United 3
(Cooke 35′ pen, Young 59′, Jay 89′)
Dover Athletic 2
(Matthews 20′, 50′ pen)
Alfie Matthews’ controversial free-kick gave the visiting side the lead, before Cody Cooke levelled matters up from the spot. Matthews also fired home a penalty following the restart, before Jordan Young restored parity once more. It looked as though both sides would have to settle for a share of the spoils until Matt Jay’s late winner stole the show.
Following the 2-1 defeat at Horsham 48 hours before, boss Paul Wotton made two changes to the starting eleven, with Ed Palmer and Louis Dennis recalled in place of Jordan Dyer and Jay.
United started the game well, and created a number of opportunities to take the lead during the first twenty minutes.
Having failed to take them though, Dover punished them in debatable circumstances.
Francis Mampolo cut in from the left wing, and although he took a tumble, most inside the ground saw no infringement.
The referee thought otherwise though, and Matthews took full advantage by curling a 20-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net.
No-one was disputing the technique, just the manner in which the opportunity arose.
Wotton’s men responded well to the setback, and fifteen minutes later, it was all-square.
Young made the most of a cheap corner by sending the ball to the back post where Sam Dreyer was impeded as he shaped to shoot, leaving the officials with an easy decision to make.
Having been awarded the penalty, Cooke duly fired home to make it 1-1, and that was the way it stayed at the break.
There was no lack of action in the second half either.
In the 50th minute, a swift break caught United out, and after Jordan Thomas was adjudged to have felled George Nikaj, Matthews sent James Hamon the wrong way to put the Whites ahead once more.
Again, Torquay roused themselves, and just past the hour mark it was 2-2.
Young, who had led the Dover defence a merry dance all afternoon, jinked his way into the box, and after working the ball onto his less-favoured right foot, he squeezed a low shot past Walker and into the far corner of the net, much to the glee of the Yellow Army.
Although both sides pushed for a winner, it was The Gulls that continued enjoy the bulk of possession, although away goalkeeper Walker was assisted greatly by his well-drilled defence.
With a minute to go, and Torquay still pushing for the goal that would turn one point into three, a late corner ended up providing the stage for a fantastic finale.
United’s determination saw the ball bounce and bobble its way towards the goalline, before the lurking Jay eventually prodded home for all of three yards out to make it 3-2.
There was still time for Dover to put the ball into the net again, but thankfully, an offside flag intervened, prior to the full-time whistle sealing the deal moments later.
Happy Bank Holiday, everyone!
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3 Jay Foulston, 5. Sam Dreyer, 6. Munashe Sundire (20. Dan Hayfield, 24′), 7. Louis Dennis, 8. Jordan Young, 9. Cody Cooke, 12. Josh Phillips (27. Matt Jay, 73′), 16. Ed Palmer, 18. Matt Worthington (c), 26. Jordan Thomas (2. Denzel Akyeampong, 80′).
SUBS NOT USED: 4. Jordan Dyer, 13. Matt Wonnacott (GK), 15. Jadyn Crosbie, 29. Aidan Edwards.
Yellow Card: Worthington 68′, Akyeampong 85′
DOVER: 1. Mitch Walker, 2. Roman Charles-Cook, 3. Faud Sesay, 4. Jalen Jones, 6. Luca Cocoracchio (9. Kenny Coker, 90′), 8. Alfie Matthews (23. George Wilkinson, 81′), 10. George Nikaj, 11. Decarrey Sheriff, 21. Jacob Mensah, 24. Francis Mampolo, 25. Ryan Hanson (16. Harry Beadle, 64′).
SUBS NOT USED: 7. Luke Baptiste, 14. Ruben Soares-Junior, 17. Henry Lukombo, 27. Jordan Gillmore.
Attendance: 3,597 (49 away)
