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Dover Athletic sign striker Matthew Bentley who impressed in the United States

17:26, 22 September 2021

updated: 21:49, 22 September 2021

Dover Athletic have announced the signing of a striker who has impressed in the United States.

Matthew Bentley, 23, has joined Andy Hessenthaler's Whites and made his debut as a second-half substitute in their 0-0 draw with Solihull Moors in the National League at Crabble on Tuesday.

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler. Picture: Andy Jones
Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler. Picture: Andy Jones

The Londoner originally trained with Dover's squad before the national lockdown last year, before he headed back to university in the States.

He played for the Missouri State Bears and scored 15 goals for them and was selected by Minnesota United as the 88th pick in the 2020 Major League Soccer draft last January.

Discussing Bentley's debut, Hessenthaler told DAFC TV: "I thought he was lively.

"He is one I had last year. We had him in the building before we stopped playing.

"He has been playing American college football and I liked what I saw."

In England, he had played for Hornchurch previously.

Next up for bottom side Dover - still on minus nine points - is a derby home clash against 12th-placed Bromley this Saturday, with the Ravens now managed by Andy Woodman.

Hessenthaler said: "They are a good club - good people, (and have) a good manager.

"I know Woody (Woodman) quite well. I have spoken to him over the years.

"He has been goalkeeping coach at some big clubs but he is in at Bromley now, and they'll have aspirations to be up there in and around the play-offs, and trying to get promoted.

"I think it will be another tough game for us but one we look forward to."

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