The Wanderers had it all to play for on the coast; whilst they could still technically win the division (albeit a 20-goal swing), there was also a risk of dropping out of the top seven completely.
There was a refreshing feeling for the Wanderers fans, as Jimmy Muitt and James McShane were listed on the team sheets for the first time since both of their injuries back in February. Alfie Rutherford also returned to the side and led the line for the Wanderers.
We almost had the dream start inside the first 90 seconds, when Dennon Lewis found space to drive down the left flank. His delivery found Enslin at the back post, who was able to cut inside and bend his effort inches wide of the far post.
Alfie Rutherford was the next to try and test Max Harris in the Weston goal. The Wanderers capitalised on some lacklustre play out from the back, and Rutherford teed up an effort from distance which flew wide of the post. Dennon Lewis also had the chance to put the Wanderers in front; his cut-inside effort was poked away by Max Harris to prevent the deadlock being broken.
However, the Wanderers maintained first-half pressure, which paid off five minutes before the whistle. Some lovely play between Charlie Carter and Dennon Lewis in the middle of the park allowed the latter to set Frank Vincent. The midfielder took his touch away from Sam Avery and was able to fire a low effort from the edge, emphatically past Harris and into the bottom right corner. A crucial goal for the Wanderers on the stroke of the break. 41’ 0-1
HALF TIME: Weston-Super-Mare 0-1 Dorking Wanderers
After what was a seemingly positive first period from the Wanderers, the second started on the back foot as the hosts found an instant response to bring it level. Scot Bennett was given time to turn on the halfway line and he drove into the space before setting Luke Spokes. The Kidderminster loanee was able to cut onto his right and let fly from the edge. His effort was able to beat Foulkes and restore the Gulls’ advantage in similar fashion to how the Wanderers took the lead. 46’ 1-1
The Wanderers set out in search of a moment to restore their advantage. Lewis’ teasing cross moments later met the head of Carter, who could only put his effort over the bar. Moments after this, these two combined once more with Harry Pinchard to win a free kick on the very edge of the penalty area. Alfie Rutherford stepped up and, despite having two bites at the cherry, he saw his effort blocked by the wall and Sam Avery respectively.
Jimmy Muitt looked a threat upon his return; however, it was Weston-Super-Mare who began to dominate the encounter the later it got. Talisman Louis Britton had not really had a sniff all afternoon until he pounced upon a loose pass from George Knight. The striker’s effort was audacious; however, it was on target and required a late, sublime save from Harrison Foulkes to keep the game at one apiece.
Foulkes was called upon once again when substitute and Bristol City loanee Leo Pecover was able to find his way inside the 18-yard box. His effort was blocked by a sea of black shirts, subsequently causing a goalmouth scramble which was eventually smothered by the Wanderers’ number one and steered away from danger.
Referee Callum Jones quickly became the centre of attention late on in the day. Charlie Carter was able to drill the ball goalwards, which many thought had been blocked by the arm of Weston skipper Emlyn Lewis. The man in the middle dismissed any shouts of a penalty, and did the same at the other end when, moments after, Will Dawes skipped away from substitute Liam Vincent and went down inside the penalty area. Much to the frustration of the home supporters, it ended in the same decision.
FULL TIME: Weston-Super-Mare 1-1 Dorking Wanderers
After all full time results had been confirmed, The Wanderers ended the National League South season in fourth place, setting up a playoff eliminator tie with Maidenhead United at Meadowbank. Ticket news will be announced in due course, however we look forward to seeing you at Meadowbank this week!