Dover under 16s were hosted by Margate fc on a perfect day for football. Dover started by testing out a new formation in the first half but it was a half of few chances. Dover defended well throughout the game and is something they have managed to add to their armour over the last few games. It took and excellent bit of individual skill from Liam McVie who has excelled in the team so far this season, Taking on 3 playing on the edge of the 18 yard box, mesmerising the defenders and causing one of the defenders to bring him down just inside the box. Liam got up and dusted himself off and smashed the penalty home, 1-0 Dover just before the half time whistle.
2nd half Dover reverted back to their familiar formation and you could tell from the off. They dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half and created more space out wide. But it was a Set piece that Dover scored from, with the height of the Dover side this has been the case in a number of occasions this season. It was from some good trickery from George Nikaj who was then fouled 10 yards outside the penalty area. George stepped up and delivered a great free kick and was met at the back post by the imposing Ethan O’Donnell who rose above everyone to nod home Dover’s well deserved second goal and his 2nd of the season. The final third of the game Dover were put under a lot of pressure, with a number of players coming off injured, including man of the match Liam McVie. Liam had a rest for 15 minutes and felt better and asked to come back on, and on returning to the pitch within seconds his first touch was driving past 3 players turning them inside and bending it into the far post with the keeper no chance scoring his 7th of the season adding to his 7 assists this season.
It was a hard fought victory against a really talented Margate side and put Dover under pressure in spells, but Dover had the killer instinct that day.
Special Mention goes to Luke Lockhart and Raz Rai (who started his first game and was excellent throughout) who were both immense throughout the game.
Squad: Luke Lockhart, Toby Swinn, Arthur Clarke ©, Ethan ODonnell, Jack Finn, Sid Gurung, Taylor Sinnock, Bailey Wadhams, George Nikaj, Liam McVie, Koshis Rai, Jack Coulson
