A stunner from Joe Cook and clinical finishes from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft and Brad Dolaghan earned the Reds another three points in the National League South.

Today’s clash marked the first of four successive home fixtures, with new signing George Cox, previously of Swindon Town, starting at left wing-back.

The match started with a strong offence from Dover. In the first 40 seconds, Worthing goalkeeper Josh Jeffries blocked a shot from the left which was thrown directly back into play. Six minutes in, a foul on Dover forward Decarrey Shariff prompted a free-kick from just outside of the Worthing box.  The ball was headed in by Luke Baptiste but fortunately for the hosts back into the arms of Jeffries once again.

It didn’t take long for new addition Cox to make an impact on the pitch, with a fierce charge up the left-hand side providing Worthing with their first effort of the match.

A yellow card was then given for a foul on Worthing captain Joel Colbran, with the subsequent free-kick being taken by Cox which fell into the hands of Mitchell Walker.

Joe Cook opened the scoring just past the halfway mark of the first period as he curled a sensational shot into the top-left corner. A sensational hit from our number five as he took advantage of the space afforded to him by the opposition to give his side the lead.

However, this didn’t last long as Dover forward Sheriff equalised with a well-struck volley just eight minutes later after a searching pass from Luca Cocoracchio. Josh Jeffries was couldn’t prevent the smashing effort from breaching his net. Sheriff followed up with another left-footed shot but this time Jeffries was equal to it.

Just before the break, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft hit the back of the Dover net with a sharp finish that was drilled across the surface to give Worthing the advantage going into the break. Dolghan was the provider as he released his fellow attacker with a perfectly-weighted pass.

The second half started with a noticeable increase in pressure from the Rebels. A foul on Coleman De-Graft prompted a free -kick just outside of the box, which was taken by Cox and was swiftly headed out by the visitors.

Another corner taken by Worthing was caught by the Dover ‘keeper and captain, Mitchell Walker, before being thrown out to Coleman De-Graft who fired two powerful shots at the goal in succession.

In the last 15 minutes of the game, pressure was mounting in the central midfield as Teddy Jenks charged into the box and was met by the opposing stopper.

Crucially, Dolaghan netted his seventh of the season from inside the six-yard box to give Adam Hinshelwood’s side a two-goal cushion with 76 minutes on the clock. More adventurous play from Cook saw the central defender feed Colbran who presented the ball on a silver platter for Dolaghan. The former West Ham man made no mistake as he blasted a finish into the roof of the net.

A foul on Odei inside the Dover box in the 81st minute was dismissed by the referee as Dover pressed downfield, despite the defender seemingly bundling into the midfielder. The visitors then took a short corner which was swiftly dealt with by the Worthing backline.

In the latter stages of the contest, substitute Nathan Odokonyero found the back of the net, only for it be ruled offside. Five minutes of stoppage time was added as the former Ebbsfleet United forward continued to make significant runs upfield.

The final whistle blew after a dispute over a Worthing corner, as the Rebels secured the home victory. It maintained Hinshelwood’s perfect start to his third spell of the club in the league as his side collected nine points from the last three matches. Hampton & Richmond Borough visit Woodside next weekend, with the Reds now having a clear week to prepare accordingly.

Match Report by Fergus Wolfenden