Dover Athletic came from behind to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Cray Wanderers, ending the hosts’ 14-game unbeaten home streak and strengthening their push for the playoffs. Goals from George Nikaj and captain Ruben Soares-Junior cancelled out Joshua Williams’ opener in a hard-fought contest at Flamingo Park.
Dover started brightly, showing attacking intent in the early exchanges. In the 5th minute, they looked the more dangerous side, though Cray were first to test the goalkeeper when Jordan Gillmore had to push away a long-range strike two minutes later.
The Whites had their first big chance in the 12th minute when Luke Baptiste went down in the box under a challenge, but penalty appeals were waved away. Shortly after, Alfie Matthews forced Cray’s Shaun Rowley into a fingertip save with a well-hit free kick from the left side of the area.
Despite Dover’s early momentum, Cray struck first in the 23rd minute. Joshua Williams picked up the ball on the left, cut inside, and curled a fine effort past Gillmore to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Cray threatened again in the 32nd and 33rd minutes, first with a lobbed effort that nearly beat Gillmore, and then with a well-worked short corner routine that ended in a volley over the bar.
Dover slowly regained control and had another penalty shout in the 35th minute when Jacob Mensah appeared to be held in the box, but the referee remained unmoved. A series of chances followed, with Ruben Soares-Junior flicking a ball to the back post for Ryan Hanson, who headed over, before Baptiste came close after a clever free-kick move in the 42nd minute.
The equaliser finally came on the stroke of halftime. A ball forward found George Nikaj in on goal, and the prolific forward made no mistake, slotting home his 20th goal of the season to level the match at 1-1 heading into the break.
Dover began the second half positively but struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities. The first booking of the game arrived in the 58th minute when Ryan Hanson was cautioned. Cray responded with a speculative long-range effort in the 62nd minute that drifted wide.
The decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute. A looping ball into the box from Roman Charles-Cook was flicked on, and captain Ruben Soares-Junior reacted quickest to finish from five yards out, giving Dover a 2-1 lead.
Tempers flared shortly after as Cray’s Tom Bonner was booked in the 69th minute. Dover were then forced into a stoppage as Soares-Junior required treatment for an injury, though he was able to continue.
Dover looked to kill off the game and nearly did so in the 74th minute when Soares-Junior found himself through on goal but fired wide. A series of substitutions followed as Dover sought to shore up their lead, with Francis Mampolo and George Wilkinson introduced for fresh legs.
Cray pressed for an equaliser late on, but Dover’s defence, marshaled by Mensah and Tennent, held firm. Eight minutes of added time tested the visitors’ resolve, yet they remained composed to see out a significant victory.
Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 808
Venue: Flamingo Park
Kick-off: 3pm
Cray Wanderers:
1. Shaun Rowley, 2. Ike Orji, 3. Darion Dowrich, 4. Remi Sutton, 5. Quade Taylor, 6. Tom Bonner (C), 7. Lateef Adaja, 8. Frankie Raymond, 9. Soul Kader, 10. Joshua Williams, 11. Nyren Clunis SUBS: 12. Thomas Borders, 14. Ezechukwu Ebuzoeme II, 16. Victor Damyanov, 19. Freddie Warwick, 20. Kavalli Heywood
Dover Athletic:
27. Jordan Gillmore, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Fuad Sesay, 5. Joe Tennent, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 7. Luke Baptiste, 8. Alfie Matthews, 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior (C), 26. Jacob Mensah, 29. Ryan Hanson SUBS: 9. Eniye Amgbaduba, 15. Tamas Amgbaduba, 23. George Wilkinson, 24. Francis Mampolo, 28. Kweku-Conrad Lucan