Dover Athletic 2-1 Heybridge Swifts - Collin injury mars another Dover win

Andy Hessenthaler's side dominated against ten-man Heybridge from start to finish in a match that was one-sided throughout, but they were nearly made to pay for not taking their chances in the first half.

Hessenthaler thought it was going to be one of those days, but was happy his side came through to victory.

He said: "We did what we are good at, we kept going at 0-1 down and it took a wonderful strike from Alan Pouton to get what we deserved.

"We had so much of the ball, but credit to the boys because it's not easy when you play teams like Heybridge, as we're top and they're bottom".

The home side took the game to Heybridge as early as the first minute, when captain John Keister swivelled past his marker forcing a good save from Ollie Morris-Saunders, whilst top goalscorer Frannie Collin was looking to add to his ten goals this season with a couple of early chances.

Matt Fish was next to go close for the home side, but saw his shot crash back off the post from 6 yards out.

The early onslaught suggested a long afternoon for bottom-of-the league Heybridge, as Dover continued to pile forward in search of an opener.

The impressive Collin and Keister were at the heart of every move for the home side, as Shaun Welford's presence up front was causing all sorts of problems for the Heybridge backline.

The move of the match came midway through the half, when Fish and Sammy Moore combined in midfield to find Collin on the right, who delivered a delightful cross to the near post for Keister, but he headed inches over from close range.

Minutes before the end of the first half, Heybridge were reduced to ten men after a crude challenge from Mitchell Nelson on Collin. The goalscoring ace was stretchered off and is extremely doubtful for Tuesday's trip to Sutton United.

The away side stunned the home crowd taking the lead from a free-kick through Robbie King after the break, their third attempt at goal all game, but Dover continued to play the better football.

Collin's replacement, the much travelled Guiliano Grazioli, had chances to level midway through the half, whilst Hughes went close with a couple of decent efforts.

Hughes' best chance came after seventy minutes with a strong run into the Heybridge penalty area and shooting at goal only to see Keister direct the ball onto the bar.

Just when the home sides' frustrations were beginning to show, a half clearance by the Heybridge defence from a corner fell to Pouton outside the box, who crashed the ball home from a full 25-yards.

They got the vital winner just moments later, when excellent hold-up play by Wallis on the edge of the area gave Hughes time and space to rifle a shot past Morris-Sanders and ease any worries from the home dugout.

Dover Athletic: John Whitehouse, Matt Fish, Sam Gore (Sam Jones), Dean Hill, Lawrence Ball, John Keister (Jon Wallis), Sammy Moore, Alan Pouton, Shaun Welford, Frannie Collin (Guiliano Grazioli), Jerahl Hughes.

Goals: Alan Pouton 75, Jerahl Hughes 78.

Heybridge Swifts: Ollie Morris-Sanders, Mitchell Nelson, Ryan Hull (Will King), Robbie King, Matthew Cutchley, Luke Fisher, Billy Hawes, Adam Gillespie, Ben Codling (Adam Rushen), James Robinson, Reece Morgan.

Goal: Robbie King 49.

Sent off: Mitchell Nelson 42.

Attendance: 1,009
Referee: Mr Stuart Butler (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr Rob Baker (Maidstone) & Mr Martin Peck (West Malling)