The Whites taste defeat for the first time this campaign. 

It was Status Quo for the lads in white, who were given an opportunity to go again, following the win on the road last time out against Slough Town but Tonbridge Angels seemed to be a game too far as Mitch Brundle’s side played out their first defeat of the campaign.

Both sides started the game well and when Zidan Sutherland nipped in to put the Whites ahead early in the first half, it looked like it was going to be another good night on the road for the lads. Unfortunately the linesman’s flag put pay to any following supports celebrations. It was the finest of margins, something that would become more prevalent later on in the game.

In the 26th minute, and after a flurry of corner for the home side, the Angels took the lead through Lewis Gard when a scuffed shot made its way through a sea of legs to nestle in the far bottom corner. It had been coming for the home side who had forced Billy Terrell into a couple of early saves.

George Nikaj chased a long hopeful ball into the corner and seemed to twist his knee as he turned, finishing with the young forward being replaced by last weeks hero, Luke Baptiste. Stefan Payne, former Dover striker, had a chance to double the lead but his shot was low into the body of Terrell. The sides went into the break with the hosts holding onto their 1-0 lead.

In the 60th minute, Dover were handed a lifeline when Fielding was adjudged to have fouled his man in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Zidan Sutherland, who had been red hot in his first two matches, placed the ball on the floor, took his run up but saw his kick saved by Jonny Henley. The Angels stopper dived low to his right to push away the spot kick and then claim the rebound.

It was proving to be Henley’s night, who was given man of the match by the home support after a shot which seemed to be heading straight into his path took a wicked deflection causing a first class reaction save to his left to palm the ball away. The Dover bench were on their feet to celebrate but somehow he managed to keep the ball out.

The penalty miss seemed to galvanise the home side who hit the post through Turner and forced another two good saves from Terrell. Even with seven additional minutes of injury time the Whites just couldn’t seem to get going. It was a bump in the road but we go again on Saturday against Braintree Town at Crabble.

Hopefully we can see you there to give the lads a push and get back to winning ways.

COYW!

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, McLean, Olarewaju, Naylor, Charles-Cook, Dunne, Young, Bello, Nikaj, Sutherland

Subs: Ojemen, Olu, Kayani, Baptiste, Dembele

Tonbridge Angels: Henley, Fielding, Lyons-Foster, Gard, Higgs, Akanbi, Soares-Junior, Hinds, Meade, Wagstaff, Payne

Subs: Parkinson, Turner, Powell, Wood, Fagg