Season: 2018-2019

Barnet v Dover Athletic

TWO second-half goals at The Hive saw Whites lose their four-match National League unbeaten run in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off in front of the BT Sport cameras.

Jack Taylor volleyed in to put Barnet ahead on 56 minutes and substitute Mauro Vilhete sealed the points in injury time.

Earlier, Taylor tried his luck from range early on but blasted over for the home side.

Wesley Fonguck then went for goal from a similar distance, seeing his low drive deflected narrowly wide.

Dan Sweeney headed a corner off-target as the Bees continued to have the better of the first half.

But Whites were the first team to register a shot on target.

From a corner, Stuart Lewis fired goalwards, however, Mark Cousins dived low to parry the midfielder’s shot.

The Barnet stopper was needed again soon after, grabbing onto Anthony Jeffrey’s low strike.

Inih Effiong then went close, collecting Jeffrey’s cross and crashing a volley inches over the crossbar.

Dover’s striker then diverted Bobby-Joe Taylor’s drive goalwards, only for the Barnet defence to hack the ball clear.

Following the restart, Ephron Mason-Clark missed the best opportunity of the match so far.

After Kevin Lokko missed his header, the midfielder sprinted clear and after rounding Walker, smacked the ball against the back stanchion with just the covering Mitch Brundle to beat on the goalline.

But Taylor spared his teammates blushes with the opening goal just moments later.

A long ball from defender Callum Reynolds found Taylor in space to place a first-time volley past the outstretched Walker.

Mason-Clark tried to atone for his earlier miss in spectacular fashion, curling a 25-yard effort just wide.

Effiong had a good chance to level, taking advantage of hesitation from Elliott Johnson to bear down on goal, but Athletic’s top scorer lashed wide from an angle.

Mauro Vilhete was denied by Walker on two successive occasions.  First, after an attempted clearance fell the way of the substitute with the stopper bravely blocked his shot.

Walker then tipped over a Vilhete header from a corner to keep Whites’ in the contest.

And Medy Elito clipped the top of the Dover crossbar with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

Vilhete was not to be denied as the attacker wrapped up three points in injury-time, finishing off a slick Barnet counter-attack to end a run of three consecutive home league defeats for John Still’s men.

Earlier, boss Andy Hessenthaler made one change to the side that started their last league game against Fylde.  Ricky Modeste, after signing for Dover last week for a second time, replaced the injured Jai Reason and other new arrival Scott Doe was named as a substitute.

Whites next host Maidstone United in the National League on Boxing Day, kick off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”286″ gal_title=”Barnet v DAFC 22/12/18″]

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Dover Athletic v Havant & Waterlooville

BOTH sides will meet again on Tuesday night in Hampshire after a freak injury-time equaliser from Anthony Jeffrey forced a replay for Whites in soaking conditions at Crabble on Saturday.

Alfie Rutherford had blasted what was thought to be a 68th-minute winner six minutes after Athletic levelled through Alfie Pavey’s header.  Nicke Kabamba had given the visitors a first-half lead.

In a slow start to the match, Kadell Daniel and Anthony Jeffrey were both off target from range.

Moussa Diarra headed a free-kick wide from a tight angle, but the French defender did well to block from Kabamba as the visiting striker went to shoot.

Kabamba didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring for the away side.

On 27 minutes, the forward headed Rutherford’s cross downwards into the turf and over home keeper Lee Worgan into the net.

Jeffrey almost fashioned a leveller, but no player in a white shirt was able to connect to his fizzing pass across the Havant goalmouth.

Pavey latched into a long ball, but away stopper Dudzinski was out quickly to block the attacker’s toe-poked effort.

Daniel skilfully created space from himself but lashed his cross-cum-shot narrowly wide.

Following the restart, Jai Reason blasted into the side netting from Jeffrey’s pass.

Pavey made no mistake on 62 mistakes with a bullet header to level the scores.

On his first start for Dover, the target man leapt above the Havant defence to net against the side he left last month.

Kabamba somehow skied from a few yards out, but Rutherford did hand his team the advantage once again with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The in-form forward collected the ball from sub Tyler Frost in space and thumped the ball into the top corner from eight yards, beating Worgan at his near post.

Earlier, boss Andy Hessenthaler made seven changes to the side that started against Fylde last week, including debuts for Worgan, Joe Bedford and academy player Jack Smith.

