Teenager Archie Hatcher was as shocked as anyone when he was put on first-team free-kick duties for Dover - but it was a call which paid dividends.

Defender Peter Ojemen netted on his return from suspension at Crabble last weekend but, after he came off following a first-half clash of heads with Ollie Chamberlain, second-placed Taunton hit back to hold a 2-1 half-time advantage.

But a fine set-piece from 18-year-old Hatcher ensured Whites earned a 2-2 draw.

On scoring from a free-kick, Hatcher, who set up Ojemen’s goal, revealed: “I’ve never scored one!

“When they put me on it, I was shocked if I’m being honest. I was the set-piece taker for the Academy last year but didn’t score one so I’m absolutely delighted to get one.”

It was a topsy-turvy National League South encounter in front of 617.

“If you look at the amount of chances we had in the first half, you think we could have had it dead and buried,” reflected Hatcher.

Dover scorer makes team-of-the-week

“Even to go 1-0 up at half-time, that would have been a positive but we let them back in the game. We were disappointed to go in 2-1 down at half-time.

“But a point against top of the league - again - was another valuable one.”

Despite languishing towards the foot of the table with just one league victory this season, Dover are unbeaten in four matches in all competitions, including successive 2-2 draws against Taunton and Bath, who had been top of the league when they played them.

Hatcher noted: “If you look at our last four games, we’re unbeaten - two in the FA Cup - and we have got a big game this week.

“Our last two league performances have been against top of the league. You have got to take that as a step in the right direction.”

There’s a big FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round encounter at National League Eastleigh for Mitch Brundle’s men this Saturday.

“If you look at the result last midweek, they thumped Ebbsfleet 5-2,” said Hatcher, who helped the club’s Academy reach the FA Youth Cup Third Round last term.

“To have that run we had in the FA Youth Cup last year, it would be unbelievable to replicate it in the senior team this year.”

While Hatcher has come up against Eastleigh with the Academy, he has never played at their Silverlake Stadium.

He said: “We’ve played on a nearby astro-turf.

“We’ve won there, we’ve lost there, so it’ll be nice to win there this time.”

Asked how he felt they should go about beating higher-division opposition to earn £9,375, Hatcher replied: “We need to stand our ground.

“We can’t change our game. If we change our game, that could have an impact on the final result.

“We go there with nothing to lose. You’ve got to look at the positives. We’re the underdogs and we’re going to try and cause an upset.”

Hatcher is still available to play for Dover’s Academy in the week and, having quickly settled into senior football, he’s well-placed to suggest what the difference is.

“There’s one difference and that’s the physicality,” he explained, speaking to the club after the Taunton game.

“You’re playing against men in National League South.

“You’re still playing against physical lads in the under-19s National League. The intensity is still the same, in and out of the Academy.

“As I say, it’s just the physicality.”

Hatcher had played up top in youth football but is operating in a slightly deeper role now he’s playing first-team football.

He said: “Last season, I was playing more as a centre-forward.

“So, over the summer, I was working more on my body shape, trying to pin defenders. I think that’s paid off at the start of this season.

“I don’t feel out of my depth and I’m thoroughly enjoying my time.”

Another to have penned professional club terms alongside Hatcher is close friend Henry Young, also 18.

“To do it with Youngy, who I have played with since I was a young boy, that’s been an unbelievable experience,” added Hatcher.

Forward Oreofe Bello has left Dover for Isthmian Premier Potters Bar while ex-Dover goalkeeper Lee Worgan has announced his retirement from the game.

Worgan, who was player-coach at Crabble, spent two years at the club between 2018 until 2020.