Hat-trick hero Inih Effiong believes healthy competition for places is bringing the best out of Dover's squad.

Three Effiong strikes helped to steer Andy Hessenthaler’s Whites to a 5-1 success over AFC Fylde at Crabble on Saturday.

What made Dover’s biggest win of their season all the more impressive was the fact they earned their National League victory despite being without captain Kevin Lokko, fellow defender Josh Passley, Oscar Gobern and Anthony Jeffrey.

Paul Rooney replaced Lokko while Aaron Simpson has deputised for right-back Passley, out with a thigh problem, in their last two games.

Effiong said: “Rooney did well.

“Az (Simpson) has been solid throughout when he has been asked to do a job and the midfield has been good as well.

“We have a good, quality squad, where there is really tough competition for places.

“If you are not doing it, someone else will come in and take your place really quickly.

“That’s what drives us all on as players.”

Experienced striker Effiong was partnered up front with Dominic Poleon at the weekend.

The Newport loanee capped his first start for Whites with a goal.

“Dom was very good,” Effiong added.

“Obviously, it was his first start in a long while and he has done well and shown what he is about.

“Even though he is small, he is quite physical and he has helped me out a lot because it means it doesn’t just have to be me that needs to be physical in the game, it can be him as well.

“That takes some of the pressure off me which enables me to do what I need to do.

“I felt working with him was really good and I think we can form a decent partnership.”

There was a debate over Effiong’s second goal as both Effiong and substitute Ade Yusuff tried to claim it, but it was Effiong who was eventually credited with Dover’s third after missing his initial penalty.

“I touched it as I followed it up. If I didn’t feel it had hit my foot, then I wouldn’t claim it (and) I’d let Ade have it,” he explained.

“But I 100% knew I had touched it into the net and it was my goal.”

Dover visit fellow play-off chasers Solihull Moors this Saturday and it’s a match Effiong is looking forward to.

The 16-goal striker said: “Solihull Moors are a big, physical team.

"But that’s my sort of game.

“I like physical games.”

• Defender leaves Dover by mutual consent
• Report: Dover 5-1 AFC Fylde
• Non-league latest

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