DFC v Sidley United: 6th Sept. 2008

[Big J R]

Dorking made it four wins in 6 games on Saturday, easing comfortably past Sussex Division 2 side Sidley Utd with a blast of three goals in 10 minutes midway through the second half to set up a home tie on Satuday 20 September against Selsey or Holmesdale, who drew 1-1 at the weekend.

 

Dorking's Meadowbank pitch had stood up well to the monsoon like conditions of the previous day and the heavy showers of the morning of the match, assisted by some hard morning work on one part of the pitch, enabling the fixture to go ahead.

Dorking however were without the services of leading scorer Dan Bennett who was unable to play the game through illness, while centre midfield player James White was forced to sit out due to injury.

 

The absences gave manager Tony Webb the opportunity to name new player Phil Page as striker, the ex Chessington forward playing well in his first game for the club alongside Simon Cassidy, while Adam Clayton returned to the starting line up for the first time this season.

 

Sidley had had a slow start to their league season, but had defeated Dorking's fellow Combined Counties side Farnham Town in the FA Cup, and it soon became clear after kick off that Dorking were going to be able to have the majority of the play as the visitors were forced on to the defensive.

 

The first half saw Dorking create a number of half chances which they were unable to convert, Cassidy and Page both going close to converting crosses with the keeper beaten, while wingers Lester Boniface and Victor Donker were having plenty of the ball. In defence, the Dorking back four looked comfortable throughout this game and are starting to have the look of a settled unit, captain Roy Newman leading by example with a faultless display alongside Aaron Leathingy, while full backs Alex Hill and Scott Harrison were able to surge forward to support the attach at every opportunity.

 

Goalless at half time, Sidley had an opportunity to take the lead just after the break as the visitors had their best spell of the game, but a great block on the edge of the 6 yard box saw Chicks survive the scare.

 

Dorking soon were back on top, and just after Dan Lawrence had hit the base of the post on 60 minutes, Dorking were ahead, a Donker cross skidding off the wet surface and striking a defenders arm for a penalty. Donker himself took the penalty, the Sidley keeper almost reaching the spot kick but unable to prevent the ball from going in, giving Chicks the lead. Dorking were in complete control now and Phil Page soon made it 2-0 before Lester Boniface completed a good spell for Chicks with a great volley at the far post as he spectacularly converted a cross to make it 3-0. Newman had suffered a head injury in this period of play after a brave sliding tackle, sub Jon Tyler coming inot the back four after his recent return to the club.

 

With the game won, Dorking saw out the remaining quarter of an hour with ease, Sidley scoring a consolation with the last kick of the game to give some respectability to the score.

 

Dorking now play Epsom & Ewell in the CCL league cup away at Merland Rise, Banstead on Tuesday night, before their first league game for nearly 3 weeks when Crescent Rovers visit Meadowbank in the CCL division 1 on Satuday 13 September, kick off 3pm.

 

Full teams not available at present.

[Big J R]

On behalf of DFC, I'd personally like to thank TSF for giving up his morning and early afternoon and arriving at Meadowbank by mid-day and working on clearing water and working on the far side of the pitch with the coaching staff.

 

This game nearly didn't go ahead, the referee giving us until 2pm to get the ground come up to his exacting standard. Several heavy showers since the original pitch inspection at 8:00 almost meant a re-scheduled match.

 

Sorry I had to shoot off so quickly af the end, but my carriage awaited.

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

The broom went into overdrive when I was told "if the games off the bar is shut"

[Big J R]

Bar Shut ??

 

With both Big Brian and me there ??

 

I THINK NOT !!!

 

Thanks again and I trust the Asahi found the mark ?