Whites finally kicked off their preparations for the forthcoming Ryman Premier League season at the Hoverspeed Stadium on this Monday night, and were given a good test from a hard-working Sittingbourne side. With the game at Hythe postponed the previous Saturday, this was the first chance for supporters to analyse this season’s prospective team, though the starting line-up included just two trialists. Pat Mullins was in goal, and Ricky Spiller at right back, the spitting image and brother of Lee, who left the Whites at the end of last season.

The rest of the players were made up of former youths and reserves, which are likely to form the majority of the side this season with the current financial climate at the club. Tom Hickman was given the captains armband for this encounter, and it remains to be seen whether Head Coach Richard Langley chooses him for this role full-time.

It was the visitors who went in front after 16 minutes. After a lapse in the Dover defence, Ian Young was left free in the area, and he shot low past trialist Pat Mullins. This was the first real chance of a first half that was generally a midfield battle, with neither keeper being tested greatly. Mullins looked assured in goal, and seemed happy to come off his line on a number of occasions.

One player who really did seem to shine in the first period was Michael ‘Buster’ Smissen, who played for the visitors for most of last season, but has returned to his former club over the summer break. He forced Fewell in the away goal to push one shot away for a corner, and was a constant threat with other chances.

Dover made four changes at the interval, with the two trialists departing to make way for more of the youngsters to show their worth. However, Paul Rogers, who made an inspired first-team debut against Hednesford last season, only lasted until the 66th minute. He got injured and so Mullins came back on, but was again not tested enough to see whether he could challenge Paul Hyde when he returns.

A number of other substitutions took place, but Smissen was still causing problems. He missed a free header from 6-yards from a Bone free kick, before he pulled the Whites level from the penalty spot. Chris Wright showed immense determination to get into the area, where Ben Taylor handled the ball whilst he was on the floor. Smissen stepped up to break the Whites’ penalty hoodoo from last season, and shot into the left-hand side of the net, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Whites finished the better side, and were unlucky not to win it with ten minutes remaining. Once the ball had been cleared from the area, it fell to Shane Hamshare, whose half-volley was beaten away by a good save by Fewell in the visitors goal. This was the final chance of the match, as two tiring sides ran out of energy. This was a promising start for the young Whites side, but once a few players are back to match fitness, we will really be able to see what this side is capable of achieving.

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