Dover Athletic boss Jake Leberl says Alfie Matthews and Luca Cocoracchio are playing through pain barrier as former bags brace at Billericay Town to send Dover into Isthmian Premier play-off final
Manager Jake Leberl revealed Dover midfielder Alfie Matthews is playing through the pain barrier after his matchwinning two-goal display at Billericay on Wednesday night.
Matthews converted a brace of brilliant free-kicks as Whites came from behind to seal a 2-1 extra-time victory in their Isthmian Premier play-off semi-final.
The 23-year-old former England youth-team player got injured in last month's 3-1 league defeat at Dartford - who, ironically, Dover will face in Monday’s play-off final - but he has strapped himself up for the season run-in, as has team-mate Luca Cocoracchio.
Leberl revealed: “Alfie’s got a broken bone in his wrist.
“He did it at Dartford on Easter Friday. We didn’t play him on the Monday against Hastings - and he wasn’t very happy! But that just goes to show his commitment, doesn’t it?
“Luca is playing with a bone broken in his hand, as well. But we have been very fortunate regarding injuries this season.
“Very few have missed games, but that comes down to recruitment and how well the players have looked after themselves.”
Report (after extra-time): Billericay 1-2 Dover
Matthews twice fired past Ricay goalkeeper Sam Donkin in front of a huge crowd of 2,857 at New Lodge after striker Femi Akinwade, formerly of Tonbridge and Dartford, had broken the deadlock in the fourth minute of the additional 30.
“It was an absolutely brilliant game,” Leberl reflected. “It was real edge-of-your-seat stuff, a bit of a basketball game, and end-to-end.
“There were some real opportunities for both sides and, obviously, I’m just so pleased that we have got over the line through two unbelievable bits of quality from Alf.
“Now, I’m just already looking forward to the final.”
The goals finally came following an