Saturday 13th December 2008
Ryman Isthmian Premier League
Dover Athletic 4 - 2 Dartford
A BATTLING performance from Dover saw off a resilient Dartford side in an entertaining Kent derby at Perrys Crabble today. Decisive goals from James Rodgers and Olly Schulz proved to be the difference in this six-goal thriller, which sees Dover maintain their title challenge, writes Mark Ritson.
Dover player-manager Andy Hessenthaler was delighted with the victory: “I think we got what we deserved just for our second half endeavour, although perhaps we should have scored more, but I was really pleased today because it was a tremendous victory.
"Everyone expects us to win every game, it adds pressure, but we played with a lot of confidence today and to go 13 points clear at the top so I’m over the moon. We knew it was going to be tough today, it really is taking every game as it comes because anything can happen, but other teams have got to play catch up.
"Our biggest pressure is maintaining the performances and keeping up this title challenge”.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the opening stages, Dartford created the first chance of the game when Rob Haworth headed over from six yards after good work from Jamie Day on the left.
Shortly afterwards, Lee Noble picked up a loose ball down the right before looping the ball over Dover 'keeper John Whitehouse, which saw Haworth have his downward header cleared off the line by Olly Schulz. However, the target man made amends moments later, finding himself completely unmarked to plant a powerful header past the helpless Whitehouse from close range.
On the half hour mark, Dover could have grabbed an equalising goal, as Shaun Welford went racing through down the left, despite a hint of offside, and had his cross-cum-shot cleared away at the back post.
The home side were slowly finding their rhythm and they got a deserved equaliser through Jon Wallis shortly before half-time. The midfielder found himself with space in front of him marching into the Dartford box and shot past Andy Young into the bottom left corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Dartford should have gone in front again through Jamie Coyle, but the defender headed over the bar inside the six-yard area from a deep corner.
The home side took the lead in the early stages of the second-half through Lawrence Ball, who headed home from close range from a superb Jon Wallis free-kick. But Dartford should have equalised moments later through Haworth, but the striker saw his shot rebound off the post into the hands and relief of Whitehouse.
The striker made up for the miss after seventy minutes, grabbing the final touch inside a six yard box scramble after Dover failed to clear a corner. But the equaliser was short-lived, as seconds later from kick-off, James Rodgers restored Dover’s lead, shooting past Young inside the danger area.
Olly Schulz made sure of victory in the closing stages, heading past Young at the back post from a free-kick, before Dartford defender Adam Gross was red-carded by referee Martin Yerby.
Star Man: Jon Wallis—Scored one, created one, controlled the midfield.
Entertainment Rating: 4/5
Referee: Martin Yerby
Attendance: 1,208
THIS COPY SHALL BE IN THE NON-LEAGUE PAPER ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
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