Kentish Football 
Dover Athletic 3-1 Cambridge City - It's nice to see Jon Wallis back on song, says Martin Hayes
Saturday 09th October 2010
DOVER ATHLETIC 3-1 CAMBRIDGE CITY
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 9th October 2010
Stephen McCartney reports from Crabble
DOVER ATHLETIC are just one win away from booking their place in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in eight years - but manager Martin Hayes says he will still “pick the bones” out of their comfortable victory over Cambridge City.
A lot more was expected from a Cambridge City side that arrived at Crabble sitting three points clear at the top of the Zamaretto Premier League table and with a big fat zero in the goals against column on their travels.
But they were made to look ordinary by the high-flying Blue Square Bet South hosts as midfielder Jon Wallis capped an excellent display by scoring early in the second half, following a first half brace from striker Adam Birchall.
Cambridge netted a late consolation through Ryan Wade’s penalty, but by then the game was done and dusted and Dover Athletic join Ebbsfleet United and Hythe Town in Monday’s draw for the fourth qualifying round and hopefully Bromley and Dartford, who both require home replays against Chelmsford City and Canvey Island on Tuesday night, will join them.
“I was conscious that they’ve done well in their league,” Hayes told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.
“I was hoping we’d cause them more problems then they get in their own league week in week out.
“I was pleased with the way we started first half, disappointed that we weren’t a bit more clinical in their box but 3-1, job done, you’re through, so I’m going to pick the bones out of it, but I’m sure everyone else will go away happy.”
The Kent giants will bank £7,500 in prize money from The Football Association, after ripping apart the best the Southern League could offer.
Cambridge went into the game without conceding a goal on their travels for 720 minutes - but it took Dover Athletic only 12 minutes to breakthrough, something that Brackley, Hednesford, Hemel Hempstead, Long Buckby, Oxford City, Weymouth, Hitchin and Halesowen have failed to do on home soil so far this season.
Cambridge left-back James Krause rolled the ball back to Barrett, who sent an advancing Elliott Charles crashing to the ground, but penalty claims were waved away by referee Craig Hicks. But Birchall teed up Wallis and he was pushed over by Krause and a penalty was awarded.
Cambridge boss Gary Roberts felt the penalty award was “dubious”, but Birchall stepped up and left Barrett rooted to the spot to fire home a right-footed spot-kick.
Dover could have swiftly doubled their lead on the break when Birchall released winger Harry Baker through on goal but his fierce right-footed angled drive was blocked by the keeper’s left arm at his near post.
Cambridge’s one and only shot on goal during a one-sided first half duly arrived in the 18th minute when Adrian Cambridge teed up a short free-kick for Ashley Fuller, but his right-footed drive was straight at Ross Flitney.
Cambridge couldn’t deal with the buzzing Wallis or the skill and pace of striker Charles for the time the pair were on the pitch as Dover squandered many more half chances.
Charles was denied by a header off his goal-line by Krause before Dover doubled their lead just two minutes before the break.
Nicky Nicolau stole possession off Fuller in midfield and Birchall released Baker down the right and his cut-back carved up a chance for Wallis and his left-footed drive was blocked and Birchall turned and smashed the ball over Barrett into the roof of the net.
Despite Maidstone based Birchall taking his tally up to 12 for the season, his manager wants more from the striker.
“I still want him to get him in the box more, having more shots and being more of a threat,” said Hayes.
But he added: “He looks like he’s going to score one or two every game, which is great news.”
Had Cambridge scored early in the second half then they might have made more of a game of it but after cutting inside Tom Wynter, Tony Burke sent a left-footed effort over.
But Dover Athletic wrapped up the comfortable victory, with a killer goal in the 52nd minute.
Flitney launched the ball up field through the heart of the Cambridge defence and Charles flicked the ball on and Birchall instantly slipped the ball through for the onrushing Wallis, who drove a left-footed shot past Barrett and deserved some luck as the ball bounced off the foot of the left hand post and nestled into the opposite corner of the net.
Wallis’ 62nd minute corner from the right was nodded towards goal by the impressive Charles, but for the second time, Krause was on the line to head the looping header over his own crossbar.
Wallis deserved his standing ovation when he left the field four minutes later and as a result the Whites lost the man who was pulling all their strings.
Praising Wallis, Hayes said: “He sort of looked like his old self. He’s had a few little knocks, he’s not properly firing so it’s nice to see him back on song.
