On Non-League Day, we played host to our most pivotal fixture of the National League South season so far. Hemel Hempstead were the visitors to Meadowbank, having won six of their previous six fixtures and sitting in 3rd. The Tudors also won the reverse fixture between these sides 2-0 earlier in the season.
Before this fixture, we had scored twenty more goals this season than the opposition, having netted 66. However, we faced the side with the most clean sheets in the league, starting against them in a positive manner with a wave of attacks, including a Charlie Carter effort on target, as well as Sam Pearson volleying wide.
The Tudors have had a memorable campaign this season, in contrast to previous mid-table finishes, having also played out a 1-1 draw against League One side Wigan in a cup fixture. The afternoon took a positive turn for the visitors early on as we suffered a gutting blow that saw Remaye Campbell take advantage of costly errors and slot home to give the away side the lead. 14′ 0-1
We have the better head-to-head record against our counterparts, having won six of nine fixtures. However, the visitors limited our chances to tame efforts, including a Harry Pinchard strike and a Tony Craig half-volley, as we searched for the equaliser in the first half.
The tie increased in intensity following the opener for the away side; however, for all our possession, the visitors came closest to doubling their lead. Isiah Noel-Williams combined with Remaye Campbell once more, before the number nine placed his header wide with the goal gaping. Matthew Achuba also placed an effort wide.
Just before the half-time whistle, amidst a lively performance, Isiah Noel-Williams had another effort for the visitors, placing it wide from a narrow angle at close range.
Our best opportunity of the first half came deep into added time as Kai Enslin swung an inswinging ball into the box, which was met by Paul McCallum, who saw his header saved from close range.
Half-time: Dorking Wanderers 0-1 Hemel Hempstead
In the opening minutes of the second half, the pressure instantly increased on the Hemel Hempstead goal as Michael Johnson denied Charlie Carter with a spectacular save, before a penalty shout was waved away for Wanderers.
With a slight deficit in the game, we further pressurised the visitors’ goal soon after, as half-time substitute Harry Sidwell scooped over the bar after a give-and-go.
Soon after, the pressure paid dividends as Charlie Carter instigated a give-and-go with Jason Prior before turning the ball into the path of Paul McCallum, who slid the ball home for a crucial equaliser. 62′ 1-1
With twenty minutes to go, the visitors made a triple change which almost paid dividends straight away, as the substitutes combined to provide Trae Cook-Appiah with a notable opportunity. However, he was unable to keep his effort on target.
The lively Isiah Noel-Williams also had an effort soon after, which was comfortably saved.
In the final ten minutes of the match, we were handed an opportunity to take an important lead as Paul McCallum was felled in the box. The opportunity was dispatched in a clinical manner by Jason Prior to give us a late lead. 84′ 2-1
Despite a lengthy period of stoppage time in the second half, both sides struggled to create opportunities in the latter stages of the affair, before Jordan Norville-Williams headed the ball off the line in a vital defensive action at the end of added time to secure victory.