City remain top thanks to Dover fightback

For the second week running City fought back from two goals down, this time in a 2-2 draw against Dover Athletic at Twerton Park. In truth, they probably should have won a game they dominated for long spells but the point keeps them top of the National League South ahead of the return to FA Cup action at Weymouth next Saturday.

After a lively start from the visitors, Allen blasting a great 4th minute opening over the bar, City slowly began to gain the upper hand. Jordan Thomas just failed to set up Scott Wilson for a tap-in on nine minutes before failing to hit the target with a header ten minutes later. Cody Cooke’s effort just after the half-hour mark lacked the power to trouble Terrell as City continued to press forward. However, on 36 minutes, and completely against the run of play, the ball dropped perfectly for Hatcher to volley the Whites ahead. Twice before the break City came close to levelling, Terrell turning Cooke’s header over the bar, then Wilson seeing his effort blocked on the line by a defender.

The second half began with Tom Smith testing Terrell from 20 yards but in the 58th minute Dover doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Eight minutes later City pulled a goal back as Ewan Clark lifted the ball across the box for Thomas to neatly steer a volley into the net. And the game was level again within ten minutes. Thomas was provider this time, heading another great Clark cross down for Wilson to stab the ball home from close range. City pushed for what would have been a deserved winner after this, and Dover’s frustrations saw Ojemen sent off for a second booking in the final minute of normal time. Shortly into the nine minutes of stoppage time City looked to have won it when Clark’s pull back picked out an unmarked Wilson but his shot flew over the bar and despite several more nervy moments the Kent side managed to cling on to a share of the points.