Dorkinians Deliver Sucker Punch
A late drop-out of Dorkinians players meant that the pre-match team-talk and game-plan were consigned to the bin, as Loxwood sportingly fielded 10 players. Their sportsmanship was rewarded with a very good start, Harry Hunter released through on goal in the opening few minutes, only to see his effort saved by the keeper low and to his left. A minute later, Hunter was clean through again and once again the Dorkinian's keeper was up to the task, with a fine save. Now dominating, Louis Horsley was this time put through, but his effort lacked sufficient power and Toby Chandler had a chance to take the lead, but again, found the Dorkinian's keeper on top form. The Magpies eventually broke the deadlock, Hunter again bearing down on goal and this time firing through the keeper to make it one-nil. It could have been four.
The Dorkinians responded to the goal, by getting back into the game. Scarcely troubled in the opening fifteen minutes, the back-four of Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Tom Maybury and Theo Rawlins began to be tested. They were up to the task, soaking up the pressure and clearing their lines before Dorkinian's appeared to get a goal back, but the linesman's flag was raised early. The game ebbed and flowed, with Hunter and Mikey Arlett looking to press on either wing. Hunter was again put through and did well to slot home, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
Dorkinians emerged in the second half a changed team. They took control early-on and within five minutes had the equaliser. Unchallenged on the edge of the box, the Dorkinian's midfielder floated a curling shot over the reach of Eron Welch and into the back of the net. Loxwood responded well, but got a taste of their first-half medicine. A ball over the top was latched onto and the striker beat Tom Maybury for strength to strike low into the bottom corner. Within minutes Loxwood thought they had the equaliser. Hunter was again put through and this time beat the keeper, but was again, adjudged to be offside, Dorkinians tactically playing a high line that frustrated Loxwood's attacking play. The disallowed goal was a bitter blow. Within five minutes, Dorkinians scored the best goal of the game. The midfielder flicked the ball over the leg of Will Dixon and smashed past Welch on the half-volley. A lovely piece of skill at this level, and one that took the game away from Loxwood. The Magpies continued to fight and continued to create chances with Chandler, Arlett and Tom Pearce going close with chances. It was a reflection of the whole match, with missed chances being punished at the other end. In the final minutes, another hopeful ball over the top was again well met, Welch could only parry the shot and the striker followed-up to bury his effort into the bottom corner.
A game of chances snatched and chances spurned and sadly Loxwood spurned theirs.
Team: Eron Welch, Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Tom Maybury, Theo Rawlins, Mikey Arlett, Louis Horsley, Harry Comber, Harry Hunter, Toby Chandler, George Lillywhite, Tom Pearce, Toby Nicholls.
Goal: Harry Hunter
MOM: Tom Maybury
The Dorkinians responded to the goal, by getting back into the game. Scarcely troubled in the opening fifteen minutes, the back-four of Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Tom Maybury and Theo Rawlins began to be tested. They were up to the task, soaking up the pressure and clearing their lines before Dorkinian's appeared to get a goal back, but the linesman's flag was raised early. The game ebbed and flowed, with Hunter and Mikey Arlett looking to press on either wing. Hunter was again put through and did well to slot home, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
Dorkinians emerged in the second half a changed team. They took control early-on and within five minutes had the equaliser. Unchallenged on the edge of the box, the Dorkinian's midfielder floated a curling shot over the reach of Eron Welch and into the back of the net. Loxwood responded well, but got a taste of their first-half medicine. A ball over the top was latched onto and the striker beat Tom Maybury for strength to strike low into the bottom corner. Within minutes Loxwood thought they had the equaliser. Hunter was again put through and this time beat the keeper, but was again, adjudged to be offside, Dorkinians tactically playing a high line that frustrated Loxwood's attacking play. The disallowed goal was a bitter blow. Within five minutes, Dorkinians scored the best goal of the game. The midfielder flicked the ball over the leg of Will Dixon and smashed past Welch on the half-volley. A lovely piece of skill at this level, and one that took the game away from Loxwood. The Magpies continued to fight and continued to create chances with Chandler, Arlett and Tom Pearce going close with chances. It was a reflection of the whole match, with missed chances being punished at the other end. In the final minutes, another hopeful ball over the top was again well met, Welch could only parry the shot and the striker followed-up to bury his effort into the bottom corner.
A game of chances snatched and chances spurned and sadly Loxwood spurned theirs.
Team: Eron Welch, Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Tom Maybury, Theo Rawlins, Mikey Arlett, Louis Horsley, Harry Comber, Harry Hunter, Toby Chandler, George Lillywhite, Tom Pearce, Toby Nicholls.
Goal: Harry Hunter
MOM: Tom Maybury
