After a strong performance against Torquay at the weekend, we were on the hunt for consecutive wins as we faced recently relegated Maidenhead United. The Magpies come into the game in mixed form, having won six in a row before failing to win any of their last three.
Under the lights at Meadowbank, it was set up to be an entertaining midweek encounter.
The early chances for both sides came from set pieces – mostly long throws, a recurring theme across the football pyramid – but none caused real danger.
The first big opportunity of the game fell our way in the 20th minute. A blocked shot from Taylor fell kindly, and he laid it back to Vincent, who delivered a superb cross into the path of Brennan Camp to guide home and make it 1-0. We looked composed and in control of the tempo during the early stages.
Another bright spark was the work of Dennon Lewis, who repeatedly beat his man down the flank, though none of the chances created led to a goal.
Our next dangerous attack came in the 36th minute, with a well-worked counter down the right. Jimmy Muitt found Vincent, who sent a defender to the ground with a clever feint but couldn’t convert from close range.
Maidenhead’s best opportunity of the half came when Barratt looked to pick out a teammate at the back post, but the cross was just out of reach. Foulkes remained largely untested heading into the break.
The final action of the half saw Muitt dance past two defenders before playing it into Vincent, whose shot from just outside the box drifted wide.
HT: Dorking Wanderers 1-0 Maidenhead United
The first chance of the second half came from another dangerous Vincent cross, but neither Rutherford nor Prior could make contact. The restart began fairly quietly, with little between the sides.
Maidenhead’s best chance of the game came when Ferdinand found space in the area, but he dragged his shot wide.
Our first and only changes of the night saw Craig and McShane replace Prior and Moore as we switched shape to a 4-5-1. Shortly after, Lewis picked up a booking for time-wasting.
Maidenhead introduced Coventry loanee Yearn in search of a response and applied more pressure late on, but without creating any clear-cut chances.
We stood firm with a disciplined defensive display in the closing stages, frustrating the visitors and seeing out the win.
FT: Dorking Wanderers 1-0 Maidenhead United
A confident first half followed by a resilient second saw us move up to eighth, within touching distance of the play-offs. We now look to take this momentum into the weekend’s trip to Salisbury, aiming to make it three wins on the bounce!