Weymouth 3 Dover Athletic 0

DOVER had defenders Andy Arnott and Danny Chapman sent off and coach Mark Patterson was banished from the touchline as Whites slid to defeat at high-flying Weymouth on Tuesday night.

Whites’ players and supporters were angered by the refereeing of Mr Perljewski from Sherborne, starting with his decision to award Weymouth a debateable penalty after just seven minutes of this Dr Martens, premier division clash.

The home side’s player-manager, Steve Claridge, fell theatrically in the penalty when challenged by Craig Cloke and a spot kick was awarded, even though there was minimal contact. Claridge took the penalty himself and put his side ahead with a shot into the bottom corner.

Dover then matched Weymouth for much of the first half but missed two or three chances to level the score.

Claridge forced a good save from Paul Hyde after beating the Dover defence. Craig Wilkins was booked for protesting after being hacked down from behind and Lee Spiller was also scythed down after having beaten a defender, but again nothing was given.

The second half saw much of the same, with Weymouth having a lot of the ball and Dover looking dangerous on the break.

Substitute Jones Awuah had a good chance to equalise but shot straight at home 'keeper Jason Matthews.

Chapman, who had been booked earlier for an innocuous challenge on Claridge, was then sent off after being booked again for kicking the ball away at a free-kick.

Arnott, Whites’ captain, was then red-carded for comments made to the referee. Dover coach Patterson was also ordered from the dugout for making comments from the touchline.

With Whites reduced to nine men for the last 20 minutes, Weymouth began to dominate the game. Claridge missed an absolute sitter before Paul Buckle made it 2-0 from close range.

After Awuah had missed another good chance for Dover, Claridge made it 3-0 to Weymouth with a couple of minutes left.

Dover Ath: Hyde, Browne, Davies, Cloke, Arnott, Chapman, Bone, Spiller (Day 72), Wilkins, Carruthers, Millar (Awuah 63).

The attendance was 1,358.