Dover U16s 3 Sheppey United 2
Dover Maintained their Kent League title challenge with a narrow victory over Sheppey United, where they had to withstand a strong fight-back from their opponents.
The opening exchanges were hard-fought with both sides quick to close each other down, although it was Dover who gained the upper hand, and they were rewarded when they took the lead midway through the half with a powerful Tom Halliday header from an Ed Muddiman corner. They continued to press their opponents and doubled their lead when the Sheppey goalkeeper failed to hold onto an Oliver Nye long range effort, and Ed Muddiman was quick to pounce. Just before the end of the half, Dover preserved their advantage when Sheppey broke through when they won a challenge on the edge of the area, albeit what looked like a high foot, only for Sam Owens to make a fine save.
The start of the second half saw Dover play their best football of the match, completely dominating possession with Halliday and Henry Mileham controlling the play and using the width to good effect with man of the match Joe Muddiman in particular making some good runs from right-back. Dover failed to capitalise on their supremacy, and the whole nature of the game changed when Sheppey scored a freak goal from inside their own half when Dover failed to get a head on a long punted free-kick and it somehow bounced over Owens into the net. Dover responded when a foraging run and cross by sub Jack Hansen was met by Will Giles to restore Dover’s 2-goal lead, but the game had become more open with Dover losing their shape and control of the match. With Sheppey leaving more players high up the pitch, another defensive lapse saw Dover lose possession at the back and their opponents once again reduced the lead. This resulted in the last 10 minutes becoming frantic, with Dover having chances to finish the game, but also Sheppey pushing forward at every opportunity and creating good chances of their own. The final play of the game once again saw Dover caught in possession resulting in a free kick about 35 yards out from goal. What was clearly a very well worked training ground move from Sheppey saw substitute goalkeeper Ryan King pull off an outstanding save from the last kick of the game to ensure Dover won a game they so nearly let out of their grasp.
Dover: Sam Owens, Hayden Wood, Joe Muddiman, Bayley Sinnock, Dylan Hammond, Dan Dixon, Ed Muddiman, Tom Halliday, Henry Mileham, Oliver Nye, Hector Duppre, Will Giles. Subs: Ryan King, Finlay Jarman-Hume, Jack Hansen, Dwayne Kattah.
