DFC v Cove: 26/03/2008.

[Big J R]

Dorking FC ended the season with a second narrow defeat at home within the week, this time 4th placed Cove turning the screw on Dorking to claim all three points. As in the midweek game against North Greenford, where Chicks lost out to an 85th minute winner from the visitors, Dorking could have as easily won this game as lost it, Chicks having the better of the second half after the teams had gone in at half time all square.

 

In reality, the Council's unsuccessful attempts to put the Club out of existence has of course overshadowed the football played by Chicks this season, creating difficult conditions for manager Tony Webb. Webb has never shied away though from the challenge, and has ensured in the vast majority of matches that Chicks were a competitive unit despite the turnover in players that the tricky conditions produced for the club.

 

With the Club's victory in court over Mole Valley District Council, meaning that MVDC must now offer Chicks a renewable lease protected by the Landlord and Tenant Act, Webb will be able to plan ahead for next season with the axe that has hung over the club for the last 12 months finally removed. Webb has already been busy and plans a busy close season as he seeks to rebuild the playing side of the club from within.

 

As to what league the club will be playing in, the club are unlikely to know for certain until the CCL AGM in June, but with both Hartley Witney and Westfield looking likely to have met ground grading criteria to enable promotion from CCL Division 1, Chicks could well be playing in that division next year having finished bottom of CCL Premier Division. Even if restructuring, or club movements/developments higher up the pyramid do not save Dorking from relegation (both sides finishing in the relegation spots last season - Guildford City and Bedfont - were reprieved after for such reasons), Dorking will still be entered into the prestigious FA Cup and FA Vase competitions, and with the club again fielding an U18 side to supplement its first team activities, in addition to the girls and affiliated youth club activities, next season is likely to be a far brighter season than the one just finished.

 

Dorking have shown signs of putting together a respectable squad as the season drew to its last 10 games, and with many of the current squad likely to remain at the club and being supplemented by new recruits, Webb will go into next season anticipating a far better showing than this season.

 

Encouraging also is the fact that certain of the clubs youngsters are breaking through to the first team's ranks. The match against Cove saw Chicks U18 striker Will Renton Rose play another full 90 minutes, while youngsters Ross Deakins and Ben Simpkin, as well as Liam Lovell and Alex Paul were on the bench.

 

Dorking went into the game bouyed by the David versus Goliath court victory over the Council,but without the influential midfield presence of Paul McCormick who was absent through injury, while striker Tony Jones and several other first team regulars were also absent through inavialability or injury. Terry Fennessy kept his place at sweeper alongside captain Roy Newman, while youngster Mark Styles returned after a long spell absent through injury to take the right back slot in Gerry Howells absence.

 

An even opening was broken in the 11th minute when Torrino opened the scoring for Cove, having one of their best seasons for many a year. Dorking were playing well though, and Julian Affiah and Joshua Smith had both gone close before Adam Clayton equalised after a goal mouth scramble in the 42nd minute.

 

Dorking opened the second half as the better side, sub keeper Simpkin having replaced the injured Roberst at the interval. In a good spell of pressure from Chicks Renton Rose just unable to get a shot away on 53 minutes as he surged into the box. Cove though regained their lead with their first real attack of teh second half, Girling scoring on the hour mark what proved to be the winner.

 

Dorking continued to push forward, and although Chicks were perhaps let off the hook with 12 minutes to go when Cove blasted a penalty wide after Simpkin had rather harshly been adjudged as bringing a Cove striker down in the box, Dorking could have equalised in the final 10 minites as first Fennessey shot just wide, while the best chance fell to Affiah whose shot from a Styles cross just scraped teh cross bar with the keeper beaten

 

And so ended a difficult season for Dorking FC, but one which was perhaps a significant milestone in the clubs long and illustrious history following the court victory on 22 April which has ensured that Chicks will be playing at Meadowbank for many seasons to come.

 

Details of the close season developments at Dorking FC, and preseason games will be circulated as and when available, as well as being published on the club's website www.dorkingfc.co.uk

 

After the game, player of the year awards were given to keeper Chris Roberts (player of the year), captain Roy Newman (manager's player of the year) and Mark Styles (young player of the year).

