The Wanderers made the trip to West London aiming to make it six games unbeaten and make it into the hat for the third round qualifiers. We faced against a strong step four side in Southall FC, who equally looked to make it six on the bounce. There were two changes to the side that started on the English Riviera against Torquay, George Francomb and Dennon Lewis replaced Harry Forster and Louie Annesley.
The first half started with the Isthmian League South Central side setting the tone early in this Second Round FA Cup qualifier, flourishes of dangerous attacks onto the Wanderers back line. A back pass played towards Glenn Morris was nearly cut short by the Southall number 17, Scott. However, our number 1 was at hand to smother it and preclude the hosts from getting the opener.
Harry Pinchard had our first real chance of the game, letting fly from 25 yards, but it was pushed behind for a corner by Czerwonka. This gave us some time to settle down and eventually, 10 minutes later, Josh Barrett was set through and fired across goal, where the Southall goalkeeper could only push his strike away and an incoming Dawid Rogalski was able to put the ball in the empty net. 27’ 0-1
The Wanderers taking the lead gave the hosts a motive to attack and get back into the fixture, where they forayed forward and managed to get a shot away. Morris did well to keep the initial strike out, but the tricky winger Scott found his way to the six-yard area to head home the hosts’ equaliser. 30’ 1-1
It was an instant response from the Wanderers, as we pushed into the ascendancy, and the pace and power of Nikaj was able to breeze past the backline of Southall and smash one near post past Czerwonka to put us in the lead once again – making it 3 goals in just 5 minutes! 32’ 1-2
To close out the first half, we had a corner that was tightly packed, where Brennan Camp rose the highest and the ball found the back of the net. However, a foul in the box meant our potential third goal was chalked off.
HALF TIME: Southall FC 1-2 Dorking Wanderers
The second half started intensely for Southall, as they tried to get in behind the Wanderers defence. Charlie Sayers brought down the tricky winger Scott, which resulted in a penalty for the hosts. Roberts stepped up and placed it down the middle, but Morris, diving to his right, was able to save it with his knees and the score remained in favour of the Wanderers.
We were then able to turn the game in our favour with Alfie Rutherford, as he was able to put the Southall keeper under pressure, where the ball nearly fell out of his hands and into the back of the net, but Massango did well to cover and diffuse the attack.
As the clock continued ticking towards full time, we were still able to pile on the pressure. Frank Vincent had a chance but flashed past the post, only inches away from putting us two ahead. As well as Nikaj, who was able to curl an effort towards the far post, unfortunately met by an outstretched Czerwonka – leaving the score as it was.
Coming into the dying embers, the substitute Hayes danced his way through to the penalty spot with quick feet and managed to release a shot past Morris, meaning we were level again. 84’ 2-2
As the full-time whistle approached, Pinchard was fouled on the edge of the box, which meant we had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the last kick of the game. Pybus stood over the free kick but put it high and wide over the bar, so we stayed level.
FULL TIME: Southall FC 2-2 Dorking Wanderers
A tough draw on the road for the Wanderers in our second-ever game in our history on a Sunday, meaning a replay is needed to separate the two sides. Information about the replay will be revealed in due course, but for now,
You can secure your tickets as league action returns back at the Bank this Saturday, where we take on The Iron, Braintree Town. Ticketing information can be seen here.
You can see the line-ups, cards, substitutes and more from this game by using our match centre!