FOOTBALL: EP all at sea for Dover Cup clash

EP had early chances and held their opponents to just a 2-0 lead at half-time, as they were beaten but far-from-disgraced by Dover.

But the organisation and fitness of Dover told towards the end, as the dream of East Preston '“ the lowest-ranked club left in the competition '“came to an end.

EP boss Trevor Waller spoke of how proud he was of his side and how far they had come.

He said: "Everybody fought for the cause. In a way, we're lucky to get to this stage. Now we must take this pleasing cup run into our league form which we can now concentrate on.

"The first half was disappointing to concede the two sloppy goals event, though I thought Maciek (Kason) pulled off some top saves and kept us in it.

"We were unable to match their centre- halves from set plays, from there it was always going to be an uphill battle.

"Ultimately, we are proud of everybody, we did run out of legs early second-half and it was a shame we didn't end up with a goal to hang onto."

After just five minutes, EP's off-balance Kevin Budge hooked a right-foot shot just wide after an attack from the right.

It wasn't long before pressure mounted on the EP defence and keeper Maciek Kason pulled off some amazing saves to keep the game level.

Kason tipped a goal-bound close-range header from Dover's Shaun Welford onto the bar on 17 minutes.

Seconds later, good work from Adam Holman blocked a powerful effort over the bar.

Finally, after 20 minutes, Dover defender Olly Schulz's right foot strike broke the deadlock after an original airshot attempt.

Saves followed soon after again from EP keeper Kason, who denied Schulz a second after beating a powerful header away from a corner.

With 30 minutes gone, Dover doubled their lead as Dean Hill headed home from a corner. Soon after, EP went close to nicking a goal back. Terry Dodd cut inside down the right, slipped a pass into Budge but Dover's keeper John Whitehouse claimed the ball before Budge could get his shot off.

Dover played keep-ball for long periods of the second-half, as fatigue set in for EP and they struggled to mount any real troubling offence.

On the hour-mark, Dover striker Lee Browning tapped in from six yards after Kason fumbled the ball into his path.

Seven minutes later, Danny Walder's cross met Welford at the far post, who headed over the Kason into the back of the net to make it 4-0.

On 80 minutes, Browning netted a second with a neat chip over Kason followed soon after by Walder bundling the ball in on the goal line.

Jon Wallis then sent a 25-yard shot past the helpless Kason, before wrapping things up with a curling shot into the top corner.

Unbelievably, EP's best chance fell to sub Jay Huet, in the last minute.

He took the ball around the keeper with an open goal in sight but unluckily struck the post from a tight angle.

EP bounced back from Saturday's disappointment, with a 3-2 win over Hassocks in the Sussex Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

However, the win was marred by another serious injury, as Holman was taken to hospital after twisting his knee, with it looking like he has torn his ligaments.

EP did go behind as Phil Gault capitalised on a defensive mistake after nine minutes.

However, Huet then netted a brace before half-time to put EP in the driving seat.

His first came from a move down the right as Nathan Da Costa fed Dodd who squared to Huet to finish.

Huet's second came on the stroke of half-time as he lobbed the keeper from 30 yards.

Dodd then netted himself on 50 minutes before Terry Garcias pulled one back for Hassocks seven minutes later.

Waller said: "It was a great response from Saturday. We were out of the traps well and looked bright with some good play.

"We were a little sloppy defensively, though, conceding a couple of poor goals.

EP v Dover: Kason; N.Da Costa, Nicholson, Holman, Windsor; Saunders, Riley, Campbell, Darwin; T.Dodd, Budge. Subs: Huet (Budge 59), Paine (Campbell 69), Meeney (Riley 75), L.Da Costa, M.Dodd,Williamson.

Attendance: 757.

v Hassocks: Kason; N.Da Costa, Saunders, Riley, Holman, Nicholson; Paine, Campbell, Darwin; Huet, T.Dodd. Subs: James (Darwin 70), M.Dodd (Holman 70), L.Da Costa (Paine 80) Williamson.

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