Tuesday 2 February 2016. Ryman League, Division One South.
Dorking Wanderers 3 Walton & Hersham 0.
Swans’ woes continued as they went down to the play-off contenders. A second Wanderers’ goal just before the break effectively sealed their fate, and although they had a lot more of the play in the second-half the home side always looked in control and seldom looked like conceding.
With new signing Richard Pacquette having picked up an injury in his first game Michael Salako returned up front. Another new recruit, experienced defender Matt Somner, came into central defence.
Inside the first minute Wanderers’ Jake Beecroft got to the edge of the box on the left to get in a shot that was taken by Swans’ goalkeeper Liam Beach.
Swans had seldom ventured into the home half during the opening period, but after twelve minutes Salako sent in a dipping shot from 30 yards that was taken by former keeper Gary Ross.
Midway through the half Beach got well behind the ball when Beecroft got in a good strike from 25 yards.
But after looking reasonably comfortable Swans went behind after 26 minutes. The home side played a short corner on the left, and when Tom Hutchings sent the ball into the box Luke Hackett got his head to it and it went in off the left post.
Wanderers’ Tom Familton picked up a yellow card after 34 minutes for a late tackle on Orlando Smith.
The home side went close to doubling their lead when Beecroft sent a free-kick into the box and Dean Gunner headed wide of the left post.
Swans looked like going into the break just one goal down, but in the final minute of the half they conceded again. The ball was played down the middle to Tom Tolfrey, and he was allowed to get into the box unchallenged before shooting past Beach.
Two minutes into the second-half Swans’ Brendan Murphy-McVey almost got Salako in, but Ross was quickly out to claim. Smith then latched onto a misplaced pass to get into the left of the box, but could not get a cross in. With an hour played Dylan Casey got the ball in from the left to find substitute Gianfranco Mici in the box, but he was closed out. Swans continued to press, and when Harry Mills sent over a fine cross from the right Wanderers’ Ben Dyett had to head behind.
The home side went close again however when Kev Terry drove in a low shot from outside the right of the box that went just the wrong side of the far-post. With ten minutes remaining Beach had to save at his near-post when Tolfrey struck a low shot from the left of the box.
But five minutes later the young keeper was beaten again as Tolfrey moved across the edge of the box before sending a left-foot shot into the top of the net.
Swans’ Team: Liam Beach, Harry Mills, Mekhail McLaughlin, James Richmond, Matt Somner, Dylan Casey, Brendan Murphy-McVey (Gianfranco Mici 59’), Gary Holloway, Gareth Chendlik, Michael Salako, Orlando Smith. Subs. not used: Lea Van Sullivan, C-J. Williams-Agunabor, Stevie Panayi, Cristiano Goncalves-Neto.
Dorking Team: Ross, Hackett, Gunner, Dyett, Familton (Hughes 45’), Oaks, Beecroft, Terry (Luchford 83’), Hutchings (Hill 74’), Tolfrey, Evans. Subs. not used: Shipton, Beckles. Scorers: Luckett (26’), Tolfrey (44’ & 85’). Caution: Familton, foul (34’).
