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.