Wrexham v Dover Athletic FC

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Details

Date Time League Season Attendance Dover Star Player
6th August 2016 3:00 pm National League 2016-2017 5,603 Ricky Modeste

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Report

DOVER earned a point in the National League season opener against Wrexham – it could have easily been three.

Boss Chris Kinnear’s side created most of the chances only to be denied by the woodwork, a stunning goal-line clearance and some top-class goalkeeping.

The result remains Dover remain unbeaten against Wrexham, winning three while drawing two.

But it was not through a lack of trying that Whites tried to win their first opening day fixture since joining the top-flight after losing at Barrow last season and at home against FC Halifax Town the previous campaign.

Summer signing Jim Stevenson almost marked his Whites debut with a goal after his 73rd-minute shot crashed into the crossbar.

Tyrone Marsh had earlier seen his goal-bound shot headed off the line while Wrexham goalkeeper Chris Dunn had to be at his best to deny Ricky Miller and Ricky Modeste.

After a quiet opening by both sides, Miller created Dover’s first opportunity, with the striker seeing his shot easily saved by Dunn, one of nine players making their Wrexham debuts, in the 19th minute.

Dunn then produced a stunning double save to keep out Modeste’s shot and Miller’s effort from the rebound.

Wrexham did put the ball in the net just before half-time, but Shaun Harrad’s headed goal was ruled off-side.

Just seconds later, Dover almost scored as Marsh could only watch in disbelief as his shot was headed off the line in spectacular fashion by Reds captain Sean Newton with Dunn well beaten.

The second half started with Dover continuing to ask the questions and Dunn safely gathered another Modeste, who had scored on his previous two trips to North Wales, shot 10 minutes in.

Jack Parkinson’s long-range effort flew over seconds later before Whites debutant goalkeeper Steve Arnold dived low to keep out Wrexham substitute Michael Bakare’s shot in a rare bit of action for him.

Whites continued to press for a winner after Stevenson went close and Richard Orlu tried his luck from distance, but his volley flew high and wide.

Miller almost won it at the death when it needed a finger-tip save from the impressive Dunn to turn his shot away for a corner.

WREXHAM REACTION

MATCH GALLERY

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”145″ gal_title=”Wrexham v DAFC 06/08/2016″]

Wrexham

24Chris Dunn Goalkeeper
13Mark Carrington Midfielder
4Hamza Bencherif Defender
5Martin Riley Defender
11Sean Newton Defender, (c)
7Anthony Barry 12 Midfielder
20Jordan Evans Midfielder
14Paul Rutherford Midfielder
29Tyler Harvey 17 Midfielder 47'
10John Rooney Forward
18Shaun Harrad 34 Forward
12Kai Edwards 7 Defender Barry 72'
17Callum Powell 29 Midfielder Harvey 63'
20Gerry McDonagh Forward
23Nortei Nortey Midfielder
34Michael Bakare 18 Forward Harrad 62'
  3 1

First Team Manager: Gary Mills

Dover Athletic

18Steve Arnold Goalkeeper
2Sam Magri Defender
6Richard Orlu Defender
15Jamie Grimes 16 Defender, (c)
3Aswad Thomas Defender
23Jack Parkinson Defender
4Chris Kinnear Jnr Midfielder 47'
8Jim Stevenson Midfielder
7Ricky Modeste Midfielder 89'
10Tyrone Marsh 17 Forward 21'
9Private: Ricky Miller Forward
11Mitchell Pinnock Forward
12Loui Fazakerley Defender
16Tyrone Sterling 15 Defender Grimes 88'
17Moses Emmanuel 10 Forward Marsh 62'
19Ira Jackson Jnr Forward
  2 3

First Team Manager: Chris Kinnear

Substitutions
3
2
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Yellow Cards
1
3
Red Cards
0
0

Officials

RefereeReferee's AssistantsFourth Official
Karl EvansAbbas Khan
Matthew Smith
Dean Watson

Ground

Racecourse Ground
Racecourse, Wrexham LL11 2AH, UK

Past Meetings

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