Match Report: Dorking Wanderers.

Match report by Ben Austen

The Stones showed character for the second time this week as Muhammadu Faal’s first goal since returning to the club saw us pick up a deserved point against the league leaders, Dorking Wanderers.

George Elokobi was more within his right to be disappointed that it wasn’t all three points, given the long periods of the second half where the Stones had the better chances, but found Wanderers keeper Harrison Foulkes in fine form with a couple of outstanding saves from Jephte Tanga.

The lads were looking to build on from a much needed point at Chelmsford on Monday night but started fairly slowly as Dorking dictated a lot of the possession in the early stages of the game. Jason Prior whose usually taunted the Stones over the years looked to make his mark early when he found himself in space inside the box but his first time shot was snatched at, going way wide of Nathan Harness’ post.

Dorking’s number 9 was causing plenty of issues from aerial balls being supplied from the right hand side. His first opportunity saw a cross towards the 6 yard box from Brennan Camp, but Prior couldn’t keep the header down. He was more successful just 60 seconds later when Frank Vincent’s deep ball to the back post was met by Prior who calmly flicked his header into the top left hand corner to give Marc White’s side the lead.

Deon Moore nearly hit back almost immediately as Tanga’s in-swinging cross found the striker lurking around the 6 yard box but couldn’t connect well with the header as it sailed for a goal kick. Riley Court was next to try, this time from the edge of the box as he sized his shot up but was comfortable for Foulkes who held on well.

In the closing stages of the first half, the Stones slowly started to make a game of it when TJ Bramble slipped a smart inside ball for Tanga whose bending shot was tipped around the post by the left hand of Foulkes.

Elokobi’s men started the second half with a lot more positivity as they started to get more balls into the right areas. Sam Corne’s dinked cross towards Court saw the young midfielder go for a scissor kick but was blocked from close range.

The gaffer responded by wanting more in that final third so introduced Jamie Yila with half an hour to go. His first involvement couldn’t have been any better as it was his pass that found Faal who composed himself by taking a touch and firing low past Foulkes to get the Stones back on level terms.

It certainly gave the vast majority of The Gallagher a lift as they continued to put pressure on their high flying opponents. Leo Hamblin was encouraged to shoot from distance which was very close, just going over the bar with Foulkes diving at full stretch. Tanga looked to try and make the headlines when Yila done superbly to keep the ball in play before eventually being able to square the ball for the Stones winger but pulled off yet another stunning save from Foulkes, somehow managing to push his powerful effort over the bar.

Dorking always looked like they could still cause an issue on the counter and debutant Kai Enslin nearly provided the Wanderers with a goal when he was played into a good position from an angle but Harness spread himself well to make the key save.

In an end to end finish, Bramble nearly nipped in for a potential Stones winner when his header was cleared off the line by Prior from Court’s deep corner. Substitute Ruben Carvalho was certainly lively when he came on as Yila again looked to supply the killer pass but Carvalho was foiled by a brilliant block from Louie Annesley to keep Dorking in the game.

Camp made his way into an advanced position from full back and could have grabbed a winner for the visitors but similar to Enslin, found Harness fully concentrated as he made yet another important low block to keep the score level.

With a Dorking side already depleted by injuries to a number of key players, they were reduced to 10 men seven minutes into stoppage time when George Knight looked to have caught Corne with a high boot. The referee deemed this enough to send the Wanderers substitute off, bringing an end to a throughly entertaining game.

Maidstone United: Muhammadu Faal 60’

Dorking Wanderers: Jason Prior 19’

Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness, 3. Leo Hamblin, 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble (10. John Gilbert 90 mins), 7. Jephte Tanga, 8. Sam Corne (C), 9. Deon Moore (23. Hamzad Kargbo 78 mins), 15. David Agbontohoma (11. Jamie Yila 59 mins), 17. Riley Court (2. David Sesay 90 mins). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden.

Dorking Wanderers: 1. Harrison Foulkes, 2. Brennan Camp, 3. Jordan Norville-Williams, 6. Niall McManus (14. Ted Sullivan 90 mins), 8. Dennon Lewis, 9. Jason Prior, 10. Alfie Rutherford (5. Tony Craig 66 mins), 18. Luke Moore (28. George Knight 56 mins), 27. Harry Sidwell, 33. Frank Vincent (38. Kai Enslin 66 mins), 46. Louie Annesley. Subs not used: 15. Miles Straker, 23. Dillon Grass, 37. George Francomb.