Dover Athletic fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Hashtag United in a thrilling Isthmian League Premier Division encounter at Parkside. Despite dominating large spells of the game and creating several golden opportunities, the Whites were undone by two second-half goals from the home side and left to rue missed chances.
The first half was a tightly contested affair with both sides showing flashes of attacking intent. Dover enjoyed the better chances during a lively period midway through the half. Luke Baptiste forced Hashtag goalkeeper Jack Giddens into a fine save, while Francis Mampolo’s looping header clipped the crossbar. Moments later, Baptiste struck the bar again with a powerful effort as Dover piled on the pressure. At the other end, Hashtag posed a threat on the counterattack, and Jordan Gillmore made a crucial save to keep the game level at the break.
Early in the second half, the momentum shifted decisively in Hashtag’s favour. Just four minutes after the restart, Josh Osude was brought down in the box, and Misha Djemaili stepped up to calmly slot the resulting penalty past Gillmore. Hashtag doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Osude capitalised on a defensive error, smashing home from close range.
Despite the setback, Dover pushed forward in search of a response. Baptiste and Charlie Naylor both went close shortly after the hour mark, but their efforts failed to trouble Giddens. Substitute Eniye Amgbaduba injected energy into Dover’s attack and nearly found the net in the closing stages, but Hashtag’s defence held firm under pressure.
The Whites finally broke through in stoppage time when George Wilkinson, introduced as a substitute in the 66th minute, rifled home a loose ball in the box to give Dover hope. The visitors pressed for an equaliser in a dramatic finale but were unable to find a way past Giddens as the game ended 2-1 in Hashtag’s favor.
Whites will now look to regroup ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Bognor Regis.
Isthmian League – Premier Division
Attendance: 324
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Chris Poole
Venue: Parkside (Aveley FC)
Hashtag United
1 Jack Giddens, 2 Matthew Wooldridge, 3 Nathan Smith, 5 Harry Haysom, 6 Max Cornhill, 7 Sakariya Hassan, 8 Misha Djemaili, 9 Toby Aromolaran, 12 Jermaine Anderson, 13 Josh Osude, 15 Joshua Rusoke SUBS: 4 Thomas Anderson, 10 Alex Bolovan, 11 Harrison Day, 16 Ayo Olukoga, 19 Luke May-Parrott
Dover Athletic
27 Jordan Gillmore, 2 Roman Charles-Cook, 3 Fuad Sesay, 6 Luca Cocoracchio, 7 Luke Baptiste, 8 Alfie Matthews, 10 George Nikaj, 14 Ruben Soares-Junior, 24 Francis Mampolo, 25 Charlie Naylor, 26 Jacob Mensah SUBS: 4 Jeremiah Gyebi, 9 Eniye Amgbaduba, 15 Tamas Amgbaduba, 16 Harrison Pont, 23 George Wilkinson