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Dover Athletic's Mike Sandmann praises players' work ethic after National League South win at Weymouth ahead of trip to Welling United

05:00, 27 September 2022

updated: 10:26, 27 September 2022

Mike Sandmann reckons Dover players’ work ethic cannot be questioned.

Whites secured a first away victory of the National League South season on Saturday at bottom side Weymouth, winning 2-0.

Dover Athletic's Mike Sandmann. Picture: Richard Harvey / Dover Athletic FC
Dover Athletic's Mike Sandmann. Picture: Richard Harvey / Dover Athletic FC

The win also ended a run of four successive losses in all competitions.

Academy manager Sandmann - presently assisting boss Andy Hessenthaler with first-team matters - praised the squad which took the points despite centre-back Jake Goodman (nose) coming off injured.

He said: “It’s a good group, it’s got good characters in there.

“They do work hard - that cannot ever be questioned. The performances were good.

“We had to make the change with Gooders going off but Higgsy [Jordan Higgs] did well in there. Across the board, from Nels [keeper Stuart Nelson] to Alfie Pavey, everyone played their part.

“The most pleasing thing for us is to look solid at the back. If we keep performing like that, we can start winning games.”

Dover’s goals at Weymouth were scored after the restart by Jordan Higgs and Luke Wanadio.

“It was a fantastic win. We had to be patient,” Sandmann reflected.

“Weymouth made it difficult but going to Weymouth - which is a long journey - and getting a result like that is fantastic. We looked solid and it’s important to get three points and a clean sheet - and it was a thoroughly deserved clean sheet.

“First half, both teams cancelled each other out a bit but the players were great in the second half. I know Weymouth have not had a great start but it’s important we got the win and the clean sheet.”

Goodman was due to see a specialist on Monday after receiving an elbow to his nose late in the first half which led to him being substituted and he will definitely miss tonight’s trip to Welling.

Sandmann said: “We are waiting to get the results to know how long that will be. He went to hospital on Saturday evening but the doctors couldn’t say too much.

“It’s a bit too early to comment how long he will be out. But certainly, he will not be available against Welling.”

Dover, who are 16th, will look to build on their win in Dorset against fifth-placed Welling. The Wings this week signed midfielder Devonte Aransibia, 23, from Chelmsford.

UEFA A coach Sandmann said: “We want that consistency but it’s a difficult league. We are not the only ones that have suffered with inconsistency.

“The only ones who haven’t are Ebbsfleet and Havant & Waterlooville and we have played them - Ebbsfleet we have played twice. But it’s a really good group we have got.

“No-one wants to lose football matches at all, but the manager is confident we will start to get that consistency. Saturday was a massive step in the right direction.

“Tomorrow night will not be easy. It’s a difficult game against a good side but we are a good side as well.”

Whites are without a match this weekend.

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