Dorking 1 - 5 Tanners
Never mind a game of two halves, this was a game of three thirds. The first half an hour saw neither side having much shape but Dorking coping better with the conditions and able to string passes together. That pressure resulted in a ball striking the post and Tommy forced into a good save early on then a Dorking breakthrough. A quiet tannoy system did not allow me to hear who scored.
Signs were worrying that Dorking could tighten their grip and have the trophy for a second year but then the game started to turn. For the last 15 minutes of the half the Tanners were able to match Dorking, although never truly dominated, and start getting the ball into some dangerous areas. This was rewarded with a goal after a cross from the left was deftly flicked over the keeper by Wes.
A Dave Stevens freekick that bent round a wall that was only retreated 7 yards away by the ref was as good a free kick as you are likely to see in any league as it found the top corner. "I'm back!" he shouted at the jubilant Tanners.
The second half started as the second had ended but with Tanners starting to look more and more dangerous. Julian Thompson was starting to use his pace to pull the Dorking defense all over the place. A scramble in the box saw Sargent react first and he got our third. Then Dorking collasped and it was a free for all!
MCS used his trickery all day and was rewarded with a goal when he strolled past three defenders on the edge of the box and rifled his shot past the keeper.
A ugly point then followed when Tommy Moorhouse, whose physical presence was welcomed following Thursdays game, was entangled by a Dorking sub. Words were exchanged and the Chick threw several punches. The ref, unable to make a decision from 10 yards away called upon his assistants who were 20 and decided to send them both off... and ignore that the first offence happened in the box so it was a penalty.
Chances came by the bucket load and it was a pity that the last goal came from a Dorking head as an own goal was glanced past the keeper. Speaking to the players afterwards they put down the opening 15 minutes on the pitch as it was very had and uneven. If it was at the Grove it would be "8 or 9 nil"! Encouraging words indeed!
"We've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back..."
Never mind a game of two halves, this was a game of three thirds. The first half an hour saw neither side having much shape but Dorking coping better with the conditions and able to string passes together. That pressure resulted in a ball striking the post and Tommy forced into a good save early on then a Dorking breakthrough. A quiet tannoy system did not allow me to hear who scored.
Signs were worrying that Dorking could tighten their grip and have the trophy for a second year but then the game started to turn. For the last 15 minutes of the half the Tanners were able to match Dorking, although never truly dominated, and start getting the ball into some dangerous areas. This was rewarded with a goal after a cross from the left was deftly flicked over the keeper by Wes.
A Dave Stevens freekick that bent round a wall that was only retreated 7 yards away by the ref was as good a free kick as you are likely to see in any league as it found the top corner. "I'm back!" he shouted at the jubilant Tanners.
The second half started as the second had ended but with Tanners starting to look more and more dangerous. Julian Thompson was starting to use his pace to pull the Dorking defense all over the place. A scramble in the box saw Sargent react first and he got our third. Then Dorking collasped and it was a free for all!
MCS used his trickery all day and was rewarded with a goal when he strolled past three defenders on the edge of the box and rifled his shot past the keeper.
A ugly point then followed when Tommy Moorhouse, whose physical presence was welcomed following Thursdays game, was entangled by a Dorking sub. Words were exchanged and the Chick threw several punches. The ref, unable to make a decision from 10 yards away called upon his assistants who were 20 and decided to send them both off... and ignore that the first offence happened in the box so it was a penalty.
Chances came by the bucket load and it was a pity that the last goal came from a Dorking head as an own goal was glanced past the keeper. Speaking to the players afterwards they put down the opening 15 minutes on the pitch as it was very had and uneven. If it was at the Grove it would be "8 or 9 nil"! Encouraging words indeed!
"We've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back... we've got our trophy back..."
