NATIONAL LEAGUE 15TH APRIL 2023
Visit of mid-table Altrincham FC proud owner’s of most ‘F A League scalp’s, also in their first year as full-time player’s. The ‘Robin’s ‘ I’m sure have not flown down to Surrey for some exercise and will be out to ruffle a few feather’s. DORKING WANDERER’S have done really well of late, and where their destiny was in the hand’s of other team’s, they have managed to change grip and put thing’s into their own grasp.
It’s Grand National Day so-we’re off !!
Well early door’s .have DORKING turned up, almost immediately conceding as they backed off and a shot flashes across the goal. We only had to wait 5min’s as ALTRINCHAM player LINNEY unchallenged strokes the ball into the left hand corner 1-0 the visitor’s. Surely it has not escaped the viewer’s attention ,that DORKING players were not getting themselves goal-side when trying to shut down, and it was not 1-0 ‘furlong’ as normally steady eddie TONY GRAIG had a ‘mare’ appeared to trip over a rug some-one left out,and watched OYEDELE scoot off into the wilderness and put the ball bottom right hand corner of the goal,passing the advancing keeper LINCOLN on the way,0-2 leaving a few fences to jump after only 8 min’s. HA HA it’s wake time. Ref WATKINS seemed to be content to let ‘shirt pulling and backing -in’ un-punished so everyone ready to ‘jockey’ for position .The crowd somewhat subdued watched the eager BOWERMAN attack down the left flank. was forced back inside and delivered a cross MUITT the first to react ,and the defence could not have had a ‘beechers brook’ so DORKING back in it,1-2.All this after 13 min’s. This match was far from over, and ALTRINCHAM player’s were just rolling their marker’s time after time and one forward ‘HULME’ showing fantastic control, temperament and awareness bringing numerous other player’s into the game,none more so than LINNEY, both capable of ‘un-saddling’ their marker !! After a few close shaves ,DORKING ventured into the opponents half, MUITT knocking a cross into the far post area ,but BOWERMAN was a few ‘hands’ short to make anything of it .This game was all about ‘space and pace’ sadly DORKING were lacking in both, fortunate to go in only one goal down. DORKING WANDERER’S 1 ALTRINCHAM FC 2
The vast majority of the 1869 crowd, knew changes need to be made OTTAWAY & GALLAGHER replacing SEAGER & FRANCOMB.
As we start, GALLAGHER challengers ,and LINNEY goes down-one in the eye for the opponent ,Ref WATKINS has a chat but doesn’t point his finger on any-one. Play continues in much the same vein as the first half,and DORKING unable to keep things ‘stable’, shirt pulling still all the rage, both sides guilty ,DORKING somewhat fortunate not to go further behind then ,introduce ‘get it up the other end ‘ tactics, this meant PRIOR & OTTAWAY to start making things difficult ,making this match result a little ‘up in air’.Injuries were being faked all over the pitch, which was disappointing with the talent on show, but it slowed the game down, that seemed to suit DORKING and as we know they do not give up, and trailing only at a ‘canter’ they were beginning to creep up on the outside !! One of these text book passes met the head of PRIOR who nodded it beyond the defending line, and watched gleefully as he readjusted his attire as OTTOWAY got it back to 2-2. on 59 min’s.-what were the odds on that .Still no real sign of closing spaces and the Surrey country side was still open around the Meadowbank pitch, personally I was ready to jump ‘my chair’ or watch a’ canal turn’ or was all a little much. ALTRINCHAM were all out for a win, changes being made, and fresh legs brining more trouble the only help for DORKING was that they had to get into the pace of the match. Time getting on ,should the home side be happy with a point, of course not, MUITT attacks and sends a cross in, it travels right across the face of danger and up pops PRIOR to put DORKING in front 3-2.70 mins and still 20 mins of sweating ,to go. Constantly you can hear people talking about other results and what it could mean, then the un-comfortable looking GRAIG, gets out paced on a couple of occasions but he will not hide, recover’s and shows why he is captain. This was not a free flowing performance by any means, and PHILPOT for KUHL on 79mins ,may have been to close things down a little. As the match closes down ALTRINCHAM at times a delight to watch, ability all over the side. DORKING were never able to dictate the proceeding’s ,but have got over another hurdle, they are in the running now. f/t DORKING WADERER’S 3 ALTRINCHAM FC 2
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