Dorking Wanderers 1 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 12th November 2016
Match report and video - Cameron Smith
Images: Stuart Tree (full set here). Additional photos courtesy of Steve O'Sullivan here.
Corinthian Casuals were unable to grab an agonisingly elusive equaliser as ten-man Dorking Wanderers secured a 1-0 win to add three more points to their table topping campaign.
Whilst Danny Dudley poked the ball into the Met Police net for a winning Casuals side, Dorking crashed out of the Alan Turvey Trophy via Worthing, who struck in the 89th minute to win 2-1. Wanderers, the second youngest team in the league (founded in 1999), have enjoyed a terrific start to the season with thirteen wins to their name resulting in a position at the top of the table. Nine goals in all competitions, Casuals needed to keep their eye on dangerous striker Tom Tolfrey.
Centre-back Jack Strange returned to the Corinthians lineup after midweek absence ahead of Terry Murray, who is on loan at Sutton Common Rovers. Joe Hicks, Ben Cheklit and Shaun Brown were replaced by Josh Gallagher, Jamie Byatt and Shaun Okojie.
Constant showers of rain battered many pitches across Great Britain with a few matches in the league postponed due to the weather. However, the robust Westhumble ground was not to be beaten; an inspection was not necessary!
After observing a respectful one minute silence to remember lives lost in war, the chocolate and pink shirts of Casuals and the red and white shirts of Dorking started the game. Both sides bore the Selachii logo on their jerseys as they share the prestigious law firm as sponsors. As soon as the whistle blew, Dorking dominated. Spreading the ball to their key wingers, comfortably dealing with second bounces and creating attacks out of nothing, it was clear to see why Dorking were in first place.
Four minutes on the clock, a ricochet off a Casuals player allowed target-man Tom Tolfrey a clean shot on goal. The oncoming Danny Bracken had no chance as the on-form striker used his toe to powerfully slam the ball into the roof of the net. Wanderers were in wonderland.
Dorking did not lower their intensity as Ben Dyett’s header pinged off the crossbar. On the opposite side of the pitch, it was quiet, excluding the odd ,failed set-piece. As the first half finished Dorking littered the game with opportunities on goal, Bracken in the Casuals net was the busiest man in the ground as he managed to keep out multiple attacks. Tipping the ball over the bar after a free header at the back-post, Bracken also prevented a second goal with a remarkable double save.
With the score-line 1-0 to the Wanderers at half-time, James Bracken was forced to make a substitution. Byatt was off, Warren Morgan was on.A slight improvement, Casuals strung a few chances together but the strong defence of Dorking were not to be exploited.
The energetic Max Oldham had been suppressed until the winger struck the ball with pace from 30 yards but the target was missed. Bracken continued to make all-important saves as his heroics replicated one of a magician - somehow keeping the ball out from a goal-line scramble. Realising the late stage of the game, Casuals seemed to conjure a firm hold and fiercely attack Dorking.
Then, controversy. Dave Hodges received the ball on the left wing and was ready to sprint past Matthew Briggs until the no.8 of Dorking lunged into a horrific challenge with two feet. The unmistakable sound of Briggs’ stud connecting with Hodges’ knee echoed around Westhumble and the referee gave a straight red card. Briggs continued causing mischief; the midfielder strolling off the pitch with all the time in the world, wasting valuable minutes.
Finally, Briggs left the pitch and the game was re-started. Substitute Warren Morgan ignited a golden opportunity as the right-back surged forwards. The result was excruciating for the optimistically vocal Casuals contingent behind the goal as Warren’s effort missed the target by an inch.
The referee signalled for full-time as Dorking collected the three points. The league leaders return to Westhumble on Tuesday for local rivalry against Horsham. We wish the Wanderers good luck for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Casuals travel to Egham Town on Tuesday evening.
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 12th November 2016
Match report and video - Cameron Smith
Images: Stuart Tree (full set here). Additional photos courtesy of Steve O'Sullivan here.
Corinthian Casuals were unable to grab an agonisingly elusive equaliser as ten-man Dorking Wanderers secured a 1-0 win to add three more points to their table topping campaign.
Whilst Danny Dudley poked the ball into the Met Police net for a winning Casuals side, Dorking crashed out of the Alan Turvey Trophy via Worthing, who struck in the 89th minute to win 2-1. Wanderers, the second youngest team in the league (founded in 1999), have enjoyed a terrific start to the season with thirteen wins to their name resulting in a position at the top of the table. Nine goals in all competitions, Casuals needed to keep their eye on dangerous striker Tom Tolfrey.
Centre-back Jack Strange returned to the Corinthians lineup after midweek absence ahead of Terry Murray, who is on loan at Sutton Common Rovers. Joe Hicks, Ben Cheklit and Shaun Brown were replaced by Josh Gallagher, Jamie Byatt and Shaun Okojie.
Constant showers of rain battered many pitches across Great Britain with a few matches in the league postponed due to the weather. However, the robust Westhumble ground was not to be beaten; an inspection was not necessary!
After observing a respectful one minute silence to remember lives lost in war, the chocolate and pink shirts of Casuals and the red and white shirts of Dorking started the game. Both sides bore the Selachii logo on their jerseys as they share the prestigious law firm as sponsors. As soon as the whistle blew, Dorking dominated. Spreading the ball to their key wingers, comfortably dealing with second bounces and creating attacks out of nothing, it was clear to see why Dorking were in first place.
Four minutes on the clock, a ricochet off a Casuals player allowed target-man Tom Tolfrey a clean shot on goal. The oncoming Danny Bracken had no chance as the on-form striker used his toe to powerfully slam the ball into the roof of the net. Wanderers were in wonderland.
Dorking did not lower their intensity as Ben Dyett’s header pinged off the crossbar. On the opposite side of the pitch, it was quiet, excluding the odd ,failed set-piece. As the first half finished Dorking littered the game with opportunities on goal, Bracken in the Casuals net was the busiest man in the ground as he managed to keep out multiple attacks. Tipping the ball over the bar after a free header at the back-post, Bracken also prevented a second goal with a remarkable double save.
With the score-line 1-0 to the Wanderers at half-time, James Bracken was forced to make a substitution. Byatt was off, Warren Morgan was on.A slight improvement, Casuals strung a few chances together but the strong defence of Dorking were not to be exploited.
The energetic Max Oldham had been suppressed until the winger struck the ball with pace from 30 yards but the target was missed. Bracken continued to make all-important saves as his heroics replicated one of a magician - somehow keeping the ball out from a goal-line scramble. Realising the late stage of the game, Casuals seemed to conjure a firm hold and fiercely attack Dorking.
Then, controversy. Dave Hodges received the ball on the left wing and was ready to sprint past Matthew Briggs until the no.8 of Dorking lunged into a horrific challenge with two feet. The unmistakable sound of Briggs’ stud connecting with Hodges’ knee echoed around Westhumble and the referee gave a straight red card. Briggs continued causing mischief; the midfielder strolling off the pitch with all the time in the world, wasting valuable minutes.
Finally, Briggs left the pitch and the game was re-started. Substitute Warren Morgan ignited a golden opportunity as the right-back surged forwards. The result was excruciating for the optimistically vocal Casuals contingent behind the goal as Warren’s effort missed the target by an inch.
The referee signalled for full-time as Dorking collected the three points. The league leaders return to Westhumble on Tuesday for local rivalry against Horsham. We wish the Wanderers good luck for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Casuals travel to Egham Town on Tuesday evening.
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