Dover Athletic FC Official Website

<

HARROW 1 DOVER 4

Saturday, February 19, 2005

BY KEVIN HARRIS

An outstanding performance by the Whites continued their superb run of victories, as they completely outplayed a poor Harrow side. Whites looked driven, fighting for every ball, and it paid off as it gave the Whites their best win of the season.

 

The side showed a few changes from the last-gasp victory over Salisbury. Paul Hyde returned in goal after injury, whilst Shane Hamshare returned after his suspension, and Danny Braithwaite missed out due to his suspension. James Rogers was also given a starting berth, meaning Stuart Maynard dropped to the bench.

 

Whilst most Dover fans were still changing ends at the beginning of the match, the home side almost went in front. Jude Stirling tried to dribble the ball across the six-yard box, and his clearance deflected off striker Daniel Clarke, and sailed inches over the bar.

 

But the defender made up for it with ten minutes on the clock. A Carruthers free kick found Jude 12-yards out, and he rose above his marker to head past the goalkeeper, who injured himself colliding with the post, trying to stop it. After this, Whites continued to press, and Victor Renner came really close to making it two-nil.

 

A quick throw by Vallance found Renner on the edge of the box, and he took a touch and lifted the ball towards the top corner of the net. Just as it seemed to be sailing in, Harrow keeper Keita Karamoko got a vital hand to it to touch it round the post.

 

Stirling and James Rogers both went close for the Whites before the second goal did arrive. A corner from Carruthers was headed on at the near post by Harrow defender Wayne Walters, and it found Anthony Hogg 12-yards out. When he collected the ball he was on the floor, but he managed to stand up and blast the ball into the roof of the net.

 

In first half injury time, Harrow gave themselves a lifeline. Fabio Valenti collected the ball 8-yards out, and although his first shot was blocked, it bounced back to him to slot past Hyde.

 

The Harrow forward line was changed at the interval, with a double substitution, as the home side clearly tried to build on the goal prior to halftime.

 

But it was the Whites who were still posing the greater threat. Another set piece by Carruthers, this time a free kick, found Hogg who shot over. And then a Carruthers corner found Renner 5-yards out, but it came to him too quickly, hit his knee, and flew just wide.

 

The best chance for Harrow came on the hour, when substitute Victor Asombang shot just wide of the far post. Thankfully, the nerves of Whites were eased when they came down the other end and scored themselves. Hamshare looked set to score when 6-yards out, but a last-ditch tackle meant the ball fell to Carruthers, who blasted the ball into the back of the net.

 

Matt should have made it 4-1 when a mistake in the Harrow defence left him with a free run on goal, but his lob flew straight into the keepers hands. Whites were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Renner's legs were clearly taken from underneath him, and it was lucky that Whites were so much on top that it didn't matter.

 

Harrow almost reduced the deficit in the final ten minutes, when both Wayne Walters and Victor Asombang had shots cleared off of the line following a corner.

 

Shane Hamshare had a chance when he lobbed the keeper, but unfortunately his effort sailed over the bar too, but the fourth goal did arrive in injury time. Shane Hamshare burst into the box from the right touchline, and two defenders took him out. Cloke stepped up and whacked the ball past Karamoko, and the Whites fans watched in delight as the whole side did their victory dance.

 

There was still time for the customary brawl, as Harrow were clearly getting annoyed at how they were getting stuffed, especially Number 5, Perry Norman. But the final whistle came soon afterwards, and Whites fans and players applauded each other after a great win. The side really looked up for the battle to avoid relegation today, and worked so hard that they really deserved a big victory. It would have been impossible to pick a man of the match as they all played to their potential. It's still a massive task to stay in the league, but even if we do not make it, we will definitely go down fighting.

 

Harrow Borough: Keita Karamoko, Marvyn Watson, Clemente Lopez, Wayne Walters, Perry Norman, Fabio Valenti, Howard Newton, Steve Dogbe, John Bacon (Naoki Mouri, 46mins (Daniel Dyer, 69mins)), Daniel Clarke (Victor Asombang, 46mins), Daniel McGonigle.

 

Subs: Takuro Hosaka, Victor Asombang, Ross Fitzsimon, Daniel Dyer, Naoki Mouri.

 

Bookings: Marvyn Watson (50mins), Wayne Walters (90mins)

 

Dover Athletic: Paul Hyde, Sam Vallance, Jude Stirling, Dean Readings, Craig Cloke, Shane Hamshare, Tom Hickman, Matt Carruthers, Victor Renner, Anthony Hogg, James Rogers.

 

Subs: Stuart Maynard, Chris Wright, Walid Matata, Dale Skelton, Ricky Spiller.

 

Bookings: Tom Hickman (72mins), Matt Carruthers (90mins)

 

Attendance: 205