Dorking Wanderers B (0) 0, Guildford City (3) 7
by Barry Underwood
Wow! In 16 years of watching Guildford City week in and week out, I don’t recall a more entertaining match both on the field and off it where the Sweeney travelled in large numbers making their presence heard supporting the team from the Meadowbank terraces. Dorking had scored seven goals in their last home match. Their ability on the ball was evident, but they were simply blown away by a City side that out competed them in every area. If the final score had gone well into double figures, it would not have been unjust. Right from the off Guildford were at it and their young opponents had no real answer. Harry Hennem shot over early but the first goal came on five minutes. A poor clearance gave Luke Mitchell the ball in the box. His effort was saved but Josh Williams was on hand to shoot home from a more acute angle. Dorking’s best chances came early. A lobbed attempt going wide and a back post header that did the same. On 16 minutes it was 2-0. Turning nicely with the ball on the left Josh Williams cross was touched home at the near post by Luke Mitchell. Minutes later the same player had a chance at the back post but his first time effort went just wide. Around the half hour mark Mitchell saw two further efforts well saved by Dorking’s keeper Aaron Zziwa. The home side saw another header go narrowly wide, but on 40 minutes City scored their third. Breaking forward two efforts on goal were blocked before Harry Hennem rifled the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Any hopes of a Dorking recovery after the break were quickly thwarted. Dan Way threaded a delicate ball through the defence and Josh Williams pounced to toe end the ball past the advancing Zziwa for a fourth goal. Shortly after a piledriver from Rory Cornelius was acrobatically saved by Zziwa. On 55 minutes Harry Hennem noticed the keeper off his line and from the half-way line he lifted the ball over Zziwa’s head and first bounce into the net. Hennem then shot fiercely from 10 yards only to be thwarted by Zziwa. City’s keeper Jacob Slyfield was largely restricted to saving long range shots, although he did save well diving low to his right. With a raft of substitutions City experienced a quiet period and Dorking enjoyed more of the ball. Substitute Sandhalu Perera twice had chances late on; a mistimed lob was comfortably saved and then a rushed volley went over the bar. Not content with five goals City scored twice in the last three minutes. Josh Williams made in roads down the right before off-loading to Bilal Chraka who side footed past the Dorking keeper. Then in the solitary minute of added time Sandhalu Perera crossed into the box where Josh Williams spectacularly volleyed home. An incredible evening! A great performance, a clean sheet and goals of the highest order.
Team: Jacob Slyfield, Harry Nicholas, Dan Way, Cameron Honarvar (Kieron Harris 51), Reece Killick, Dan Rolland, Kiyanu Pillay (Sandhalu Perera 60), Rory Cornelius (Ronnie Lee 81), Luke Mitchell (Jake Bellmaine 71), Harry Hennem (Bilal Chraka 79), Josh Williams.
Referee: David Drake
Attendance – 137
