We fought back to claim another point against Chelmsford City, after captain and substitute Charlie Carter levelled the game just six minutes after the visitors’ opener.
Both sides entertained with a lively 90 minutes, but despite a plethora of chances at both ends, only two managed to find the net.
The game got off to an energetic start at Meadowbank, with both sides hosting a flurry of chances. The first chance came from Jason Prior, as he found himself one-on-one against Chelmsford’s Noah Phillips in goal; however, the forward’s shot was hammered straight into the goalkeeper, who parried it towards a black shirt to clear.
Kai Enslin essentially recreated Prior’s early effort 11 minutes in, only for Phillips to claim the winger’s strike across goal and launch a counter-attack for his own side. The visitors did manage to lure Harrison Foulkes off his line, although Lyle Taylor’s attempted lob from range was stopped by Jordan Norville-Williams in the six-yard box.
Despite the ferocity in the game, the next major chance didn’t come until 10 minutes later, as Enslin chopped past his man to swing a cross into Rutherford. The striker then flicked it towards goal, only to watch it crash against the crossbar.
On the half-hour mark Chelmsford cooked up their strongest chance yet, as a corner was hurled towards the back-post awaiting defender Joe Grimwood, whose header whistled just wide of the post.
A handful of chances then came at both ends in the final 15 minutes of the half, but it was Rutherford who had the last, after skipping past the Chelmsford defence before slamming the ball into the outside of the net, which saw both teams jog into the break all square.
Half-Time: Dorking Wanderers 0-0 Chelmsford City
The second half began in a much more relaxed manner, with both sides attempting to work up a chance.
We had the first breakthrough eight minutes into the half, as Foulkes’ clearance travelled the length of the pitch to find substitute Charlie Carter, who managed to flick the ball over a Chelmsford defender and get a shot off. However, Phillips prevailed once more.
The game then fizzled out, with neither team creating a wealth of opportunities. That was until the 68th minute, when the visitors found the breakthrough; the ball teed up to veteran Lyle Taylor, whose left boot drilled the ball into Foulkes’ bottom-right corner. 0-1
The Clarets’ lead didn’t last long though, as Charlie Carter pulled us level six minutes later. The captain arrived late to tap Enslin’s redirected shot into an open net. 1-1
Almost instantly after the fourth official put his board up for eight added minutes, substitute Tony Craig was called to action, as Lyle Taylor cut the ball back to his attacking counterpart Kane Crichlow. Crichlow’s effort on goal looked set to ripple the back of the net, until Craig heroically blocked the ball to our relief.
The action didn’t stop there, as Jake Lawrence burst past the Chelmsford defence in the dying moments. Although, when the forward eventually managed to get his shot off, a black shirt was there to block and confirm the 1-1 draw.
Full-Time: Dorking Wanderers 1-1 Chelmsford City
We now turn towards another home fixture against Ebbsfleet United this Saturday, with tickets available on our website.