2019-2020 – Page 15 – DOVER ATHLETIC FC

Inih Effiong’s second-half stunner saw Whites win in sweltering conditions on Saturday afternoon.

The striker lobbed over home stopper Jamie Butler as Dover registered their fifth consecutive victory in the National League, dating back to April.

Jamie Collins’ fierce free-kick on the stroke of half-time had cancelled out Ricky Modeste’s early opener as Athletic moved up a place to sixth on the league ladder.

David Ajiboye lashed over early on following a cross from the Sutton left.

The home side were made to rue their early missed chance when Modeste fired Dover ahead after 10 minutes.

Athletic’s winger beat the Sutton defence to Jai Reason’s free-kick to prod the ball into the top corner.

Steven Rigg stabbed Josh Passley’s pass into the side-netting and Kevin Lokko headed Reason’s corner into the arms of home keeper Butler as the visitors went in search of a second.

Away goalie Lee Worgan dived low to stop Harry Beautyman drilling in an equaliser after the Dover defence failed to clear a ball into the area.

Omar Bugiel directed his header straight at Worgan and at the other end Jason Goodliffe’s weak back header let in Effiong, only for Butler to spread himself in front of Athletic’s striker to stop the ball going in.

Sutton top scorer Beautyman looked to add to his tally of three league goals this season, heading off target and then firing a deflected effort wide of the mark.

Butler then pulled off a stunning save to tip over Effiong’s fierce volley and his opposite goalkeeper Worgan was equally impressive, palming away Ajiboye’s curling effort.

Rigg rose highest to meet Modeste’s corner, only to see the ball land on the roof of the net once the frontman got back to his feet.

However, Sutton levelled on the stroke of half-time as Jamie Collins fired a free-kick into the top corner from just outside the area.

With the restart barely minutes old, Whites went ahead thanks to Effiong’s third goal in as many games.

After Worgan somehow saved from Beautyman following pinball in the Dover penalty area, Effiong hooked the ball over a stunned Butler and into the top corner having been too strong for right-back Dale Bennett.

Parity was almost restored as Rob Milsom’s swirling free-kick flashed past Worgan and his crossbar.

Effiong blasted into the side-netting and with five minutes remaining, forced Butler into a flying save after latching onto sub Alfie Pavey’s through ball.

Effiong nearly sealed the win late on, but Dover held on to move up to sixth on the ladder.

Earlier, boss Hessenthaler made four changes to the side that started against Torquay last week. Cumberbatch, Modeste, Michael Woods and Josh Passley came in for Oscar Gobern, Pavey, Jack Munns and the injured Bobby-Joe Taylor.

Whites next host Woking on Bank Holiday Monday 26th August, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

SUTTON UNITED REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

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Two second-half goals condemned Dover to defeat at Crabble on Saturday.

Headed goals from Asa Hall and Jamie Reid set the Gulls up for three points, though Dover halved the deficit late on via an Inih Effiong penalty six minutes from time after Hall was sent off for a handball.

Whites were almost punished for an early defensive error when Jamie Reid pounced on Will De Havilland’s misplaced pass. However, the recipient of Reid’s ball, Kalvin Kalala, skewed wide from an angle.

Home stopper Lee Worgan was at his agile best to touch over Armani Little’s swirling free-kick with his fingers.

Dover’s first shot on target came from their Alfie Pavey, however, the host’s top scorer saw his volley well saved by visiting goalie Lucas Covolan.

Jai Reason lobbed just over from Jack Munns ball into the area and Athletic’s midfielder went for goal again minutes later, firing inches wide.

Pavey then leapt above the Torquay defence to meet Aaron Simpson’s deep cross, however, Kyle Cameron was well-placed to stop the ball crossing the line at the back post for his side.

Bilel Hinchiri’s mazy run and shot just lacked the finish as the ball trickled past the wrong side of the post.

Reason volleyed from 20-yards straight at Covolan and Kevin Lokko was almost left red-faced at the other end.

Athletic’s captain missed a ball over the top and in challenging the lying-in-wait Reid, prodded the ball just wide.

The Gulls went ahead from the resultant corner.

Asa Hall headed in Jake Andrew’s corner and the visitors inflicted more damage on the home side just two minutes later.

Dover’s shell-shocked defence could only watch as Reid headed in Andrew’s cross.

Da Havilland almost reduced the arrears, somehow heading Reason’s curling cross off target.

Effiong then latched onto sub Nassim L’Ghoul’s sumptuous flick, only to blast wide.

But there was late drama as Effiong pulled one back from the penalty spot with six minutes remaining.

Hall was sent off after Pavey’s header bounced down off the underside and onto the Torquay skipper’s arm, leaving striker Effiong to blast into the top corner from 12 yards.

The final chance fell to De Havilland, who headed Munn’s corner off target as Andy Hessenthaler’s men were unable to make it three straight wins.

Earlier boss Hessenthaler made five changes to the side that started at Barnet on Tuesday night. Inih Effiong, Oscar Gobern, Munns, Simpson and Reason came in for Michael Woods, Ricky Modeste, Josh Passley, Kurtis Cumberbatch and Steven Rigg.

Dover next travel to Sutton on Saturday 24th August, kick-off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION