Could we really have asked for a better start to the season? This promising young Whites side answered a lot of critics with a very encouraging win in their first ever Ryman League game, though the scoreline was harsh on Slough. The away side deserved something for their efforts, especially during the first half, when the always-dangerous Matt Miller squandered some good chances for the Rebels.  

But this day was not about the visitors, it was a proud day to be a Dover Athletic supporter. After the hard times of the past few years, the luck was finally with us, and we took our chances to gain the vital three points on the first day of the season.  

The game started slowly, with both sides keen to test the waters rather than eagerly push men forward, and we had to wait until the 20^th minute for the first shot on target – Craig Cloke deciding to take on half of the Slough defence before unleashing a weak drive that keeper Jake Whincup dealt with easily. Minutes later the defender again went close, as Hickman dummied a Skelton corner, and Cloke drove the ball just over the bar. The Whites were starting to find their feet by this stage, and Welford was unlucky not to convert Smidmore’s right wing cross. 

Slough were definitely not being over-awed though, as Hakki, Metcalfe and Miller all had chances to put the visitors in front. But in first half injury time the game swung the way of the hosts. After Josias Carbon had seen his shot from the edge of the area superbly saved by Mullin, Whites took the lead. Chris Wright showed his strength to win the ball back on the right wing, and his cross just evaded the head of Shaun Welford. Fortunately though, the ball bounced out to Rob Smidmore, who struck his volley into the corner of the net, past the keeper’s left hand. With the half time whistle only seconds away, it was a great time to score, and it surely made Richard Langley’s interval team talk much easier.  

Slough came out for the second period fighting, with Steve Daly heading just over, and then Veli Hakki left Cloke having to produce a fine saving tackle when he was through on goal. But Whites increased their lead on the hour mark. Skelton put a dangerous cross in, and as Moller and the keeper Whincup left it for each other, Chris Wright stole in to volley the ball home.  

Wright almost got another five minutes later, but could not get on the end of a free kick, but he did not have to wait for long to get his second. The ball was played forward to Welford, who showed his strength to hold the ball up, and lay it off to Wright and the young forward then shot a first-time curling effort into the top corner from 20-yards, past the flailing right hand of Whincup.  

The game was effectively wrapped up, but Slough scored what proved to be a consolation with 15 minutes to go. Ian Hodges got in front of Mullin at a corner, and headed in. Thankfully there was no repeat of conceding late goals like last season, and it was the Whites who were closest to increasing their tally in the closing minutes. Wright almost grabbed his hat-trick with a lob that went just over, and then Welford put the ball just wide when he was put through.  

So the score remained at 3-1, to the delight of the Dover fans amassed at the River End, and we begin the season in third place in the league. The crowd was quite pleasing, in that it was the biggest in the league, and only two clubs in Nationwide South and five in Nationwide North had higher attendances, but we still need to increase this if we are to survive, as finances are still very tight. This was a day to be proud of our young side, and hopefully we can continue this success throughout the forthcoming season.

DOVER: Pat Mullin, James Farrier, James Rogers, Dale Skelton, Craig Cloke, Tom Hickman, Rob Smidmore (Michael Smissen, 83mins), Billy Bone (Micky Lane, 74mins), Shaun Welford, Chris Wright, John Mee (Danny Welch, 74 mins). Subs not used: Shane Hamshare, Paul Rogers (GK).

BOOKINGS: Dale Skelton (59mins), Shaun Welford (69mins).

SLOUGH: Jake Whincup, Josias Carbon, Michael Murphy, Steve Daly, James Saulsbury, Martin Moller (Danny Steer, 70mins), Darron Wilkinson, Veli Hakki, Ian Hodges, Matt Millar (Glen Harris, 76mins), Christian Metcalfe. Subs not used: Matt Seedel, Ryan Spencer, Michael Parkin. 

Attendance: 637.

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