Following a joint-best ever club run in the FA Youth Cup last season, which included dramatic late victories over Cobham, Welling United and Worthing to set up a tie away to Football League Cheltenham Town in the 2nd Round proper, Wanderers set out to produce another memorable run in the prestigious competition this term.
Entering the competition at the 1st Qualifying Round stage, Horsham YMCA were the visitors to Meadowbank under the midweek lights on Thursday September 19th as Wanderers got their 24/25 run under way.
Led by National League Academy South Manager Bobby-Joe Taylor and B team manager Charlie Dunne, the Wanderers squad would feature a blend of players from both squads, and very much reflecting the confidence and good form the respective side’s have shown in their league campaign’s so far this season, ran out resounding winners over Horsham with an emphatic 9-0 victory.
Mason Myles, recently called up to the Wanderers first team squad for the away fixture against Weston-super-Mare, scored a quick-fire double early in the first half, before fellow central midfielder Ted Sullivan and striker Ollie Rawlins made it 4-0 prior to half-time.
The prolific Rawlins, who recently reached 10 goals for the Wanderers B team so far this season, got his second of the night just after the restart, with Gabriel Jacks, James Laws and Luca Fulco all adding to the scoreline as Wanderers continued to be relentless in front of goal, Myles earning himself the match ball by netting his third of the night from the penalty spot.
Setting up an away tie with Aldershot Town, Wanderers travelled over to The EBB Stadium this past Wednesday evening for a 7:30pm kick off. Unfortunately, both Mason Myles and regular central defender Jay Richardson would miss out on the occaision through illness, but Wanderers otherwise arrived in Hampshire with similar personnel involved in the previous round.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock, Wanderers task for the evening became that much more difficult as defender Chris Ewen received his marching orders after being adjudged to have brought down the last Aldershot attacker running through on goal.
After surviving early pressure and seeing a couple of early efforts from the hosts cannon back off the crossbar, including the resulting free kick following the dismissal, Wanderers competed well to stay in the game, as both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.
With just over half-hour played, Wanderers managed to get themselves in front; Ollie Rawlins finishing from a a tight angle at close range after persistent forward play from winger Lucas Elliot in the build-up.
The home side managed to get back on terms a few minutes after the restart through Gabriel Wall’s well taken back-heeled finish, and from there neither team was able to find a winner as play became increasingly absorbed and fought out in midfield areas. Harry Charlesworth kept out an on-target free kick struck from 25 yards out by Shots Tommy Nelson, and with five minutes to go sub Jacob Todman spurned a good chance closing in goal after Zac Cahusac’s brilliant challenge in midfield doubled up a through ball.
Finishing 1-1 at full-time, the tie headed straight to penalties. Jacob Todman, James Laws, Max Holland and Zac Cahusac all converted from the spot, but with Aldershot matching the Dorking scorers all the way it came down to the last kick of the designated 5, and with Captain Neo Wooster seeing his pen saved by Shots keeper Keanu Black, Joshua Payne then stepped up and scored his to send Aldershot into the next round.
Despite the bitter disappointment of exiting the competition so early and in such a manner, Manager Charlie Dunne spoke post-match of how well the team had played in light of going down to 10 men so early, praising defenders Neo Wooster and Luca Fulco in particular for strong performances at the back and leading the overall effort.
Focus will now switch back to the league for the players as both the National League Academy South and B team sides hope to continue competing towards the top end of their respective divisions this term, both still involved in their League Cup competitions as well.