Dover Athletic rounded off their pre-season campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Margate at the Megger Community Stadium.
Alfie Matthews bagged a brace from the penalty spot and Max Fiddes added a late third, as the Whites put in a composed and confident performance just a week ahead of their National League South opener against AFC Totton.
It didn’t take long for the game to spark into life. Dover were on the front foot from the first whistle, with George Nikaj testing the Margate keeper inside five minutes. Alfie Matthews and Francis Mampolo both had efforts soon after, while at the other end, Louie Atkins fired straight at Jordan Gillmore in a rare early foray forward by the visitors.
Margate came closest to scoring in the first quarter of an hour through Walters, whose dipping strike from range forced a fine diving save from Gillmore. But it was the hosts who broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. Fuad Sesay was brought down in the area, and Matthews stepped up to calmly slot home the resulting penalty.
Dover nearly doubled their lead before the break, with Nikaj and Mampolo both going close—Mampolo even rounding the keeper but unable to convert from a tight angle. Then, against the run of play, Margate found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. A loose ball fell to Walsh, who rifled home through a crowded box from the edge of the area.
Manager Jake Leberl made changes at the break and within two minutes of the restart, Dover were awarded another penalty—this time after Ryan Hanson was tripped in the box. Matthews kept his nerve to convert again, restoring Dover’s lead.
The tempo remained high after the goal, with Margate nearly levelling again through a dangerous low ball that flashed across goal. But it was Dover who looked the more threatening side as the game wore on, with Mampolo and captain Ruben Soares-Junior creating openings that just lacked a finish.
Wholesale changes around the 75-minute mark allowed fresh legs to take control of the final stages. Henry Lukombo made an instant impact down the left, delivering a pinpoint cross in the 82nd minute which Max Fiddes buried low into the bottom corner to seal the win.
There was still time for late drama, as a frustrated Margate player received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Fiddes just moments after the goal.
A positive end to pre-season for the Whites, who now turn their attention to next Saturday’s league curtain-raiser at Crabble.
Starting XI:
Jordan Gillmore (GK), Roman Charles-Cook, Fuad Sesay, Luca Cocoracchio, Joe Tennent, Jacob Mensah, Ryan Hanson, Alfie Matthews, George Nikaj, Francis Mampolo, Ruben Soares-Junior (c)
Substitutes:
Kenny Coker, Henry Lukombo, Jalen Jones, Harry Beadle, B Trialist, George Wilkinson, Decarrey Sheriff, Max Fiddes, Matty Holness