Whites travel to Hampshire on Tuesday 18th December night for a replay, kick off 7:45 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE REACTION

https://youtu.be/DoZ6gb65mK0

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”285″ gal_title=”DAFC v Havant & Waterlooville 15/12/18″]

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Dover Athletic v AFC Fylde

AN INJURY-TIME goal from Inih Efffiong handed ten-man Dover their first ever win against AFC Fylde at a rain-soaked Crabble on Saturday.

The striker ran onto Alfie Pavey’s pass and chipped the ball over visiting keeper Jay Lynch for his eighth goal of the season and extended Dover’s unbeaten run to four matches in the National League.

After Anthony Jeffrey had been given his marching orders for an alleged professional foul, Effiong bundled in Pavey’s header seven minutes from time to cancel out Danny Rowe’s first-half opener.

Earlier, a punched corner by home keeper Mitch Walker fell for Rowe ten yards out, but the striker volleyed harmlessly over.

St.Mirren loanee Jim Kellerman then broke clear for the visitors but placed his left-footed shot inches wide of the post.

The away side kept creating chances and Zaine Francis-Angol fired Danny Philliskirk’s clever pass wide.

But the away side had the lead on 26 minutes through danger man Rowe.

The striker made it five goals in four matches against Athletic, collecting Kellerman’s pass into the area and slotting past Walker’s despairing dive from eight yards.

Rowe will wonder how he didn’t double Fylde’s lead ten minutes before the break.

The forward’s point-blank header was well saved by Walker and Athletic’s keeper was out quickly to deny Nick Haughton following up the rebound.

Athletic thought they had equalised when Jeffrey volleyed Bobby-Joe Taylor’s corner goalwards, but Francis-Angol was on hand to volley off the line.

Away stopper Jay Lynch saved well from Taylor following some intricate play, with Bedsente Gomis unable to fire the rebound on target.

Following the restart, Jeffrey sprinted onto Effiong’s pass, but Lynch was out quickly to block the winger’s poked shot.

A misplaced header by Jordan Tunnicliffe let in Effiong, but the striker went to ground claiming a foul as he turned the recovering defender, though the referee waved away the home side’s protests.

And there were more protests when Dover were reduced to ten men on 65 minutes.

As Danny Philliskirk sprinted clear, Josh Passley seemingly fouled the player, however, the referee sent off the covering Anthony Jeffrey for this second red card of the campaign.

Walker beat away Arthur Gnahoua’s fierce drive and Ryan Croasdale fleshed a volley just wide of the post as Fylde looked to kill the game off as a contest.

But Athletic deservedly equalised thanks to Effiong’s fourth goal in as many games.

The striker bundled in substitute Pavey’s knockdown on 83 minutes much to the delight of the home fans behind the goal.

Haughton went for a winner curling his shot into Walker’s hands, but there was still time for a dramatic ending.

Effiong exchanged passes with Pavey and ran clear of the visiting defence to fire in the winner, causing wild celebrations among the home supporters.

And Whites held on to register their third consecutive home win and move within two points of safety.

Earlier, manager Andy Hessenthaler kept the same side that started at Eastleigh last week.

Whites next host fellow National League side Havant & Waterlooville in the Buildbase FA Trophy First Round Proper on Saturday 15th December, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”284″ gal_title=”DAFC v AFC Fylde 08/12/2018″]

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Eastleigh FC v Dover Athletic

A LATE goal by Paul McCallum denied Whites a third consecutive National League victory on Saturday.

The Spitfire’s striker headed in Mark Yeates free-kick five minutes from time to level the scores in a match where Athletic had led through a goal in each half from Inih Effiong and Jai Reason.

But It was the worst possible start on Andy Hessenthaler’s first return to the Silverlake Stadium since leaving Eastleigh to become Dover manager as his side fell behind shortly after kick off.

With the game just over a minute old, visiting keeper Mitch Walker pushed away Yeates’ free kick, but Joey Jones passed the ball back into the box for Williamson to fire in from close range.

Cries for a penalty on Jamie Allen were turned away by the referee after Whites’ striker appeared to have his standing foot taken away from him as he shaped the shoot.

But it mattered little as Effiong scores his third goal in as many games on 20 minutes.

The big striker collected Stuart Lewis’ wayward shot and volleyed past home stopper Max Stryjek.

Walker was called into action, denying Williamson as the forward run onto Yeates’ pass.

McCallum headed over and following the restart, Lewis blasted over after the ball fell his way 25-yards from goal.

Ben Williamson’s goalbound shot struck Mitch Brundle in the face, but there was no blocking Reason’s fine finish at the other end as the away team went ahead on 54 minutes.

