Chris Kinnear’s Dover Athletic emerged victorious in this Kent Senior Cup tie at Princes Park, deservedly defeating hosts Dartford 3-0 on a cold Tuesday night on a challenging playing surface.
Both sides elected to field vastly different sides to their respective games last weekend; Dartford making 10 changes to their starting XI whilst Dover made 9; Nathan Collier for Dartford with Craig Stone and Liam Bellamy for Dover were the only players unchanged.
The opening 20 minutes proved to be an uneventful affair with the changes to each starting line up and the difficult playing surface undoubtedly having an effect on the game.
On 24 minutes Dover took the lead. Andre Blackman picked up the ball on the halfway line and elected to take on Dartford’s defence down the left. Reaching the by-line, Blackman cut back inside beating home ‘keeper Wellham at his near post in front of the delighted travelling support.
Twelve minutes later Dover doubled their lead. Attacking this time on the right a floated ball towards the penalty area was flicked on by Dover’s Elliot Charles. The flick fell straight to Moses Ademola who controlled the ball 15yds out with his chest, swiftly turning on the spot to plant the ball low inside ‘keeper Wellham’s left hand post.
On 42 minutes Ademola, a constant menace, had a good penalty appeal waved away. Good work between the impressive Ricky Modeste and Liam Bellamy gave Ademola an opportunity to run at goal. Advancing from his line, Wellham dived for the ball with Ademola falling to the ground. Referee Ian Crouch waved away Dover’s claims for a penalty
Seven minutes into the 2nd half saw the visitors extend their lead and effectively end the tie. Working down their left side, Dover played the ball to Charles who flicked the ball on to Ademola on the edge of the box. Ademola, seeing Wellham off his line, elected to try and lob the ‘keeper. Back-pedalling, Wellham got his hands to the ball under the crossbar but unfortunately for him his momentum carried him and ball into the back of the net.
The tannoy announcer called this as an own goal however the attempted lob was indeed on target with Ademola’s vision and quick thinking deserving for the goal to be awarded to Dover’s no’10 for his second of the night.
Dartford’s poor finishing on the night was summed up late on by Kenny Clark who headed tamely into the side netting from close range.
Despite Dartford’s front two Ishmail Kamara and Mikel Suarez starting positively and holding the ball up well, Dover ‘keeper Lee Hook remained untested throughout with the home side not managing a single shot on target.
So it is Dover who move into the semi finals of the competition and will host fellow Skrill South side and league leaders Bromley at The Crabble. Another side doing well in the Skrill South this season, Ebbsfleet Utd, already in the final, await the winners.
Dartford, struggling in the Skrill Premier, play in front of a live TV audience this Friday at home to Chester FC whilst Dover, currently battling for a place in the play-offs in Skrill South, play host to Basingstoke.
Dartford: Wellham, Allen, Hill, Clark, Porter, Monger (Adams 57mins), Collier, Noble, I Kamara (Scantlebury 57mins), Suarez, Akinwande (Anidugbe 72mins).
Subs not used: Julian, Vint.
Dover: Hook, Stone (Owusu-Ansah 80mins), M Kamara, Orlu, Gabriel, Modeste, Heffernan, Bellamy (Rogers 84mins), Blackman (Isichei 71mins), Charles, Ademola.
Sub not used: Donnelly, Beard.
Goals; 24 (Blackman), 36 (Ademola), 52, (Ademola)
Referee: Mr Ian Crouch
Assistants: Mr Elliot Hollobone & Aji Ajibode
Attendance: 336
Dartford MOTM; Nathan Collier
Dover MOTM; Ricky Modeste