the support is hugely appreciated.

The champions Yeovil await Dover on Saturday for the final game of the season.

City: Hamon, Palmer, Adelsbury, Dean, Riley-Lowe, Rooney (Palfrey, 52), Melhado, Porter, Law, Harvey (Brett, 70), Neal (Hinds, 60). Subs not used: Johnson-Fisher, Buse.

Dover: Rowley, Charles-Cook (Drakes-Thomas, 82), Mensah, Holding, Naylor (Wilkinson, 71), Oyenuga, Oliver, Baptiste, Nikaj, Akehurst, Stewart. Sub not used: Young, Neil-Gray, Garrett. 

Referee: Stacey Pearson
Attendance: 73

Hampton & Richmond Borough 1-0 Dover Athletic

Match Report by Fred Deveson

It was a beautiful sunny day for it in Hampton as the Whites were unlucky to leave the game with nothing, while the hosts take all 3 points in a 1-0 win.

The game started fairly evenly, with little action to report for the first 20 minutes. Dover had had a lot of the ball in the opening exhanges, however, and were looking the most likely team to score.

The first chance for the Whites did eventually come in the 24th minute when Wilkinson had a shot saved after a good move by the away side.

The hosts went up the other end from this move, and hit the bar after working their move nicely on the left-hand side. Despite the two chances, the game remained level.

Hampton did turn up the heat from this moment, with a corner coming in and a header being well saved by Rowley. The rebound was then blocked on the line by Naylor who kept the score 0-0.

The visitors came back from this well. Baptiste sees his effort blocked in the box after another good move by Dover, and then the rebound was put over by Nikaj.

Dontai Stewart had been working hard this first half, and his efforts were paid off when he won a header to set himself in behind the defence. His effort then hit the foot of the post and bounced clear.

The second half started much like the first, with little happening in the opening 15 minutes.

The first and only goal of the game came in the 61st minute for the hosts and it was another set piece that carved Dover open again. Hampton had got themselves a lead which was perhaps against the run of play.

George Nikaj had a chance to equalise as the game progressed towards the latter stages. His spin and shot in the box went just wide of the goal.

He then had another chance soon after, getting in behind the defence but he took too long and his effort was blocked the defender as the hosts survive another attack from Dover.

Some late substitutions were made by Dover but these made little impact and the game gradually came to a close, with Hampton and Richmond sealing an important win for their playoff hopes.

It’s a long trip to Gloucester for Dover up next, with the Whites facing Truro in their last away game of the season.

Hemel Hempstead 1-1 Dover Athletic

Match Report by Fred Deveson

An incredibly warm afternoon saw Dover take a late point in Hertfordshire to draw the game 1-1, when it arguably should have been more than just the one point that the Whites took.

The first half was a poor one from the Whites. Rowley was called into action within the first three minutes, being forced into a good save down to his right after a nice move by the hosts.

A few minutes later, our captain was called upon as he cleared a header off the line from their number 9. Dover were under lots of pressure in the opening exchanges at Hemel Hempstead.

The hosts did not let up either, as on minute 20, they put together a lovely passing move which ended in a shot that went just wide of the goal.

The goal did soon come for The Tudors however. Another well worked move ended in the ball coming over to the far side and the wide man hit a beautiful volley beyond Rowley who could do nothing about it. The hosts had a deserved lead.

The manager made two changes at half time in a bid to switch things up for the second half. Wilkinson replaced Young and Stewart came on in place of the carded Kai Garrett.

The second half started in a much better way for the Whites. Wilkinson came on and made a big difference to the team, providing good energy in the midfield. It was his shot that went just wide after a nice move.

Then came what Dover thought was the equaliser. Wilkinson side footed the ball back into the box from near the corner flag and Dontai Stewart nodded it in, but the goal was ruled out for offside much to the confusion of the visiting fans.

Baptiste was much more lively in the second period, and towards the end of the game he had a shot go just wide of the goal after a lovely ball picked him out on the left. Dover were banging on the door now.

It wasn’t until the 90th minute, however, that Dover did eventually find the back of the net (legally). Some excellent work by Charles Cook lead to him crossing the ball which was defended poorly and then prodded home for the Whites with just a few added minutes remaining. A deserved leveler.

