Today’s fixture saw the two highest scoring teams in the division pitted against each other, both with 100% records.

Dover were without several key figures for this fixture due to injury over the past two weeks.

The first half saw a make shift Dover side come up against a determined full strength opposition, who were desperate to show they could come away with the three points. Kennington took the lead after 20 minutes. 7 minutes later Kennington came close again having a goal disallowed for offside. This was a wake-up call for the high potential home side who have clear ambitions of winning the league this term.

On 35 minutes Winger Alfie Bryant making a very positive run down the left hand flank, cut inside firing a well-placed shot against the bar. On 40 Minutes it was Bryant again, after some good movement off the ball having found himself on the edge of the box, took on his man driving low shot into the bottom left hand corner to level the score. Half-time interval 1-1.

Second half begun with Dover looking more like their usual self’s dominating the early possession, Kennington on the other hand, looking like they had run out of steam. On 47 minutes another great transition from defence to attack ended with team mates finding Bryant once more who slotted home from 15 yards to give Dover the lead 2-1.

For the next 10 minutes it was one-way traffic with Dover controlling the game, creating several opportunities. On 55 minutes a decent ball into the box from a wide position found Ben Cassingena, who had wriggled into a fantastic unmarked position, he turned and placed what looked like the match winner, unfortunately the top right hand corner curl skimmed the outside of the post resulting in a goal kick.

Kennington begun to get themselves back into the game and on 75 minutes forced a series of corners. A great delivery into the Dover box put pressure on the Dover Goal Keeper who was unable to punch the ball clear, Kennington seized the opportunity to level the score.

Result 2-2.

Managers comments
Today’s was a difficult game with so many injuries to key players. However, it was an ideal opportunity to give squad players as well as dual signings a run out. We begun the game very poorly by our standards. To go into the interval on equal terms was fortunate.

Second half we came out of the blocks with a bit more fight looking like we wanted to win the game and as a result immediately applied pressure on Kennington, who were just unable to respond. We should have ensured the 3 points by making it 3-1 after 55 minutes, however these are the fine margins in a game which can ultimately mean the difference between winning the league and losing it.

We will learn from this especially the squad players/Dual signings.

We have been working hard all preseason on protection and tight winning scenarios. Today we allowed Kennington to come back into the game towards the end of the second half and as a result 3 points turned into 1. Having said that, it was a great performance by Man of the Match Alfie Bryant who goes into the next home fixture against Margate as the league’s top goal scorer after two matches.

On the bright side, we remain unbeaten, are joint top scorers and look forward to going out and showing what we can do against Margate next Sunday.

Chris Lynch