Enterprise National League South
Saturday 11 October 2025 | Megger Community Stadium
Attendance: 921
Dover Athletic salvaged a dramatic late point at Crabble as Jacob Mensah’s stoppage-time header secured a 1-1 draw against Horsham. The Whites created the better chances throughout but were forced to come from behind after James Hammond’s superb curling strike had given the visitors the lead.
Manager Jake Leberl made several changes from the side beaten at Tonbridge, with Roman Charles-Cook away on international duty for Grenada, while Ruben Soares-Junior and Francis Mampolo missed out through injury. Henry Lukombo came into the back line, with Wilkinson, Sheriff, Coker and Sodje also joining the starting eleven.
The game began at a lively tempo in autumn conditions. Horsham registered the first effort inside two minutes through Shamir Fenelon, but his low drive was comfortably gathered by Mitch Walker. Dover responded almost immediately as Alfie Matthews tested Carey with a dipping free kick that forced the visiting keeper into an early save.
The Whites soon grew into the game, snapping into tackles and pressing high. Baptiste’s pace on the right caused constant problems and, midway through the half, his deflected cross sparked a scramble that saw a close range effort hacked off the line before coming back to Sheriff’s who’s effort cannoned off the post. Moments later, Baptiste tried an acrobatic volley which flew narrowly over as the hosts pressed for an opener.
At the other end, Jones and Mensah limited Horsham to speculative efforts and clearing a series of teasing crosses from Meekums and Gravata. Cocoracchio then went close with a long-range effort following neat interplay from Wilkinson and Matthews, as Dover ended the half in control but somehow goalless.
The second half opened with a clashes of heads between Matthews and Hester-Cook, both players fortunately able to continue after treatment. Dover quickly regained their rhythm: Baptiste battled to the by-line and fed Wilkinson, whose curling cross just evaded Sheriff at the back post. But it was Horsham who struck first. On 72 minutes, the ball ricocheted around the edge of the box before falling to Hammond, who bent an inch-perfect shot into the top corner to put the visitors 1-0 up.
Leberl reacted with a double change, introducing Beadle and Nikaj for Lukombo and Sheriff, and later Sesay for Sodje. Dover pushed men forward in search of a response, with Nikaj flashing a low cross that Baptiste couldn’t quite turn home. Onu made his debut late on, adding more attacking intent as six minutes of added time were signalled.
The equaliser finally came in the 93rd minute. Baptiste’s free kick was swung into the crowded box, Jones rose highest to nod the ball back across goal, and Mensah arrived at the far post to head home from close range, sparking celebrations in front of the River End.
The Whites now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s Kent Senior Cup tie at home to Bromley.
Dover Athletic:
1 Walker (C), 17 Lukombo, 4 Jones, 21 Mensah, 15 Sodje, 6 Cocoracchio, 23 Wilkinson, 8 Matthews, 7 Baptiste, 11 Sheriff, 9 Coker
Subs: Sesay, Nikaj, Beadle, Holness, Onu, Holden, Gillmore
Horsham:
1 Carey, 3 Sparks, 4 Hester-Cook, 5 Philpot, 6 Strange, 7 J. Hammond, 8 Barker, 12 Luer, 14 Fenelon, 18 Meekums, 23 Gravata
Subs: Rodrigues, Ogunwamide, Roberts, F. Hammond, El-Abd, Furber
Man of the Match: Jalen Jones (sponsored by Housing Disrepair Helpline)