JAMIE Allen, Mitch Brundle, Inih Effiong (Pictured) and a triallist were all on the scoresheet as Whites started their pre-season schedule with a comfortable win at The Charles Ground.

But it was the hosts who were almost ahead within minutes of the kick-off, with visiting keeper Mitch Walker forced to make a flying save to tip an accurate header around the post.

Forward Tobi-Sho Silva went close on two occasions.  Firstly heading over from close range and then was inches from connecting to Brundle’s dangerous cross-cum-shot.

Connor Essam was then denied by the linesman flag after nodding in Kadell Daniel’s pinpoint free kick, however, Dover were not be kept out for long.

Ten minutes before the break, Allen’s clever anticipation saw the striker run through and lob over a helpless Deal Town keeper.

Captain Brundle then doubled Dover’s lead just before half time, collecting a pass and firing low into the bottom corner.

Manager Chris Kinnear opted to make nine changes at the break and two of the substitutes played a big part in Athletic’s third goal of the evening.

Loui Fazakerley trickery was too much for the home defence, who fouled the defender in the area, allowing recent signing Effiong to slam in his first goal for Dover from twelves yards.

The hosts pulled one back midway through the half, a fine header evading the clutching grasp of Chris Lewington.

However, Whites’ three-goal cushion was restored within seconds as a Triallist tapped in.

Fazakerley then went close with a rasping drive, but the scoring was completed late on when a triallist deftly lobbed the home stopper.

Dover next travel to Hythe Town on Monday 9th July, kick off 7:45 pm.

WHITES XI – First half:  Walker, Essam, Okosieme, Passley, Lokko, Triallist, Allen, Brundle, Sho-Silva, Daniel, Triallist.

WHITES XI – Second half:  Lewington, Essam, Okosieme, Adebowale, Triallist, Fazakerley, Triallist, Triallist, Effiong, Triallist, Triallist.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

 

GEORGE Essuman’s stunning overhead kick set Dover on their way to victory in their first pre-season friendly at a rain-soaked Charles Ground on Tuesday evening.

The defender, making his first start since joining from VCD Athletic in March, spectacularly volleyed home Mitch Brundle’s corner to open the scoring midway through the first half.

A fierce strike from one of the triallists and a neat finish from another debutant, Ryan Bird, sealed victory for the visitors after the break.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s new-look side, featuring six summer signings, showed their attacking intent straight from kick off.

Connor Essam powered an early header over and Brundle, wearing the captain’s armband, fired a long-range effort narrowly off target shortly after.

Whites continued to press and Mitch Pinnock’s pin-point cross found Tobi Sho-Silva at the back post, but the former Bromley forward’s volley was deflected behind.

Deal Town’s defence continued to hold firm, this time recovering to block Jamie Allen’s angled effort following some sublime skill from the pacy striker.

But the home team were unable to hold out any longer as Essuman fired home the resulting corner to give Dover a deserved lead.

A rare attack minutes before the break saw Town hit the post with a header and at the other end Kane Richard’s tight drive stung the palms of Deal’s goalkeeper.

Boss Kinnear made nine changes at half time. Striker Bird, midfielder Chris Barnard and seven triallists were all given 45 minutes.

The home team almost levelled twenty minutes after the restart after some pinball in the box ended in the ball being stabbed wide.

The lead was doubled on 73 minutes after one of the trialists’s found the bottom corner from range.

Bird wrapped the game up late on, collecting a clever through ball and slamming the ball into the bottom corner.

Dover’s next friendly is at home to League One Gillingham on Saturday with a 3 pm kick-off.

Dover starting XI: Walker, Fazakerley, Ilesamni, Essam, Parry, Essuman, Pinnock, Brundle(c), Richards, Allen, Sho-Silva.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION