NATIONWIDE CONFERENCESaturday 10 November 2001Hilton Park
Leigh RMI 1 - 2 Dover Athletic
Fisher (59) Att: 325 Strouts (21), Scott (58)

LEIGH RMI: Westhead, Scott, Heald, Durkin, Swan (German 90), Fisher, Fitzpatrick (Kielty 46), Twiss, Maamria, Monk, Hallows (39)
Substitutes Not Used: Spooner, Thompson
DOVER ATHLETIC: Hyde, Carruthers, Norman, Leberl, Vowden, Shearer, Strouts, Davies, Scott, Tyne, Le Bihan
Substitutes Not Used: Day, Ovard, Elliott, Frost, Hickman
Booked: Swan
Booked: Scott


Dover Athletic caretaker manager Clive Walker started his reign in the best possible way just 24 hours after filling the position vacated by Gary Bellamy. Goals form Jimmy Strouts and Keith Scott and another fine performance from Paul Hyde in goal secured Dover's second away win of the season.

With injuries to Goalkeeper Phil Smith, defender Darren Carr and winger Chris Allen, plus the departures of loan signings Chris Dorrian and Gareth Risbridger, the Whites' squad was severely depleted. This gave opportunities to teenage reserve team players John Ovard and Tom Hickman, who were both named in the senior squad for the first time, alongside 17-year-old Dean Frost.

For the second away game in a row, Dover's travel arrangements did not go to plan and the kick-off was delayed. The match eventually got under way at 4:00pm. Walker named all seven of the players who remain from last season's squad in his first starting line-up. With over 1100 Dover appearances between them and with the addition of experienced Conference defender Colin Vowden and veteran striker Keith Scott (both Bellamy signings) this gave the Dover side a much more experienced make-up than it has had so far this season. Tommy Tyne returned to the starting line-up as Dover reverted to two up front.

A scrappy opening presented little in the way of chances until Monk and Fisher combined in the 20th minute for the home side but Monk's touch let him down in front of goal.

A minute later the Whites took the lead with their first real attempt on goal. Matt Carruthers picked out Jimmy Strouts who found the back of the net with a fine volley, his 37th Dover goal.

Dover had chances to increase their lead. Norman's cross was headed wide by Scott and soon after Scott went close again from Norman's corner but Heald cleared off the line. Norman himself had an effort that went wide, following-up after his free-kick had hit the wall. Strouts could have scored a second but shot over after dispossesing Fisher in midfield.

Just before the break Hyde had to be alert to deny Leigh from a set-piece.

A minute after the restart Scott was guilty of a shocking miss, hitting the ball wide of an open goal from Tyne's cross. Maamria and Fisher went close before Scott atoned in the 58th minute, beating two defenders to head another Tyne cross into the back of the net.

Dover maintained their two-goal advantage for just 60 seconds before danger man Fisher beat Hyde from the edge of the box. This lifted the home side and they increased the pressure on the Dover defence. Two great saves from Hyde preserved Dover's lead, denying first Kielty and then Hallows. Twiss and Kielty had chances late on but Hyde was equal to them whilst at the other end Tyne nearly made it 3-1 in the last minute but his shot was blocked.

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