Dover Athletic continued their positive pre-season preparations with a 3-1 victory over Cray Wanderers at the Megger Community Stadium. Goals from Decarrey Sheriff, Luke Baptiste and Euan Williams saw the Whites come from behind after Ade Yussuf had given the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot.

Played in bright sunshine at Crabble, the contest began with plenty of physicality as both sides competed strongly in midfield during the opening exchanges. Cray were handed the first major opportunity after seven minutes when Adaja was brought down inside the Dover penalty area. Yussuf stepped forward and confidently converted the resulting spot-kick to give the visitors an early advantage.

The away side almost added another shortly afterwards when a wide free-kick was met inside the Dover box, but the resulting header drifted wide of Mitch Walker’s post. Dover’s response was swift, however, and the scores were level after 14 minutes. Sheriff reacted well to latch on to a ball played over the Cray defence before keeping his composure, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into the empty net.

The Whites began to take greater control following the equaliser, enjoying a sustained spell of pressure and forcing a couple of corners. Kola Salami was given the chance to drive into the penalty area, although the forward was unable to keep the ball in play.

A hydration break followed midway through the half as the sun continued to shine across Crabble.

When play resumed, Rolando Onu caused problems down the flank, beating his man before cutting the ball back towards Salami. Cray recovered well and did enough to prevent the Dover forward from getting a shot away. The hosts continued to move the ball confidently around the edge of the penalty area, putting together an impressive passing move without managing to apply the finishing touch.

Dover’s pressure eventually produced a second goal in the 34th minute. Sheriff won a free-kick in a dangerous central position and Baptiste stepped up to take responsibility. The midfielder struck a low, curling effort beyond the wall and into the bottom corner, completing Dover’s turnaround and giving Jake Leberl’s side a 2-1 lead.

Baptiste attempted to repeat the trick five minutes later from another set-piece, but his second effort cleared the crossbar.

Cray remained a threat on the counterattack and went close to an equaliser shortly before half-time. Good link-up play between Yussuf and Ola Ogunwamide released Alex Hernandez, whose dipping strike flew narrowly past Walker’s left-hand post.

Dover therefore entered the interval with a deserved 2-1 advantage, Sheriff having cancelled out Cray’s early penalty before Baptiste’s free-kick put the Whites ahead.

Nazir Bakrin replaced Harry Beadle at the break, while a trialist was also introduced in place of Salami.

The visitors started the second period brightly and Walker was required to produce an excellent diving save five minutes after the restart. Ogunwamide found space to shoot, but the Dover goalkeeper reacted sharply to push the effort around the post for a corner.

Cray continued to create several half-chances as the hour mark approached, although Dover defended well and restricted the visitors to efforts from distance and difficult positions.

Leberl made a number of changes after 63 minutes, introducing Jalen Jones, Euan Williams, Enyinnaya Ezenwanne and several trialists as the manager continued to give minutes to his squad.

Jones was quickly involved in the attacking area, meeting a delivery at the back post and heading the ball back across goal, although there was not enough power behind the effort to trouble the goalkeeper. Williams was then presented with an opportunity to round the Cray keeper, but the visitors recovered in time to prevent a clear shot at goal.

Cray remained competitive and sent an effort over the crossbar with 12 minutes remaining, but Dover looked increasingly comfortable as the match entered its closing stages.

The Whites secured the victory in the 83rd minute when Williams added the third goal. The midfielder found the net to cap an encouraging second-half appearance and give Dover a two-goal cushion.

Academy goalkeeper Bartlett replaced Walker between the posts shortly afterwards, before George Wilkinson made way for an academy trialist in the final minutes.

Two minutes of additional time were played, but there was to be no further scoring as Dover completed another valuable pre-season test with a 3-1 victory.

The Whites return to action at Crabble on Tuesday evening when they welcome League Two side Gillingham.

Dover Athletic

Starting XI: Walker, Oyenuga, Trialist A, Beadle, Trialist B, Jallow, Wilkinson, Baptiste, Sheriff, Onu, Salami.

Substitutes: Bartlett, Trialist C, Bakrin, Jones, Ezenwanne, Williams, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F.