Dover Athletic 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers - We're getting there! - says Hess

Saturday 25th July 2009

DOVER ATHLETIC 2-1 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 25th July 2009

Mike Green reports from Crabble

On the day they celebrated Louis Bleriot's maiden flight across the English Channel with series of fly bys, a defensive howler by a former Kent football favourite gave Dover Athletic a victory over a Wycombe Wanderers side heading to Coca Cola League One after winning promotion last season.

"It was an inspired substitution by Peter wasn't it?" quipped Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler to BBC Radio Kent afterwards.

"It was shame that Junior gave away the goal with his first touch, but after the chances we missed at Sittingbourne last week (in Dovers 1-0 defeat), I suppose that we were due some good fortune."

He went on, "It was good to see Peter and Junior again, but today was about our progress, and I think we're getting there game by game, and over the 90 minutes today I do think that we just about deserved it!"

Whilst you couldn't disagree with Hessenthaler, it was a shame for Lewis, who had a spell at Crabble and of course was part of Taylor’s Gillingham side (along with both Hessenthaler and Southall) that beat Wigan Athletic in the Play Off Final at Wembley in 2000 to gain promotion to the Championship, that his first touch inadvertently lead to Dover's winner on 76 minutes.

Jerahl Hughes broke clear down the left, and as he played the ball into Adam Birchall, the striker's neat back flick wrong footed the Wycombe defence. the only Wycombe defender to react was Lewis, but unfortunately for Lewis (who had been on the pitch less than a minute) he only succeeded in taking the ball away from keeper Jamie Young, and allowed Shaun Welford to slide home what proved to be the winner from 10 yards!

Boosted before kick off by the news that Nicky Southall has signed a one year deal at Crabble, Birchall almost opened the scoring on 5 minutes but his low drive brought an excellent low save from keeper Scott Shearer low to his left.

The Crabble faithful didn't have much longer to wait for the games first goal, as on 11 minutes Frannie Collin continued on from where he left off last season.

Dover’s top scorer in their championship winning campaign showed that he clearly hasn't lost any sharpness during the summer, as he expertly latched onto Jon Wallis' super through ball, before clipping the ball over the advancing Shearer and into the net.

Wycombe responded as you would have expected them too, and they were inches away from levelling when veteran defender Michael Dubbery saw a header thump against the underside of Lee Hook's crossbar and away to safety with the Dover keeper motionless.

Chris Zebroski then missed a golden opportunity to equalise on the half hour, but couldn't direct his free header (from Matt Bloomfield's cross) at Hook's goal!

It only though proved to delay the inevitable as five minutes from half time, Wycombe were indeed level - albeit a touch controversially!

Bloomfield seemed to have fouled Wallis on the edge of the visitors defence, but as referee McCoy waved play on Wycombe took full advantage, as Chris Westwood thread a great ball through the inside right channel for Jon Paul Pittman, and the giant striker held off the challenge of Jake LeBerl and beat hook from the edge of the box.

The second half began much the same as the first as Birchall latched onto a long ball from sub Danny Walder, but couldn't keep the lob down as sub Wycombe keeper Young advanced.

On 58 minutes came a perfect advantage as to why Hessenthaler fought so hard to bring Hook to Crabble, as the keeper pulled off a stunning save that must be an early contender for the Save of the Season.

Ian Westlake sent over a teasing cross from Wycombe's right and veteran striker Stuart Beavon met it with what most of the 562 crowd thought was THE perfect diving header. Thing was they'd reckoned without Hook, who somehow (and I still don't quite know how) a gloved hand clawed the header away!

Both sides then had chances to go in front - Welford had a header that shouldn't have caused any problem but did, as the striker beat the keeper to a cross, only for the ball to loop goalwards before Young recovered, whilst a the other end Matty Phillips drove in a shot from 30 yards which whistled inches past the right post.

Then came the introduction of Lewis and the decisive Dover goal, but there was still chance for Welford to inadvertently deflect a Southall shot inches over the bar, and for Dover to be thankful for the safe hands of sub keeper John Whitehouse as Dan Fitchett's low driven cross was grabbed off of Zebroski's boot in the dying seconds!

After the game, Wycombe boss Taylor (speaking to BBC Radio Kent) paid tribute to his old club.

"I spoke to Hess in he week and he said that they'd had an up and down season. But after that display, I don't think they will have too much t worry about.” Taylor said.

"Its great to see the club on the up again - I had ten good months here after my time at Dartford - and its great to come back and see some old faces."

He was then quizzed about his other Kent connections, and was asked about the Gills Play Off win over Shrewsbury.

"I was delighted for them a they totally bossed the first half against Shrewsbury, and Mark (Stimson) must have frustrated that they weren't in front. In the two games they played against us, we took four points but were fortunate to get them. And when you look at the final analysis, it was those four points that got us promoted."

Taylor then turned his attention to the Darts. "I had a great time there and I'm thrilled that they're back in a wonderful new stadium. I'm sure that Tony (Burman) will get the squad together to match the facilities and if they can have a good season, who knows?

“I'm just pleased for the people who stood buy the club in all the dark days - they now have a ground and a club to be proud of!"

With both sides league's seasons beginning now in 14 days time, both Hessenthaler and Taylor will admit that both clubs still have some tinkering to do as the Final Countdown to the new season begins in earnest!

Dover Athletic: Lee Hook (John Whitehouse 62), Nicky Southall, James Rogers, Dean Hill, Jake LeBerl (Olly Schulz 70), Sammy Moore (John Keister 46), Jon Wallis (Sam Gore 62), Tom Davis (Danny Walder 46), Adam Birchall, Frannie Collin (Shaun Welford 46), Lee Browning (Jerahl Hughes 46).
Sub: Andy Hessenthaler.

Goals: Frannie Collin 11; Shaun Welford 76

Booked: Sammy Moore 35

Wycombe Wanderers: Scott Shearer (Jamie Young 46), Chris Weswood, John Mousinho (Joe Cobb 46), Michael Duberry (George Daly 46), Luke Oliver, Tommy Doherty (Junior Lewis 75), Ian Westlake (Daniel Fitchett 75), Matt Bloomfield (Matt Harold 46), Chris Zebroski, Jon Paul Pittman (Stuart Beavon 46), Matty Phillips.
Sub: Stuart Green

Goal: Jon Paul Pittman 40

Attendance: 562
Referee: Mr Mick McCoy (Worthing, West Sussex)
Assistants: Mr Graeme Ions (Maidstone) & Mr Richard Joss (Ramsgate)