The former Eastleigh man collected Brundle’s pass following a clever free-kick routine and curled the ball away from Stryjek into the far corner of the net.

Eastleigh tried to respond immediately with Reda Johnson’s looping header forcing Walker to tip the ball over for a corner.

Athletic went for a third with Allen and Brundle both seeing shots on target well blocked by the home defence.

Fine play from Josh Passley out wide found Effiong, now Dover’s outright top scorer with six National League goals this campaign, at the back stick to tap in, but the ball appeared to role under the attacker’s foot.

And that miss was duly punished by McCallum, who rose above the Dover defence to head into the bottom corner, though Lokko saw a late header tipped away in injury time.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made one enforced change to the side that started at Boreham Wood on Tuesday, with Anthony Jeffrey replacing the injured Joshua Debayo.

Whites next host AFC Fylde in the National League on Saturday 8th December, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

EASTLEIGH FC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”283″ gal_title=”Eastleigh v DAFC 01/12/18″]

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Boreham Wood v Dover Athletic

A SECOND-HALF goal from Inih Effiong handed Whites a crucial three points in their battle to avoid the drop.

The striker bundled home from a few yards as Andy Hessenthaler’s side secured their first National League win on the road this campaign.

Earlier, The first chance came on 15 minutes from Jai Reason.  The midfielder’s first touch and finish were poles part with a wayward volley over the bar.

Neat play between Josh Passley and Jamie Allen ended with Effiong with his back to goal and though the big striker was able to turn, his shot flew wide.

Bobby-Joe Taylor then crashed a volley on the run over and the same player saw a near-post effort well saved by home goalie Ryan Huddart, with play pulled back for a handball by Taylor.

The chances kept coming the way of the visitors and Effiong slung an effort over from the edge of the area following a poor defensive Wood header.

The hosts then almost hit Dover on the counter-attack.

Justin Shaibu raced onto a ball over the top but placed his angled finish too high to trouble visiting keeper Mitch Walker.

Miscontrol by Kevin Lokko let in Shaibu again, but the pacy striker skied his shot from the 20-yards.

Effiong had the chance to open the scoring minutes before the break, but scuffed the ball at the crucial moment after Huddart had punched Passley’s cross to the feet of the attacker.

Striker Effiong was able to make his mark on 54 minutes.

Huddart pushed away Reason’s low curler, but only to the feet of Effiong, who bundled in his fourth National League goal of the season from a couple of yards out to make him joint top scorer for Athletic this season.

Lokko almost doubled the lead but misdirected his header from Taylor’s free-kick.

A love-train corner routine almost handed the home team an equaliser, but sub Josh Umerah headed well wide from Keiran Murtagh.

Walker was then forced into his first save of the game.

White’s number one blocked Ricky Shakes’ strike from point-blank range, before watching Umerah crash the rebound wide from just outside the box.

Replacement Anthony Jeffrey forced Huddart into a low save and the keeper turned away Effiong’s shot amid cries of a penalty for a foul on Bedsente Gomis from the visiting fans.

Jeffrey smashed over late on, but Athletic were able to hold on to move closer to the National League safety zone.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler named the same side for the third consecutive match, with striker Alfie Pavey, signed from fellow National League side Havant & Waterlooville earlier in the week, named as a substitute.

Whites next travel to Eastleigh on Saturday 1st December, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

BOREHAM WOOD REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”282″ gal_title=”Boreham Wood v DAFC 27/11/18″]

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Dover Athletic v Hartlepool United

WHITES secured their third win of the season but had to ensure a nervy last six minutes in their narrow win at Crabble on Saturday.

Substitute Josh Hawkes slotted into half the deficit on 84 minutes after Bedsente Gomis and Inih Effiong had put the hosts two goals up at the break.

The victory lifts Andy Hessenthaler’s side up one place to 23rd in the National League, six points from the safety zone.

Earlier, the first chance of the game came from Bobby-Joe Taylor.  The winger, who made his loan move from Bromley permanent earlier in the week, let fly from range, forcing away keeper Scott Loach to fist the ball away for a corner.

The danger wasn’t was over yet for the visitors.

Effiong headed the resultant corner narrowly wide, with the striker’s attempt taking the merest flick off a Hartlepool boot.

Carl Magnay could only fire straight at home stopper Mitch Walker when well placed at a corner and Ryan Donaldson saw the ball taken away from his toes just as he was about to pull the trigger following a surging run from midfield.

However Athletic had the lead on 19 minutes thanks to Gomis’ second goal of the season.

