Steve Brown chases a high ball.
| Nationwide Football Conference - Saturday 19 February 2000 - Edgar Street | ||
| Hereford United | 2 - 0 | Dover Athletic |
|---|---|---|
| Fewings (45, 53) | Att: 2003 | |
| Dover Team: Hyde, Browne, Norman, Strouts, Shearer, Virgo (Morrison 46), D.Clarke, Carruthers, Vansittart, Brown (Hynes 84), Le Bihan |
| Substitutes Not Used: Hudson, Daniels |
| Booked: Morrison, Strouts, Shearer |
| Sent Off: None |
| DAFC Website Man-Of-The-Match: Matt Carruthers |
Dover Athletic crashed to their second consecutive Conference defeat at Edgar Street to leave their dreams of League football, that had seemed so achievable eight days previously, in tatters.
The Whites were without a number of key players for this match and as such struggled to find any shape or rythm. Simon Wormull, injured against Rushden last Saturday, was absent, he was replaced by Matt Carruthers. The main problem area for Dover was in defence. Simon Beard, who has been a key factor in the Whites' recent good form, was out with a back injury and the likely replacements, Stuart Munday and Jake Leberl, were absent through injury and suspension respectively. Jimmy Strouts and James Virgo were asked to play in unfamiliar positions as Dover experimented with a three man defence with Scott Daniels suprisingly left on the bench, where he has spent most of the season. The good news was that Joff Vansittart was fit again and Neil Le Bihan also returned to the starting line-up, with Dave Morrison making way.
Hereford tested the Dover defence right from the start with Leroy May setting-up Mark Taylor but Paul Hyde had it covered. In the 7th minute they threatened again, Paul Parry fired over.
Dover finally pushed forward in the 10th minute and had two free-kicks that were well dealt with by the Hereford back-line. A minute later, Virgo's cross was punched away from the heads of two advancing Dover players.
Both sides missed golden opportunities to take the lead. Firstly, Fewings fired straight at Hyde, having been put through by May. Then Steve Brown failed to connect with Matt Carruthers' excellent cross.
The Bulls had the ball in the net after 39 minutes but the goal was disallowed because of an infringement by Ian Wright (no, not that Ian Wright).
Six minutes later Hereford did take the lead as Dover conceded a goal on the stroke of half time for the second game in a row. Fewings blasted past Hyde from 12 yards.
Dover could have drawn level early in the second period but Dave Clarke fired wide having pounced on a misplaced pass by Ian Rodgerson.
Leroy May caused problems for Athletic throughout and was involved in the home team's second goal, on 54 minutes. May headed-on Chris Lane's centre, Paul Hyde failed to hold on to it and Fewings reacted to grab his 13th Conference goal of the season.
Dover's play became more urgent as time ran out but they were unable to breach the home defence and have now not scored in the Conference for three weeks.
With all but the most optimistic Whites fans conceding that the title is now out of reach, next week's Trophy encounter with Sutton United takes on even more importance. Following that game is a very tough match at Scarborough and then an away trip to Forest Green Rovers.
