Metropolitan Police 1 Dover Athletic 2
Ryman League Division One
Saturday 22nd October 2005

By Kevin Harris

Whites ground out a deserved win against the Met Police, even though they were missing five first-teamers to injury. This was always going to be a tough outing, as the Police were only six points behind with a game in hand. But goals from Tyne and Hogg secured the three points and lift the side to second in the league.

Walker chose an attacking line-up, playing a 4-3-3 effectively with Matata and Tyne flanking the central striker of Rook. Midfield consisted of Skelton, Spiller and Hogg, with a back four of Browne, Readings, Humphrey and Clifford. Hyde was recalled in goal after recovering from injury.

With this attacking line-up, Whites started with a high tempo and immediately put pressure on their hosts. Matata was frightening the left-back with his pace, whilst Tyne was working especially hard down the other flank. And although Jon Daly headed wide for the Police, Hogg went close for the Whites, though swung his free kick just wide.

But after 21 minutes, Whites took the lead. With the Met's Kori Davis off the pitch changing his blooded shirt, Hogg swung his free kick into the danger zone, and Tyne rose unmarked to nod the ball over the keeper and into the net.

However, the lead only lasted six minutes. Skelton was about to clear a long throw just outside the area, when he slipped, allowing Craig Brown to cross and Kevin Cooper slotted the ball into the empty net.

The Police should have gone ahead soon after, when Rob Haworth looked set to sweep the ball home. Thankfully though, Dean Readings, who had a magnificent game, made a superb tackle to deny the forward.

And with basically the last kick of the half, Whites re-took the lead, in rather fortunate circumstances. Hogg collected the ball 25-yards out after Matata had forced the defender into a poor clearance, and his shot looked to have been saved by keeper Stuart MacKenzie. But unfortunately for him, it squirmed over his legs and over the line, and Whites went in at halftime leading.

In the first minute of the second period the game was almost put beyond the Police, after Matata went close to scoring a great goal. He collected the ball on the halfway line, and even though he fell over midway through his mazy run, he was still able to muscle his way past six defenders. But unbelievably he saw his shot cannon off the post, when I for one thought it was destined for the bottom corner of the net.

Humphrey went close to increasing the lead when he headed Spiller's corner just over, but down the other end Nick made a rare mistake in an accomplished performance, letting Haworth in, but the forward was denied by another great interception by Readings.

An injury to Met Police keeper MacKenzie on the hour mark led to a few minutes break in proceedings, and the home side clearly found their feet in this time as they began to take control of the game after this. John Hamsher volleyed on target and Haworth shot wide before they made three changes in an effort to get something from the game.

But Whites stood firm and were still creating chances, like when Tyne headed wide, but there was a major talking point with a few minutes to go. Leon Johnson pushed Spiller to the ground whilst play had been stopped, and looked certain to be shown the red card. But somehow both the referee and his assistant missed it, decided to play safe and book both players, and as Spiller had already been booked he was ordered off.

Kevin Lott replaced Matata to shore the game up for the final few minutes, and although Steve Boswell and Kevin Cooper both went close for the hosts, Whites hung on for the victory.

This was a tough match as expected, but Whites were fully deserving of the three points. They looked really dangerous going forward, especially with the pace of Matata, and it now sets up Tuesday's match perfectly. With Tonbridge winning 7-0 today it will be a really hard match, especially with the injury situation, but hopefully we can get a big crowd up at Crabble and continue our superb league form.

Metropolitan Police: Stuart MacKenzie, John Hamsher, Stuart Harte, Kori Davis (Paul King, 63mins), Dave Newman, Leon Johnson, Ian Batten (C), Jon Daly, Rob Haworth (Michael Parma, 63mins), Kevin Cooper, Craig Brown (Steve Boswell, 71mins).

Subs (Not Used): Byron Brown, Bradley King.

Booked: Dave Newman (17mins), Leon Johnson (84mins)

Dover Athletic: Paul Hyde 7, Tony Browne 7, Dave Clifford 8, Dean Readings 9, Walid Matata 9 (Kevin Lott, 85mins), Nick Humphrey 8, Anthony Hogg 7, Lee Spiller (C) 7, Carl Rook 7, Tommy Tyne 8, Dale Skelton 7.

Subs (Not Used): Michael Smissen, James Rogers, Sam Vallance, Darren Smith.

Booked: Carl Rook (40mins), Dave Clifford (81mins) Lee Spiller (65 & 84mins)

Sent Off: Lee Spiller (84mins – Two bookable offences)

Referee: Mr. A Osbourne

Assistants: Mr. A Ajibola and Mr. C Hatzidakis