The midfielder latched on to Jai Reason’s through ball and slotted underneath Loach as the away team unsuccessfully claimed for offside against the Frenchman.

Paddy McLaughlin flashed an effort just wide from Pool after Luke James saw his initial strike bravely blocked by the Dover defence.

The County Durham side fashioned another chance with Tyrone O’Neill blasting into the hands of Walker from 10 yards.

And Matthew Bates was staring at a fifth consecutive league defeat as Hartlepool boss when Effiong fired in on 38 minutes to double Whites’ lead.

Joshua Debayo’s surging run and hesitation by the visiting defence saw the ball fall for the striker to thrash in his third National League goal of the season through Loach.

Following the restart, Effiong will only wonder how he was unable to score his second of the match.

The striker was poised to slot home Josh Passley’s pinpoint cross but somehow scooped the ball over the bar from a couple of yards out.

McLaughlin blazed over to the groans of his own fans as Hartlepool pressed to half the deficit.

Sub Marcus Dinanga headed aimlessly wide when well positioned, however, a nervy finish was set up when sub Josh Hawkes picked up the ball out wide and coolly finished past Walker.

But, in spite of late appearances from Loach in the Dover penalty area for a corner and free kick, Athletic held on to register back-to-back wins at Crabble.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler kept with the same side that started at FC Halifax Town last weekend with Anthony Jeffrey and Tobi Sho-Silva returning from a six-match suspension and injury respectively.

Whites next travel to Boreham Wood on Tuesday 27th November, kick-off 7:45 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”281″ gal_title=”DAFC v Harlepool United 24/11/18″]

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FC Halifax Town v Dover Athletic

A DEFLECTED goal by Matty Kosylo was the difference as Whites’ winless streak away from home in the National League continued this season.

The winger picked latched onto Kevin Lokko’s defensive header and fired into to the net via the Dover defence to keep Andy Hessenthaler’s men rooted to the bottom of the table.

Earlier, Bobby-Joe Taylor’s free-kick found Jamie Allen free in the area, but the striker was unable to add to his tally of three goals this campaign, heading off target.

Inih Effiong’s effort was heading in after the forward had beaten home keeper Sam Johnson to Josh Passley’s ball, but Nathan Clarke volleyed the ball off the line.

Kosylo struck and Athletic were grateful it was not two as Dayle Southwell thundered one against the crossbar from an angle.

Southwell then turned provider after the break, escaping Mitch Brundle’s attention and laying off for Kosylo to slide in, but the winger somehow found the side netting.

Both goalies were then called into action within seconds of each other. Mitch Walker bravely blocked from Southwell and Inih Effiong was unable to get the better of Johnson after wriggling free.

The visitors continued the press and Brundle saw his header from Taylor’s corner scuffed off the line by Clarke.

Dover twice went close.  Firstly Stewart Lewis’ fine half volley from Johnson’s weak pass narrowly cleared the bar and Allen headed Joshua Debayo’s centre wide of the mark.

Mitch Walker came to the rescue, denying sub Jordan Preston with his legs following good work from Southwell out wide.

But Athletic despite late pressure, Whites were unable to find a breakthrough.

Boss Hessenthaler made two changes to the side that started at Bury last week in the FA Cup with the previously cup-tied Reason and Taylor replacing Moussa Diarra and Manny Adebowale, who started as substitutes.

Athletic next host Hartlepool United in the National League, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

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Bury v Dover Athletic

WHITES’ Emirates FA Cup journey was abruptly ended in the First Round by a clinical Bury side at the Energy Check Stadium at Gigg Lane on Saturday afternoon.

Jay O’Shea, Danny Mayor and Bryon Moore had the hosts three goals ahead before half-time, with Moore and substitute Dominic Telford adding to the scoreline in the second half – Though Andy Hessenthaler’s men nearly had a shock lead within minutes of kick-off.

A Mitch Brundle corner was deflected goalwards by Kevin Lokko, only for O’Shea to clear the ball before it trickled over the goal line.

In a frantic start, an inch-perfect cross from Mayor saw visiting keeper Mitch Walker save Tom Miller’s header from point-blank range.

However, the home side were ahead on 12 minutes.

Another cross, this time from Callum McFadzean was cleared only as far as O’Shea to slot home from just inside the penalty area.

The lead was almost doubled moments later, but Moore fired over Nicky Maynard’s pass.

Whites were almost level, but a sprawling save denied Inih Effiong when one-on-one.

That miss was duly punished as the Shakers doubled their lead on 18 minutes.

