With Dover and Bredhurst Juniors having shared the league points last season, the game was open for either team to take victory. As the away team Dover got the first half underway and showed a dominating midfield keen to be first to balls and controlling the plays. Dover created several chances with balls lofted in the box with chances going wide or blocked by a panicked home defence. Corners and crosses from wide were delivered dangerously across the face of the Bredhurst goal but Dover were unable to convert from 5 yards out. Signs were brewing for Dover to steal the lead and build on great development over the last few games. The deadlock was broken by Dover with a perfectly weighted crossfield pass from Max Spurr to Kyle Manton inside the 18yard box, who was able to volley the ball onto the underside of the bar for it to smash down behind the goal line and out again, with the referee well placed to confirm the goal. The first half ended with a flurry of Bredhurst chances, who were keen to reduce the deficit before the break, but were denied by the post and some off-target shots inside the box under pressure from the Dover defence. Some nervous moments before halftime for Dover who should have been 3 or 4 goals ahead, and a continuation would only see their midfield dominance result in further goals in the second half.
Having made substitutions at halftime, the Dover midfield failed to control as they did in the first half which allowed Bredhurst to push forward with ferocity and determination. Pressure was building on the Dover defence and Bredhurst were dealt their deserved equaliser from a corner. An unchallenged towering header from 10yards was powered under the Dover crossbar with the covering defender unable to reach and head the ball away. With Bredhurst showing more control in the second half and Dover unable to string passes together it was difficult to see Dover regaining the lead. A second goal for Bredhurst came from a throw-in received just inside the Dover half, and left unchallenged the Bredhurst midfielder was able to dribble his way into the 18 yard box and neatly slot the ball into the back of the net.
Further pain was inflicted on Dover from another corner which was unchallenged and allowed the striker to head the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. A great save from Dan Smith toward the end of the match prevented Dover conceding further and the game ended in a 3 – 1 loss.
They say football is a game of two halves, and this one only added further example to it. Dover left with no points from a game they should have wrapped up in the first half, only for a collapse and lacklustre display in the second to allow the home team to punish the visitors.
From Dover’s perspective it was another example of having to ensure shots are converted when the opportunities arise and needing to play both halves with the same controlling tempo they are clearly capable of.
