Redhill 0-1 Dover Athletic - Carruthers: It's good to put a Dover shirt on again - EXCLUSIVE

The 31-year-old, who started his playing career with Dover Athletic at the age of eighteen, during the club’s Conference days, returned to the Sea France Crabble Stadium during pre-season.

Dover-lad Carruthers, who has recently played for Folkestone Invicta, Welling United and Ashford Town, worked hard on his fitness during the pre-season period, playing for the reserves and was delighted when he was called-up into the first-team today.

And he repaid the faith shown in him by boss Andy Hessenthaler, as his 42^nd minute header sealed a first qualifying round trip to Burgess Hill Town in two weeks time.

The Hillians, who like Dover Athletic play in the Ryman League Division One South, romped to a 7-0 home win over Banstead Athletic, setting up a lucrative home clash against the Whites.

Redhill, playing at a ground without any seats, were criticised by travelling Dover fans for charging the same admission prices as they have to pay at their immaculate home.

And with the grass uncut, Dover’s star-names produced a professional performance, limiting their hosts to just one chance throughout a comfortable outing.

That lone Redhill chance arrived in the 14^th minute when debutant left-winger, Jamel Johnson latched onto a defence splitting pass, and found former Horsham YMCA stopper Dean Ruddy alert, tipping over the right-footed shot from fifteen-yards.

Before that, however, Dover Athletic should have scored but Carruthers’ glanced a header into Chris Harrison’s grateful arms, following a free-kick from skipper, Jon Wallis.

Dover created another chance, from Wallis’ flag-kick, after 25 minutes but Liam Quinn, who had came up from his defensive duties, saw his glancing header nodded off the line at the far-post.

More chances came dominant Dover’s way; former Chatham Town and Gillingham striker, Frannie Collin, was unlucky not to break the deadlock following a clever free-kick after 34 minutes.

James Rogers disguised a free-kick for Wallis, and Wallis stroked the ball to Collin at the near-post.

And Collin turned to send a shot just over the crossbar, just ten-yards out.

And Carruthers also went close, just two minutes later, when his right-footed shot sailed agonisingly over the top of the far-post, after a cut-back by striker, James Dryden.

But Carruthers made it a dream return to his beloved Dover Athletic, scoring the decisive goal.

Full-credit must go to Collin, hugging the right-touchline, close to the by-line, he managed to whip in a hanging cross towards the far-post.

And Carruthers leapt to nod the ball past Harrison and into the left-hand corner from six-yards.

“It’s good to be back, put a white shirt on again,” Carruthers said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“Really didn’t think I’ll be starting, so it was a present surprise when the gaffer said "play left-midfield".

“I thought it was a good all-round team performance. One-nil is not really a true reflection on the game, it could have been four or five.

“These places are always hard to come to (and) get a result. One-nil, I think we’d taken that before the game started.”

He added: “I think the gaffers quite happy, so I’m happy.”

Carruthers’ was happy that his hard-graft playing in the reserves has finally paid off.

He said: “I’ve just got myself fit, I’ve been training with the reserves, played three or four games pre-season for the reserves and been allright, so yes, he’s given me a call-up and I’m happy about it.”

Despite only being a goal-up, Dover Athletic were always in a comfortable position and never looked like conceding, and although former Dartford striker, James Carter worked hard up front, the Surrey outfit didn’t have the quality to unlock the Whites’ solid defence.

One of those defenders, Matt Bourne, was making his first appearance of the new season, having been on the sidelines with to a groin injury.

Dover Athletic should have doubled their lead nine minutes into the second half, but striker Dryden stabbed a left-footed shot over the left-post after former Sittingbourne striker, Mark Lovell had his header beaten out by Harrison.

And following a lofted pass by midfielder John Keister, Carruthers’ hooked a shot agonisingly past the foot of the far-post, despite brave Harrison going in where it hurt.

Dover, winning the corner count by 9-3, went close from their sixth corner of the game, with 23 minutes remaining, but Bourne directed his towering header past the near post, following Rogers’ far-post flag-kick.

Quinn suffered similar fate with another far-post header, this time following a whipped in cross from Collin - but the time was running out for the hosts.

The Whites had more late chances to make the scoreline a fairer reflection on the match, but Harrison denied Lovell, Bourne and Keister.

More reaction from this game will follow…

Redhill: Chris Harrison, Nick Levett, Jamie Sinclair, Michael Shipp (Mike Onalaja 54), Charlie Stagg, Thierry Messi, Jamel Johnson, John Difford, James Carter (Luke Jones 75), Jody Ricketts, Jason Davey (Matt Males 63).
Subs: Dion Oakley, Dave Minnis.

Booked: John Difford 81

Dover Athletic: Dean Ruddy, Ryan Andrews, James Rogers, Matt Bourne, Liam Quinn, John Keister, Jon Wallis, Matt Carruthers, James Dryden (Jack Tanner 77), Frannie Collin, Mark Lovell.
Subs: Byron Walker, Tom Hickman, Sam Gore, Gavin Wright.

Goal: Matt Carruthers 42

Booked:  Jack Tanner 87

Attendance: 302
Referee: Mr Rob Hyde (Shorditch, London)
Assistants: Mr Mark Sarah (Bermondsey, London) & Mr Christopher Dodd (Eltham, London)