Dover Athletic v Torquay United

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Details

Date Time League Season Attendance Dover Star Player Home Scorers Red Cards
7th April 2018 3:00 pm National League 2017-2018 1,128 Anthony Jeffrey Bird (57 pen) Healey (60), Romain (90+2) (Torquay)

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RYAN Bird’s second-half penalty was enough for Dover to see off nine-man Torquay.

The striker slammed in his 15th National League goal of the season as Chris Kinnear’s men recorded a fourth consecutive victory at Crabble.

Mitch Brundle had the game’s first shot on target just past the ten-minute mark, spinning his defender and firing low at visiting keeper Ryan Clarke from just inside the area.

Rhys Healey, booked moments earlier for simulation in the penalty box, volleyed well wide from close range after a fine initial touch.

Cardiff loanee Healey then cut in from the left and fired towards goal, but Walker was able to dive onto the midfielder’s effort.

Ryan Bird could only head wide after Anthony Jeffrey outpaced his marker and crossed towards the striker and at the other end, Liam Davis lashed a volley high and wide of the mark.

Healey almost had the away side in front, controlling Luke Young’s corner and flashing a volley a mere inches past the post.

And Elliott Romain was almost gifted a goal by the Dover defence.

Kevin Lokko’s poor touch almost gave the Dagenham & Redbridge loanee a clear sight of goal, however, Walker was on hand to gather the ball.

Brundle’s free-kick from the left-hand side almost found it’s way into the top corner, but Clarke denied the Dover skipper with his fingertips.

Brett Williams was then within a whisker of connecting to Young’s wayward strike before the referee blew for half-time.

Following the restart, Jeffrey collected Femi Ilesanmi’s pass and after a dart into the area, lashed a shot onto the foot of the post with the Torquay defence able to clear the rebound.

But Whites had the lead just minutes later thanks to Bird.

The striker stepped up to slam in his third spot-kick of the season after Connor Evans’ handball in the box.

And The Gulls’ task was made even more difficult when Healey was shown a second yellow card following a rash challenge on Connor Essam.

But the ten men of Torquay almost snatched a point.  Firstly Young forced Walker to tip away his ferocious 20-yard volley and then was on hand to claw away Romain’s header.

United were reduced to nine men in injury time as Romain was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Gallifuoco.

But Athletic held on for the crucial three points to keep them in the playoff hunt.

Earlier, boss Kinnear made three changes to the side that started at Ebbsfleet on Bank Holiday Monday. Nortei Nortey, Josh Passley and Jeffrey replaced Mitch Pinnock, Ade Azeez and Liam Bellamy, who all started as substitutes.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”254″ gal_title=”DAFC v Torquay United 07/04/18″]

Dover Athletic

1Mitch Walker Goalkeeper
2Josh Passley Defender
5Manny Parry Defender
6Connor Essam Defender
26Kevin Lokko Defender
3Femi Ilesanmi Defender
4Giancarlo Gallifuoco Defender 74'
8Private: Mitch Brundle Midfielder, (c)
18Nortei Nortey Midfielder
25Anthony Jeffrey 30 Forward
17Ryan Bird Forward 57 pen '
72'
11Mitchell Pinnock Forward
23Kadell Daniel Forward
28Liam Bellamy Midfielder
29Keanu Marsh-Brown Midfielder
30Ade Azeez 25 Forward Jeffrey 82'
  1 1 2

First Team Manager: Chris Kinnear

Torquay United

1Ryan Clarke Goalkeeper
21Aaron Barnes 19 Midfielder
26Conrad Balatoni 2 Defender
6Josh Gowling Defender 79'
5Sean McGinty Defender, (c) 77'
3Liam Davis Midfielder
8Luke Young Midfielder
29Connor Lemonheigh-Evans Midfielder
28Rhys Healey Forward 11', 60'
60'
22Elliott Romain Forward 90+2'
39Brett Williams Forward 86'
2Michee Efete 26 Defender Balatoni 64'
9Jon-Paul Pittman Forward
18Yan Klukowski Defender
19Jamie Reid 21 Forward Barnes 76'
20Neil Osborn Goalkeeper
  2 5 2

First Team Manager: Gary Owers

Substitutions
1
2
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
0
Yellow Cards
2
5
Red Cards
0
2

Officials

RefereeReferee's AssistantsFourth Official
Carl BrookAlexander Fisher
Louis Marks
Steven Hughes

Ground

Crabble Athletic Ground
40 Crabble Rd, Dover, Kent CT17 0QJ, UK