Match Report by Fred Deveson
A wintery afternoon sees Dover come out on top against Slough Town, with the Whites taking a deserved win and lifting themselves off the bottom.
The starting lineup saw just one change from the defeat midweek and that was Zidan Sutherland coming in up front.
That change paid off for the hosts as Zidan was lively from the off and had plenty of energy.
George Nikaj also had a bright start to the game as he found himself in behind on the right but the chance came to nothing. The positive signs were there, however.
Zidan had a chance again in behind the Slough backline and he took it round the goalkeeper but couldn’t quite find anyone in the box to finish the chance.
The visitors then had the chance to counter and did so effectively until they met the brick wall of Jacob Mensah, who cleaned up for Dover.
The away side shortly after had another chance but the ball went just wide of the post and the hosts could breathe again.
Dover had the chance to bring the ball forward again and Wilkinson found Baptiste on the left but his effort was wide.
The front three of Dover was looking dangerous and like they could score at anytime.
It wasn’t long before the Whites were on the attack again; this time it was Nikaj who picked up the ball on the left but his ball across the box came to nothing.
The game started getting feisty as half-time drew closer, with Nikaj getting involved on the receiving end of a nasty tackle, and then being the one getting booked for a challenge on a Slough player.
The first half ended with Nikaj in behind on the right, who then fired a ball into the box which more hit Zidan and went over the bar.
The second half started very well for the hosts. Baptiste had achance to get on the end of a beautiful pass by Nikaj, but he just couldn’t get his foot to it.
Zidan then helped to create an overload on the left with Baptiste and Ojemen. The number 9 then cut inside but his effort was dragged just past the near post.
Zidan again proved why he was in the starting lineup, as his good work on the left resulted in the ball coming to Baptiste who couldn’t convert.
Dover should arguably have had a penalty, as a scramble led to Zidan being held and pulled to the ground, but the referee was having none of it and the game continued.
The referee was not a fan favourite amongst either set of fans throughout the course of the game.
The visitors did have a chance of their own in behind after their number 23 beat Peter Ojemen, but his effort was dragged wide of Jinadu’s goal.
It wasn’t long before Dover were in again and it was Sutherland in behind. He found a pocket of space in behind but was denied by a brilliant save by the visiting goalkeeper.
The resulting corner forced another great save after Mensah’s header was tipped over.
Dan Jinadu was called into action, however, after some good work by their number 23 once again, who was lively for the visitors.
The away side were putting on some pressure but that did not last long.
Substitute Oladipo came on to replace Sutherland and he was excellent. A throw in on the left fell to Oladipo who held the ball up well. He flicked the ball up and looped a hopeful ball into the box which the goalkeeper spilled, straight into the path of Nikaj who spun and fired home much to the delight of the home fans.
However, no sooner had he scored, he saw red as his challenge earned him a second yellow and an early bath, meaning Dover had to see out the game with ten men.
The hosts did eventually hold out for a priceless win which lifts them off the bottom of the table and sees them do the double over Slough.
Dover Athletic: Jinadu, Ojemen, Mensah, Holding, Naylor, Baptiste, Oliver, Charles-Cook, Nikaj, Wilkinson (Oladipo 70mins, Dunne 89mins), Sutherland (Allen 79mins). Subs not used: Dembele, Young.
Slough Town: Lincoln, Dandy, Prosper, Minhas, Davies (Jackman 81mins), Ebuzoeme (Chambers-Parillon 63mins), Eweka, Dyce, Sundire, Ogbonna, Spasov (Goddard 57mins). Subs not used: Bayliss, Hamiga.
Referee: Matthew Norton.
Attendance: 607.