Dover Athletic 1 Dulwich Hamlet 2 match report: Top scorer Alfie Pavey's first-half effort not enough in National League South match at Crabble

Dover started 2023 with a New Year’s Day home defeat to Dulwich in National League South.

They took the lead against the run of play through top scorer Alfie Pavey, only for Danny Mills to get Hamlet a deserved leveller shortly before the break.

But the all-important third goal of the game after the restart saw Joe Felix earn the London club the points.

Hamlet dominated in the first half at Crabble and they created a couple of openings in quick succession inside the first eight minutes in front of a crowd of 827.

A penalty appeal was dismissed by referee Steve Hughes after a challenge by Whites right-back Myles Judd on Andre Blackman before striker George Porter tested Dover goalkeeper Stuart Nelson following a long ball which had sent him through.

Four minutes later, impressive away midfielder Jayden Clarke cut in off the left but he was thwarted by Nelson who tipped the low drive wide.

The 17th minute saw the hosts finally threaten on the counter-attack, left-back Alfie Paxman seeing his attempt sail wide amid a rare first-half foray forward.

Dulwich defender Ronnie Vint should have done better on 21 minutes, only to send a free header from a free-kick wide of Nelson’s right-hand post.

The away side’s dominance continued though as Judd made a crucial block to deny Porter at the back post.

Hamlet were certainly playing much the better football on a sticky surface at this stage. In the 36th minute, captain Jack Holland headed into the side-netting after Clarke had stood up a left-wing cross.

But Whites drew first blood against the run of play, two minutes later. Paxman’s free-kick was met by player-assistant manager Mitch Brundle, away keeper Charlie Grainger pushed clear, however Pavey hooked home in fine style for his