In a game with six goals, two red cards and plenty of action Dover Athletic were able to force Bath City into a replay on Tuesday.
After the White’s long standing unbeaten league record came to an end last weekend Chris Kinnear’s team wanted to return to winning ways against a Bath side who are mid-table in the Conference South. The Romans had an unbeaten run of their own having lost just one game since the 20th of December.
Kinnear named an unchanged side from the team who lost 1-0 at Lincoln last weekend but after Soloman Taiwo was injured before the match, meaning Chris Kinnear Junior was put into midfield.
The game began at a quick pace with both sides having good chances in the opening minutes, first Kinnear’s hopeful shot went just wide before Bath came straight back with Nick McCootie when his shot was saved into the path of Dave Pratt who, before he could slot the ball in was flagged for offside.
This early pressure resulted in a quick goal and it came to the hosts after six minutes when Tom Murphy’s powerful run down the right wing after winning the ball back and playing a pass towards Stephan Payne who was able to slide his effort past Bath’s Jason Mellor to open the scoring with the striker’s 15th goal of the season.
Dover nearly doubled their advantage soon after when Payne returned the favour, flicking the ball over his head into the path of Murphy whose shot towards the near post was tipped wide.
The visitors quickly looked to find a way back into the game and they were able to create some chances before half time; first Andy Gallinagh’s low cross caused problems for the Dover defence but Andy Rafferty was able to hold it; soon after Chris Allen found Dave Pratt to his right but the striker’s effort was deflected away for a corner.
Throughout the first half Stefan Payne was the victim of a number of dangerous tackles which were overlooked by the referee, soon after firing wide late in the half he retaliated to Jason Mellor, leaving the referee no choice but to send him off meaning Dover went into half time needing to prepare for having ten men in the second.
Bath came out determined for a good performance in the second half and they had the first opportunity to score when Andy Gallinagh broke down the left side before weaving inside and out and hitting a shot at the near post which Andrew Rafferty was able to push wide.
It wasn’t long, however, before the visitors were able to get an equaliser and it was Gallinagh involved again. This time, after receiving the ball and cutting inside past two players he was able to hit a low shot across Rafferty to make the score 1-1 with plenty of time remaining for either team to take control.
It was the visitors who were able to take the lead soon after when Ross Stern ran at Sean Raggett before hitting a long range shot past Rafferty to take the lead.
The Romans continued to push forward and nearly had a third goal when Nick McCootie lead a counter attack down the right wing before playing a pass into Ashley Kington who could only fire his shot wide across goal.
Bath needed to wait until the 82nd minute before they were able to extend their lead and seemingly put the game beyond doubt and confirm their place in the semi-final when, after some good work on the left the ball was played through to Ross Stern who chipped the ball over Andrew Rafferty for his second goal of the game.
With time running out and their fans beginning to leave, Dover’s fight back began with just three minutes of time remaining. A free kick from Sean Raggett fell towards Ricky Modeste at the far post who held the ball up before finding Richard Orlu in the six yard box who bundled the ball in to give themselves one more chance to force a replay.
In the five additional minutes the hosts continued to look for an equaliser and with the crowd behind them a cross from the left wing fell to Sean Raggett at the far post who put the ball back into the six yard box where it was met by the head of Jake Reid whose effort was dropped by Bath’s goalkeeper to give both teams a chance to meet again for a replay.
The drama was not over, however, and with just moments remaining Bath’s Naby Diallo was sent off sparking a heated argument between both sets of coaches.
Dover will miss Stefan Payne, whose suspension will begin immediately, in the replay on Tuesday.
With Dover’s second consecutive FA Trophy tie needing a replay, they will now travel to Twerton Park on Tuesday to decide who will reach the two legged semi-final with the draw being held on Monday.
Dover Athletic: Rafferty, Essam, Wynter (Poole), Raggett, Orlu, Sterling, Kinnear, Cogan (Reid), Deverdics (Modeste), Murphy, Payne
Subs not used: Walker, Hook
Bath City: Mellor, Simpson, Gallinagh, Walsh (Stern), Ball, Hemmings (Kington), Allen, Diallo, Pratt (Watkins), McCootie, Artus
Subs not used: Adelsbury, Keary
Referee: Mr N Kinseley
Assistants: Mr P Johnson and Mr S Pawley