Lee McRobert in action at York Street, modelling the new all-White look.
| Nationwide Football Conference Saturday 2 September 2000 York Street | ||
| Boston United | 1 - 2 | Dover Athletic |
|---|---|---|
| De Souza (75) | Att: 1804 | Vansittart (42), Hoyle o.g. (59) |
| Dover Team: Hyde, Browne, Norman, Leberl, Shearer, Strouts, Carruthers, Le Bihan, Vansittart (Moore 61), Beard, McRobert |
| Substitutes Not Used: Pinnock, Hogg, Hudson |
| DAFC Website Man-Of-The-Match: Lee Shearer |
| Dover Players Booked: Hyde |
| Dover Players Sent Off: None |
Dover recorded their first away win of the season with a solid performance at York Street against Conference new boys Boston United. The Whites were reunited with two familiar faces, ex-Rushden forward Miguel De Souza, a man Dover fans love to hate for a variety of reasons, and midfielder Simon Livett who spent a second brief and unsuccessful spell with the Whites last season.
Athletic suprised some of the travelling support by turning out in all white, and not in their traditional black shorts.
Boston dominated the early exchanges and could have taken the lead after just 15 seconds when Livett shot wide from 18 yards. Stanhope, Howarth and Lodge also had close efforts for the home side in the opening 20 minutes, and Stanhope and Lodge then both had further attempts that went close.
Dover's first real attack came after 22 minutes when Strouts put Carruthers through but Boston defender Gowshall did well to block his goalbound shot.
Soon after the Whites went close again when McRobert's left wing cross was volleyed over by Tony Browne. Leberl then put Strouts through but he was denied by a fine double save from Bastock.
Dover's increasing pressure brought rewards on 33 minutes, albeit with considerable help from the Boston defence. Livett and Hoyle were sloppy in defence and allowed Vansittart to intercept and shoot low past Bastock to put Athletic 1-0 up.
At the start of the second half Boston renewed their attacking efforts and headers from Hoyle and Stanhope came close to equalising for the Pilgrims. On 59 minutes Rawle put Lucas through but Hyde saved. From the resulting clearance Dover extended their lead, again with considerable help from Boston's defence as Hoyle poked the ball past Bastock and into his own net.
Boston responded by bringing on former Hereford forward Paul Fewings as they tried to get back into the game. On 75 minutes they reduced the defecit. Stanhope crossed from the right and that man De Souza found the back of the net with a low volley.
The Boston pressure on the Dover goal was almost relentless for the remainder of the game but the Whites survived efforts from Lodge, De Souza, Howarth and Fewings to hold out for all three points.
