Jimmy Muitt and birthday boy Jason Prior returned to the Wanderers eleven to form a highly experienced attack for our visit to Slough Town, but having lost our two previous visits to Arbour Park, we were in for a tricky afternoon despite the Rebels’ position in the National League South relegation zone.
The game started slowly with our boys controlling possession and the hosts happy to sit back. Jack Young and Dan Pybus saw plenty of touches in the opening ten minutes, looking for line-breaking passes to open up the Rebels. Keen to play out, Brennan Camp and Louie Annesley took up high, wide positions to offer an outlet in build up.
Dennon Lewis fired wide from the edge of the box, and Jason Prior managed a headed effort on target, but Slough goalkeeper Adam Desbois wasn’t properly tested on either occasion.
The first big chance of the game fell to the hosts just past fifteen minutes, when Wanderers failed to clear a free kick which allowed a Rebels forward the chance to shoot from the right side of the box. The effort sailed over the crossbar, but it was an early warning sign.
The hosts would get their reward for a period of pressure following this free kick when Ruben Shakpoke drove inside from the left wing and curled an effort into the far corner, leaving Harrison Foulkes no chance. 23′ 1-0
Rallied by the goal, the Rebels enjoyed a period of control, eager for their second. Wanderers weathered the storm well and entered the last ten minutes of the half on the front foot, probing for an equaliser.
Jimmy Muitt had an effort cleared off the line after some nice link-up play down the left wing and a low cross from Lewis, but we reached the break at a deficit.
Half Time: Slough Town 1-0 Dorking Wanderers
Patrick Casey and Frank Vincent were introduced shortly after the break, and immediately injected some energy into the game. Vincent combined with Lewis to allow our number eight the space to drive in from the left wing and fire an effort towards the far corner, but the effort was blocked by Scott Davies on this occasion.
The game seemed to open up as Wanderers committed more players forwards. As a result, both Prior and Casey found themselves chasing balls in behind, and our boys looked to have found some rhythm.
We would get our reward moments later, when Lewis’ third shot of the afternoon drew our boys level. Receiving the ball in space on the edge of the box, the winger took a touch to open an angle for a shot, and curled his effort from range into the top-right corner. 68′ 1-1
Prior then found himself in behind moments later, but his effort was hit straight at Desbois. Our boys were dominant for the ten minutes following the equaliser, but a long break in play due to an injury to Muitt (which saw him replaced by George Francomb), stifled our momentum.
Both sides looked keen to find a winner as we entered the closing stages, as the game grew frenetic. Just as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, Casey laid the ball into the path of Charlie Carter, who dug the ball out from under his feet and let fly from outside the box. The skipper’s effort rifled into the crossbar and down into the back of the net. 90′ 1-2
Seven additional minutes were serenaded by the buoyant travelling supporters as our boys saw the game out with very few alarm bells.
Full Time: Slough Town 1-2 Dorking Wanderers