Dover Athletic v Hastings United - Saturday 24th January 2009

Pre Match Report

“I’m Roger Sinden here at The Perrys Crabble, Dover  where Hastings United visit Dover Athletic ”

Table topping Dover Athletic, with eight straight wins from their last eight games and an astonishing twenty five points clear from the second placed side provide daunting opposition for Hastings United this afternoon. Even the bookmaker  appears to be  against Hastings with odds of eight to one against Hastings winning.

Hastings for their part are having a better month, with an away win at Maidstone United being followed by a home win last week against Harlow Town. They raced to a three goal lead with goals from Sam Adams, Frankie Sawyer and Matt Maclean before the sending off of defender Nathan Russell set up a nail biting finish. The visitors pulled two goals back and Goalkeeper Greg Nessling was called upon to make some excellent saves to preserve maximum points. The welcome victory took United up to a comfortable mid table position, putting distance from the relegation zone.

As for today, Dover are an ambitious club enjoying excellent home support and  Hasting manager John Lambert will surely be looking for a strategy of spoiling containment as his game plan. To concede an early goal would be disastrous as Hastings would then need to emerge from a defensive shell and the floodgates could then open.

Hastings last visit to the Crabble, almost two years ago, saw both clubs in the Ryman first division playoffs and Hastings pulled off a surprise win that evening. I wonder if I should open my wallet and go and see the bookie.

Roger Sinden for Saturday Sport at The Perrys Crabble, Dover

Match Report

Dover Athletic  ( 3 ) Hastings United ( 2)

Table topping Dover Athletic maintained their impressive one hundred per cent home record but were made to fight all the way by a gutsy Hastings United side. Inevitably the home side bossed the first half in terms of possession and goal opportunities, yet curiously Hastings did manage to force nine corners in this period.

Dover’s opening goal came from a corner on 28 minutes, shortly taken with Laurence Ball heading home from close range inside the post. Undaunted, Hastings response also came from a corner kick, with Sam Adams centre being flicked on for Frankie Sawyer to force home from close range on the volley. Hastings survived the remainder of the half unscathed but home supporters howled in unison for a penalty for handball just before the break.

The home side effectively clinched the game with two quick goals after the break. Firstly Grazioli placed a header into the net from Hughes well placed centre on 57 minutes and then two minutes later, Schulz’s header looped over the stranded Nessling, set up by a l9ong throw on the left.

These two quick goals stunned the l[plucky visitors, who responded in style. Firstly Jack Dixon set up Frankie Sawyer to cut in from the right on 72 minutes and fired home, and then agonisingly Gonnella set up Matt McLean who struck the foot of the post. There was still time for Gonnella to fire wide of the goal in a storming finish with Welford at the other end also missing extravagantly for Dover Athletic.

Roger Sinden at The Perrys Crabble, Dover for Saturday Sport
where it finished
Dover Athletic ( 3 ) Hastings United ( 2 )