MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 2-1 Dover Athletic | National League South | Saturday 24th February 2024
A double substitution and a change of shape midway through the second half saw a rejuvenated Bluebirds come from behind to clinch the three points. Dover dominated the opening half winning a series of free-kicks and corners.
The Bluebirds did create chances in the opening period as on ten minutes a low cross hit Craig Fasanmade’s shin and rolled to keeper Daniel Jinadu.
For Dover Peter Ojemen’s shot was blocked whilst George Wilkinson’s long free-kick was saved by Will Henry.
Midway through the half Fasanmade burst through a gap in the Dover defence but his angled shot clipped the bar.
Dover continued to force the pace as Freddie Oliver shot over and the Kent side took the lead on forty four minutes as Wilkinson’s flag-kick was headed back by Naylor for Scott Holding, on loan from Watford, to open the scoring.
HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 0-1 Dover Athletic
On fifty four minutes a Bluebirds free kick saw Luke Spokes slip in the act of shooting and the ball went harmlessly through to Jinadu.
A Dover corner was headed over by Naylor whilst Spokes beat several defenders but shot straight at Jinadu.
A Wilkinson shot was deflected behind for another Dover corner before Chippenham introduced Tyreke Johnson and Jake Evans on sixty six minutes and two minutes later Fasanmade’s cross saw Matt McClure challenge for the low ball and it broke for Caine Bradbury to equalize.
A quarter of an hour from time a smart turn from Fasanmade saw his shot go over the bar whilst Dover squandered a good chance as Nick Dembele poked an effort wide.
A Bluebird corner on eighty one minutes was clipped over by Fasanmade.
As the Bluebirds scented victory Evans’ effort was blocked whilst Spokes’ close range shot bounced off Jinadu.
Three minutes from time the impressive, Holding, who had been a lynch-pin at the back for Dover, hobbled off at a Bluebird corner and whilst he was still off the field the flag-kick saw the ball hit the bar before Fasanmade turned it in for the winner.
FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 2-1 Dover Athletic
Chippenham: Will Henry, Jem Hewlett (Jake Evans 66), Luke Haines, Dan Ellison, Will King, Luke Spokes, Tom Mehew, Tom Owen-Evans (Tyreke Johnson 66), Caine Bradbury, Craig Fasanmade, Matt McClure (Aaron Amadi-Holloway 78) subs not used: Eddie Jones, Ed Williams
Dover: Daniel Jinadu, Roman Charles-Cook, Scott Holding (Destiny Oladipo 88), Jacob Mensah, Peter Ojemen, Freddie Oliver, George Nikaj, George Wilkinson (Iffy Allen 78) Charlie Naylor, Nick Dembele (Dontai Stewart 80), Luke Baptiste subs not used: Archie Hatcher, Henry Young
Ref: Tommy Breen
Ass Refs: Thomas Green, Jake Woolley
Att: 546
Report by Wil Hulbert
