Dover Athletic returned to winning ways with a gritty 1-0 victory over Dulwich Hamlet at the Megger Community Stadium, thanks to a first-half strike from Luca Cocoracchio on a lively Community Day in front of over 3,000 supporters.
Jake Leberl named an unchanged XI from the midweek defeat to Chatham, and the response from his players was immediate and determined. Dover started the match shooting towards the Town End, and after surviving some early pressure from the visitors, the home side settled into the contest.
Dulwich’s Dillon Barnes was called into action early, tipping over a long-range effort inside the opening minutes, while Dover came close through Ryan Hanson after a flurry of corners. But it was Cocoracchio who made the breakthrough on 12 minutes. Following a goalmouth scramble, the midfielder showed composure to lift the ball over Barnes and into the net — his first goal of the season, and one greeted with jubilation from the home support.
Dover looked dangerous from set pieces throughout the first half, with Luke Baptiste and Ruben Soares-Junior offering width and energy, while Alfie Matthews battled through an early knock to keep the visitors pinned back.
Dulwich were forced into an early substitution as Kreshnic Krasniqi limped off after 28 minutes, replaced by Ryley Scott. Soon after, Luke Wanadio went into the referee’s book for a late challenge on goalkeeper Jordan Gillmore.
As the half drew to a close, Dover nearly doubled their lead — Baptiste, finding plenty of joy down the left, delivered a pinpoint cross to Hanson, whose shot was well-blocked. Three minutes were added, and Dulwich made a second change as David Bremang came on for Amaru Kaunda.
The second half saw Dover start brightly again. Baptiste struck the post with a fierce drive on 47 minutes as the home side looked to kill the game. Dulwich responded with several efforts from range, but Gillmore remained solid between the sticks.
Cocoracchio, not content with just his goal, turned provider with a slick through ball to Soares-Junior, who forced an excellent save from Barnes as Dover pressed for a second. Substitutions followed for both sides — Kweku Lucan for Dover and Louis Ramsay was introduced as Dulwich reshuffled in search of a reply.
Matthews, before being withdrawn late on, saw a powerful header saved, and Baptiste continued to threaten, slicing narrowly wide after a driving run. The Whites created enough chances to put the game to bed, but Barnes kept Dulwich in it with a string of strong saves.
As the match wore on, Dover managed the game well, with Gillmore’s command of his area and some disciplined defending keeping Dulwich at bay. There was a late scare in stoppage time when Dulwich struck the upright in the dying seconds, but Dover held firm to claim a vital three points in their promotion push.
The win lifts Dover further in the play-off places and marked another successful Community Day, organised by the club’s Community Engagement and Inclusion Officer, Vikki Pawley — a day to remember both on and off the pitch.
Dover Athletic: Gillmore, Charles-Cook, Sesay, Mensah, Tennent, Cocoracchio, Baptiste, Matthews (Wilkinson 88mins), Nikaj (Lucan 65mins), Soares-Junior, Hanson. Subs not used: T.Amgbaduba, E.Amgbaduba, Mampolo.
Dulwich Hamlet: Barnes, Williams-Bushell, Wanadio, Chambers, Mason (Porter 79mins), Mills, Bonnett-Johnson (Ramsay 66mins), Marshall, Krasqini (Scott 28mins), Binnon-Williams, Kaunda (Bremang 46mins). Sub not used: Adepoju.
Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 3,021
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: David Spain
Venue: Megger Community Stadium