Our first away game of the Enterprise National League South campaign saw us make the trip to Berkshire to face Maidenhead United, as we sought to get our first points on the board following Saturday’s defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge.
Maidenhead also came into the contest looking to bounce back from an opening-day defeat, having returned from Truro empty-handed the previous week.
The hosts created the first opportunity of the afternoon when Jordan Ragguette played the ball across the box to Alfie Pendlebury, but he could only poke his effort into the hands of Glenn Morris.
We soon grew into the game, with Frank Vincent and Harry Forster combining effectively down the left. Forster drove into the penalty area before cutting the ball back towards Vincent, whose close-range effort was blocked by Abbott.
The pair continued to cause problems and were involved again in another promising move. James McShane produced an intricate flick to release Vincent, who picked out Forster in the middle. However, the Magpies’ defence intervened at the crucial moment to prevent Forster from finding debutant David Rogalski.
As half-time approached, Dan Pybus delivered a cross towards Brennan Camp. Camp was able to make an aerial pass and move with Rogalski, but his resulting volley flew over the crossbar.
HALF TIME: Maidenhead United 0-0 Dorking Wanderers
We started the second half strongly, with the opening 15 minutes producing our best spell of chances in the match.
Camp delivered another dangerous cross which was met by James McShane, but his header drifted narrowly wide of the upright. Josh Barrett was also looking to make an immediate impact, sliding the ball through to Josh Laqeretabua, whose effort across goal was blocked by the sliding Remy Clerima.
Our most dangerous attack of the second half came when George Nikaj was given space to charge down the right. He carried the ball into the penalty area before sliding it across to McShane, but once again Clerima was there to make a crucial intervention and keep the score level.
We continued to push for a winner and created one final golden opportunity moments before the whistle. A neat one-two between Barrett and Jonathon Page opened up the chance for our number 39, but his curling effort sailed inches over the crossbar.
The referee soon brought the afternoon to an end, with neither side able to find the breakthrough as we shared the points in Berkshire.
FULL TIME: Maidenhead United 0-0 Dorking Wanderers
We now face a short turnaround before returning to away league action on Tuesday, when we travel down to Hampshire to take on unbeaten AFC Totton.
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