Early goal sees Romans return from Kent empty-handed

City’s first league outing of 2026 ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat against Dover Athletic at the Megger Community Stadium this afternoon.

What turned out to be the decisive goal arrived after just nine minutes when Jones headed home a corner at the back post. Neither side looked particularly comfortable on the heavy uneven playing surface but it was the hosts who posed a greater attacking threat, particular on the break. Nikaj twice failed to test Harvey Wiles-Richards from good positions before Baptiste forced a smart stop from the keeper. City’s only real chance of the first half came in stoppage time when the ball broke to Brad Ash, after Jordan Alves appeared to be clipped by a defender, but he sent his shot wide of the goal.

Nikaj shot wide again early in the second half as City continued to struggle to impose themselves on the game. They almost levelled on 66 minutes though when Joe Raynes diverted a corner toward goal but Beadle did brilliantly to flick the ball away with Kieran Parselle set to pounce. Moments later Dover should have doubled their lead when City failed to clear a corner but Matthews crashed a close-range shot against the underside of the bar. City began to see more possession as the game reached its closing stages as Dover looked to protect their slim advantage. The Whites were standing firm until the final minute when they nearly gifted City an equaliser. Soares-Junior weak back pass sent Alves clear on goal but Walker blocked the shot with his legs to secure the three points for his side.