Lee Shearer and Tommy Tyne in action at Belle Vue.
| NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE | Saturday 1 September 2001 | Belle Vue |
| Doncaster Rovers | 2 - 1 | Dover Athletic |
|---|---|---|
| Sale (2), Patterson (44) | Att: 2044 | Scott (34) |
|
DONCASTER ROVERS: Richardson, Marples, Miller, Ryan, Kelly, Carden, Owen, Cauldwell, Paterson, Sale (Gill 18), Whitman Substitutes Not Used: Hawkins, Warrington, Price, Green |
DOVER ATHLETIC: Hyde, Dorrian, Norman, Leberl, Shearer, Strouts, Elliott (McRobert 76), Day, Scott, Tyne, Inman (Ullathorne 64) Substitutes Not Used: Vowden, Parsons, Beeney |
| Booked: Carden, Paterson | Booked: Norman, Hyde, Shearer |
 Lee Shearer challenges for an aerial ball. |
Dover Athletic suffered their fifth consecutive defeat on Saturday, at the hands of Doncaster Rovers. As in their last match, against Forest Green, the Whites battled but came away with nothing from a fixture that is traditionally hard fought and very close.
Captain Colin Vowden was dropped in favour of fit again Jimmy Strouts as Gary Bellamy strived to find the formula which would deliver Dover's first points of the season. Vowden was joined on the bench by Simon Ullathorne who linked up with the Whites this week.
Athletic's task was made significantly more difficult when, after just 70 seconds, Mark Sale gave the home side the lead, from Jamie Paterson's left-wing cross.
Dover did not wilt under the pressure though and after missed opportunities at both ends the Whites drew level with a goal in the 34th minute. Strouts played Keith Scott through and the experienced forward lobbed Richardson from 20-yards for his, and Dover's, second goal of the season.
A couple of free-kicks from Jamie Day gave the Whites the chance to go in 2-1 up at the break but first Scott then Elliott failed to capitalise.
Instead it was Doncaster who took the lead just before half-time. Paterson's 25-yard effort on the turn after 44 minutes gave Hyde no chance.
Dover had chances to level the scores in the second period but Doncaster could have put the game beyond doubt but for a fine save from Paul Hyde in the 69th minute.
Even in a good run of form a trip to Belle Vue would have been a tricky proposition, but coming off the back of four straight defeats Athletic did well to test Rovers but are still seeking their first points of the season. Monday's visit of Hayes is now a must-win game for a club who are already four points adrift of the safety of 19th place.
[ Home ]
