It didn’t take Paris Lock long to show his new club the attacking threat he possesses at the weekend.
The young forward, who enjoyed a successful spell at Chatham Town last season, joined National League South side Dover Athletic on the eve of Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round tie at The Crabble against Hastings United.
From the off, Paris always looked a threat and an outlet on the right wing, getting into good areas and taking his game to the opposition. It took him just over ten minutes to make his initial impact, when he won a penalty which was converted for the lead.
Hastings went down to ten men and Paris continued to threaten with his direct approach on goal. Dover went on to score twice more, before Paris came off with around ten minutes to go.
Though Dover conceded two late goals, they managed to see the game out for a 3-2 win and book a place in the next round.
“I think he’s got all the attributes,” said Dover manager Mitch Brundle afterwards. ”I thought he had an outstanding game. He was cramping up because he’s not played that much football, but he was a good outlet for us. He affected the game in areas that we wanted him to and he won the penalty.”
"Paris has shown glimpses of his potential in pre-season and this opportunity affords him the platform that he now needs for the next stage of his development," said our Academy Manager Michael Hamilton
"Over the years with the academy, he has had us on the edge of our seats. The challenge now is: 'can he go and transfer his ability on a consistent basis in an environment where three points are on the line?' Other parts of his game will be challenged and stretched, but this will be good for his development.
"I’d like to thank Mitch for his patience and also perseverance in making this happen, as he had been after Paris all summer."
Two of our young Dons out on loan face FA Cup replays this week.
Defender Ben Mason started and completed Braintree Town’s one-all draw at Canvey Island.
“As a team we weren’t at our best, but we’ve got another opportunity on Tuesday night back at Cressing Road,” said Ben. “For me, personally, I got another 90 minutes and created quite a few good chances which was a positive. I was also one of those put up for the club’s man of the match vote again too.”
Striker Quaine Bartley will be aiming to figure at Aveley tonight, after he was an unused substitute for King’s Lynn Town in the goalless draw on Saturday.
North of the border, defender Will Nightingale made the seventh appearance of his loan spell with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, completing the one-all draw with Livingston.
“It was disappointing not to get the three points, as we deserved the win,” said Will. “The only games we’ve lost still are to Celtic and Rangers. We’ve a quarter-final of the League Cup coming up soon against Aberdeen, where a win would take us to Hampden Park for the semi-finals.”
Striker Zach Robinson played for 65 minutes of Dundee’s 3-0 defeat at Celtic.
Main photo: Steve Johnson. Action photos: Pro Sports Images.