Dover Athletic consolidated their top of the table position with an emphatic 6-1 victory over second placed Thanet Colts. Both teams had won all 6 of their opening games and so the encounter was highly anticipated.
With both teams playing good football, it was Dover who struck first. Ason Limbu beat two players down the left before driving in a left footed cross. Rory Sutcliffe got across his man well at the front post and smashed the ball into the net to open the scoring. Dover were on top and playing some great football, but it was a route one goal that put them 2 up. Freddie Marsh played the ball over the top of the Thanet defence and Tyler Watson ran on to the ball, beating the defenders and finished with an emphatic finish across the ‘keeper into the far corner.

Thanet rallied, and a hopeful ball into the box ended up with three Dover players watching as a Colts’ player reacted first to make it 2-1. Soon after, and with Dover well on top, Freddie Marsh in the Dover goal inexplicably ran out to challenge an opposition player on the far edge of the box. His ill-timed challenge ended up gifting the home team a penalty. Fortunately the ball was hit high and wide. Soon after, some excellent football through the Dover midfield resulted in Limbu being free again down the left. His ball into the middle caused chaos, and Sutcliffe was on hand again to poke home from 2 yards. Dover had several more chances to score in the first half but failed to take advantage.

From the restart of the second half Dover poured forward. The ball fell to Tyler Watson in the box and his shot was well saved by the Thanet ‘keeper. However Sutcliffe was on hand to smash in the rebound to complete his hat trick. Minutes later Limbu made another fantastic run down the left and fired in a superb cross into the box. It found Sutcliffe who took a great first touch before firing into the bottom corner.
Watson finished the scoring with a smart strike from the edge of the box to make it six for the Dover side. Dover squandered numerous further chances, and even missed a penalty, but the victory was secure, and they are now three points clear at the top of the table.

Dover’s defence and midfield were outstanding in a game where the players hardly put a foot wrong, with a good notable debut for Ollie Childs. Jye Stoner also put in a decent shift at left back, deputising for skipper Jake McCarthy who was taken off in the first half following an atrocious tackle.

Man of the match: Rory Sutcliffe