Match Report: Dover Athletic

This was Maidstone’s second win in a row. And it was no surprise that George Elokobi named an unchanged line up after last Saturday’s victory against AFC Totton.

On nine minutes, Luke Baptiste’s corner from the Dover right was met by Ruben Soares-Junior and his header smacked against the bar.

Three minutes later, Maidstone edged in front. Riley Court surged to the by-line and pulled the ball back to Christie Pattisson whose shot took a massive deflection as it flew past Mitch Walker.

It wasn’t long before Dover hit the woodwork again. This time

George Nikaj went for a curling effort from a tight angle and it came back off the bar.

The game then entered a lull after getting broken up by a couple of lengthy stoppages. Then just before half time, a rising effort from Court looked destined for the net but he was denied by an excellent save from Walker who palmed the ball over the bar.

With 72 minutes gone, Dover had Walker to thank once again. He did well to block a shot from substitute John Gilbert from close range and stayed on his feet to deny Jamie Yila from the follow up.

Gilbert then squeezed the ball through to Court. Court was off balance and his weak shot went straight at Walker.

In stoppage time, Walker made yet another decent block as this time he prevented substitute Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong from scoring. However, Walker was powerless to stop Maidstone from adding a second with the last kick of the game. Gilbert played Tanga in on goal and he confidently found the back of the net.

Dover Athletic: –

Maidstone United: O.G. 12, Jephte Tanga 90+6

Dover Athletic: 1. Mitch Walker, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 4. Jalen Jones, 6. Luca Cocoracchio, 7. Luke Baptiste (19. Rolando Onu 67), 10. George Nikaj, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior, 15. Harrison Sodje, 21. Jacob Mensah, 23. George Wilkinson (29. Finley Marjoram 74), 25. Ryan Hanson (18. Bivesh Gurung 63), Subs not used: 13. Claudio Boakye Sarfo, 3. Fuad Sesay, 22. Momodou Jallow, 30. Kieron Agbebi.

Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 3. Leo Hamblin, 4. Lexus Beeden (2. David Sesay 75), 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble, 7. Jephte Tanga, 8. Sam Corne, 11. Jamie Yila (20. Hamzad Kargbo 75), 17. Riley Court (26. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong 81), 20. Christie Pattisson (10. John Gilbert 64), 24. Taylor Foran. Subs not used: 1. Nathan Harness, 11. Mark Boruk, 17. Malachi Mbogba.