DOVER ATH 1, ALDERSHOT TN 2

ALDERSHOT Town’s loan soldiers combined to seal a superb victory in Kent on Saturday, but it was their own rising star who proved most instrumental in continuing a fine start to 2018.

Debutant Nicke Kabamba, signed from Portsmouth for the rest of the season, took just seven minutes to endear himself to his new fans after scrambling a vital winner at the end of a move started by Reading goalkeeper Lewis Ward and Colchester left-back Lewis Kinsella, also making his debut.

Yet the assist, to augment his opportunist finish which gave the Shots a first-half lead, came from Jim Kellermann, one of the team’s outstanding and certainly most improved performers this season.

Dover had risen to fourth place on the back of a six-game unbeaten run – with just two defeats in their last 18 games – but here, at the Crabble Athletic Ground, goalkeeper Mitch Walker gifted Aldershot both goals.

The visitors, though, deserved their slice of luck for another stoic and spirited display which matched the Whites’ renowned physical prowess. The Shots also showed far greater technical ability.

“It’s been a fantastic start to the new year. We know how difficult it is to come here and how the opposition are difficult to play against,” said manager Gary Waddock, “but the lads stuck to the task in hand and I think deserved the result. Nicke couldn’t have wished for a better start and I’m really pleased for him, but to a man we were excellent.”

The first half, although keenly-contested, was largely devoid of incident, although Aldershot failed to heed one crucial warning sign.

Dover defender Manny Parry twice found space in the opposition penalty area, first flicking Mitch Pinnock’s free-kick goalwards from an offside position and then guiding a strong header from Femi Ilesanmi’s cross straight at Ward.

In response, Shamir Fenelon stabbed a shot wide from point-blank range after Bernard Mensah’s incisive pass.

Then, on 45 minutes, Walker dropped Cheye Alexander’s looping free-kick at the far post, allowing Kellermann to score from six yards.

Within seconds, however, it was third time lucky for Parry. Mensah gave away a soft free-kick on the right flank and Pinnock’s inswinging cross – a virtual carbon-copy of his earlier delivery – found Parry in space to glance a header past Ward.

Soon after the restart, the Shots goalkeeper flew to tip Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s header over the bar, but Dover failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage. Kane Richards shot over and Ryan Bird headed wide before substitute Kabamba showed them how to finish at the other end.

Ward’s clearance found its way to Kinsella, whose long pass down the touchline sent Kellermann racing clear. The resulting low cross seemed to be claimed by Walker, but the ball spun loose and Kabamba bundled it into the net. Aldershot 2-1 up after 67 minutes.

Dover’s lack of finesse ultimately proved their downfall as they lacked the guile to unlock a resolute defence. Mitch Brundle’s burst into the box, ended by a perfectly-timed tackle from George Fowler, represented their best opportunity, while Mensah could have put the result beyond doubt with a shot cleared off the line by Ilesanmi.

Four points off the top of the National League table, and with a squad bolstered by new arrivals and several players returning to fitness, 2018 holds great promise for Aldershot.

Dover: Walker; Gallifuoco, Essam, Parry; Passley, Brundle, Nortey (Bellamy 88), Ilesanmi; Pinnock, Bird (Alabi 76), Richards (Daniel 64). Subs (not used): Fazakerley, Deen-Conteh. Booked: Richards.

Aldershot: Ward; Alexander, Evans, Fowler, Kinsella (McClure 79); Gallagher, Oyeleke; Fenelon (Taylor 46), Kellermann, Mensah; Rendell (Kabamba 60). Subs (not used): Rowe, Blanchfield.

Referee: Joe Johnson.

Attendance: 1,237 (206 away).

• Aldershot’s non-involvement in the second round of the FA Trophy means that they have no fixture this Saturday. They will host Ebbsfleet on Saturday, January 20.