Dover Athletic 1 Ebbsfleet United 2 match report: Toby Edser and Dominic Samuel score in National League South win

In-form Ebbsfleet made it a hat-trick of Kent derby wins in National League South on Tuesday night.

Goals from Toby Edser and Dominic Samuel were enough to beat Dover, despite Kenny Coker’s second-half equaliser for the hosts.

The Fleet have now defeated Maidstone and Tonbridge in the league this term while the victory was also a third straight success for Josh Wright’s men in the division.

Ebbsfleet dominated the opening 20 minutes of the half. Dominic Samuel’s header was straight at keeper Mitch Walker from a Ben Chapman cross after five minutes before Charlie Seaman’s ambitious long-range shot was comfortably gathered.

Dover had to contend with counter attacks in the early stages but they nearly went ahead as Kenny Coker burst clear but Fleet keeper Matt Hall was out smartly to thwart the danger.

Samuel then broke through at the other end as he turned Jalen Jones 40 yards from goal but, having advanced into the penalty area, his effort was diverted away for a corner by the impressive Walker.

Ebbsfleet took the lead on 18 minutes. Lennon Peake’s deep corner was only cleared as far as Toby Edser, who produced a delicious left-foot shot beyond Walker for his fourth goal of the season.

The goal changed the game’s momentum as Dover started to press the visitors back. Coker closed down Ronny Nelson’s clearance and then stayed on his feet after a rash challenge as he burst into the area only to lack power with his shot.

Ryan Hanson then headed over from a deep Roman Charles-Cook as Whites showed they had enough in their team to start asking questions.

Dover should have equalised on 22 minutes but De-Carrey Shariff, having got to a ball over the top ahead of the onrushing Hall, rounded the keeper only to plant his shot wide