Dover Athletic continued their winning form with a comprehensive 4-2 win over Hendon at the Megger Community Stadium, with Luke Baptiste’s brace and a commanding team performance ensuring all three points in front of 720 supporters.
The game sparked into life almost immediately. Just three minutes in, a mix-up in Hendon’s defence handed Dover the opener. Under pressure from George Nikaj, goalkeeper Matteo Salamon mishandled a loose back header and took the ball over the line in his grasp. Despite Hendon’s protests for a foul, referee Edward Smith awarded the goal—an own goal credited to Salamon.
Dover maintained their momentum, with Ruben Soares-Junior nearly adding a second in the 10th minute with a clever chipped attempt. It was no surprise when the Whites doubled their advantage in the 15th minute. Alfie Matthews delivered a pinpoint free-kick from a dangerous area, and Luke Baptiste rose highest to power home a header, making it 2-0.
While Hendon began to see more of the ball as the half wore on, Dover’s counterattacks continued to pose a threat. Hendon’s best first-half chance fell to Tope Fadahunsi on the half-hour mark, but he failed to capitalise on a cross from Stefan Ilic.
The visitors found a lifeline two minutes before the break. A corner from the right found Kofi Anokye-Boadi at the back post, who nodded past Jordan Gillmore to make it 2-1 and give Hendon hope heading into the interval.
Any doubts about Dover’s grip on the game were dispelled early in the second half. Baptiste struck again in the 50th minute, this time finishing off a slick passing move with Matthews once again the provider. The through ball was perfectly timed, and Baptiste calmly slotted into the bottom corner for 3-1.
Seven minutes later, it was 4-1. Baptiste turned provider as he broke through the Hendon back line and squared unselfishly for Ryan Hanson to tap in from close range. Hanson slid in to connect with the cross, giving Dover a deserved cushion.
The hour mark saw a flurry of substitutions from both sides. Dover freshened up their side with Mampolo, Lucan, and both Amgbadubas entering the fray, while Hendon responded with changes of their own.
Despite Dover’s control, Hendon showed some fight late on. Gillmore had to be alert in the 64th minute to deny Rohdell Gordon with a smart save, and the rebound was thankfully cleared.
Drama unfolded in the 77th minute when Salamon, Hendon’s goalkeeper, was forced off injured after earlier treatment. With no backup keeper named, outfield player Nikolai donned the gloves for the remainder of the match. Despite the emergency, Nikolai made a sensational double save in added time to deny Dover a fifth goal.
Hendon did pull one back in the 88th minute as Fadahunsi bundled home a scrappy effort from a corner, but it was nothing more than a consolation as Dover saw out the remaining minutes with composure.
Attention turns to a big Kent Derby on Good Friday against top of the table Dartford.
Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 720
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Edward Smith
Venue: Megger Community Stadium
Dover Athletic:
27 Jordan Gillmore, 2 Roman Charles-Cook, 3 Fuad Sesay, 26 Jacob Mensah, 5 Joe Tennent, 6 Luca Cocoracchio, 7 Luke Baptiste, 8 Alfie Matthews, 10 George Nikaj, 14 Ruben Soares-Junior, 29 Ryan Hanson SUBS: 28 Kweku-Conrad Lucan, 15 Tamas Amgbaduba, 9 Eniye Amgbaduba, 24 Francis Mampolo, 4 Jeremiah Gyebi
Hendon:
1 Matteo Salamon, 2 Isaac Currie, 3 Stefan Ilic, 14 Nathan Opoku, 5 Alkeo Bani, 6 J’Ardell Stirling, 7 Rohdell Gordon, 8 Lonit Talla, 9 Tope Fadahunsi, 10 Niko Muir, 11 Kofi Anokye-Boadi SUBS: 15 Nikolai Krokhin, 4 Keagan Cole, 12 Joseph Halsey, 16 Leo Sery, 17 Kombe Kawimbe