Report – Farnborough 4-1 Dover Athletic

By George Cory

Farnborough 4–1 Dover Athletic
Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 13 September 2025 – Cherrywood Road
Attendance: 669 | Referee: Jordan Crossley

Dover Athletic’s Emirates FA Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle as Farnborough came from behind to record a 4–1 victory at Cherrywood Road, just seven days after the Whites had edged the same opponents in the league.

It was Dover who struck first after a bright opening spell. On 26 minutes a dangerous cross wasn’t properly cleared by the hosts, and Ruben Soares-Junior reacted sharply to volley home, giving the travelling fans hope of another upset.

The lead, however, was short-lived. Within four minutes, Dominic Poleon levelled the tie when he was picked out by Hakeem Sandah and finished confidently from close range. Just two minutes later, Farnborough had turned the game around entirely. A corner was only half-cleared and fell kindly to Mason Bloomfield, who lashed a shot into the top corner to make it 2–1.

Dover tried to regain a foothold after the break and forced several half chances – Francis Mampolo’s low cross narrowly evading onrushing teammates, while George Wilkinson volleyed over from a set piece. But Farnborough’s quality in the final third proved decisive once again. On 54 minutes, a quickly-taken free kick sent Poleon racing through on goal. Though Mitch Walker blocked the initial effort, the striker pounced on the rebound to claim his second of the game.

With Dover chasing the tie, Farnborough looked increasingly dangerous on the counter. Substitute Rakish Bingham threatened before finally sealing the result four minutes from time, hammering home from a corner to make it 4–1.

The Whites made a series of changes to inject fresh energy – with Baptiste, Beadle, Sheriff and Coker all entering the fray – but were unable to find a way back into the contest.

The result means Dover bow out of the FA Cup, while Farnborough advance to the next round. Attention now turns back to league action, as Jake Leberl’s side host Hampton & Richmond Borough at Crabble next Saturday.

Farnborough

1. Jack Turner (C), 2. Luciano D’Auria-Henry, 4. Billy Clifford, 6. Lachlan Byrd, 8. Louis Lomas, 9. Rakish Bingham, 10. Kai Jennings, 14. Dominic Poleon, 15. Ali Omar, 24. Hakeem Sandah, 26. Mason Bloomfield

      Subs:
      5. Ollie Robinson, 12. Connor Harris, 16. Renny Smith, 17. Harry Clout, 21. Ryan Huke, 23. Teddy Collis, 25. John Oyenuga

      Dover Athletic

      1. Mitch Walker, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Fuad Sesay, 4. Jalen Jones, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 8. Alfie Matthews, 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior, 21. Jacob Mensah, 23. George Wilkinson, 24. Francis Mampolo

      Subs:
      7. Luke Baptiste, 9. Kenny Coker, 11. Decarrey Sheriff, 16. Harry Beadle, 17. Henry Lukombo, 22. Momodou Jallow, 27. Jordan Gillmore