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