The visitors continued to push for that winning goal which nearly came, as Wilkinson’s corner floated just over the bar, but that was to be it for Dover who took just one point back to south east Kent.

Dover Athletic 1-0 Chelmsford City

Match Report by Fred Deveson

Dover 1-0 Chelmsford, and it’s not an April fools joke! Dover came out victorious at Crabble on Monday afternoon as they saw off title challengers Chelmsford City.

The game started and right from the first minute, Dover were more than up for the fight. They were battling hard and winning the ball in good areas.

Despite this, the first chance fell to the visitors. They got the ball in a good position on the left and after a save by Rowley, it was eventually scrambled away and the hosts survived.

Not long after this, however, it was the Whites who took the lead. Luke Baptiste was set free on the left wing and after some good footwork, he put a lovely ball into the box. Charles Cook got on the end of it but his shot was blocked, and it fell to Young who tapped it in for his first ever senior goal.

The first half continued to be dominated by Dover, who had less of the ball but more of the chances. Shortly after the goal, Freddie Oliver headed the ball over the bar after Akehurst’s corner.

The hosts were lethal on the break and the threat continued. Nikaj in particular was playing very well on the right, leading the counter attacks especially well. On this occasion, he worked the ball into the box well but his shot was superbly blocked and it went out for a corner, which came to nothing.

Dover started the second half how they ended the first, with lots of energy and fight. It was Baptiste and Nikaj leading the charge and the two almost combined to get a second for Dover but it wasn’t meant to be on this occasion.

The Whites were looking dangerous from set pieces too, with a header by Naylor finding the fingertips of the Chelmsford goalkeeper. Dover were so close a second that they probably deserved.

Towards the end of the game, the away side did make a push for an equaliser. The crosses and corners came flying inbut the hosts defender exceptionally well.

Rowley was called into action a couple of times, with a save down to his near post being the pick of the bunch as the second half wore on.

The Whites made some changes as the second half drew closer to it’s end, with the manager looking to bring on some fresh legs to help in the defence of the 1-0 lead.

The corners kept coming from the away side but Dover defended every one of them very well and looked incredibly solid. The visitors did not have a clear-cut chance all game.

There was some scrapping between players at the end, but eventually Dover held out and secured what is most likely their best result of the season so far against high-flying Chelmsford.

Dover are back on the road this Saturday against Hemel Hempstead, and will be looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Dover Athletic: Rowley (GK); Charles-Cook, Mensah ©, Holding, Oyenuga, Naylor, Young (Wilkinson 90+4’), Oliver, Baptiste, Nikaj (Dembele 85’), Akehurst (Garrett 67’).

Unused substitutes: Stewart, Drakes-Thomas.

Yellow cards: Young.

Chelmsford City: Gray (GK); Barnum-Bobb, Jenkins, Winfield © (Alexander 54’), Brookes; Ochieng, Wordsworth, Dunne (Ruff 66’); Alfa, Carruthers (Francis 54’); Hockey.

Unused substitutes: Castiglione, Watts.

Yellow cards: Winfield, Jenkins, Francis.

Match Officials: Harrison Blair (Referee), David Spain (Assistant), Michael Butcher (Assistant).

Attendance: 628

Welling United 1-0 Dover Athletic

Match Report by Fred Deveson

A warm afternoon in South London saw the hosts Welling United come away 1-0 winners, all but keeping them up this season, and unfortunately relegating Dover Athletic.

The game itself, despite its heartbreaking consequences, was largely uneventful, particularly in the first half.

In the first 30 minutes there was only one or two half chances to note, with one being for the hosts who worked it nicely into the box, but the shot was well blocked.

The Whites had a chance when the goalkeeper fumbled his clearance, but Nikaj couldn’t pounce when the loose ball came to him and the score remained level.

The chances started to come more towards the end of the first half. The hosts got in a good position again and the effort by the forward trickled just wide of the post.

Charles Cook was looking positive from right wing-back, and it was one of his good runs that managed to set free Dembele. The striker took the ball in his stride but could not finish past the Welling goalkeeper.

There was a chance just before the half-time whistle for the home side. A scrappy bit of play in the box eventually fell nicely for the man in red but he fired it just over.

