FOOTBALL: A HAT-trick in just 21 minutes from star Dover Athletic striker Ricky Miller denied Solihull Moors any points from their latest Vanarama National League fixture at Damson Park.
Despite being reduced to ten men after 26 minutes, Keith Bertschin’s side failed to make the most of the man advantage as the visiting side capitalised on several missed chances for the Moors in the second half.
Without Ryan Beswick and Darryl Knights, Moors were facing tough opposition as Dover now find themselves just one point outside the final playoff position.
Both sides failed to make the most of their chances in the first half as Dover went close through a Jordan Fagbola free kick and an effort from eventual Man of the Match Miller whose effort from far out hit the crossbar.
The game changed after 25 minutes though as Dover’s Parkinson brought down Brown as he raced towards a one-on-one with visiting keeper Walker.
Though it looked to be an accidental slip, referee Serrano showed Parkinson the red car – reducing Dover to just ten men.
Moors used the man advantage well to reverse the pressure they had been facing, and their hard work eventually paid off as Brown met Sterling James’ cross to guide his header into the back of the net just two minutes before half time.
The home side continued to press in the second half as a Jean Koue Niate effort was saved.
However Dover got back onto level terms as Miller got on the end of a flick from Lafayette to bring both sides level on a goal a piece after 53 minutes.
Things quickly got worse for Solihull as Miller added a second on the hour mark before securing his hat-trick just 14 minutes later to double Dover’s lead to two goals.
Dover continued to apply further pressure – despite their man disadvantage, though Solihull responded well as Murombedzi’s cross troubled the visiting team’s defence.
Striker Asante then found the back of the net four minutes into injury time, however his strike proved too little too late as Dover wrapped up the three points.
Though he was pleased with the first half performance, coach Keith Bertschin said not following up their first goal with a second proved costly.
He said: “We tried to make them aware of not being loose and thinking the game was over at half-time, but we never really got going.
“They got their tails up and we gave a couple of poor goals away.
“When that momentum changes – we’ve seen it so many times at all different levels of football – it’s very powerful and we could never get back into the game.”
