Dover Athletic pulled off one of the results of the weekend as they came from behind to beat high flying AFC Fylde at Crabble leaving boss Andy Hessenthaler delighted.
A goal down at the break to Danny Rowe’s 15th goal of the season, Andy Hessethaler’s side then had Anthony Jeffrey sent off controversially before two goals in the final seven minutes from Inih Effiong gave Dover the unlikeliest of wins and other results leave them just two points from safety!
“Unbelievable day to be fair,” the Dover boss admitted afterwards, “and things went against us and we didn’t play particularly well Saturday and Fylde were undoubtedly the better side in the first half.”
“But we’ve been playing well, and my players have great character and after we made a slight change at half time that helped, and we were on the front foot second half and I thought that we caused them problems.”
“But the sending off seemed to galvanise us ever more. And even with ten men I thought that we were going to get a goal – we got that – and then to get another was fantastic, as I didn’t envisage that. It was a tremendous performance with tremendous character and sums up that group of players for me – they’ve been first class.”
One player singled out for praise from the local press was Alfie Pavey – a substitute who turned things Dover’s way following his 62nd minute introduction.
“That’s why we brought him to the football club,” the Dover boss admitted. “We identified that Alfie’s a good centre forward. He’s not fit yet, we’ve got to get him fitter, he knows that, but the impact he made Saturday was tremendous and to give us that option from the bench is what we need.”
“Credit to him as he’s been playing part time football with Havant and whilst we’re full time, the step up is a big one, so he’s trying to find his feet again and we hope will be a big player for us for the rest of the season.”
Hessenthaler was then asked to comment on the sending off, “to me I thought he’d got the wrong player as Pats made the challenge and AJ was there as well, but I was more angry about the high foot on Gomez just before that – it was a good brave header from Gomez and their guy has raised his foot a long way and made contact.”
“So it should have been a free kick, but he played on and then the problem came from there.”
“I’m not going to comment too much – we’ll have another look at it and if we think it’s wrong, we’ll appeal it.”
The Dover boss was then asked about the Crabble support. “The fans were a credit today,” he said. Continuing, “they were a little bit quiet first half as Fylde were on top, but we need them from start to finish really – they are outstanding and were right behind the team – they could see that the boys were desperate to get a goal and when things went against us even more, they got behind the boys even more full credit to them.”
“The fans were outstanding the first time I was here, and they will be again I’m sure – there was even a lump in my throat at the end if I’m honest celebrating at the end – it was fabulous!”
Dover now take a break from League action next week as they welcome Havant to Crabble in the FA Trophy. Asked about the possibility of team “rotation”, the Dover boss confirmed, “I’ve been involved in two Trophy semi-finals and lost both of them! Everyone knows what our priority is, and I have spoken the Chairman about it.”
“It’s another game of football and we want to keep the momentum going – yes I will make changes – 100 percent I will make changes as the players that I will bring in will be the squad, players who need to get time in their legs, players off the bench, they’re all first team players and that will mean that we’ll still have a good side out there – it’s an important game for us to maintain that winning mentality!”