DFC - Horley: 2nd. Feb

[Big J R]

As promised, here is 'New's' full match report.

 

I'm out for most of the day, so will catch up with the banter later. ! Cheers, Kents !

 

"Dorking secured their first win of 2008 with a good victory over 6th placed Horley Town on Saturday. The win gained Chicks some revenge for the last minute defeat suffered at The New Defence earlier in the season in the away league game and the heavy Surrey Senior Cup defeat last November.

 

Horley had gone into the game fresh from a good 2-1 home win over Camberley Town last weekend and a 2-0 away win at Cobham in midweek, and were expected to give Dorking another tough game in this CCL fixture.

 

On a very heavy pitch, deemed playable by referee Andy Mawby, who had an exemplary game, Dorking welcomed new midfielder Faly Basse, who had briefly been on St Albans books last season, as well as newcomers Lee Rogers, Charles Merrick, and Dan Lawrence, all who started the game, wiht Lester Boniface making the bench. The incoming players seemed to stoke Dorking into a solid performance throughout the side, Dorking looking strong in defence after conceding a fair few goals during January

 

Keeper Chris Roberts was still injured, although he is hopeful of a return for next weekend's visit to high flying Cove, so French keeper Peirre Bourdet continued in goal. In attack, Nigel Webb had picked up an injury at Egham in the midweek game, giving Adam Pero a start alongside Joshua Smith and Lawrence in attack

 

The match had started on a sombre and reflective note, a minute's silence being held for Luke Holland, Luke having been tragically killed in a car crash at the tender age of 15 a fortnight before and having represented Dorking's affiliated youth side Brockham Badgers, as well as Ockley FC.

 

Horley had their best spell of the game in the opening 10 minutes, but gradually Dorking became more influential, and as the half wore on, it was Dorking who were making the most of the heavy, and unpredictable surface, Pero already having gone close twice in the 20th and 25th mintues before giving Dorking the lead with a bullet header from debut making Roger's pin point cross on the half hour mark

 

Horley responded well, and put pressure on the Dorking goal as the half closed, but centre backs Ollie Barrett and Roy Newman looked assured before Bourdet, and no real clear cut chance was created by Horley, fielding two ex Chicks in the form of brothers Nathan and Anthony Jupp.

 

The second half of the game, boasting the largest reported CCL attendance of the day, saw Dorking attacking their favoured Box Hill end of the ground, and it was Dorking who responded the better after the half team talks, Pero meeting corner with another firm header, and Charlie Merrick heading the ball into the roof of the net just in front of the keeper to make it 2-0 on 53 minutes.

 

Dorking were in control now, and Joshua Smith was desperately unlucky not to make it 3-0 on the hour mark as his shot hit the inside of the post, and was then cleared by Horley keeper Simon Lockwood. Horley were struggling to make an impact on the game, and it was no real surprise when Dorking made the game safe with 15 minutes to go, Danny Stassinos capping a good performance by curling in a fine drive from the edge of the box leaving the Horley keeper with no chance to make it 3-0.

 

Dorking could have inflicted more pain on Horley as the game drew to a close wiht sub Tom Ahmed and Joshua Smith prominent in penetrating breaks on the Horley goal, but manager Tony Webb will be pleased with the win, and even more pleased with a clean sheet. Dorking are still adrift at the foot of the division, but with 9 of the remaining 16 league games at Meadowbank, another couple of positive results in the next few games might just put Dorking in touch with the clutch of clubs above the basement position in the league.

 

Dorking play away at 4th placed Cove on Saturday, before entertaining Cobham in a rearranged match on Tuesday 12 February at Meadowbank, kick off 7-45pm. Dorking's Under 18 side play at Meadowbank on Thursday 7 February in their rearranged CCL U18 LEague cup tie versus Epsom, all are welcome.

 

Team:

Pierre Bordet

Oliver Barret

Lee Rogers

Charles Merrick

Roy Newman

Andy Briant

Faly Basse

Dan Lawrence

Adam Pero

Joshua Smith

Danny Stassinos

 

subs

 

Miguel Beesley

Mark Styles

Alex Wheeler

Lester Boniface

Tom Ahmed.

 

ENDS"

[Gussy]

GO ON THE CHICKS!!!

[eye1]

I think probably a fair reflection of the game, if you can keep the new players you should do well over the next few games, our players were very poor and did not compete, but was it the pitch I hope you can sort it for your next game.

 

Thanks for the drink as well BJR good luck for the rest of the season, one question though why were the lines being cleaned before and during the match as that is the time you should be making money.

[DorkingDave]

P1ss up and brewery spring to mind....

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

not the old "cleaning the lines" excuse,so beloved of skint Dorking publicans.Especially at the end of the month, bill paying time.

 

Luckily Dorking is a solvent well run club and this doesnt apply here.

 

[Big J R]

A good question Eye1, and the answer is of a personal nature, not football related.

 

I will PM you when I have caught up.