Isuzu FA Trophy Second Round
Megger Community Stadium
Referee: Joseph Dann-Pye
Dover Athletic marched into the Third Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy with a controlled 2–0 victory over Dorchester Town at the Megger Community Stadium. Goals from Kenny Coker and Siju Odelusi ensured a deserved win on a misty afternoon at Crabble, as the Whites produced a strong performance at both ends of the pitch.
Dover set the tempo from the opening whistle, peppering the Dorchester box with a series of long throws from Harry Beadle inside the first few minutes. The hosts soon carved out the clearer chances — captain Ruben Soares-Junior delivered a superb cross for Luke Baptiste, only for visiting keeper Gerard Benfield to save well from close range.
Minutes later, the strike force linked again as Soares-Junior picked out Coker, who saw another effort kept out. That theme continued across the half: Dover dominant, the Dorchester keeper keeping his side level. Mampolo almost took advantage of a defensive mix-up on 17 minutes, spotting the keeper off his line and lofting an effort just over the bar. Further chances fell to Soares-Junior and Mampolo late in the half, both denied by Benfield who was becoming the busier of the two goalkeepers. Despite pressing hard, Dover went into the break frustrated but firmly in control.
Dorchester returned with intent, forcing Jordan Gillmore into a smart punch under pressure from a set piece. At the other end, Coker was again denied twice in quick succession by Benfield — but the breakthrough finally arrived on the hour.
A dangerous ball in found George Wilkinson, whose effort was blocked by the goalkeeper; Coker reacted sharply to hammer home the rebound and give Dover a deserved 1–0 lead.
Dorchester responded with a pair of substitutions and enjoyed a brief spell of pressure, but Dover tightened up defensively and continued to create the better openings. The Whites got the second goal their performance merited after 82 minutes — Mampolo’s driving run and deflected strike dropped kindly for Odelusi, who made no mistake from close range in front of a delighted home crowd.
Nikaj came close twice late on, denied by two fine stops that prevented the scoreline from extending further, while Soares-Junior had a goal ruled out for offside. After four added minutes, the final whistle confirmed Dover’s place in the next round and a long away trip to Weston-super-Mare next Saturday.
Teams
Dover Athletic:
27 Jordan Gillmore, 2 Roman Charles-Cook, 16 Harry Beadle, 21 Jacob Mensah, 3 Fuad Sesay, 23 George Wilkinson, 28 Siju Odelusi, 7 Luke Baptiste, 9 Kenny Coker, 14 Ruben Soares-Junior (C), 24 Francis Mampolo
Subs:
1 Mitch Walker, 6 Luca Cocoracchio, 8 Alfie Matthews, 10 George Nikaj, 15 Harrison Sodje
Dorchester Town:
1 Gerard Benfield, 2 Jack Dickson, 3 Ollie Haste, 4 Will Spetch (C), 6 Harvey Wright, 10 Jadyn Crosbie, 11 Wayne Robinson, 15 Matt Buse, 16 Cameron Murray, 18 Tom Smith, 20 Connor Underhill
Subs:
5 Ieuan Turner, 9 Joe Parker, 12 Luke Roberts, 14 Marcus Daws, 19 Luke Pardoe