A solitary goal from Levi Amantchi, his 16th of the season, was enough to ensure that Dover’s long wait for a league victory, was stretched to 16 matches as Maidstone got their eighth victory of the season.
This Kent derby won’t live long in the memory and there wasn’t a huge amount to note in the first half. Whilst Dover did enjoy some decent spells of possession, all too often they were let down by the final ball or by no one in the right place to take advantage.
With eight minutes played, Devonte Aransibia drove a ball through a crowd of players and Billy Terrell did well to make the block. And arguably Dover’s best chance came on 23 minutes. Joshua Anifowose swung in an inviting cross which the well-placed Dontai Stewart was unable to divert towards goal.
Three minutes before the break, Maidstone took the lead. A good run from Sam Corne gave him the chance to find Michael Petrasso and Terrell could only parry Petrasso’s shot leaving Levi Amantchi to slam in the rebound.
Early on in the second half, Sol Wanju-Smith drove the ball towards the near post only for Jacob Mensah to make a block. Then for the visitors, Mensah was involved again when he put a good long ball forward in for substitute Nick Dembele to chase but Dembele elected to check back rather than drive forward and the Stones got back to snuff out the danger.
Not long past the hour mark, there was a slice of luck for Terrell. Matt Rush’s effort didn’t look to be troubling the Dover keeper but the ball squirmed out of his hands and only just went past the post for a corner.
The Whites soon had a couple of half chances. Dontai Stewart hit the ball straight at Covolan with an effort from a tight angle. Then another long ball over the top gave Dembele the chance to run at goal but with Raphe Brown in close attendance, he looped the ball over the bar. In between, Wanju-Smith saw his drive take a deflection and clear the bar.
With nine minutes remaining, the ball came to Amantchi. Amantchi took a couple of touches as he neared the edge of the area and his low drive nearly crept in after Terrell made his second spill of the evening. Then late on, Aransibia sent in a corner which Sam Bone headed wide before Amantchi had two good chances to score a second but on both occasions, he put the ball past the left post.
Maidstone United: Levi Amantchi 42
Dover Athletic:
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 15. Sam Bone, 18. Bivesh Gurung, 8. Sam Corne, 11. Devonte Aransibia, 20. Michael Petrasso (16. Liam Sole 68), 9. Sol Wanju-Smith (7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft 83), 17. Levi Amantchi, 14. Matt Rush. Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 19. Perri Iandolo, 10. Lemar Reynolds.
Dover Athletic: 1. Billy Terrell, 5. Sinn’Kaye Christie, 6. James Dunne, 7. Johl Powell (18. Henry Young 61), 8. Joshua Anifowose, 11. Iffy Allen, 16. Jacob Mensah, 17. Archie Hatcher (20. Nick Dembele 45), 23. Dontai Stewart, 25. John Oyenuga, 26. Paris Lock (22. Luke Baptiste 83). Subs not used: 10. George Nikaj, 3. Roman Charles-Cook.
