Dover are made of the Wright stuff

DOVER ATHLETIC supporters had something to smile about again despite a summer of upheaval and personnel changes, as Richard Langley's youngsters put on a promising display to defeat Slough Town on the opening day of the Ryman League Premier Division season.

And the result was even more sweeter as the Whites were without several of their experienced campaigners.  Craig Wilkins (back), Nicky Humphrey, club captain Matt Carruthers (ankle) and goalkeeper Paul Hyde were all on the sidelines.

Hyde will be out of action for up to eight weeks after partially severed two fingers in a freak accident involving a set of powered hedge trimmers.

The Hoverspeed Stadium outfit have been forced to throw in the youngsters into the Ryman Premier League battlefield as the club are still paying off their debts to the Creditors Voluntary Arrangement, which was set up two years ago and still has three years to run.

The visiting side from Berkshire were well supported vocally and in numbers in the healthy crowd of 637.  However, the home fans were mostly quiet in the first half - probably seeking out their new players, and a bit dejected after losing five out of their six pre-season friendlies.

Slough were in full control inside the opening twenty minutes, but the home side weathered the storm without debutant goalkeeper Pat Mullin being tested.  What he had to do, however, he did well, which was collecting routine crosses.

Dover's first opening was carved out in the 19th minute when Shaun Welford played the ball ahead of Rob Smidmore down the right flank.  After retrieving the ball, he cut inside his marker, but his shot rolled comfortably to young goalkeeper Jake Whipcup, on loan from Hornchurch, at his near post.

After coming through some intense Slough pressure, the Kent side had a couple of good chances to break the deadlock through Craig Cloke.

After winning possession in midfield, his surging run saw him cut inside before shooting from 25-yards straight into Whipcup's midriff.

Two minutes later, a well practiced corner from Dale Skelton was cut back to Cloke and his fierce 20-yard shot sailed inches over the crossbar.

Former Dulwich Hamlet and Boreham Wood playmaker, Velli Hakki, struck a 30-yard volley towards goal, and Mullin watched the bounce and saved comfortably.

Just past the half-hour mark, Slough had the ball in the back of the net from a drop ball situation and the goal, from Matt Miller's 30-yarder should have stood, after he lobbed the ball over Mullin, who was standing on the edge of his penalty area, 

However, the goal didn't stand, and the yellow card, which should have been issued by Upminster referee Peter Yeo, failed to materalise.

Cloke had a third chance to open his account with ten minutes before the break, heading Skelton's corner down and wide of the post.

With the game poised as the break approached, Miller issued another warning when his 19-yard screamer was inches away from crashing into the back of Dover's net.

Fans favourite Miller went close again from 20-yards, and Mullin made the save of the game, flying to his left to push Josias Carbon's fierce drive around the post.

Dover, however, went straight at the other end to open the scoring in the 44th minute.

Chris Wright did ever so well down the right flank to get through the challenges of the Slough defence.  He managed to produce a cross into the penalty area, which went over the jumping Welford.  

The ball fell nicely for Smidmore, and his 16-yard drive went across Whipcup and found the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Slough responded from this set-back from two Hakki corners. Martin Moller's header was saved and captain Steve Daly flashed a header wide.

Dover added the second of the game on the hour mark to stun the travelling Slough contingent.

Skelton whipped in a cross from the left, which was met by Wright at the far post, and he squeezed between Whincup and Moller to prod the ball over the line, in off the Slough shot-stopper.

Hakki was chopped down by Cloke in the 67th minute and once referee Yeo calmed down the heated situation, and spoke to both captain's, Michael Murphy made a run inside the Dover penalty area, but Hakki's low free kick failed to pick out the run and rolled out for a goal kick.

The Hoverspeed Stadium was rocking in the 71st minute when Dover scored their third goal - and what a strike it was!

Welford showed strength on the break down the right channel, fending off the challenge from a defender and laid the ball for Wright to crash a 20-yard shot into the top right hand corner.

Slough found the back of the net in the 76th minute - a goal their play deserved.  Prolific striker, Ian Hodges, who netted 36 goals last season, met Hakki's corner at the near post before Mullin, to nod into the net from close range.

Wright almost scored a deserved hat-trick with four minutes remaining but his shot flew over the crossbar before Welford beat two defenders and crashed a shot into the side netting.

Slough's last chance fell deep into stoppage time which saw Darron Wilkinson's 20 yard drive fly well wide of the target.

Dover head coach, Richard Langley was pleased with the three points.  

He said: "I think we won the game in the first twenty minutes.

"Two or three weeks ago - I shouldn't keep calling then kids, but a young inexperienced side - could have folded up but we weathered the storm after Slough threw everything at us.

"We stuck to our task and we took our chances better than they did, hence the three points."

Dover Athletic: Pat Mullin, James Farrier, James Rogers, Dale Skelton, Craig Cloke, Tom Hickman (Capt), Rob Skidmore (Michael Smissen 82), Billy Bone (Micky Lane 73), Shaun Welford, Chris Wright, John Mee (Danny Welch 73).  Subs: Shane Hamshare, Paul Rogers (GK)

Slough Town: Jake Whipcup, Josias Carbon, Michael Murphy, Steve Daly (Capt), James Saulsbury, Martin Moller (Danny Steer 68), Darron Wilkinson, Velli Hakki, Ian Hodges, Mat Miller (Glen Harris 76), Christian Metcalfe.  Subs: Mat Seedel, Ryan Spencer, Michael Parkin.

Referee: P S Yeo (Upminster, Essex)
Assistants: P B Burton (Anerley, London SE20)
                 A Patel (South Northwood, London SE25)

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