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Dover Athletic 1 Stourbridge 2 FA Cup first round match report

Goalkeeper Mitch Walker was sent off as Dover crashed out of the FA Cup after losing 2-1 against Stourbridge in the first round clash at Crabble on Saturday.

The Evo-Stick Premier Division side scored either side of a goal from Aswad Thomas to secure a throughly deserved win.

Chris Lait gave the visitors an early lead after firing past Walker from outside the penalty box in the eighth minute.

Aswad Thomas Picture: Tony Flashman
Aswad Thomas Picture: Tony Flashman

Thomas levelled in the 33rd minute before Karl Hawley's second half penalty, which saw Walker dismissed for, won the day.

Ricky Miller almost provided an immediate response for Dover after Lait's opener after being played through by Stefan Payne but his half-volley whistled wide.

Miller and Jack Parkinson both fired over before the 15th minute mark as Dover went in search of an equaliser.

Stourbridge had the ball in the Dover net again in the 22nd minute after captain Stuart Pierpoint headed past Walker only to be ruled off-side.

Walker saved twice in quick succession from winger Matt Dodd as Stourbridge continued to impress.

Thomas finally put Whites back on level terms in the 33rd minute and it wasn't a classic strike - but it did the job.

After a game of ariel ping-pong in the Stourbridge box, the ball fell to Thomas and he slotted home much to the relief of the home fans.

Miller had the chance to put Dover ahead three minutes before the break but his effort went over the on-rushing Stourbridge goalkeeper Lewis Solly and the bar.

The impressive Lait almost stunned Dover for a second time just before the break when after another clear run on goal, he fired just wide.

Stourbridge had the first shot on goal three minutes into the second half after Tom Tonks' drive was pushed away by Walker.

Pierpont headed Leon Broadhurst's corner just wide in the 52nd minute as the side from the West Midlands started strongly.

Ricky Modeste almost put Dover ahead eight minutes later after his surging run through the centre saw the winger shoot just wide.

That miss proved to be costly with Stourbridge regaining the lead in dramatic style.

Walker brought down Hawley in the area and was given his marching orders for a second yellow card.

On came substitute goalkeeper Andy Rafferty and his first job was to pick the ball out of his net after Hawley sent him the wrong way.

But unlike the win in the previous round at Eastbourne Borough, when Sean Raggett headed a last-gasp winner, there was to be no saviour this time.

Dover: Walker, Magri, Orlu, Grimes, Raggett, Thomas, Parkinson, Deverdics (Ajala 64mins), Modeste (Ofori-Acheampong 77mins), Miller (Rafferty 66mins) Payne. Subs not used: Murphy, Diallo, Sterling, Kinnear Jnr. Attendance: 1,392

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