“With their 4th match at home in a row, Dover hosted an unbeaten Hastings United side. With no goals conceded and 4 or 5 goal victories under their belts Hastings were surely expecting an easy ride.
As always Dover came out from the start with desire and confidence from their own two game winning streak. Little separated the sides during the first half with Hastings not showing any domination as their previous results suggested. A few half chances from set pieces enabled Dover to see balls whizzing wide of the post or blocked by a wall of Hastings defenders. Dover were never really put under pressure by Hastings attacks with each one cleared up and a counter formed. The first half ended tied at 0 – 0 with all to play for and Hastings left frustrated at how few chances they were getting.
With the wind against them in the second half Dover continued their control of the game and were again generally untroubled by Hastings attacks, quickly turning the ball around and advancing themselves, unfortunately without threatening the visiting goalkeeper. The game was set for a fair result of a draw with both sides holding each other and not allowing either to make any real efforts on goal. With time running down Hastings put a through ball into the Dover box and with defender making chase, the ball was cleared for a corner only for the referee to award a penalty. Dan Smith chose correctly and dived the right way and was unlucky to get only a fingertip to the ball and the power took into the back of the net. Dover pushed for the equalizer for the remainder of the game but alas it did not come, and with Hastings parking the bus and playing the clock down they provided no further attacking threat. Dover can take great pride in their performance against the team top of the league, who they managed to keep quiet throughout the entire game, and reduced them to a questionable penalty to secure the game. In respect to the home team, the visiting Hastings parents applauded the game that Dover had given and agreed that this was their toughest game so far and paid tribute to how well Dover played. With more games before the return fixture, Dover will continue to improve and will hopefully get back the points they thoroughly deserved from this game.”
