Dover Athletic returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion at the Megger Community Stadium, producing a clinical display to see off Hornchurch 4-1 in front of 711 supporters.
An unchanged side from Saturday’s draw with Weston-super-Mare started brightly, and it didn’t take long for the Whites to impose themselves on proceedings. After an early Hornchurch effort was comfortably gathered by Walker, Dover began to find their rhythm.
The breakthrough arrived on 10 minutes. Soares-Junior was at the heart of it, driving down the flank and delivering a dangerous ball into the box. Nikaj rose well to meet it, and while his header caused problems, it was Sheriff who reacted quickest to finish from close range and give Dover a deserved lead.
Hornchurch responded with intent, looking sharp on the counter, and they found their equaliser on 20 minutes. A partially cleared free-kick fell to Morias on the right, who cut inside and curled a superb left-footed strike into the far corner from a tight angle.
The Whites, however, continued to look dangerous going forward, particularly down the left. Their persistence paid off on 32 minutes when Sodje produced a moment of real quality. Shaping to cross, he instead whipped an audacious effort into the top corner from a tight angle to restore Dover’s advantage.
Dover pushed for a third before the break, with Nikaj going close and the Hornchurch goalkeeper forced into action, but the Whites had to settle for a 2-1 lead at the interval after an entertaining first half.
The second half began with Hornchurch making a change, but it was Dover who seized control. On 53 minutes, Nikaj was brought down in the box, earning a penalty and a booking for the visitors. The forward stepped up himself and made no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-1.
From there, Dover managed the game well. Hornchurch saw more of the ball in spells but struggled to create clear chances, with Walker largely untroubled until a late period of pressure. When called upon, he delivered, producing a strong save to deny Morias and tipping another effort over the bar.
As the game wore on, the Whites showed resilience and composure, making changes to maintain energy levels. The result was put beyond doubt on 86 minutes when Soares-Junior was again involved, with the forward finishing to seal an impressive victory.
Late substitutions allowed Dover to see out the closing stages comfortably, and after five minutes of added time, the full-time whistle confirmed a deserved 4-1 win.
A sharp attacking display, combined with disciplined defending and key moments of quality, ensured all three points stayed at Crabble as the Whites now turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to Slough Town.
Dover Athletic: 1 Walker (C), 2 Charles-Cook, 16 Beadle, 21 Mensah, 15 Sodje, 6 Cocoracchio, 25 Hanson, 18 Gurung, 11 Sheriff, 14 Soares-Junior, 10 Nikaj
Subs: Baptiste, Matthews, Onu, Coker, Jallow, Wilkinson, Mampolo
Hornchurch: 1 Nasta, 3 Hare, 4 Welch, 5 Gibbs, 7 Rees, 8 Wraight (C), 9 Hearn, 11 Weston, 15 Phillips, 21 Bertram-Cooper, 27 Morias
Subs: 46 Jordan, 12 McQueen, 14 Pegrum, 19 Ling, 22 Edwards, 26 Poleon, 34 Kelman