Dover Athletic forward Francis Mampolo gets goal and assist in their 2-1 National League South weekend win at Bath City; Eastbourne Borough next up for Whites

Forward Francis Mampolo marked his birthday in style, helping Dover collect their first National League South win of the season.

Mampolo, formerly of Tonbridge, set up Ruben Soares-Junior and got Whites’ second himself as it ended 2-1 at Twerton Park last weekend.

The 22-year-old struggled to fully cement himself in Dover’s front-line in last term’s promotion-winning campaign - largely playing second fiddle to a potent three-man attack - but got his chance at Bath, with Luke Baptiste still nursing a toe problem.

“I’m really pleased for him,” said Dover boss Jake Leberl, whose team visit Eastbourne Borough in the league tonight. “It’s been tough for Francis.

“He had opportunities last year and, I’m not saying he didn’t take them, he did well, but he just didn’t quite get the numbers.

“He knows how we want to play. It’s a little bit against how he wants to play but our wide forwards need to chip in with goals.

“Francis is more than capable of doing that. He’s a really good guy and has unbelievable ability.

Dover player makes team-of-the-week

“We just need to make sure we get what we got on Saturday from him consistently.”

Leberl conceded even he can forget just how young Mampolo is sometimes.

A player who made under-23 appearances for Newcastle and Swansea, Mampolo counts Sutton Common Rovers, Westfield and Biggleswade Town, as well as Tonbridge, among his old clubs.

Leberl said: “Sometimes, you do forget how young he is.

“I do need to give him a bit more leeway than I do at times. You see he has been about a while - but he’s still only very young.

“He loves his football and is a great guy so I’m really pleased he could celebrate his 22nd birthday weekend in that way.”

Among the crowd of 976 at Bath were a good number