“He scored a great goal. It was a great flick and a great pass from Birch and a good finish. We do all those things in training so it’s nice to come off in a game.”
When asked why he substituted the talented number four, Hayes replied, “It was a nice opportunity to rest him because we’ve got a massive game (at home to Chelmsford) on Saturday.”
But a fine run down the right from Birchall saw the marksman cut the ball back to substitute Ben Hunt but the striker’s swept shot was beaten away by Barrett at his near post.
Hayes was disappointed that his side conceded an 89th minute penalty, as out-played Cambridge City scored a consolation goal.
Left-back Wynter was penalised by the referee for fouling Wade, but the Cambridge substitute got up and sent Flitney the wrong way with a right-footed penalty, which nestled into the bottom right-hand corner.
“To be fair, I’ve spoken to Tom and even their lads said to Tom afterwards it wasn’t a penalty, they tackled each other,” bemoaned Hayes.
“But they (Cambridge) were quite pleased the ref fell for it so what can you do? Maybe it was a consolation, the ref felt sorry (for them). It wasn’t a penalty but the ref chose to gave it.”
When asked whether he was expecting more from the Zamaretto Premier League leaders, Hayes replied, “It wasn’t brilliant, I thought our passing and movement was good in the first half and we took the game to them.
“I was expecting a bit more from them but talking to Gary (Roberts) before hand he’s happy with their start to the season but they’ve not got great resources so how they’re going to stay up there, I don’t know.
“We’ve got to win those games so yes, I was pleased they weren’t as strong as I was expecting and we just had to get the goals and get our noses in front and win the game.”
Hayes firmly believes former Kettering Town striker Charles can become a Crabble King.
“I think people are warming to him,” said Hayes. “I think he’s getting more confident, he’s growing a little bit with playing and his showing now what he can do and why he’s been at big clubs before and I think he just needs a little bit of love, a little bit of confidence and today he started to look like an all-round striker.
“He just needs to be a bit more clinical. He’s good from two yards, he scores some goals from two yards. He’s flicking the balls, his holding it up well, he’s pacy and he can go past players. He’s got lots of ability but I think he showed today what he’s capable off and there’s just a couple of bits to add to it and then we’ve got ourselves a decent striker.”
The Crabble faithful are desperate to get into the First Round and lock horns with Andy Hessenthaler’s Gillingham at Crabble, in what would be a tasty showdown against their previous manager.
“That name seems to come up a lot if it’s in the first round, but I wouldn’t be too unhappy if it was Sheffield Wednesday or Southampton away,” said Dover’s Essex based manager.
“Everyone wants Gillingham, but there will be one more tough game to go yet so I’m not even thinking about who we could get in the first round because they will be somebody in two weeks time who want to be there just as bad as us.
“I think there’s going to be some tough games. We’ve got all the Conference (Premier) clubs to avoid so it’s going to be a tough round. I just think if we’re at home there’s a good chance so we’ll see, so fingers crossed with what they throw out.
“The fans have got this thing with Gillingham, maybe we’ll have them in Round Two, that would be nice!
“I think if we’re in the First Round you’re going to enjoy the occasion. I’ve been there twice as a manager (with Bishop’s Stortford) and it’s nice. It’s a great day and all the build up to it and it’s just a great occasion so let’s get through the next one first and then we’ll talk!”
Dover Athletic: Ross Flitney, Matt Fish, Tom Wynter, Jon Wallis (Sam Cutler 66), Olly Schulz, Rob Gillman, Harry Baker (Ben Hunt 80), Luke I’Anson, Elliott Charles (Jason Norville 72), Adam Birchall, Nicky Nicolau.
Subs: Bobby Aisien, Dean Hill, Joe Tabiri, Lee Hook.
Goals: Adam Birchall 12 (pen), 44. Jon Wallis 52
Cambridge City: Zac Barrett, Robbie Nightingale, James Krause, Dave Theobald, Lee Chaffery, John Kennedy (Milton Elenge 72), Tony Burke, Adrian Cambridge (Ryan Wade 75), Craig Hammond, David Kolodynski (Neil Midgley 65), Ashley Fuller.
Sub: Declan Rogers.
Goals: Ryan Wade 89 (pen)
Attendance: 820
Referee: Mr Craig Hicks (Sutton, Surrey)
Assistants: Mr John Ryan (Worcester Park, Surrey) & Mr Vincent Penfold (Addlestone, Surrey)
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd