Match report by George Taylor
The Wanderers returned to Meadowbank on the back of a busy bank holiday schedule, picking up a valuable point away at Aldershot last time out. Marc White made just two changes from Monday’s encounter at The EBB, swapping Moore and Bowerman for Blair and Hollis, the latter of the two being an unused substitute in Hampshire.
The visitors had picked up five wins out of a possible seven since defeating Dorking in early March, and almost found themselves ahead early on courtesy of what would’ve been a calamitous own goal. Bobby Joe Taylor’s effort in clearing a low ball into the box thundered against the crossbar, but thankfully drifted out of danger.
Dorking were able to craft some opportunities of their own against a play- off chasing Altrincham as they attempted to hit the Robins at distance. Kuhl’s attempt from around thirty yards out rose above Ethan Ross’s crossbar, before Blair sent a strike into the body of Mooney.
As the half drew to a close, the visitors grew back into the game and looked to trouble Male in the Dorking net. After a period of successive set pieces, the Robins released Linney just outside the box, who cut inside before unleashing a strike which sailed away from goal.
HT 0-0
With Bowerman being introduced in place of Blair after the break, The Wanderers looked to kick on and break the deadlock after a half which saw little goalmouth action for either side.
Marc White’s side were forced to wait for opportunities at goal, creating a first shooting chance from Bowerman. The oncoming substitute leapt onto a low cross having done well to get into space, eventually clipping his effort over.
Craig and Carter also attempted to make headway for the Wanderers, the latter of which forcing Ross to parry the ball away after gliding past the oncoming Altrincham defenders.
As with the first period, the visitors begun to find their feet in the half’s latter stages, requiring player of the month Harrison Male to ensure the Wanderers maintained their clean sheet. Robins skipper Lewis Baines’ half volley from close range caused momentary danger for Male, before Cooper’s header at point blank produced a brilliant save from the Dorking shot- stopper.
Marc White’s side mustered one final chance in the dying seconds of the game, resulting in a final save from Ross. Bobby Joe Taylor’s free kick, which saw Wilson sent off in the process for a stamp on Kuhl, made its way into the path of Captain Tony Craig, only for his header to land in the arms of the Altrincham ‘keeper.
The result cuts the gap from safety to three points, a crucial factor ahead of the final three games of the campaign. The Wanderers begin their final three with a mid -week trip to Wealdstone, before a return to the road to face Rochdale next weekend.
Dorking Wanderers: Male, Philpot, Taylor, Craig ©, Muitt, Prior (Rutherford ’18), Carter, Taylor, Hollis (Moore ’83), Kuhl, Blair (Bowerman ’46)
Unused Substitutes: Kennedy, Francomb
Bookings: Kuhl
Altrincham: Ross, Banks, Jones, Baines ©, Osborne, Kosylo (Conn-Clarke ’78), Linney (Angus ’72), Cooper, Wilson, Newby, Mooney (Donawa ’72)
Unused Substitutes: Roscoe- Byrne, Hancox
Bookings: Osborne, Cooper
Red Cards: Wilson
Referee: Alan Dale
Assistants: Callum Gough, Lee Hartley, George Laflin
Man of the Match: Aaron Kuhl
Attendance: 1,601