PINNOCK LEAVES O’S IN THE COLD
DOVER Athletic’s defence demonstrated the same type of resilience in keeping out Leyton Orient’s potent attack as the Crabble pitch did in being the only National League game to survive the big freeze.
“The volunteers were magnificent in helping us today and us winning was very much part of what they did” Chris Kinnear Dover manager
Volunteers were at the ground from 8.30am preparing the pitch, though O’s main goal threat Macauley Bonne could only look at the turf in disbelief after sending a first-half effort into Siberia when oneon-one with home keeper Mitch Walker.
And it was the home side’s man of the moment Mitch Pinnock who showed the Zimbabwean international how it should be done with an ice-cool finish past a frozen Dean Brill eight minutes from time.
Pinnock, now with four goals in as many league games, collected Ade Azeez’ pass and volleyed a sumptious effort into the top corner to hand his side the three points.
And Athletic’s boss was delighted the game was able to go ahead as his charges moved back into the play-off places.
“People raised their eyebrows when we said the game would be on,” said boss Chris Kinnear.
“The volunteers were magnificent in helping us today and us winning was very much part of what they did.
“There was no problem with the pitch. It was the right decision to play the match and getting the three points shows the importance of having the game on.”
“It was certainly a close game, but we just edged it and Mitch Walker had a good game in goal.”
Indeed home keeper Walker deserves a special mention for producing two stunning saves in quick succession after the break.
Firstly, the stopper blocked from former Dover loanee Dan Holman as he raced clear. He then flung himself in front of Ebou Adams after Lemar Reynolds’ shot hit the post and landed in the midfielder’s path.
Earlier, Walker also thwarted Josh Koroma by tipping the winger’s free-kick around the post and at the other end Azeez saw his shot trickle just wide via a deflection.
Cambridge loanee Azeez almost had the hosts ahead at the break but smashed over from an angle rather than play in a visibly frustrated Mitch Brundle waiting at the back stick.
Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s back header almost caught Brill unawares, but the 32-year-old showed he has not lost his agility by palming away the Australian’s effort.
And Nortei Nortey almost put Whites ahead, striking the post with a low drive from the edge of the area.
But Pinnock added another spectacular goal to his already impressive collection, leaving Orient boss Justin Edinburgh a picture of frustration at the end.
“We allowed ourselves to switch off and were punished for it,” he groaned. “It was a difficult match, but we had enough chances to win.
“On another day on a better playing surface we would be hitting the target, but I can’t be too critical today of my attack today.
“It’s been a disruptive week with some illness in the squad. Having to shuffle the back four might have unbalanced us a little.”
“We allowed ourselves to switch off and we got punished for it. We had enough chances to win” Justin Edinburgh Leyton Orient manager