Concord Rangers 1
Dover Athletic 0
Concord Rangers secured back to back home wins for the first time since November as a first half Lewis Manor header ensured a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Dover Athletic.
It was hardly a classic first half at the Aspect Arena with both sides having one big chance each. The visitors best opportunity came just before the half hour mark with Luke Wanadio going close. Lee Martin tapped off a freekick to the 30 year old who curled the ball towards the bottom corner; forcing Mitchell Beeney to get down in order to parry away.
The Beach Boys would be more clinical when their chance finally came in first half stoppage time. Nana Kyei dinked in a cross that Manor met with a header and his effort looped over Stuart Nelson and into the back of the net for his third goal in as many home games.
Dover started the second period brightly and went close to drawing level shortly after the restart. A Noah Carney cross came off the retreating Jack Thomas, causing the ball to deflect towards the Concord goal. Fortunately Beeney was on hand to turn the danger behind and keep the hosts' lead intact.
Shortly after the hour mark the former England Under 19 international was forced into yet another save. Wanadio burst into the Beach Boys' box and forced Beeney into a smart save with his legs. Mitch Brundle's men kept up the pressure and a minute later Andi Janjeva unleashed a long range strike that whistled past the post.
60 second later Concord went close to doubling their lead when a Ben Steward strike from range forced Nelson into making an awkward stop.
With ten minutes left on the clock Beeney made his most impressive stop yet to deny Janjeva. The ball broke kindly into the Kosovan's path and his rasping effort forced a top draw save from Beeney who had to react quickly to parry behind Janjeva's strike which was destined for the top corner.
Concord had a major chance at the death to double their lead when substitute Louis Ramsay was played through on goal by a brilliant pass from Manor. Ramsay managed to get his attempt on target but could only fire straight at Nelson.
Regardless the Beach Boys had done enough to secure a vital three points that moves them nine points from safety with two games in hand. A win also means that Dover are the second club Rangers have now done the table over this term following Concord's 3-0 win at Crabble in October.
Defeat for Dover means they are now winless in four games - losing three on the spin. Despite losing, Chelmsford's win over Cheshunt should do enough to secure the Whites safety who can now only go down if they lose their remaining two games and Cheshunt win their final three. This is highly unlikely however due to the Ambers final fixtures all coming against sides in the top half of the Vanarama National League South standings.
Rob Small's men have a one day break before returning to action on Thursday night when Dartford make the short trip to the Aspect Arena.
ATT: 214
Concord Rangers: Beeney, Popo, Thomas, Pollock, Beckett, Monville, Hernandez (Munns 87'), Kyei (Ramsay 82'), Steward, Hudson, Manor
Goals: Manor 45+1'
Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Higgs, Wanadio, Martin, Sterling, Carney (Nikaj 84'), Baptiste (Wilkinson 78'), Oliver (Pierrick 55'), Janjeva
By Nathan Williams
Great report. Good to see that Concord managed another win.
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