First game back into the new year saw Dover Athletic travel to Lordswood where the earlier encounter ended in a 3-2 Dover win. Upon arrival the ground had suffered from recent poor weather conditions which meant playing the ball on the floor was always going to be a difficult task.
The first half started brightly as Dover looked to take immediate control of the game, forcing the opposition back inside their half for a majority of the opening 45 minutes. On 10 mins a fantastic left wing cross from Alfie Bryant found an unmarked Jack GEALER who powered an accurate header right into the top left hand corner leaving the Lordswood GK no chance.
Dover continued to press high and apply constant pressure on the Lordswood defence creating goal scoring opportunity after opportunity, both long range as well as close range shot were not finding their intended targets, credit must also go to the Lordswood GK who had a great game and kept the opposition in with a chance.
Dover finished the half extremely strong without Lordswood having a single shot on goal.
Half time 0-1 Dover.
Second half saw Lordswood rejuvenated and what was clearly a potent half time talk from their manager. Lordswood begun to apply pressure on Dover defence which saw them wit a goal being disallowed on 46 minutes after the lineman had ruled offside. Dover, took the warning on board and then went back into control mode, completely dominating the rest of the match. on 60 minutes a great run down the flank by right winger Finlay Fletcher saw him enter the box and get brought down which resulted in a penalty decision for dover. Liam Middleton stepped up cooly to slot home Dover’s second of the match.
On 70 minutes young Harry Andrews made a great run into the box just intimate to see a cut back pass from Gealer, Andrews with a bit of work still left to do, seized the moment with a sharp burst of pace, getting to the ball just a head of the Lordswood defender to poke the ball into the bottom right hand corner, 0-3 Dover.
ON 85 Minutes central midfielder Charlie Corrigan got his first of the season with a well taken volley on the half turn firing into the top right hand corner. Final score Lordswood 0 – 4 Dover Athletic.
