isthmian League round-up: Dover equal club-record win, Sittingbourne hit five, late drama for Ashford United and Sheppey United make winning start

Dover started the new Isthmian Premier season in style with a club-record equalling victory at Potters Bar.

Their 8-0 victory on Saturday matched Dover’s 8-0 success against East Preston in September 2008.

After a tight opening half-hour, Jake Leberl’s men took charge with four goals before half-time.

George Nikaj’s header put them on their way before Luke Baptiste tapped home the second. Ruben Soares-Junior found the top corner before Nikaj latched onto a short backpass and rounded the keeper to score the fourth.

Nikaj completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes from close range and Harrison Pont fired home the sixth. There was still time for Joe Tennent to head in a corner before Jaiden Drakes-Thomas rounded off the scoring in the last minute.

It was the perfect warm-up for Dover’s home clash on Tuesday with neighbours Folkestone, who started their campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Carshalton.

Both goals came in the first 15 minutes as Dominic Vose’s opener for Carshalton was cancelled out by Evans Kouassi after Jamie Mascoll’s effort came back off the crossbar.

Cray Wanderers have an equally important engagement on Tuesday night when they play their first competitive game at their new Flamingo Park home against neighbours Cray Valley.

They will go into that match with three points on the board after a 2-0 success at Hashtag United.

Both sides had early penalties, Frankie Raymond converting the rebound for Cray after keeper Jack Giddens saved his initial spot-kick. Then Cray keeper Shaun Rowley marked his 100th outing for the club by keeping out Sakariya Hassan’s penalty at the other end.

Charlie Edwards hit the bar for the Wands in the second half before Dontai Stewart wrapped up the points in the final minute.

Cray