The second half started with the visitors on top. Rowley was called into action down to his right to keep the score at 0-0.

Then came the golden chance for Dover. Charles Cook found himself in a good position and his shot was saved and parried out to Dembele who could not convert.

From this moment on, the feeling grew and grew that the hosts would eventually take the lead.

Rowley was called into action again with around 20 minutes to go, making a good save but giving Welling a corner doing so. This would be the corner that leads to the only goal of the game. The ball came in to the near post and was slotted in to give the hosts the lead.

The Whites did have a chance in the final few minutes of the game, with Wilkinson’s effort from outside the box being tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.

The hosts then managed to see out the game after a lengthy period of stoppage time, thus ending Dover’s survival hopes and relegating the Whites with 6 games to go.

It’s Chelmsford at home up next on Monday for Dover

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Johnson (Green 64), Byrd, Ellul, Di Trolio, Lema, A Grant, Adigun, Papadopoulos, Amoo (Kennedy 56), R Grant.

Subs (not used): Roscrow, Burchell, Munns.

Booked: Di Trolio 90+2 (time wasting) Lema 90+4 (time wasting)

Goal: Di Trolio 72

Dover Athletic: Rowley, Charles-Cook (Wilkinson 79), Oliver, Nikaj, Akehurst, Naylor, Mensah, Young (Stewart 82), Dembele, Oyenuga (Garrett 88), Holding.

Subs (not used): Drakes-Thomas, Baptiste.

Booked: Young 40 (foul)

Referee: Lisa Benn

Att: 839

Dover Athletic 1-3 Farnborough

Match Report by Fred Deveson

It was a chilly afternoon yesterday on non-league day as Dover fell short in a 1-3 defeat.

The game started superbly for the hosts, who started by having to contain the visitors which they did well. In the first attack of the game for the Whites, Nick Dembele found himself in a good position and he fired Dover in front with a fantastic effort from an ever-tightening angle. 

One may have thought that the hosts would have kicked on from this goal, but that was not to be. Farnborough continued to dominate possession but nothing was coming from it. Dover were defending well.

However it wasn’t long until the visitors did find the breakthrough. A penalty was awarded against Dover much to the anger of Scott Holding the offender. Farnborough converted the penalty and it was 1-1.

The away side got into their groove after this and really kicked on. A long ball came floating over the top from the goalkeeper and the flag stayed down. The forward then chipped Rowley and it was 1-2, again to the anger of the back line who felt the flag should have gone up.

The second half started the same as the first ended. It didn’t take long though before Dover had a good chance to level the game. Dembele got himself in behind the defence and tried to round the goalkeeper but the number one stood his ground well.

Naylor also had an excellent chance from a corner by Wilkinson, but his free header went just wide of the post and Farnborough had survived.

Soon after, the away side extended their advantage. A brilliant header from a well delivered corner put the visitors in front by 2 and they now had a cushion to fall back on.

Some changes were made and the visitors had a chance to make it 1-4 but the game eventually petered out and both sides settled for the 1-3 score line. 

Dover must win against Welling this coming Friday if they are to stay up this season.

Dover Athletic: Rowley, Charles-Cook, Mensah, Holding, Oyenuga, Naylor (Neil-Gray 87mins), Wilkinson (Akehurst 70mins), Oliver, Dembele, Nikaj, Baptiste (Drakes-Thomas 62mins). 

Subs not used: Stewart, Young.

Farnborough: Turner, Norville-Williams, Fearn, Robinson, Pruti, Haigh (Kasimu 78mins), Young, Pendlebury, Kuhl, Holmes (Clark 72mins), Matthews-Lewis (Saied 81mins). 

Sub not used: Bradbury.

Referee: Ayrton Hursey.

Attendance: 565.

Dover Athletic 0-0 Havant & Waterlooville

Match Report by Fred Deveson

It was a lovely, warm afternoon at Crabble yesterday, as Dover drew to Havant and Waterlooville 0-0.

It was the hosts who were on top from the first minute, creating good chances and dominating the ball.

The visitors opted for an offside trap from the start, which was effective in preventing Dover from having time on the ball, but it left them vulnerable in behind.

