Today’s fixture saw a recently under achieving Dover Athletic side against a top of the table, unbeaten team, in Bearsted. Today’s winner was always going to be decided by which team wanted the three points more.
Dover were without midfielder’s Ethan CHALLINOR and Kou NAKANO. On the plus side this gave new signing Joe HUNNISETT an opportunity to make his debut for Athletic.
The first half tempo was immediate; both teams pushed forwards searching for that essential early goal. It was Bearsted who opened the scoring after just five minutes with a close range effort fired low past Dover Goalkeeper Stefan LAWRENCE, the chance being created by a Dover defensive mistake. However, the lead was only temporary, as two minutes later a decent through ball from mifield found Cody ALLCOCK in space at the edge of Bearsted’s 18 yard box, Cody still had work to do with the goalkeeper rushing out at him as well as the left back trying to recover, Cody managed to get a toe in front of both and score the equalizer on seven minutes. Dover took control over the next 20 minute period, with shots raining down on the Bearsted goal. On 11 minutes newly converted left midfielder Kyle MILLER slotted home after a great run down the wing to give Dover the lead. On 15 minutes another forward run enabled debutant Joe HUNNISETT to extend Dover’s lead to 1-3. The last 10 minutes of the first half saw a shell shocked Bearsted push forwards at every opportunity. On 37 minutes, Bearsted’s left winger delivered a decent cross into the Dover box, Beasted striker was in an offside position but in any case found the net, the linesman had flagged the offside, the referee after speaking with the linesman who clearly told him it was offside allowed the goal to stand. This was a controversial decision, by which the referee stated as he had already signed for the goal that he could not now go back on his decision therefore the goal stood. This clearly lifted Bearsted’s players heads who then went on to convert their third goal just before half time to make it all square at the interval.
Bearsted made the early second half pressure work for them, however, were limited to striking from range, none of which hit the target. From 55 minutes onwards it was all one way traffic, Dover’s fitness levels took over. On 70 minutes a well taken free kick from Kyle MILLER from 30 yards hit the bar, from the resulting corner on 72 minutes Dover were rewarded with top scorer Max BRUNETTI-LEACH seizing on a driven cross directing his shot low past the keeper to once again give Dover the lead.
From here on, Dover maintained periods of heavy pressure, winning everything in midfield and controlling the last 15 minutes. On 84 minutes Joe HUNNISETT scored to make it 3-5 Dover from a quality corner kick, which lofted over the mealy of bodies in the box into the top right hand corner, great finish.
Manager comments:
“This was an outstanding performance, one in which I knew if they worked hard enough they were capable of achieving. After a difficult month, we turned up with the right mental attitude, we played some good football on the deck, pulling the opposition around more than they are used to, and created many chances, this is typical of the new Dover identity, however, what we need to focus upon is our defensive units and not allowing a quality team such as Bearsted an opportunity to get back into the game, which of course by half time we had done so.
This win will go some way now to give the players that extra belief, knowing they can go to any side and beat them on their day. That was the toughest test this newly formed Athletic side have faced so far this season, but this is the Kent league, these are the games which ultimately define you as a player and a team. The rest of the league will look at this result today and know Dover fear no-one. The most pleasing performance for me today has to go to Man of the Match Joe HUNNISETT, who, at the beginning of this season was released as a dual signing, where he was told he was not physically strong enough at present for the Kent league, Joe has worked hard the past few months and as a result I could not ignore his progress. As a result he was given a late mid- week oppertunity to re-join the squad movng forwards. What a performance, two goals and some great all round midfield and defensive phases of play. Joe, with that performance you have sent a message out to the rest of the midfielders who found themselves on the bench today, they now have to work hard to get back into the team. Well done.
In terms of the team result I have one word to describe it ‘PROUD’.
This team has the potential to be the best we have ever had, you all did that shirt, the badge and the club proud today”
Chris Lynch Manager Dover Atheltic U18’s
