2019-2020 – Page 6 – DOVER ATHLETIC FC

Scott Doe’s second half goal handed Athletic all three points in front of the TV cameras on Saturday evening.

Man-of-the-match Doe coolly finished Jack Munns’ free kick on the hour mark as Andy Hessenthaler’s men extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

And at the other end Dover’s experienced centre-back superbly marshalled his defence to a third consecutive clean sheet.

Earlier, Yusuf Mersin was called into action early on, pawing out Lawson D’Ath’s goalbound volley with the Dover defence on hand to clear the ball for their goalkeeper.

Whites were then denied by the woodwork on 10 minutes.

Paul Rooney’s volley from Doe’s knock-down deflected into the air, with Steven Rigg nodding onto the bar from a few yards out.

Inih Effiong then connected with Aaron Simpson’s cross, heading straight at home keeper Stuart Nelson.

Dover were then required to clear off the line once again when Rhys Murphy nodded over Mersin, however Rooney strode across the goalmouth and blasted the ball away for a throw-in.

Myles Hippolyte had Mersin scrambling back towards his goal, however the Yeovil man’s header bounced onto the roof of the net.

Murphy continued to search for his 10th goal of the season, racing onto a long ball and volleying just off target.

Town then went closer with the half-time whistle just five minutes away.

Tom Bradbury connected with D’Ath’s curling corner, only to head wide of Mersin’s far post.

Bobby-Joe Taylor fired over Nelson’s goal from distance and following the restart, Murphy turned inside Doe and fired towards goal, a stinging effort that Mersin had to pat down.

Nelson then clutched onto Rigg’s header from Munns’ corner and Yeovil’s stopper had to turn Effiong’s angled drive around the post.

But Dover did go ahead two minutes after the hour mark thanks to Scott Doe’s first goal of the season.

The defender found himself unmarked in the box and after collecting Munns’ set piece, poked the ball past the onrushing Nelson.

Nelson then had to come to the hosts’ rescue again when Effiong sprinted clear off the home defence, saving the striker’s shot with his legs.

Mersin palmed Gold Omotayo’s fierce volley into the side netting as Dover continued to repel the home team’s attacks.

Mersin saved his best saves for the 80 minute mark, beating away sub James Tilley’s 20-yard drive and then getting fingertips to Hippolyte’s curling effort.

Sub Roberto Ratti was then inches from sealing the win with three minutes to go, smacking the bar with a diving header.

But Athletic’s resilient defence held on to their lead until the final whistle, with Doe receiving a £200 cheque for the charity of his choice from BT Sport for his man-of-the-match performance.

The win sees Dover move up two places to 10th on the National League table, two points of seventh-place Harrogate Town.

Earlier, Hessenthaler made one change to the side that started against Southend United in the FA Cup, with Nassim L’Ghoul replacing the suspended Jai Reason.

Whites next host Solihull Moors on Saturday 23rd November, kick off 3 pm.

DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION