Dover Athletic 1 – 0 Deal Town

This was Dover’s third game of the season, against another local rival team in Deal Town, who had begun their season with two straight defeats, while Dover on the other hand had started very strongly with two straight wins, scoring 14 goals without conceding.

Deal Town needed to show they had spirit and we were not let down today. Deal started strongly with a very positive mind set, trying to establish Ariel dominance in the midfield from the first whistle. While Dover on the other hand having made two alterations to their starting line up this week, begun slowly. As the half progressed, Dover came more into the match and put together a series of fine passing phases throughout the three thirds of the field, unfortunately this was not enough to get them that all important first goal.

After 30 mins Dover had established more control, and begun to look like a team top of the league. On 35 mins, Ben CASSINGENA came very close to adding to his very respectful goal scoring tally, heading the ball against the bar from close range after some great work down the left flank from winger Sam KIBLER. Ben came close again 5 mins later finding himself unmarked in the six yard box, however, his header inched just over the bar. Deal, although having some decent possession at times in midfield were unable to make their presence known in front of goal.

Dover begun the second half extremely motivated, clearly the managers half time team talk had had the desired effect. Dover had a 15 minute spell where they looked very dangerous, creating several opportunities, playing high pressure football in their opponents half.

On 52 minutes Max BRUNETTI-LEACH went close after some fine work by Alfie BRYANT down the right wing, delivering a quality ball low and hard into the box between goal keeper and defender, BRUNETTI-LEACH pounced but was within an inch away from making that important contact which would have opened the scoring.

Once again, Dover had plenty of possession with several excellent phases, where they retained this possession, making a series of well timed passes as a unit originating from the back into goal scoring opportunities. Stages of 6-10 probing passes being made and penetrating into dangerous areas. Deal did well to soak up this pressure, and towards the end of the second half looked dangerous themselves, especially from set pieces.

On 82 minutes BRUNETTI-LEACH surged into the box, from a great cross once again from BRYANT, this time converting with a well placed left footed shot, leaving the goal keeper no chance.

Dover immediately, dropped KIBLER from attack into a midfield role to see out the last few minutes. Deal having nothing to loose, threw everyone forward searching for a late equalizer.
The last few minutes Deal maintained high pressure on the Dover back line, with Goal Keeper Stefan LAWRENCE making two great saves, holding onto the ball very professionally. The match ending Dover 1 Deal Town 0.

Deal wont have any problems this year if they play like they did today.

Managers Comments:

We had a lucky escape there. We came up against a very motivated Deal Town having lost both their opening games, we knew this was going to be a hard game, as Deal were searching for their first three points. And they duly delivered, in terms of physicality. We allowed Deal to play at times, and we were not first to the ball in the midfield for the second game running, this is a must in terms of improving going forward. However, we won yet again, kept another clean sheet, and we saw out this game in an ugly but nether the less ultimately winning performance. To win games when you have not played that well is the trade mark of champions.

We wont get away with that against teams like Holland & Blair or Bearsted, so squad, beware.

For me today the man of the match has to go to Stefan LAWRENCE, he was exceptional in the air, and made some very important saves towards the end of the game under heavy pressure from Deal.

We go into next Sunday’s home fixture where I am looking for a reaction. Lads we got away with that today. Once again we were not deadly in front of goal. But we got the result.”