Dover take victory in pre-season friendly at Crabble.
Dover scored in each half as they beat Gillingham 2-0 at Crabble on Saturday.
Neil Harris named four trialists in his starting XI as Cheye Alexander, Jacob Mensah, Jordan Green and Lewis Walker were all handed starts. Reiss Greenidge and Henry Wise were the other two trialists in the squad who were named amongst the substitutes.
Defender Elkan Baggott made his first Gillingham start after signing on loan from Ipswich Town on Friday.
In the 16th minute, Stuart O’Keefe came close to opening the scoring. A long ball forward sent David Tutonda down the left side, and he did brilliantly to get beyond his man. His low cross into the box found Walker, who saw his effort blocked. The second ball fell to O’Keefe, and his effort went just wide of the post.
Minutes later, Luke Wanadio forced Ashley Maynard-Brewer into a save from the edge of the area. However, although he made the save, Maynard-Brewer fell awkwardly on what appeared to be his shoulder and was replaced by Jake Turner as a precaution.
In the 26th minute, Jordan Green came close. He used his pace to get beyond the defender before sending a low-drilled shot across the goal. However, he could not find the target as it fizzed just wide of Stuart Nelson’s far post.
In the 44th minute, Jordan Higgs put Dover in front. There was an error at the back which allowed Higgs to go through on goal. He was initially denied by a good save from Turner, but the rebound went straight to him as he headed into the back of an empty net.
HALF-TIME: Dover Athletic 1-0 Gillingham
In the 51st minute, Arjanit Krasniqi doubled the Dover lead. The hosts won a free-kick 25 yards from goal, and Krasniqi managed to direct his effort into the top corner with plenty of power and pace.
Gills should have had a goal back just short of the hour. Alexander did well to win the ball inside the Dover penalty area and played the ball across the six-yard box. It was on a plate for someone to score, but a Dover defender appeared to get a touch to send it behind for a corner which was defended well.
After the hour, Gills made seven substitutions as Alex MacDonald made his long-awaited return from injury. However, the hosts saw the game out to take victory.
FULL-TIME: Dover Athletic 2-0 Gillingham
Dover Athletic First Half XI: Nelson, Moses, Sterling, Paxman, Higgs, Wilkinson, Baptiste, Byford, Pavey, Carney, Wanadio
Dover Athletic Second Half XI: Nelson, Judd, Moses (Agbebi 70’), Paxman (Skirwayi 66’), Green, Brundle, Martin, Trialist, Nikaj, Grant, Krasniqi
Gillingham: Maynard-Brewer (Turner 20’), Alexander (Wright 60’), Mensah (Carter 60’), Baggott (Greenidge 46’), Tutonda (Akehurst 60’), Williams (Jefferies 46’), O’Keefe (Wise 60’), Green (Macarthur 60’), Lee (MacDonald 60’), Reeves (Kashket 46’), Walker (Gbode 60’)
Unused Substitutes: Moore
Attendance: 917
Referee: Mr N Dunn