Dorkinians Downed by Ruthless Tigers
After all the recent rain-affected games and the downpour in the week, it was a relief to be playing football. Massive credit to the Loxwood groundsmen and the investment by the club in our pitch as the Nest has held up incredibly well to the recent deluge.
With both teams playing with ten men, it was Loxwood that started the brighter. Dorkinians' high defensive line was tested early on, but it took five minutes for it to be broken. A lovely through-ball by Toby Chandler sent Ben Hicken racing clear, his well struck shot was parried by the Dorking keeper and Hicken tucked home the rebound from close range. Minutes later, Hicken was through again, but this time the Dorking keeper held his effort. Continued pressure from the Magpies resulted in a corner, which ricocheted around the box before a shot was adjudged to have been handled and the referee pointed to the spot. Louis Horsley stepped up and blasted his shot into the top corner and through the net. At the other end, Loxwood were defensively strong with Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Mikey Arlett and Tom Maybury dealing with everything that Dorkinians threw at them. On 20 minutes, Loxwood made it three, with our U13 Hamish Skinner sending Chandler through on goal. He kept a cool head and deftly slotted his effort past the advancing keeper. Minutes later, Hicken got his second with a really well taken effort. But the goal of the game came on 25 minutes. Hicken was sent through on the left wing, he whipped in a beautiful cross that Horsley couldn't quite reach and was skilfully tucked home by Tom Pearce, racing in at the far post. It was Tom's first league goal for the club and the result of a superb footballing move.
At five-nil the Magpies looked comfortable and in complete control, so credit to Dorkinians, that they established a foothold in the game, dominating the next ten minutes. There were a few early warnings before they eventually pulled one back. Minutes later, they nearly made it two, but the big number 19 dragged his shot just wide. By the end of the half, Loxwood were relieved to have restricted Dorkinians to one goal.
The second half brought a return to the attacking dominance of Loxwood. Hicken continually beating the offside trap but unable to convert his one-on-ones. Credit to the Dorking keeper who made some very fine saves to thwart the Magpies' attacker. Skinner did well down the left, his cross evading everyone before falling to Nathan Caddock, who blasted his shot over the bar. Loxwood were to rue those missed chances, when Dorkinians gave themselves hope by scoring a second. Their big number 19 beat several players before planting his shot past Keagan Pafford in the Loxwood goal. The next goal would prove crucial, and thankfully it fell to Loxwood. The ball was worked well down the left and Hicken completed an excellent hatrick from close range. The game was end-to-end, with both keepers being worked and proving themselves up to the task. It was Dorking who drew blood next, scoring a deserved third goal, before Loxwood sealed the victory with a well taken effort by Mikey Arlett. Put through on goal, he hit his shot early with the outside of his boot and into the bottom corner. It was Mikey's first goal for the club and just reward for his excellent defensive displays of recent weeks.
The transformation in this team since Christmas has been great to see and the boys are growing in strength and confidence. Louis Horsley was exceptional in the centre of midfield alongside Toby Chandler and Harry Comber. Our two U13s also made a very good account of themselves at this level and Pafford made some great saves to restrict Dorkinians. It was a thoroughly entertaining, often heart-stopping match and played in great spirit. Onwards to the cup semi-final against St Paul's.
Team: Keagan Pafford, Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Mike Arlett, Tom Maybury, Tom Pearce, Hamish Skinner, Toby Chandler, Harry Comber, Louis Horsley, Nathan Caddock, Ben Hicken
Goals: Ben Hicken (3), Louis Horsley, Toby Chandler, Tom Pearce, Mikey Arlett
MOM: Ben Hicken
With both teams playing with ten men, it was Loxwood that started the brighter. Dorkinians' high defensive line was tested early on, but it took five minutes for it to be broken. A lovely through-ball by Toby Chandler sent Ben Hicken racing clear, his well struck shot was parried by the Dorking keeper and Hicken tucked home the rebound from close range. Minutes later, Hicken was through again, but this time the Dorking keeper held his effort. Continued pressure from the Magpies resulted in a corner, which ricocheted around the box before a shot was adjudged to have been handled and the referee pointed to the spot. Louis Horsley stepped up and blasted his shot into the top corner and through the net. At the other end, Loxwood were defensively strong with Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Mikey Arlett and Tom Maybury dealing with everything that Dorkinians threw at them. On 20 minutes, Loxwood made it three, with our U13 Hamish Skinner sending Chandler through on goal. He kept a cool head and deftly slotted his effort past the advancing keeper. Minutes later, Hicken got his second with a really well taken effort. But the goal of the game came on 25 minutes. Hicken was sent through on the left wing, he whipped in a beautiful cross that Horsley couldn't quite reach and was skilfully tucked home by Tom Pearce, racing in at the far post. It was Tom's first league goal for the club and the result of a superb footballing move.
At five-nil the Magpies looked comfortable and in complete control, so credit to Dorkinians, that they established a foothold in the game, dominating the next ten minutes. There were a few early warnings before they eventually pulled one back. Minutes later, they nearly made it two, but the big number 19 dragged his shot just wide. By the end of the half, Loxwood were relieved to have restricted Dorkinians to one goal.
The second half brought a return to the attacking dominance of Loxwood. Hicken continually beating the offside trap but unable to convert his one-on-ones. Credit to the Dorking keeper who made some very fine saves to thwart the Magpies' attacker. Skinner did well down the left, his cross evading everyone before falling to Nathan Caddock, who blasted his shot over the bar. Loxwood were to rue those missed chances, when Dorkinians gave themselves hope by scoring a second. Their big number 19 beat several players before planting his shot past Keagan Pafford in the Loxwood goal. The next goal would prove crucial, and thankfully it fell to Loxwood. The ball was worked well down the left and Hicken completed an excellent hatrick from close range. The game was end-to-end, with both keepers being worked and proving themselves up to the task. It was Dorking who drew blood next, scoring a deserved third goal, before Loxwood sealed the victory with a well taken effort by Mikey Arlett. Put through on goal, he hit his shot early with the outside of his boot and into the bottom corner. It was Mikey's first goal for the club and just reward for his excellent defensive displays of recent weeks.
The transformation in this team since Christmas has been great to see and the boys are growing in strength and confidence. Louis Horsley was exceptional in the centre of midfield alongside Toby Chandler and Harry Comber. Our two U13s also made a very good account of themselves at this level and Pafford made some great saves to restrict Dorkinians. It was a thoroughly entertaining, often heart-stopping match and played in great spirit. Onwards to the cup semi-final against St Paul's.
Team: Keagan Pafford, Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Mike Arlett, Tom Maybury, Tom Pearce, Hamish Skinner, Toby Chandler, Harry Comber, Louis Horsley, Nathan Caddock, Ben Hicken
Goals: Ben Hicken (3), Louis Horsley, Toby Chandler, Tom Pearce, Mikey Arlett
MOM: Ben Hicken