The Whites worked out that long balls over the top were the most effective route to goal and had some good chances from this.

Dembele was set through a couple of times but the goalkeeper denied him on both occasions. The forward also had a clever header go over the bar but was offside.

The linesman caused some controversy throughout the game with some questionable offside decisions which could have resulted in a goal scoring chance for Dover, but numerous times the flag went up, and some decisions were no doubt questionable.

The times that Dover did get in behind should have resulted in goals. Oyenuga returned to the starting lineup and was excellent defensively and offensively. He got forward well and put a ball in but Oliver fired just wide. 

Havant hadn’t had a sniff all first half. 

They did start the second well, however, and just 3 minutes after the restart they hit the upright with a good effort just outside the box. 

It wasn’t long before Dover were back on the front foot however, and Nikaj was seeing a lot of the ball in the wide areas. His good feet opened up plenty of space for the hosts but it was the same story for the Whites, who just couldn’t finish their chances.

Wilkinson had a great opportunity in the latter stages of the game to score for Dover, but he waited too long and then put his effort wide. 

The visitors saw red in the last 15 minutes, after their player picked up a second yellow. This should have seen Dover score towards the end, with the visitors being a man down but the chances kept coming and going for Dover. 

In the final few minutes, goalkeeper Rowley was called into action for one of the first times in the game and he made an excellent save to earn the hosts a point, when it arguably should have been three. 

A massive game next week against Farnborough awaits the Whites. 

Dover Athletic: Rowley, Charles-Cook, Mensah, Holding, Oyenuga, Naylor, Wilkinson (Baptiste 75mins), Oliver, Dembele (Assidjo 89mins), Nikaj, Allen. 

Subs not used: Oladipo, Young, Akehurst.

Havant & Waterlooville: Worner, Stanley, Innocent, Mcnerney, McCarthy, Carlyle (Jebb 61mins), Seager, Willson, Jewitt-White (Beckford 79mins), Kealy, Whittingham (Roberts 42mins). 

Subs not used: Mukuna, Woolston.

Referee: Tom Ellsmore.

Attendance: 552.

Eastbourne Borough 1-1 Dover Athletic

Match Report by Fred Deveson

It was a windy evening on the south coast as Dover and Eastbourne share the points in a game that the Whites may feel they could have won. 

The game started with Dover largely on top for most of the half. The signs were positive right from the off for the visitors, who pressed hard and worked hard from the first minute.

It wasn’t long before the Whites got the goal they deserved too. A long hall from Scott Holding found George Nikaj who worked his way into the penalty area and finished in the bottom corner. The goalkeeper got a hand to it but couldn’t do anything to keep it out.

Dover didn’t let up here. Iffy Allen switched to the right for a short period and was playing well. He used some trickery to work his way past the full back and his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

The Eastbourne number 1 showed signs of nervousness after this, as shortly after his pass was intercepted by Stewart who fired it towards goal, but the goalkeeper recovered just in time to make the save.

Stewart tried to catch the ‘keeper out shortly after, seeing him off his line and his shot went just wide. 

The hosts began to put more pressure on as the first half went on, with corners being their biggest threat. Two excellent balls came in from separate corners and a goal mouth scramble was the result of both. Somehow Dover managed to clear both away and the score remained 0-1 at the interval. 

The second half was much less intense than the first, with the first major chance of note coming in the last 25 minutes. 

Dover’s new number 1 came out to try and claim the ball but the wide man for the hosts went around the goalkeeper and had an open goal. He looked certain to score but for a block on the line to keep Dover in front. The shouts for handball were waved away by the referee.

The Eastbourne goal did eventually come however and it was a painful one for Dover to take. There was some good counter attacking work by Dover and the ball was played across the box for Baptiste to tap in, but he attempted to control the ball and take it round the goalkeeper, which led to the hosts regaining the ball. 

They then launched an attack of their own and after a shot on the edge of the area was deflected slightly, the ball went past the outstretched Rowley and found its way in the back of the net. 1-1.

The hosts piled on the pressure to try and win the game in the dying minutes but Dover held on for a draw. 

A big game against Havant and Waterlooville is up next this Saturday at Crabble.