This was the classic game of two halves as Dover were in charge and showed their class in the first while Dartford came out and took the game to their higher League opponents in the second half. Meaning that  both teams are in the draw for the second round on Monday.

The game was only three minutes old when Aswad Thomas threw the ball into the area for the prolific Ricky Miller and he made room for the shot from 5 yards but Deren Ibrahim saved it. Two minutes later Thomas threaded the ball into the area for Moses Emmanual but he shot over the bar. Dover were in total control and in the 9^th minute a corner to the back post saw Jack Parkinson rise ane head goalwards but again Ibrahim saved. Dartford in a rare attack had their first half chance when a corner to the back post found Ronnie Vint but from 5 yards his shot hit the side netting.

In the 22^nd minute Duane Ofari-Acheampong broke away running clear from halfway before a defender got back to him but he laid the ball into the path of Alex Brown who’s first time shot was saved by Steven Arnold. In the 35^th minute Dover took the lead when Emmanual battling for the ball in the area was able to pass it forward for Miller who from an acute angle shot in from 5 yards. Dover were now trying to increase their lead and in the 38^th minute Miller received the ball in the area but his shot was saved by Ibrahim at the second attempt then in the 42^nd minute a corner into the 6 yard box was headed just wide of the post by Thomas.

The second half saw Dartford up the tempo and in the 46^th minute Ryan Hayes who had come on at half time, on the right was fouled but the referee waved play on as the ball had gone into the path of Danny Harris & shot flew past the post. In the 51^st minute Dover nearly doubled their lead when Jim Stevenson on halfway threaded the ball forward for Miller and his first time shot was saved by Ibrahim.

Three minutes later this would be Dover’s last chance of the game when a Sam Magri free kick to the back post found Ross Lafayette but his header went over the bar and nestled on top of the netting. Dartford got their reward for having a go when in the 58^th they equalised, a Hayes corner in the area caused a scramble and Elliot Bradbrook’s shot was saved by Arnold but came out to Vint who crashed the ball into the empty net.

In the 62^nd minute Ofari-Acheampong went down the left wing beating the full back and his low cross was met by Luke Wanadio but under pressure and from 5 yards his shot went just past the post. Dartford continues to press forward but did not create any more chances whilst Dover relied on breakaways, the last real half chance came in the 85^th minute when Lee Noble running forward from halfway saw his curling effort from 20 yards go just past the post.

The full time whistle went and both teams have to play on Tuesday night at the Crabble for a place in the 2^nd round. As stated a game of two halves with both managers agreeing.

Dartford:

1. Ibrahim 2. T.Gardiner (27)  3. T.Wynter  4. R.Vint  5. K.Wood  6. A.Brown (86)  7. D.Harris
2. E.Bradbrook 9.D.Ofari-Acheampong  10. A.Pugh (45)  11. L.Wanadio

Subs Used: 12. L.Noble (27)  14. R.Hayes (45)  16. E.Brown (86)

Subs Not Used:  15. B-K Dembele  17. T.Coxall

Bookings: 9. D.Ofari-Acheampong (74)

Dover Athletic:

18. S.Arnold 2.S.Magri  3. A.Thomas  6. R.Orlu  8. J.Stevenson  9. R.Miller  15. J.Grimes
19. T.Sterling 17. M.Emmanual (88)  23. J.Parkinson 25. R.Lafayette (83)

Subs Used:  7. R.Modeste (83)  11. M.Pinnock (88)

Subs Not Used:   1. M.Walker  4.C.Kinnear  10. T.Marsh

Bookings; 3.A.Thomas (47)

Referee:  Mr R.Whitton

Assistants: Mr P.Lister  &  Mr I.Yates

4^th Official:  Mr L.Brennan