City slickers in the Dover sun.

It was a tough day at the office for Mitch Brundle and his charges despite starting the game on the front foot. The hosts took an early lead through Josh Ajayi who’s neat finish rounded off a quick break. Alfie Paxman drove the ball at Chris Haigh in the Oxford City goal who parried the ball back into the path of Ajayi to give Dover the lead.

It was a false dawn for the Whites as moments later, Zak McEachran came close with a shot that flashed just wide of Stuart Nelson’s post. The away side had the wind in their sails and in the 18th minute, equalised from a corner when Humphrey Ewers waltzed into the box, controlled the ball and fired past the Dover stopper.

Just after the half hour mark and the visitors were in front. The ball played into Ajayi deep into the Oxford half didn’t stick and just three passes later, Nelson was again picking the ball out of his net. It was a clinical counter that winded the Whites who looked punch drunk going into the break.

It was a knock-out blow that had the Whites reeling as just 60 seconds after the restart, Dover had a mountain to climb when the impressive McEachran made it 3-1. By this time it all started to unravel for the home side. Oxford played some decent stuff, which shows their league placing is on merit.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Dover who could of closed the gap but George Nikaj, who was put through on goal, could only fire wide. Moments later, Luke Wanadio turned his marker inside out as he twisted one way and then the other, only to fire across goal and out for a goal kick.

On the 70th minute mark, the Gaffer stripped off his training top and entered the fray in the hope of inspiring a resurgence. Instead the Whites defence was breached again when Oxford substitute Lolos fired home with Dover unable to clear their lines defending a corner.

It got even worse as the game as a contest was all but over when Stuart Nelson brought down an Oxford forward in the box. Lolos placed the ball on the spot and sent Nelson the wrong way. Oxford enjoyed their trip to the south coast whereas it was back to the drawing board for the boss with a massive game now on Tuesday night at Concord Rangers.

As ever we hope to see as many of you there to give the lads a push.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Boateng, Paxman, Moses, Janjeva, Higgs, Martin, Oliver, Wanadio, Pierrick, Ajayi

Subs: Baptiste, Brundle, Nikaj, Carney, Sterling

Oxford City: Haig, Miccio, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet, McEachran, Sanderson, Williams Bushell, Humphrey Ewers

Subs: Davies, Laciofano, Lolos, Harrison, Wilson

Attendance: 672