NATIONAL LEAGUE -28TH MARCH 2023 -7,45 KICK OFF
Keep having to mention the great support shown with a crowd of 2230, almost 600 from Southend, a drizzling night with a dash of mist .Scene set for a horror movie, however that depends on who you follow. Southend have the forth best defensive record in the division, but they have lost a few games by 1-0. The problem would appear clear but will ‘lady luck ‘ be with you tonight. For the record Dorking’s JIMMY MUITT making his 100th appearance this evening -well done sir!! Watching the warm up ,you could see load’s skill on show and JACK ‘HAPPY FEET’ BRIDGE caught the eye, MOONEY and CARDWELL ,these 3 all front runners so where lies the problem ?
Were are off and ‘Happy Feet’ first to shine ,turning and twisting to get the better of the marker’s, however he ended up turning ‘you know where’ DORKING clear and when eventually the ball arrives in the box, PRIOR flicks on and SOUTHEND keeper performs a great save to parry it away. The home side push on again and BOWERMAN fires in but it gets blocked ,and the clearance puts SOUTHEND on the front foot, BOWERMAN chases back to retrieve the ball. Plenty of movement from both sides, but a killer pass was yet to be made. SOUTHEND trying to pursue the game but ball ‘back to front’ was slow on its journey, players were peeling away from their markers but DORKINGS capt CRAIG choosing to mark space rather than player, as indeed he’s merry men- rightly or wrongly it was working. But on 19mins ball sent into DORKING box and some-how forward MOONEY appears to either open up his body too much ,or caught out by the pace of the delivery and sends it flying back from which it came – let off. Things became like a game of chess for a while, sooner or later it was going to be McSHANE to a BOWERMAN to open the score. The’ later’ finished well after indecision in defence allowed the provider time and space to cross.1-0 DORKING 28mins 57secs. Again DORKING sat back and with an attacking threat they potentially showed SOUTHEND endeavoured to build, but all the ‘razzmatazz’ was lacking a good old finish,’ BRIDGE’ cross went to far !! and a bit of ‘HOKEY COKEY ‘ between a couple of players brought us ‘entertainment but no end product. Phew h/t DORKING 1 SOUTHEND 0
SOUTHEND replace a defender for an attacker BENTON for KENSDALE, this was going to ring changes and a fair bit of time wasting, the visiting crowd airing their feelings and ref TALLIS .9 mins in COOK injured and FULLER replaces .Along with OTTAWAY for McSHANE. It suggested a more robust attitude as PRIOR again not being allowed time and space – NATHAN RALPH looking an accomplished player. MUITT then goes down injured, things slowing down .Play restarts and SOUTHEND defender LOMAS gains good yards as he forges forward, only to interrupted by a careless tackle by GALLAGHER, smack bang in the middle of the park. SOUTHEND line up with several men around the ball, it was a little rushed and its destination wasn’t met. DORKING were now feeding on scraps and finding that they were getting pegged back, then it all nearly changed the ball sent into SOUTHEND half and poor control, woke up the reporter next to me, as the defender showed poor touch ,I couldn’t find that name on the team sheet !! But BOWERMAN’S effort was saved. PRIOR not getting a clear header in, seconds later. It all started heating up, SOUTHEND making more replacements than a glazing firm MOONEY off POWELL on. DORKING keeper LINCOLN loves a bit of pressure and gather’s on numerous occasions, as GRAIG seems content to play in and around the penalty spot. Visiting support screaming for every-thing, then even PRIOR takes the game into he’s own ‘knees’ ,after complaining about no free kick to him, and stopped play on the half-way. SOUTHEND then scream for a penalty, its waved away and so too any points they probably deserved. Enjoyable ,good players on show both sides, to see commitment was refreshing. It will come SOUTHEND just fire when loaded .
FULL-TIME DORKING WANDERER’S 1 VS SOUTHEND UTD FC 0
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