Dover Athletic fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier Division clash at the Megger Community Stadium in front of a crowd of 827.
The home side started well, and in the 22nd minute, George Nikaj opened the scoring with a beautifully curled shot into the far corner after a well-placed corner fell to him. Dover looked to build on this early momentum, but they were pegged back just ten minutes later when Ayotani Tanimowo capitalised on a defensive lapse. The Whites couldn’t clear their lines, and Tanimowo rifled the ball into the roof of the net to bring the visitors level.
Nikaj came close to adding a second for Dover shortly after the equaliser, rattling the crossbar with a stunning long-range effort in the 36th minute, but the first half ended all square, with both sides creating chances but failing to convert.
The second half saw Wingate & Finchley gain the upper hand. In the 60th minute, Ogo Obi headed home from a corner at the back post to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Despite Dover’s efforts to find an equaliser, including a blocked shot from Baptiste in the 69th minute and increasing pressure as the game wore on, the Whites were unable to break through the resolute Wingate & Finchley defense.
Dover’s frustration continued as Wingate & Finchley held firm through seven minutes of added time to secure all three points. It was a disappointing display from the home side, who will feel they could have done more to at least claim a point.
1- Dover Athletic
George NIKAJ (22′)
2 – Wingate & Finchley
Ayo Tanimowo (33′)
Ogo Obi (60′)
Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 827
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Scott Rudd
Venue: Megger Community Stadium
Dover Athletic: 1 Mitch WALKER (C), 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, 16 Harrison PONT, 23 George WILKINSON SUBS: 4 Jeremiah GYEBI, 9 Eniye AMGBADUBA, 18 Henry YOUNG, 15 Tamas AMGBADUBA, 19 Jayden SILCOTT-BROWN
Wingate & Finchley: 1 Charle Grainger, 2 William Cracknell (C), 3 Toby Byron, 4 Mathew Achuba, 5 Ben Frempah, 6 Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, 7 Rhamar Garrett-Douglas, 8 Ayo Tanimowo, 9 Ogo Obi, 10 Andronicos Georgiou, 11 Michael O’Donoghue SUBS: 12 Tommy Roberts, 14 Ryan Lowe, 15 Bobby Webb, 16 Luke Deslandes, 17 Destiny Oladipo.