Home   Dover   Sport   Article

Dover Athletic 0 Altrincham 1 match report - Fisayo Adarabioyo scores winning goal

By Richard Harvey

Dover experienced the highs and lows of football inside a week after a frustrating defeat against fellow strugglers Altrincham at Crabble.

Five days after beating Eastleigh 3-2 at the same venue, manager Andy Hessenthaler's side suffered a fifth National League defeat of the season after Fisayo Adarabioyo's first-half goal.

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler. Picture: Keith Gillard (42688031)
Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler. Picture: Keith Gillard (42688031)

The former Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City youngster tapped home Dan Mooney's cross in the 11th minute to secure a first win of the season for the Robins.

It was his first goal for the club in what was his second game for them after arriving from Curzon Ashton last week.

While Adarabioyo proved to be the match-winner in a game that kicked off in horrendous conditions after heavy rain left the pitch saturated - visiting goalkeeper Tony Thompson ensured his side took all three points back to Manchester.

Thompson produced a number of stunning saves to keep Dover, especially Steven Rigg, at bay.

Hessenthaler's side started slowly and was punished when Mooney took advantage of some hesitation in the Dover defence to cross the ball back across the six-yard box for a waiting Adarabioyo to finish.

Dover responded with Ade Azeez seeing his acrobatic volley from Josh Passley's cross going just wide.

Thompson then denied Rigg, who is still searching for his first goal of the campaign, twice in quick succession.

First, he somehow managed to turn Rigg's effort over the bar before producing an even better save to keep out Rigg's powerful downward header from Sam Woods' corner just before half-time.

Dover started the second half much better than the first and Louis Collins had a goalbound header deflected wide for a corner, one of many the hosts won in the half, but could not make the pressure count.

Azeez failed to take advantage of substitute Omar Mussa's fine ball, firing over Thompson's bar, before the keeper made yet another fine save to deny Marvel Ekpiteta in the final minute of normal time.

Dover: Smith, Passley, Ekpiteta, Munns, Wood, Spencer-Adams, Cumberbatch, Bramble (Rooney 68mins), Collins (Rose 62mins), Rigg (Mussa 62mins), Azeez. Subs not used: Wratten, Mersin.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More