National League South 26th February 2022
Bumper crowd of 2898, fantastic following support for the visitors who are on a 14 league match unbeaten run. Their manager Hakam Hayrettin has been a busy man having assembled a strong looking personable side, but I don’t know if they would give you their last sweet out of the packet.
Everyone wants to win ! the scene is now set.
Referee Packman set us off, Maidstone straight into it causing Dorking’s defence to look a wee bit uncomfortable – the percentage ball seemed to be the order of the day. However in fairness to the visitors they possess a touch of flamboyance which was evident in wide areas, as indeed replicated by Dorking’s wide men. 4 minutes in Dorking’s Kennedy puts in a neat chip but headed away by Ellul, 6 minutes later McMannus curled in a neat accurate cross but a sinking feeling as there was no tap in. On 18 minutes Briggs attacks and also cuts the ball back. 3 goal opportunities not taken, maybe next signing an octopus would be an option ( you can get them for a few squid) a very costly moment as during Briggs part in the move, he suffers an injury and is carried off. Thank you to both sets of supporters who give a generous applause to the departure, injury later diagnosed as an ACL – Billy-Joe Taylor replaces. Believe it or not, Maidstone professionally unperturbed gathered momentum in their search for victory, but as in previous visits to the Meadowbank you witness a team that will give their all, last ditch blocks and clearances were bound to fall. Possible relief on 31 minutes as they unclasp the pressure and set Rutherford free. With the Keystone cops in hot pursuit, it pressurised him into an early strike, which was tame. Game seemed to go into a lockdown until 44 minutes when Maidstone’s Phillips struck a dipping free kick that bounced in front of keeper Lincoln who could only parry desperate clearance – take a breath and a cup of tea. H/T 0 – 0
Just to mention the three wise men dressed in black – handling the pressure pot well.
Maidstone start with eagerness as they hunt down their prey. 2 minutes into the half, top marksmen Joan Luque has a good turn and shot just missing the far post. And their following screaming for more as they attack towards Maidstone’s followers. All great stuff for non-league football, and in truth for any sport – The blood is a pumping !! 51 minutes Dorking’s Oldaker tussles a player to the floor and “off, off, off ” bellows around one end of the ground. A booking follows, and after the free kick a shoring up procedure took place. Oldaker and McShane replaced by Harris and Moore. Maidstone’s United replacement Pattison and also Odusanya started to bring more movement to the party, but were being confronted with Dorking’s containment as this began to frustrate the visitors whereby in their urgency passes were going astray. On 64 minutes Dorking’s Josh Taylor must have found a left over firework as he jinked, weaved and sped past several challenges to fire in a rasping shot inside keepers right hand post, to set the scene alight. 1-0 the host.
Maidstone’s immediate response was from a corner. Everyone challenges but goal disallowed due to supposed Argee-Bargee ! No VAR ?? Sorry about that !!
Maidstone now forced to” go for it ” the pitch has now opened up and Maidstone having to push forward. Dorking’s clearances were becoming passes. Let the entertainment begin as challenges created more Ooos and Arrrs. Then, on 69 minutes McManus got goal side, and somehow managed to trip himself up, but recovered to dink the ball across the goal mouth again- for Maidstone’s sake it still remained 1 – 0. (Where’s that octopus ?)
The game then started to edge into a stubborn defensive performance by Dorking, as they seemed to have found their MoJo, and held firm, not allowing too much movement in and around the box. Maidstone were virtually forced back into plan A, and although an uncomfortable watch, in a way it was very exciting, with a feeling of – Will they, or won’t they get the equaliser? On 89 minutes with a further 5 minutes added, the benches of both teams were a better watch as the tension grew.
In football, we all know ” you can’t change the result”
Dorking Wanderer’s 1 Maidstone United 0
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