A Spirited performance as Whites hold top of the league. 

Mitch Brundle’s team headed to the West Country for the first time this season and were unlucky not to come back with more than just a point. If you had offered the Gaffer a point before kick-off against high flying Bath City then I’m sure he would have snapped your hand off but he would have been disappointed, having given away a two goal lead.

It was a bright start from the visitors who were kicking up the big bath hill and had an early chance when Iffy Allen blasted over the crossbar. The hosts began to have a spell of pressure with some neat link up play and dangerous balls into the Dover penalty area, but fortunately for the Whites (Navy Blues), there was no one there from Bath to capitalise. Brundle’s side had pace on either flank with Allen and Lock probing down their respective wings.

It was the dangerous Lock who bamboozled his marker before cutting back inside onto his left foot and digging out a cross which was headed away by the home defence. The ball bounced safely outside the penalty area and was picked up by the unmarked Hatcher who sent it back with interest via the top left hand corner to put the visitors into the lead. It was a fantastic strike from the academy student who was starting to find his feet in the number 10 role.

Bath nearly equalised before the break when first they were denied by Billy Terrell and then by a wonderful goal line clearance from John Oyenuga ensued that Dover would head into changing rooms with a slender lead. It was a lead that was doubled just before the hour when Paris Lock weaved into the penalty area and was judged to have been bundled over by the home defence. It seemed a little harsh but did we care? Iffy Allen for the second week running placed his spot kick, cool as you like, past the home keeper.

Mitch Brundle’s squad is young, with many not having experience at this level but they will soon know what its all about following the last 30 minutes at Twerton Park, where the home side threw everything at us, including the kitchen sink. Bath City are top for a reason at the moment, with a never say die attitude and they got their rewards in both the 66th and 77th minute as they clawed their way back into the game via Thomas and Wilson.

With Bath now looking for a win, it was vital for the Whites to cling on to a point. Wave after wave of home attack swept over the Dover backline but the defence, despite being breached twice, stood firm in the dying moments. Peter Ojemen was dismissed for two yellow cards and will now miss the FA Cup Clash with Haringey Borough as he was shown his marching orders with just minutes left on the clock.

When the referee signalled the end of the match it was both frustration and relief that swept over the squad. A good point on the road against a Bath City side who are sitting pretty on the top of the pile. It was a shame to throw away a two goal lead but again it comes down to experience. It will come.

I think its two points dropped rather than one gained. I’m disappointed for the players who were excellent. They didn’t deserve to finish the game with just the one point. It feels like a loss. They gave me everything and deserved the three points. – Mitch Brundle

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Naylor, Mensah, Ojemen, Lock, Allen, Young, Powell, Hatcher, Nikaj

Subs: Stewart, Wilkinson, Baptiste, Charles-Cook, Sutherland

Bath City: Wright, Raynes, Greenslade, Dyer, Batten, Cooke, Smith, Clark, Thomas, Wilson, Russe

Subs: Forster, Frear, Hayfield, Lines, Fletcher

The Whites march into the next round. 

Dover got back to winning ways on Saturday as the FA Cup provided a welcome distraction from the league. Hastings came to the Megger Community Stadium in good form and boasted a wealth of National League experience in their side but it was the home side who were the more dominant in the opening 45 minutes.

New signing Paris Lock, looked lively as he made his debut on the right wing, teasing his man before heading into the penalty area where he was brought down. The referee pointed to the spot and Iffy Allen placed his spot kick high into the roof of the net. With Hastings now chasing the game, their task became even harder when in the Sam Okoye was shown a second yellow, this time for kicking the ball away, on the half hour.

Dover cranked up the pressure and should have gone into the break with the cushion of another couple of goals with both Zidan Sutherland and Archie Hatcher coming close with chances. It was the youngster who was making his first start that impressed the most. Despite getting booked early on for a rash challenge, the academy product looked dangerous as he found little pockets of space outside the Hastings defence.

We are in the hat and that’s what we were looking for – Mitch Brundle

The second half began like the first half ended, with Dover pushing for a second goal, but it wasn’t until the manager made his changes that the game was put to bed. George Nikaj and Luke Baptiste both entered the fray in the second half and made an immediate impact. Nikaj first by glancing a lovely header from an Ojemen cross before some nifty footwork from Baptiste, sat down the Hastings keeper, and rolled the ball into the net.

It was a good rear guard display until a nervy last five minutes meant that the Whites were making hard work of the performance, with the referee awarding Hastings a penalty and then a break away goal brought the scores back to 3-2. Despite the final efforts of the travelling side, Dover held on to claim a victory that now sees them in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Naylor, Mensah, Ojemen, Allen, Lock, Dunne, Young, Hatcher, Sutherland

Subs: Wilkinson, Bello, Dembele, Nikaj, Baptiste, Charles-Cook, Stewart

Hastings United: Grainger, Okoye, Akehurst, Fregene, Stone, Rodari, Vose, Akinwande, Ufuah, Taylor, Christian-Law

Subs: Walters, Leblond, Walker, Legg, Thompson, Oyebola, Lubanga