In the National League South faceoff between Dover Athletic FC and St Albans City FC on February 20, the away team emerged victorious with a scoreline of 1-0. This pivotal result was mainly influenced by a few statistical factors that we'll hone in on for our analysis.

Firstly, it's critical to note that St. Albans City FC opened the scoring early in the match, at 26 minutes and 52 seconds into the first half. The ability to strike early in a contest often provides a psychological boost, and this match was no exception. Dover Athletic FC were left playing catch-up after conceding this first and only goal of the match.

Moreover, St Albans City FC's domination and control of set-piece opportunities, as signified by their seven corner kicks compared to Dover Athletic FC's single corner, was a contributing factor to their win. The number of corners not only displays their attacking vigor but signals their territorial dominance over the game. With seven opportunities from the corner, St. Albans could have increased their lead, although they failed to capitalize further.

This does not, however, mask Dover Athletic FC's lackluster offensive display. Their offensive efforts, as emphasized by their singular corner kick opportunity, were limited and couldn't breach the defensive line of St Albans.

Moreover, it's worth noting that the game was, to a surprising extent, gentlemanly contested, with no red or yellow cards issued to either team. This lack of disciplinary action is indeed atypical for a match of this intensity and competitiveness and may indicate tightly contested battles, with both teams mindful of their discipline on the pitch. This sportsmanlike conduct of both teams, despite the narrow loss and victory scenarios, deserves commendation.

In conclusion, St. Albans City FC’s early goal and sustained attacking prowess, demonstrated by their command of corners, were the deciding factors in this contest, compounded by a less than stellar offensive performance from Dover Athletic FC. Both teams, nevertheless, showed commendable discipline throughout the match. Such discipline, though, proved insufficient for Dover Athletic FC, who will have to bolster their offensive capabilities for future games.

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