Dorking Wanderers
3
Prior (21, 67), Muitt (34)
Slough Town
1
Spasov (45+2)
League
Attendance: 1255
Slough Town were unable to halt Dorking Wanderers’ impressive home form, falling to a 3-1 defeat at Meadowbank despite a well-taken goal from Slavi Spasov.
The hosts started on the front foot, applying early pressure as Alfie Rutherford twice tested Charlie Horlock in the opening exchanges. The Rebels’ keeper was in fine form, first spreading himself low to block a one-on-one effort before pulling off an excellent reflex save to his right after Rutherford wriggled past the defence and aimed for the top corner.
Slough struggled to get a foothold in the game as Dorking’s fast tempo paid off just after the 20-minute mark. A powerful strike from distance by Charlie Carter forced Horlock into a save, but the rebound fell kindly to Rutherford. Showing great awareness, Rutherford squared the ball across the six-yard box, leaving Jason Prior with the simplest of finishes to put the hosts 1-0 up.
The Rebels found themselves under more pressure soon after, with Dorking nearly doubling their lead when Rutherford’s scuffed effort rolled narrowly wide. It wasn’t long before the hosts added a second, however, as another swift attacking move saw Carter’s cross-field pass find Briggs, who set up Jimmy Muitt for a sliding finish into the side netting to make it 2-0.
Slough’s response came just before half-time. After Dorking failed to clear their lines, Lewis Miccio delivered a precise pass into the feet of Slavi Spasov. The Rebels’ top scorer did the rest, turning sharply before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner, clipping the near post on its way in. That goal gave Slough a lifeline heading into the break, and Spasov a second goal in as many games after his effort against Weston-super-Mare last Tuesday.
Slough came out for the second half looking to build on the momentum from Spasov’s goal, but Dorking continued to dominate possession. The hosts thought they had restored their two-goal cushion when Prior smashed home a volley from a corner, only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up – much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Despite Dorking’s pressure, Slough remained in the contest thanks to more sharp goalkeeping from Horlock, who denied Rutherford yet again with a strong parry. However, the hosts eventually found their third goal with 25 minutes to play. A well-delivered corner from Rob Milsom found Prior, who rose highest to power a header towards the top corner. Horlock got a hand to it, but the effort had too much pace, deflecting off the bar and into the net to make it 3-1.
Slough had a golden chance to reduce the deficit late on when substitute David Ogbonna broke through on goal following a defensive mix-up, but Dorking keeper Foulkes was quick off his line to smother the effort. Ogbonna had another opportunity moments later, but Dan Gallagher’s crucial intervention ensured the score remained unchanged.
Despite some late pressure from Slough, Dorking managed the closing stages well to secure all three points. The Rebels will look to bounce back in their next fixture against Maidstone United at Arbour Park, as they look for a victory which has eluded them so far this year.
The hosts started on the front foot, applying early pressure as Alfie Rutherford twice tested Charlie Horlock in the opening exchanges. The Rebels’ keeper was in fine form, first spreading himself low to block a one-on-one effort before pulling off an excellent reflex save to his right after Rutherford wriggled past the defence and aimed for the top corner.
Slough struggled to get a foothold in the game as Dorking’s fast tempo paid off just after the 20-minute mark. A powerful strike from distance by Charlie Carter forced Horlock into a save, but the rebound fell kindly to Rutherford. Showing great awareness, Rutherford squared the ball across the six-yard box, leaving Jason Prior with the simplest of finishes to put the hosts 1-0 up.
The Rebels found themselves under more pressure soon after, with Dorking nearly doubling their lead when Rutherford’s scuffed effort rolled narrowly wide. It wasn’t long before the hosts added a second, however, as another swift attacking move saw Carter’s cross-field pass find Briggs, who set up Jimmy Muitt for a sliding finish into the side netting to make it 2-0.
Slough’s response came just before half-time. After Dorking failed to clear their lines, Lewis Miccio delivered a precise pass into the feet of Slavi Spasov. The Rebels’ top scorer did the rest, turning sharply before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner, clipping the near post on its way in. That goal gave Slough a lifeline heading into the break, and Spasov a second goal in as many games after his effort against Weston-super-Mare last Tuesday.
Slough came out for the second half looking to build on the momentum from Spasov’s goal, but Dorking continued to dominate possession. The hosts thought they had restored their two-goal cushion when Prior smashed home a volley from a corner, only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up – much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Despite Dorking’s pressure, Slough remained in the contest thanks to more sharp goalkeeping from Horlock, who denied Rutherford yet again with a strong parry. However, the hosts eventually found their third goal with 25 minutes to play. A well-delivered corner from Rob Milsom found Prior, who rose highest to power a header towards the top corner. Horlock got a hand to it, but the effort had too much pace, deflecting off the bar and into the net to make it 3-1.
Slough had a golden chance to reduce the deficit late on when substitute David Ogbonna broke through on goal following a defensive mix-up, but Dorking keeper Foulkes was quick off his line to smother the effort. Ogbonna had another opportunity moments later, but Dan Gallagher’s crucial intervention ensured the score remained unchanged.
Despite some late pressure from Slough, Dorking managed the closing stages well to secure all three points. The Rebels will look to bounce back in their next fixture against Maidstone United at Arbour Park, as they look for a victory which has eluded them so far this year.
Slough Town Lineup
- 1 Charlie Horlock
- 2 Josh Jackman
- 6 Jeanmal Prosper 5
- 9 Slavi Spasov
- 10 John Gilbert
- 11 Francis Amartey 23
- 13 Edon Pruti
- 14 Scott Davies
- 15 Henry Ochieng
- 20 Johnny Goddard
- 22 Lewis Miccio
Substitutes
- 5 Dan Bayliss 6
- 16 Dan Roth
- 17 Oliver Spicer
- 23 David Ogbonna 11
- 24 Jack Timberlake
Dorking Wanderers Lineup
Harrison Foulkes, Tony Craig, Rob Milsom (Bobby-Joe Taylor 90+6), Dan Gallagher, Jimmy Muitt, Charlie Carter (Jack Young 72), Jason Prior, Alfie Rutherford (Rhys Murphy 60), Josh Taylor, Matt Briggs (Jordan Norville-Williams 60), Morgan Williams. Unused substitute: Niall McManus.