Dover Athletic lost their third consecutive game after a goal in each half from Boreham Wood, in a game where Dover struggled in attack. 

Dover came into the game wondering where the goals would come from as they were without top goal scorer Inih Effiong who was out due to injury, and they did miss him as Whites never really challenged Nathan Ashmore in the Wood net. 

Earlier in the day, Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler made two changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Peterborough in the second round of the FA Cup, with Josh Passley and Kevin Lokko returning from injury to replace De Havilland and Munns. 

The game started quiet evenly, but Boreham Wood grew into the game and would’ve been ahead if only for the linesman who flagged for offside after Justin Shaibu put the ball into Dover’s net. 

Kabongo Tshimanga then missed a glorious chance to put  The Wood ahead when a cross from the left hand side found the Boreham Wood striker in plenty of space, but his shot went well over the bar. 

Boreham Wood finally took the lead from the penalty spot when Kurtis Cumberbatch tripped Kane Smith in the box just as he took his shot which was cleared of the line by Kevin Lokko. Sorba Thomas stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give The Wood a well-deserved lead. 

Just before half time Dover got their first shot on target when Paul Rooney made a run down the centre of the pitch and found Steve Rigg, but his shot was well saved by Ashmore. 

Tyrone Marsh almost doubled Boreham Wood’s lead early in the second half, but his strike from outside the box was just wide. 

Just before the hour mark The Wood did double their lead after a mistake by Scott Doe who was trying to run the ball out of play, but the ball was nicked off him by Tshimanga who squared it to Justin Shaibu to put it into an open net. 

It was almost 3-0 after Tyrone Marsh nicked the ball from Paul Rooney on the edge of the area and ran into the box, but his shot was saved by Lee Worgan. 

Worgan made another save to stop a third after the ball was played through to Tshimanga, but the goalkeeper made an excellent save to keep the deficit to two, however Dover didn’t make the most of these misses as they struggled to a 2-0 loss. 

Dover are back in action next Saturday as they travel to King’s Lynn Town in the first round of the FA Trophy. 

Dover: Worgan, Passley, Rooney, Doe, Lokko, Taylor, Woods, Reason(L’Ghoul 64”), Cumberbatch (Jeffrey 45”) , Modeste, Rigg(Ratti 77”)

Subs not used: De Havilland, Munns 

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Champion, Stephens, Ilesanmi, Smith, Ricketts, Murtagh, Thomas, Shaibu(Shakes 61”), Marsh, Tshimanga 

Subs not used: Woodards, Mingoia, McDonnell, Fyfield, 

Attendance: 728

Referee: Adrian Quelch