Wealdstone 0 -1 Dover Athletic

Wealdstone

0 - 1

Dover Athletic

KO: 0:00 | Sat 23rd Apr ’05

What do we say about this game? There are so many phrases to describe what went on, but they’ve all been used before and many, recently.

Stones were on top for long periods and were the better side. In 90 minutes they created 14 changes, but only forced three saves from Paul Hyde and gained a further three corners – the other efforts were off target. Dover created two chances and i believe had only two corners in the match – their fist chance brought a save, their second was scored from a penalty after Danny Tilbury pushed in the area. In the second half Dover created nothing.

Stones played some good football to create their openings – Brian Jones playing wide got behind the defence on a couple of occasions to cross well, only for a bobble on a poor dry pitch to aid Jolly’s shot in going over the bar and on the second occasion, Tilbury shot just wide.

When Martin Carter broke through on the left hand side, his shot from close in was pushed onto the post and away for a corner by Hyde, and in the second half Jolly saw two efforts well saved in the space of two minutes as Hyde ignored his age to react well. More worrying still were injuries late on to Beckford and Jolly – both concussed – which could see a strange forward line take the field for the last game of the season next week.

Despite all of that however the important thing to note is that this was a 1-0 defeat. With Harrow Borough winning and Cheshunt drawing, Stones need at least a point at Salisbury to ensure their survival in the Premier League. They can lose 2-0 and see Boro draw and Cheshunt win by an odd goal and still maintain their status, but it is entirely in their own hands.

A nervous week awaits us all…….