Dover overcame Ebbsfleet United by the narrowest of margins to reach the semi-finals of the Causeway Steel Challenge Cup.
The first half saw both sides try to gain the ascendency in the game, and it was evident that Ebblsfleet were a physically strong side and direct in their play. Despite Dover edging the early exchanges, they failed to impose their effective passing game, and started to play the ball long from the back, which played into their opponents hands. Midway through the half they were able to create a good move and were rewarded when man of the match Jack Hansen clinically finished from a precise Ryan Aldritt cross. Soon after the only other real chance of note in the half also fell to Hansen who struck wide from the edge of the area.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, when midway through Dover had by far their best spell of the game and were unfortunate not to increase their lead as they came up against some inspired goalkeeping. Firstly Dwayne Kattah saw his close range effort somehow saved, and this was followed by the Ebbsfleet keeper tipping a spectacular effort from Bayley Sinnock round the post, and then Dylan Tubb then had a penalty saved after a foul on Will Giles. With Dover having failed to close the game out, Ebbsfleet gained some confidence and pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages. They were helped by Dover giving away some needless freekicks, which meant a succession of long balls into the area which Dylan Hammond and Sinnock in particular dealt with well, as well as some excellent handling by goalkeeper Sam Owens. In the final minute, a through ball put the Ebbsfleet centre forward clean through on goal, but possible extra time was avoided by a fantastic last ditch tackle from Sinnock to ensure Dover sealed the victory.