 

Team

 

Chris Roberts

Mark Styles

Dan Stassinos

Terry Fennessy

Roy Newman

Dan Clayton

Miguel Beesley

Dan Lawrence

Will Renton Rose

Joshua Smith

Julian Affaih

 

Alex Hill

Ben Simpkin

Alex Paul

Ross Deakin

Liam Lovell

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

i notice the club have stopped saying the coaching staff have commited to next year and now its just tony webb getting the mention.

 

Are the others off/gone/staying?

[Big J R]

As I understand it, and it's not in tablets of stone, both Tony and Peter will be staying.

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

reminds me of a meatloaf song!

 

have to wait for the ccl agm I suppose to see what the div will be.

[Gussy]

Titsf positive with his input as usual

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

just showing an interest gussy, I assume the club would find it easier to plan for next season if they knew which division they were in.

 

some people would be willing to work at div 1 level some might not.

 

the sooner you know who the coaches are going to be, the sooner you can have an idea who might stay and who might go on the playing side.

 

If its to be div 1 would it be good to play some/most of the u18s next year and go for a young local side? Dorking would probably only need a top 6 finish to come up.

 

If its the prem again Dorking need to attract a higher standard of player overall to stay out of the relegation spots, and we know certain coaches can attract certain players.

 

the sooner its settled the better, but if its June's AGM so be it.

 

Have you decided yet Gussy? Wemberley? or Kentish?

 

COCO or SSML?

[Big J R]

Evening classes on how to extract dosh from pockets, me-thinks !

 

[Gussy]

Definitley a side in the COCO but who knows Titsf!

 

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

if wembley and NGU went to the sml would you not play for them?

 

if its no to the sml, is it based on the travelling and area or on the standard of the players/teams, or the way the league is run?

 

are you too young for a player/coach role yet?

[Teflon]

Are you trying to retire Gusset there TSF

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

not at all Teflon! I am sure gusset will know when that day comes for himself.

more games from the bench, training becomes a chore, start thinking about taking up another sport, cant face the meaningless end of season games, spending time with old farts has beens and never wases on computers.

 

bookham here he comes!

 

 

 

 

[Teflon]

Dont think he'd get in our team

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

no, maybe not, but there's always the reserves and he'd show them younguns like lmcq (chortle) how its done in training and Bookham is nearer west london than dorking.

 

i was going to send the st bernard to kentish town, but gussy wants coco league so the chrystie rec had best invest in a bottle of tescos cooking brandy.

[Gussy]

I have thought of taking my coaching badges but my brother would think i'm trying to copy him god forbid and if i'm as good or even better than him the all out war that would ensue is not worth breaking up the family for he's way too competitive lol

 

 

[Lightning McQueen]

Originally Posted By: thespursfan

younguns like lmcq (chortle)

Cheers TSF, I've always thought I look good for my age!

Are you coming down to Meadowbank tonight to introduce yourself?

[Teflon]

Originally Posted By: Lightning McQueen

Originally Posted By: thespursfan

younguns like lmcq (chortle)

Cheers TSF, I've always thought I look good for my age!

[Gussy]

Look at everyone trying to have a pop at Gusto

 

Bookham have been punching this season i fully expect them to crumble when everyone shows them the respect they deserve due to the season they've just had

 

And Titsf thank you for your concern but i'm weary of taking advice from a geezer who can't even GIVE his money away

 

Much love to the Collins family

[Teflon]

Originally Posted By: Gussy

Look at everyone trying to have a pop at Gusto

Bookham have been punching this season i fully expect them to crumble when everyone shows them the respect they deserve due to the season they've just had

That was almost a bite Gusset

[Gussy]

When replying to banter it's a fine line

 

Ha Ha i thought i would of at least got a nibble out of teffs on that one well swerved!!!!

 

 

[Teflon]

Originally Posted By: Gussy

When replying to banter it's a fine line

Ha Ha i thought i would of at least got a nibble out of teffs on that one well swerved!!!!

Ditto mate