In a Kent Senior Cup Second Round showdown at the Megger Community Stadium, Dover Athletic emerged victorious, defeating Cray Valley PM 3-1 in front of 253.
Dover started with early pressure, with an incisive corner from Cray Valley requiring a strong defensive clearance just four minutes in. Mampolo and Charles-Cook both had promising chances, testing Cray Valley’s defense and goalkeeper Oliver Pain, who made a crucial save with his legs to keep Dover at bay.
However, in the 20th minute, Dover broke the deadlock. A well-placed cross from Mampolo found Jeremiah Gyebi, who expertly headed home to put the hosts 1-0 up. The game took a turn as Cray Valley’s keeper Pain suffered a head injury during the goal, forcing midfielder Tom Beere to step into goal in an emergency substitution, as Cray had no substitute keeper on the bench.
Despite Beere’s inexperience in goal, Cray rallied, and in the 34th minute, Julien Anau found the net, leveling the score at 1-1. This setback didn’t deter Dover, as they continued to press forward, though they couldn’t capitalise before halftime, going into the break on level terms.
Dover wasted no time in the second half. Mampolo won a penalty in the 47th minute, and Eniye Amgbaduba stepped up, coolly converting to make it 2-1. Cray responded with renewed intensity, nearly equalising moments later when a dangerous scramble saw the ball strike the crossbar.
As Cray pushed forward, Dover’s defense remained firm, and goalkeeper Claudio Boakye-Sarfo made several key saves. An energetic Cray, led by a skillful Anau, came close to equalising again in the 72nd minute, but his shot sailed narrowly wide.
Dover wrapped up the win in the 90th minute when George Nikaj broke through Cray’s defense to seal the game with a well-taken goal, bringing the score to 3-1.
Late on, Dover introduced fresh legs, bringing on young academy players Jake McCarthy, Tristan Holden, and Jed Dennis to see out the game. The trio added energy and composure, maintaining Dover’s lead as they closed out the final moments of the match.
With a 3-1 win, Dover Athletic advance to the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup, where they’ll face Deal Town. Dover are back in league action against Potters Bar Town on Saturday.
Kent Senior Cup Second Round
Attendance: 253
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Benjamin McDonald
Venue: Megger Community Stadium
Dover: 13. Claudio Boakye-Sarfo, 2. Matty Holness, 3. Fuad Sesay, 4. Jeremiah Gyebi (C), 6. Jacob Mensah, 7. Roman Charles-Cook, 8. Henry Young, 9. Eniye Amgbaduba, 11. Francis Mampolo, 14. George Wilkinson, 15. Tamas Amgbaduba SUBS: 12. Jake McCarthy, 16. Tristan Holden, 17. Luke Baptiste, 10. George Nikaj, 20. Jed Dennis.
Cray Valley PM: 30. Oliver Pain, 3. Elliott McKimm, 6. Ali Cem Tumkaya, 8. Sonny Black, 10. Adam Coombes (C), 11. Michael Ademiluyi, 12. Julien Anau, 15. Andre Coker, 17. Malachy Turner, 20. Lyle Della-Verde, 25. Malik Sesay SUBS: 5. Mohammed Idris Oshilaja, 9. Freddie Parker, 19. Clement Asiedu, 21. Fumnaya Shomotun, 24. Tom Beere.