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Dover Athletic 3 Bromley 0 match report: Ricky Modeste,Will De Havilland and Inih Effiong on target as Whites record first win in five

Dover picked up their first win in five National League matches with a comfortable Boxing Day derby win over Bromley.

Two goals in six first-half minutes gave Andy Hessenthaler's side a stranglehold they never relinquished despite heavy rain making conditions challenging at Crabble.

Those conditions played a part in Dover's 24th minute opener, with the ball holding up in the mud just short of the line before Ricky Modeste forced home, but the second was a thumping header from defender Will De Havilland.

Dover midfielder Ricky Modeste Picture: Tony Flashman
Dover midfielder Ricky Modeste Picture: Tony Flashman

Top scorer Inih Effiong wrapped up the points – and Dover's first home league win since October 29 – 15 minutes from time after punishing an error by visiting skipper Jack Holland.

Bromley went into the game unchanged while Dover boss Hessenthaler made four changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Chorley with Jai Reason, Paul Rooney, Anthony Jeffrey and Aaron Simpson being replaced by Bobby-Joe Taylor, Nassim L'Ghoul, Jack Munns and Oscar Gobern.

Whites, with just two previous home league wins all season, looked up for it from the start and created a couple of early chances, with Modeste involved in both.

The first, after four minutes, saw the Dover man miscue a left-foot shot at the far post after the ball had fallen to him from a corner.

Four minutes later he teed up Effiong but Bromley keeper Ryan Huddart was out smartly to block at close quarters.

Gobern, starting for the first time since November 26, then stole in at the far post to met Taylor's corner but was unable to direct his header which went wide.

Bromley had a half-chance on 19 minutes as Adam Mekki's cross was lifted over the bar from 12 yards by Luke Coulson but they were largely second best in the opening period.

There was some good build-up play for Dover 's opener but there was also a touch of farce as Michael Woods stabbed the ball past Bromley keeper Huddart and towards goal.

Visiting defender Sam Wood looked poised to clear but the ball stopped in a pool of water enabling Modeste to pounce from inches out.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Taylor's corner was met by De Havilland whose powerful header found the back of the via Bromley's Frankie Raymond who was unable to clear on the line.

Munns then curled a free kick over, and as Dover continued to dictate Effiong lobbed over from 30 yards after Munns had pounced on a poor clearance from Huddart.

The half featured bookings for Dover trio De Havilland, Taylor and skipper Kevin Lokko while ex Dover man Mekki saw yellow for a check on Josh Passley when he was in full flow.

Passley actually caused the only real moment of alarm for Whites when he inadvertently steered the ball towards his own goal but keeper Lee Worgan was able to save.

Bromley had to improve and they made a substitution at half-time with Josh Rees coming on for Mekki.

They immediately created a good chance with Ben Williamson sending in a low cross but the bounce deceived Michael Cheek who failed to connect at all.

Whites almost grabbed a spectacular third on 53 minutes after Munns had won the ball in midfield and freed Effiong just inside his own half.

The Whites No.9 burst into the box before producing a fine curling effort that was brilliantly turned aside by Huddart.

Munns went close himself shortly after, shooting wide after being teed up by Modeste.

Whites survived a scare just before the hour when Worgan failed to collect a corner and in the melee that followed Rees fired wide.

Dover forward Inih Effiong Picture: Alan Langley
Dover forward Inih Effiong Picture: Alan Langley

Bromley sub Andre Coker then drew a fine diving save from Worgan after checking onto his right foot but on 75 minutes Whites sealed the points.

Bromley skipper Holland was robbed by Effiong who nonchalantly rounded Huddart for his 11th league goal of the season.

Apart from a late chance for home sub Steven Rigg, who pulled a shot wide, there was little in the way of goalmouth action after that but the booking count rose to seven after cautions for Bromley's Billy Bingham and Joe Kizzi, and Dover sub Jeffrey.

The win– Dover's biggest at Crabble this season — lifted Whites up to 12th ahead of Saturday's trip to Ebbsfleet. Bromley remain third.

Dover: Worgan, Passley, Lokko, De Havilland, Taylor, Woods, Gobern (Rooney 65mins), L’Ghoul (Jeffrey 72mins), Modeste, Munns (Rigg 78mins), Effiong; Subs: Simpson, Yusuff.

Bromley: Huddart, Kizzi, Wood, Winfield, Holland Coulson (Higgs 75mins), Raymond (Coker 60mins), Cheek, Bingham, Mekki (Rees 46mins) Williamson; Subs: Najia Klass,

Attendance: 1,210

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