Dover Athletic 2–2 Dorking Wanderers
National League South | Tuesday 21 October 2025 | Megger Community Stadium | Attendance: 1,035

Two goals from Decarrey Sheriff were not enough to secure Dover Athletic all three points as Dorking Wanderers twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils in a lively 2–2 draw at Crabble.

On a damp evening under the lights, Dover produced a performance full of energy and counter-attacking threat, with Sheriff leading the line superbly and goalkeeper Mitch Walker once again proving a vital presence between the sticks.

Dorking started brightly, with Lewis forcing Walker into an early save before Rutherford dragged an effort wide. But Dover soon made their first attack count. In the eighth minute, Luke Baptiste combined neatly with Roman Charles-Cook, whose whipped delivery was met by Sheriff — the forward rising to head home and give Jake Leberl’s side an early lead.

That goal lifted the hosts, midfielder Bivesh Gurung almost doubled the advantage shortly after, his low drive forcing visiting keeper Foulkes into action.

At the other end, Walker was kept busy — saving well from a deflected Rutherford shot and later reacting sharply to deny Vincent from distance. Despite Dorking’s possession, Dover’s pace on the counter kept them on edge.

George Nikaj went agonisingly close to a second when his clever chip beat Foulkes but struck the crossbar, before Sheriff embarked on a solo run through the Dorking defence and fired against the post.

Rutherford threatened once more before the interval, only for Walker to tip his strike away brilliantly as Dover took their slender 1–0 lead into half-time.

The second half resumed in the same open fashion. Within seconds, Nikaj fired narrowly over, and full-back Harrison Sodje forced another save from Foulkes. However, Dorking’s pressure eventually told. In the 55th minute, Josh Taylor capitalised on a loose ball in the box to level from close range.

Parity didn’t last long. Just five minutes later, Sheriff struck again — racing onto a lofted pass from Jalen Jones before keeping his composure to slot beyond Foulkes and restore Dover’s lead with his second of the night and third of the season.

New loan signing Siju Odelusi made his Whites debut shortly before the hour mark, and the hosts continued to look dangerous, with Sheriff nearly completing his hat-trick after a smart through ball from Nikaj. But Dorking refused to go quietly. With twelve minutes remaining, the visitors equalised for a second time when Vincent arrived unmarked to turn in a right-wing cross from Taylor, setting up a tense finale.

Dover almost snatched victory late on — substitute Kenny Coker striking the crossbar from a Charles-Cook long throw — before Walker again came to the rescue, doing enough to divert Rutherford’s shot wide as the game ended all square.

Despite being twice pegged back, it was a display full of positives for Leberl’s men. Dover now turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to Worthing before returning to Crabble on Tuesday to host Chelmsford City.

Dover Athletic: Walker (c), Charles-Cook, Jones, Cocoracchio (Wilkinson 89), Baptiste, Nikaj (Lukombo 89), Sheriff (Coker 77), Sodje, Gurung (Beadle 89), Mensah, Mampolo (Odelusi 69).
Subs not used: Gillmore, Matthews.

Dorking Wanderers: Foulkes, Camp, Muitt, Lewis, Rutherford, McShane (Norville-Williams 53), Storey, Taylor, Moore, Vincent, Annesley (Craig 63).
Subs not used: McManus, Sullivan, Fulco, Jacks, Straker.

Referee: Tom Ellsmore
Attendance: 1,035

Scorers:
Dover — Sheriff (8’, 70’)
Dorking — Taylor (55’), Vincent (78’)

Full-time: Dover Athletic 2–2 Dorking Wanderers
Half-time: 1–0