Goals from Reece Grego-Cox and Ronan Silva gave the Beavers a steady lead at the Bev, which they held onto to take all three points against Dover Athletic.
Grego-Cox’s presence was felt instantly as he returned to the starting line-up and proved a menace for the visitors’ defence right from the off.
Just twelve minutes in, the forward cut the ball back to Ronan Silva, who swept the ball home into the near post to give the Beavers a deserved early lead.
The strike partnership doubled the Beavers’ lead 20 minutes in. On a fast break from a corner, midfielder Sam Deadfield unleashed Silva down the left-hand side, who swung in a delicious cross for Grego-Cox, who leapt forward to volley it into the far bottom corner.
Dover clawed a goal back against the run of play half an hour in thanks to a spectacular effort swung in from well outside the box by Luke Baptiste. The effort floated over goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst, who couldn’t reach it before settling in the top left-hand corner.
Eduino Vaz was well suited to being deployed at wing-back, suiting both his technical and physical capabilities. His technical ability shone through and proved near impossible to dispose of, battling with his opposite number Roman Charles-Cook in both boxes, making for a captivating first-half spectacle for those in the Main Stand.
After Dover topscorer George Nikaj’s animated complaints to both the referee and linesman over a tackle, the half came to a close with HRBFC leading 2-1.
Silva started the second half with the same intensity he left the first half with, instantly getting off a fired shot for the ‘keeper to just about tip over the bar. HRBFC came out with intent and did not want to see their lead slip away.
As the game grew old, Dover became increasingly reliant on set pieces to challenge the HRBFC goal. The styles were diverging, as the home side’s midfield was becoming more confident on the ball and stringing together some neat one-touch moves to penetrate the Dover box.
Massey fulfilled his role as disruptor throughout the game, making him the perfect pairing for Fernandez and Longe-King, who swept up the loose balls and recycled possession, giving the midfield a solid base to work from.
HRBFC broke at pace the entire game, their solid three centre backs meant corners could be battered away with ease, allowing for blistering counter-attacks. Nothing highlighted this as much as Vaz’s chance in the 72nd minute, where Nana Boateng slipped through his fellow wingback who just couldn’t quite beat the keeper.
Just a moment later, midfielder Sam Deadfield pierced the box and was pulled down by the defender, but the referee instantly waved away the appeals from the entire stadium for a penalty.
Dover failed to provide any real challenge to Marcus Dewhurst in net from open play apart from their first-half wonder strike. Massey proved a brick wall, heading away a shot with two minutes left.
The game ended 2-1 to the Beavers, a full and competent display from the home side who looked untroubled throughout the game. The victory lifts HRBFC eight drops above the drop as the season enters the final straight.
The Beavers travel to Slough Town Tuesday and Weston-Super-Mare Saturday before returning to the Bev on March 21st.
Secure your tickets for that one HERE!
By Jake Holmes