It was an overcast day in Somerset, with James McShane kicking off for the Wanderers.
It took just four minutes for us to take the lead through Dennon Lewis, who scored his first competitive goal for the club. Rutherford did brilliantly down the left, beating his man before driving into the box and cutting the ball across for Lewis, who made no mistake from close range. 0-1
Soon after, the rain came pouring down and the travelling Wanderers faithful were forced to take cover to the right of Wiles-Richards’ goal. The hosts then carved out two big chances for Brad Ash. First, he was slipped in behind but well marshalled between Storey and Foulkes. The second looked certain to be the equaliser, as a ball across the box found Ash in space, only for him to shoot narrowly wide from close range.
Alfie Rutherford had his first sight of goal midway through the half, breaking into the box from the right, skipping past two defenders and sending a low effort across goal that rolled just wide.
Rutherford was in again soon after, blocking a clearance and knocking the ball past Wiles-Richards, only to be hauled down by the goalkeeper. The Bath stopper was shown a red card, and Wanderers were awarded a penalty. Jason Prior stepped up and smashed the ball past substitute keeper Horsell to double our lead. 0-2
Half Time: Bath City 0 – 2 Dorking Wanderers
The hosts restarted the contest after the break and carved out the first notable opportunity. Foulkes was called into action twice in quick succession, first punching clear from a corner before catching a header across goal to relieve the pressure.
Soon after, City managed to halve the deficit. Ewan Clark took aim from the edge of the box, his effort taking a wicked deflection off Brennan Camp and looping over Foulkes, who was left wrong-footed. 1-2.
In the period following the goal, Marc White – serving the final game of his six-match suspension – made all three Wanderers changes from the stands. Jimmy Muitt, Frank Vincent and McShane made way for SebTauta-Caballero, Tony Craig and club captain Charlie Carter, who played despite feeling under the weather.
The closing stages saw heavy pressure from the 10-man Bath side, with crosses and corners flying in from all angles, but the Wanderers defence stood firm. In stoppage time, we thought we had a third when Dennon Lewis and Brennan Camp combined on the counter-attack, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. In the aftermath, Bath were reduced to nine men as substitute keeper Horsell was sent off for a foul on Lewis – their second goalkeeper dismissal of the afternoon!
The final whistle came immediately after the resulting free-kick, with Josh Taylor smartly holding the ball in the corner to see the game out.
Full Time: Bath City 1 – 2 Dorking Wanderers
That result makes it back-to-back wins for the Wanderers, as we now prepare to hit the road again on Tuesday evening to face Hornchurch. A few spaces on the supporters’ coach are still up for grabs – we’d love to see you there!