Dover Clinch Play-off Spot with Composed Win at Oaklands Park
Dover Athletic secured their place in the 2024/25 Isthmian Premier Division play-offs with a crucial 3-1 win away at Chichester City on the final day of the regular season.
With both sides vying for the final play-off spot – Dover in fifth and Chichester in sixth – the stakes could not have been higher. Only a win would do for the hosts, while a draw would be enough for the visitors. Dover did the job on a nervy afternoon.
The hosts started brightly in front of a strong home crowd. Their possession-heavy approach put Dover under early pressure, and an injury to Curtis Da Costa forced an early reshuffle, with Charlie Bennett introduced in the 16th minute.
Chichester’s persistence paid off in the 25th minute when Lewis Rustell executed a stunning overhead kick, looping the ball past a stranded Mitch Walker, who made his first start in five months for Dover following injury.
Dover grew into the game and, after weathering the storm, found their equaliser in the 39th minute. Luke Baptiste’s inswinging corner was met at the near post by George Nikaj, whose glancing header nestled into the bottom corner. The goal spurred Dover into life. They dominated the closing stages of the half, pressing high and creating chances, leaving Chichester pinned back.
Dover came out after the break with renewed energy. Within a minute, a powerful header from Luca Cocoracchio was denied by a superb save from Kieran Magee, keeping Chichester level.
The hosts had their moments but failed to capitalise, with efforts from promising positions flying over the bar. Dover’s dominance gradually told, and in the 70th minute, they took the lead. A surging run and cross from Roman Charles-Cook found Ruben Soares-Junior lurking at the back post for a simple tap-in.
As the hosts chased an equaliser, spaces opened up. Dover nearly extended their lead through an audacious bicycle kick from Soares-Junior and a powerful drive that Magee parried away.
With six minutes added on, Mitch Walker proved his worth, making two critical saves to preserve Dover’s lead. The second came just before the breakaway that led to a penalty deep into stoppage time.
At 90+7 minutes, the referee pointed to the spot after a foul in the box. Up stepped Luke Baptiste, coolly converting in 90+9 to round off a clinical away performance. The goal marked his 20th of the league season, joining Nikaj and Soares-Junior in an elite trio for the Whites.
Dover Athletic finish the season in fifth and now turn their focus to a play-off semi-final against Billericay Town on Wednesday night. Chichester’s brave campaign ends in heartbreak, falling just short of a historic play-off push in their first season at Step 3.
Isthmian League Premier Division
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2025
Venue: Oaklands Park
Attendance: 1,356
Referee: Daniel D’Urso
Kick-off: 3:00 PM
Dover Athletic:
1. Mitch Walker, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Fuad Sesay, 4. Jeremiah Gyebi, 5. Joe Tennent, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 7. Luke Baptiste, 8. Alfie Matthews, 9. Eniye Amgbaduba, 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior, 15. Tamas Amgbaduba, 24. Francis Mampolo, 26. Jacob Mensah, 28. Kweku-Conrad Lucan, 29. Ryan Hanson
Chichester City
1. Kieran Magee, 2. Ryan Davidson, 3. Rob Hutchings, 4. Joe Clarke, 5. Curtis Da Costa, 6. Ben Pashley, 7. Isaac Bello, 8. Emmett Dunn, 9. Lewis Rustell, 10. Lloyd Rowlatt, 11. Mo Jammeh, 14. Oliver Munt, 15. Charlie Bennett, 16. Joe Moore, 17. Ethan Prichard, 18. Josh Clack