National League 7th January 2023
Sun beaming ,skies blue all in all that’s not quite true!! But that is how the Oldham following made you feel respect and belief oozed out ,as they greeted their ‘ owner’ and director’s-and they were reasonably vocal when they team lined up.700 plus making the 4 hour drive down-fantastic .Crowd for today 2,230.
We start the day with both side’s needing max point’s, like a game of poker it’s ‘Oldham or fold’em’.We all shuffle for seat comfort and get ready hopefully for a great game. First to make an impact was Oldham’s Chapman, who hit a low drive to keeper Lincoln’s left side .and he palmed it around the post-decent effort and save all after 2 or so min’s. Dorking push forward and use there ‘favorite ‘weapon -the flank’s .Early reward as the ball end’s up at Oldham’s back post, but the header was softer than a leftover tangerine from Christmas before last !! The sign’s were there for all to see, as the visitor’s appeared to struggle with playing a side that posted two wide men, on 8 minute’s Oldham looked laboured and a ball down the line, was’nt covered and the near post delivery was met by McShane ,who tapped in the rebound which came off keeper Norman leg’s Dorking lead 1-0. At this stage Oldham looked a bit confused and the two big lads playing up top, unable to bring other’s into the game, decision’s decision’s, however control and potential was there to be seen. While Dorking looked at ease this started to leave space between back line and midfield, on 17 min’s Oldham took full advantage ,the ball was gathered 10 yards outside Dorking’s area, ball struck into the area keeper saves with his feet, then forward Fondop is there to fire in the equaliser -1-1. The game then seemed to full into a kind of should or could, no team really being dominant, the clouds becoming darker than a welcome home from the Mrs on New Years Eve, and as in Young Frankenstein the request was ‘give me light ‘ and on 34 minutes we got it . A ball is clipped in and with his back to goal, ‘ladies and gentlemen’ Mr Fondop will commence to score a precise and classy overhead goal. A very good goal because he stood and held his ground any defender’s unable to get near score now 1-2.Dorking in shock pushed forward ,but with no real penetration and with Oldham being a little more organised, with both keeper and defender’s prepared for any onslaught .Then nothing when you thought could get worst, it does Oldham get a corner on 44 mins, ball that seem to take ages to get there is’ bundled/poked/lashed ‘ home by Clarke to make it Dorking 1 Oldham 3 h/t. harsh score-line for two evenly matched side’s.
Changes Dorking -Taylor & Ottaway for Proctor& Egan like for like and similar Oldham Couto for Tollitt.
Needless to mention Dorking need to recover ,on 52 mins survive an in-swinging corner by Couto. Looks like a percentage ball is the name of the game for Oldham, they look bigger and stronger-but that’s what a good lead can do !! Then on 55 mins -personal opinion’ Taylor fouled’ play is waved on Fondop races into the area and lashes the ball in harder than the rain storm we are having 4-1 Oldham.I don’t know if Fondop has anymore trick’s but he has a hat full now – great finish .Dorking look a bit bewildered and both team’s are wet but Dorking started to play with it behind their ear’s. Taylor looked comfortable on the ball then decided to play the ball back inside ,don’t know where its going but it found a baggage handler in the form of Oldham’s Chapman who dispatched home with ease to make it a shuddering score-line 1-5. 20 mins to go Fondop replaced for Reid. Dorking replace Harris for Jebb. Now ,it’s a long way back but Dorking try to get into it. and never gave up. Oldham looked calm and collected ,damage was done and in this football a touch of class can be the answer, although they took a while to get going Fondop & Nuttall proved to be too much for Dorking to handle. The resulting score-line probably not a fair one but these thing’s happen. However a ball inside is asking for trouble, it’s ‘Spin the Wheel & Danger Zone’ all in one.
Safe journey home every-one. Belated Happy New Year .Supporter’s and director’s of Oldham I love a beer.but not the top shelf ,hope you all breath in and digest your spirit.
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