Mayor burst forward and curled an unstoppable 20-yard effort past a stunned Walker.

Bedsente Gomis collected Jamie Allen’s pass and fired goalwards from the edge of the area, only to see Murphy in the Bury goal land on his low drive.

Moore shaped to cross at the other end, before sending a teasing effort narrowly wide from an angle.

Maynard then blazed over ten minutes before the break and the hosts looked to seal their place in round two of the cup early.

Two minutes later, ti was Moore who ensured Bury’s name were in the hat for Monday night’s draw.

The striker pounced on Dover defensive hesitation and slotted through Walker’s legs to make it 3-0.

There was time for two more chances in the half as Walker plucked out Maynard’s goalbound header following a corner, before saving Mayor’s thunderbolt with his legs as the ball spun behind for a corner.

Following the restart, Moussa Diarra’s misplaced header was squandered by Neil Danns from ten yards.

But Moore made no mistake on 63 minutes as he completed his brace, volleying in Miller’s cross from a yard out to make it 4-0 to the Lancashire side.

Walker’s quick reactions were enough to deny a twisting and Turing substitute Callum Driver.

Whites almost grabbed a consolation from a defensive error, but Effiong placed his effort just wide.

Maynard was then unable to add his name to the scoresheet, contriving to miss from close in after Walker failed to claim a cross into the area.

It was down to Telford to show Maynard how to score in injury time.

The sub striker cut inside a fired low into the bottom corner to complete the Shakers’ rout.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made one change to the side that started last weekend’s home win against Maidenhead, with Gomis coming in for the cup-tied Bobby-Joe Taylor.

Dover also included three academy players on the bench, with Marshall Wratten replacing Effiong six minutes from time.

Whites are back on National League duty next week when they travel to FC Halifax Town on Saturday 17th November, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

BURY FC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”280″ gal_title=”Bury v DAFC 10/11/2018″]

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Dover Athletic v Maidenhead United

A GOAL in each half saw Whites win at the 15th attempt in the National League.

Strikes from Kevin Lokko and sub Jai Reason handed Andy Hessenthaler his first league win since returning as manager.

And his side, currently bottom of the table, moved to within six points of safety.

The hosts fashioned the first chances.  Inih Effiong’s clever flick released Josh Passley, only for the right-back to see his fierce drive palmed away by visiting stopper Nick Hamann, with Joshua Debayo firing the rebound wide.

And Hamann kept Dover at bay once more moments later, turning behind Stuart Lewis’ volley from the edge of the area.

Whites then went closer still soon after.

A deep Lewis cross was met by Bobby-Joe Taylor, but Bromley loanee’s celebrations were cut short when seeing his header smack the inside of the post and away from danger.

Ayo Obileye almost made Lewis pay for giving the ball away, but the centre-back could only head Harold Otametey’s cross into Mitch Walker’s arms.

And Dover’s keeper performed heroics to keep the Magpies at bay again.

Ryan Bird’s persistence saw James Akintunde run through for a one-on-one with Walker, but Athletic’s stopper was out quickly to bravely block his effort.

And birthday boy Lokko will have been glad to see his keeper make such a crucial save has the defender opened the scoring on 37 minutes.

The 23-year-old rose highest to thump in Mitch Brundle’s free-kick to join his captain as joint top scorer for Whites in the National League with four goals.

Moussa Diarra almost doubled the home side’s lead minutes before the break with a backward header that Hamann was just able to fingertip around the post.

Adrian Clifton almost restored Parity after the restart, only for Walker to tip over his bullet header from James Comley’s corner.

And Comley tried himself, crashing a shot just past the wrong side of Walker’s post.

Taylor headed over Passley’s centre and with 20 minutes left, and Effiong’s lung-busting run was ended by Hamman’s smart save.

But the lead was doubled thanks to Reason’s first goal for Dover.  A swift counter-attack by Taylor was ended with a delightful 20-yard curling effort from the substitute into the top corner.

Debayo blazed Effiong’s cross wide and sub Josh Kelly jinxed his way past Diarra, only to see his near post effort smack the post.

And Reason almost capped off a fine evening for Dover, heading Passley’s fine cross wide.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made two changes to the side that started against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday evening with Manny Adebowale handed a National League debut and Moussa Diarra returning from injury to replace Connor Essam and Kadell Daniel.

Whites next take a break from the National League when they travel to Bury for their Emirates FA Cup first round proper match on Saturday 10th November, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”279″ gal_title=”DAFC v Maidenhead United 03/11/18″]

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