Joff Vansittart puts Athletic ahead.
| Nationwide Football Conference - Saturday 20 November 1999 - Haig Avenue | ||
| Southport | 1 - 2 | Dover Athletic |
|---|---|---|
| Stuart (83) | Att: 1015 | Norman (37), Vansittart (40) |
| Dover Team: Hyde, Browne, Virgo, Leberl, Shearer, Dunne, D.Clarke, Wormull (Carruthers 75), Vansittart, Brown, Norman |
| Substitutes Not Used: Beard, Hynes, Hudson, Daniels |
| Booked: Virgo, Vansittart, Dunne |
| Sent Off: None |
| DAFC Website Man-Of-The-Match: Dave Clarke |
Dover Athletic secured their second away win of the season against managerless Southport at Haig Avenue today.
Manager Bill Williams, still without the services of Stuart Munday and Neil Le Bihan, named the same side that defeated Forest Green Rovers last Sunday.
Southport started well, their players obviously looking to impress caretaker boss Paul Lodge. After 18 minutes they had the ball in the back of the net when Ian Arnold set-up Lee Elam, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The Merseysiders continued to press but as many other teams have found this season Dover are a very dangerous side on the break. Dave Clarke, showing the form that promted John Owens to select him for the England Semi-Pro trials, chipped the ball over Neil Grayston, where Whites' other England trialist, Simon Wormull, collected the ball and centred for Steve Norman to drive home his first goal for the club from 10 yards on 37 minutes.
Just three minutes later, Wormull was again involved. This time his centre eluded Southport keeper Steve Dickinson and Joff Vansittart headed in from close range, his eighth goal of the season. Athletic led 2-0 at the interval.
In the second half Southport continued to pressurise the Dover defence, but the Whites defended doggedly, with Lee Shearer marshalling the back line well.
Southport had significantly more attempts on goal than Dover and were rewarded for the persistence seven minutes from time. Dominic Morley lobbed the ball to the back post and Mark Stuart looped a header over Paul Hyde to give his side some faint hope.
Southport could have salvaged a point shortly after but for an excellent save from Paul Hyde, diving across his goal to push away a 30-yard screamer from Andy Gouck. The home side continued to apply themselves and had another opportunity a few minutes from the end, Lee Trundle's powerful shot going just inches wide. Dover survived this late onslaught though to secure their first away win since beating Kidderminster on the opening day of the season, and to extend their unbeaten Conference run to nine matches.
The only negative of the afternoon was that in-form Joff Vansittart picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and will now face a one match suspension.
The Whites can now take a break from storming up the table, they have the distraction of an FA Trophy tie at Harlow before Altrincham visit in a fortnight. Having witnessed the positive effect that an embarrassing cup defeat to lower-league opposition can have on Dover's league performance there might be one or two Dover fans who wouldn't mind losing in Essex.
