On a day for ducks, with the rain beating down and soaking the travelling support, the two teams braved strong winds and soaking conditions to give us an entertaining fixture.
Dover started brightly and faster than they had in the first two league fixtures. Dominating and within the first minute earned a penalty. But the conditions were a great leveller. And just before dovers striker struck the ball it moved in the wind resulting in a scuffed finish and the ball drifted wide much to Deals keepers relief.
The wind played havoc with all set plays as the smooth surface prevented any consistent deliveries today. But with the wind with Deal in the first half it was a challenge for all Dover lads who tried to play quick passing football on the ground. Ten minutes in and Dover had their just rewards with a lovely strike from strong determined build up to make it 0-1.
Ten minutes from half time Deal struck back using the wind to their advantage. A nice free kick moving in the wind to beat everyone into the top right of Dovers goal. 1-1
Dover responded immediately and it was the whipping wind that helped keep a high ball in Deals six yard box. After a few Deal clearance attempts that were frustrated by the wind, the ball fell to a dover player who nodded it home. 1-2 to dover.
With the wind and rain easing a bit the 1st half ended.
With conditions improved Dover came out with purpose, but sadly lost their captain to a hard foul that saw him limp off in some pain but he returned to the bench after treatment to see his team mates finish the job.
From there on though deal fought a tough rearguard defence until a fast counter attack saw Dover go 1-3 up.
From here on in Dovers heads lifted while Deals dropped as Dover made passes with ease to repeatidly cut open the tiring defence of Deal. 1-3 soon converted to 1-4. As play makers in Dovers defence picked classy outlet balls to midfield or direct to their strikers who did not need a second invite to finish. 1-5.
The last ten minutes became a struggle for Deal to keep the score down to single figures as Dover attacked at will, with their able substitutes on as they wrought havoc on tired legs in Deals defence.
1-5 turned to 1-6 and then soon 1-7.
When the final whistle came Dover had shown their depth of class throughout their squad, while the Deal lads seemed extremely grateful that the onslaught had ended at last.
Credit to Deal for their first half and their dogged determination but the plaudits go to Dover for showing much of their preseason promise in difficult conditions.
Dover move top of kent u16s division east with this convincing win.
