Match Report by Fred Deveson

It was derby day for Dover who faced off against Folkestone Invicta, controversially on Tuesday night. The Whites fell short and lost 2-3 at home to their local rivals in a thrilling game. 

Dover started the game incredibly nervously, and it did not take long for the visitors to capitalise on that. A set piece routine for the away side was well worked and a header back across the goal was tapped in by their forward for 0-1 after 2 minutes; not the start that Dover wanted. 

The Whites slowly came back into the game and grew as the half went on, having plenty of chances of their own particularly around the half an hour mark, when Nikaj crashed his effort off the post. The Whites had other chances to equalise but some good defending by Folkestone kept the score at 1-0. 

Unfortunately for Dover, and arguably against the run of play at the time, Folkestone doubled their lead shortly after this spell. The left back was able to run into the box unchallenged and he pulled it back, with the Dover defender putting a foot in to block the cross. The ball then fell for the striker Smith who finished past Walker. The assistant flagged for offside, but was overruled by the referee who gave the goal. 

Shortly after, Dover replied. Wilkinson delivered a lovely ball into the box and Nikaj met it superbly and glanced it in to half Folkestone’s advantage and bring the Whites right back in it before half time. 

The second half kicked off and it started well for Dover, who were still looking a bit nervous but they had settled into the game, especially after scoring their first goal. Then, around the hour mark, Harrison Pont put in a strong tackle and the referee felt it was right to send him off, after some loud complaints from the Folkestone players and fans. Dover were a man and a goal down, with a bigger mountain to climb. 

Manager Jake Leberl brought on substitutes to try and change the game, which they did. Eniye Amgbaduba came on to be a target man, which he was, as he won plenty of headers and flick ons which pushed the team forward. Gyebi, Silcott-Brown, Drakes-Thomas and Tamas all came on after, all making positive impacts. 

Despite this push from the manager, Folkestone went and grabbed a third goal, as they swung in a corner which was headed home for the visitors who looked set to take all 3 points back down the M20. 

That was until Dover had a succession of corners, with one being headed out only as far as Drakes-Thomas, who fired his effort into the back of net with 5 minutes to play. 

7 minutes of added time were played but it wasn’t enough for Dover, who couldn’t conjure up an equaliser and the referee blew for full time, confirming Dover’s defeat.

Despite the loss, it was a good performance by the Whites who showed fight and spirit throughout the game. 

Billericay await Dover on Saturday in game 3 of the new season.