Margate 0 – 10 Dover Athletic Under 18s

Today’s encounter involved a local derby game between two sides with a huge rivalry. From the first minute, Dover looked extremely comfortable and established complete control until the final whistle.

The first half Dover had on average 70% percent possession, they were producing very controlled one/two touch football building up play, hitting their ratio targets with balls into danger areas penetrating a physically strong Margate back line. After 5 minutes Defensive Striker Ben CASSINGENA got off the mark, which was quickly followed by Dover’s Advanced Striker Max BRUNETTI-LEACH slotting home on 17 minutes. Dover once again maintained possession and looked dangerous at all times. On 25 minutes defensive midfielder Ethan CHALLINOR made a challenge 10 yards outside the Margate 18 yard box, took a touch beating the second defender, then supplied an exceptional finish into the right top corner leaving the goal keeper no chance, this was without doubt the goal of the game.

Dover came very close to converting several more opportunities to extend their lead, however, the Margate keeper was very quick off his line preventing Dover’s offensive unit from further capitalizing.

On 44 minutes Max BRUNETTI-LEACH scored his second and Dover’s fourth with a well timed run and finish. Half time score line Margate 0 – Dover Athletic 4.

Second half was one way traffic for 44 minutes, Margate did create the odd opening, however, Dover’s defensive unit was a well oiled machine, sniffing out every possible glimmer of hope. On 50 minutes BRUNETTI-LEACH completed his hat-rick with another decent finish. Then came a period of 20 minutes whereby Dover’s domination was absolute, however, a combination of over hit passes and Margate defending prevented more goals. That was until 70 minutes when winger Nebi ADHAOM seized possession from a Margate error and placed another great shot into the top right corner, on another day this would have also been considered goal of the match. On 75 minutes CASSENGINA broke free again scoring his second of the game. On 80 minutes Attacking Midfielder Cody ALLCOCK broke into the Margate box and slotted home for his first of the day. On 84 minutes Alfie BRYANT took on his man and scored with a well placed shot again into the bottom right corner from a tight angle and to round today’s action off one minute later CASSINGENA popped up to convert his first Dover hat-rick with another well placed shot.

Managers Notes
This was another convincing win, following on from our home 4-0 win against Faversham last week. Today’s possession stats over 90 minutes was in the 80% region this was an exceptional team display in terms of dominance. However, our passing stats whilst up from last week was 79%. Again this is very good, however, we did give away on occasion balls when we were comfortably in possession without huge pressure on us. However, this is only our second game of the season, we got things to work on as always, and overall I am very pleased with the performance. We scored 10 goals, kept a second clean sheet, as such we are now, top of the league with a plus 8 goal difference from our closest rivals. We go into our next fixture at home against Deal Town where again I expect our concentration levels to be matched. Take nothing for granted, to be the best you have to consistently show your dedication and commitment to the team, and continue to work hard for each other. Today’s work ethic was immense. We created 23 goal scoring opportunities today, whilst Margate were limited to 1 shot on goal.

Man of the Match today was Ethan CHALLINOR, who went out full of passion, won everything in midfield, played some great simple but effective passes, along with a few quality ratio diagonal balls into danger areas, and converted the goal of the game.”