Dover Athletic 2-3 Basingstoke Town - Hessenthaler blames schoolboy defending for first home loss

Tuesday 20th October 2009

DOVER ATHLETIC 2-3 BASINGSTOKE TOWN
Blue Square South
Tuesday 20th October 2009
Mike Green reports from Crabble

DOVER ATHLETIC surrendered their unbeaten home record and missed the chance of going top of Blue Square South after a disappointing defeat against Basingstoke Town at Crabble.

Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler summed the night up perfectly when he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: "You just can’t legislate for making poor decisions! And tonight in the opening 20 minutes we made some howlers.

“Both the early goals were down to schoolboy mistakes - you simply can’t defend like that at this level and expect to get away with it! We're playing against better teams and better players this year - last year we would have probably got away with making the mistakes we did but not this year - tonight proves that!"

A very disgruntled Hessenthaler continued, "So what if we had a lot of the ball tonight? they shut us down and showed more enthusiasm and desire than we did. They made it difficult for us, but the bottom line, which isn't acceptable at all is that we were so poor in both boxes tonight and that cant be repeated.

“In truth though, I've feared tonight has been coming as we haven't performed as a team for a while now.

“I hoped we had the blip at Worcester, but we've won the next two and then hit tonight! One thing is for certain, I'm not going to sleep very well tonight!"

Whilst Hessenthaler was frank in his assessment, it must be remembered that Basingstoke did cause Dover several problems and although rode their luck (particularly at the end of the first half when shots reigned in on their goal) they took the points back to Hampshire - and some would say deservedly so!

The visitors early on caused all sorts of chaos in the Dover defence, and their opening goal on ten minutes summed up the managers view about the dreadful defending!

David Pratt's long free kick from the left was allowed to travel to the back post where the ball appeared to ricochet off Matt Finlay and at least one defender before crossing the line.

Dover were almost level on 17 minutes when Olly Schulz should have done better with a Nicky Southall free kick, but the former Ramsgate man headed over from eight yards.

Problem is that Schulz did find the net two minutes later - at the other end albeit extremely unluckily! A long throw from the right was flicked on by Phil Ruggles, and after Jon Wallis clearance had been blocked the ball again ricocheted off of Finlay onto the unlucky Schulz and over the line.

Two down and the Crabble crowd were stunned!

The home side were struggling to get a grip in the game with the visitors getting men behind the ball at every opportunity, but on the half hour Shaun Welford should have reduced the deficit, and the giant striker will be disappointed that he didn't hit the target.

Lee Hook's long clearance found Adam Birchell who flicked on for his strike partner Welford, who created space for himself holding off two defenders before hooking his shot wide of the left post.

Nine minutes from half time, Birchell again was the unwitting provider, this time for James Rogers who blocked an attempted clearance and the ball skidded towards the visitors goal causing keeper Ross Kitteridge to scramble to his left to save!

It just delayed Dover getting back into the game as on 40 minutes Welford got on the end of a defence splitting through ball, and he coolly slotted the ball wide of Kitteridge and into the bottom corner of the net.

The tide had definitely turned now, and on the stroke of half time, Dover almost levelled.

Welford this time turned provider by launching a long throw into the box; Dean Hill rose brilliantly to knock the ball down for Wallis, who's diving header grazed the right post with the keeper motionless.

In hindsight the half time whistle stopped Dover in full flight but the visitors did deserve their lead at the break.

Seven minutes after half time Jake Leberl glanced a Southall corner wide as Dover tried to kick start their efforts.

On 61 minutes, Schulz proved it wasn't his night when he beat the keeper to a corner only for Rob Rice to hack the ball off of the line and away to safety - Dover were huffing and puffing and despite having bags and bags of possession they just didn't seem to be able to find a way through.

The game was sealed on 77 minutes when a mistake from Southall allowed Finlay to break down the left and his beautifully judged square ball found Pratt who from 20 yards gave Hook no chance with a low bullet of a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Dover did pull a second goal back in stoppage time when Wallis and Birchell were both bundled over in the box as the Basingstoke defence for the first time all night struggled with a looping ball into their area, and Wallis stepped up to score - the keeper knelt down to his right and the ball disappeared left.

At the end of the day though - and being extremely harsh to boot - it has to be said that Dover got what they deserved out of this game - nothing!

As Hessenthaler admitted after the game, "We haven't become a bad side overnight - we've just got to cut out the silly mistakes that are beginning to creep in, and I'll be looking for a big improvement come Saturday.

That said if the players cant lift themselves for the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup... well we'll have to see!"

So Hessenthaler and his troops now turn their attention to Saturday's Cup tie against Eastleigh hoping for a turn in their fortunes.

And whilst Hessenthaler and his assistant Darren Hare will be looking to keep their proud record of never being beaten in consecutive matches since they took over at Crabble, there is just one word of caution to all those heading for Crabble - Eastleigh's victims in the last round were Basingstoke Town!

Dover Athletic: Lee Hook, Nicky Southall, James Rogers (Craig Rocastle 67), Dean Hill (Lee Browning 75), Olly Schulz, Jake Leberl, Jon Wallis, Tom Davis (Jerahl Hughes 56), Shaun Welford, Adam Birchell, Sammy Moore.
Subs: Danny Walder, Ben Humphrey.

Goals: Shaun Welford 40, Jon Wallis (pen) 90 Basingstoke Town: Ross Kitteridge, Rob Rice, Sean Hankin, Fraser Franks, Ashley Mitchell, Steve Laidler, Jide Ogunbote, Tom Williamson, David Pratt, Phil Ruggles (Ian Jones 64), Matt Finlay.
Subs: Jordan Lumsden, Tom Walsh, Adam Aimable, Craig Atkinson.
Goals: Matt Finlay 10, Olly Schulz 19 (own goal), David Pratt 77 Booked: Steve Laidler 59, Rob Rice 61

Attendance: 1,060
Referee: Mr Paul Harris (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr Ian Fessenden & Mr Keith Stone