Dover Athletic 1 Hungerford Town 0 match report: Striker Alfie Pavey strikes as Whites win first home National League South match of the season

Alfie Pavey scored the only goal as Dover won their first home National League South match of the season against Hungerford on Saturday.

The frontman struck midway through the second period, getting on the end of Luke Wanadio’s cross, to earn the home team the points.

Whites were presented with an opening inside the first two minutes at Crabble after Callum Willmouth failed to control, which allowed the ball to break kindly for home striker Pavey, but a Hungerford player made the block.

A minute later, the Crusaders created their first chance of the contest as Dover keeper Ryan Sandford got down to make a good save to thwart Niko Muir.

Pavey again threatened in the 10th minute for the hosts but blasted over.

With 18 minutes played, however, Dover were perhaps slightly fortunate not to fall behind. A dangerous right-wing cross by Joel Rollinson caused problems, however Curtis Angell couldn’t quite convert at the back post for Danny Robinson’s men as Sandford and Dover’s defence did enough to clear the danger.

After a first-half drinks break in hot conditions, the lively Wanadio whipped in a menacing cross from the left which just evaded Pavey at the far post.

Whites were then denied a penalty shortly before the half-hour mark.

Lee Martin went to ground under a challenge from a visiting player but Dover’s skipper was controversially adjudged to have dived by referee Shelby Elson and cautioned before Pavey nodded Wanadio’s cross narrowly over soon after.

In first-half stoppage-time, Sandford again was called into action, denying Rollinson, with the game goalless at the break.

Chike Kandi had a golden chance with the second period less than a minute old, only to be denied by away goalkeeper Mark Scott after Wanadio’s cross.