United 1
(Hasani 55′)
Dorking Wanderers 0
United came out on top on Saturday, as they secured a 1-0 win over Dorking at Plainmoor.
Lirak Hasani’s first goal for the club gave United the lead early in the second half, and after backing up their lead with plenty of determined defending, The Gulls held on for a third win in four games.
Following the 2-1 success at Bath in midweek, manager Paul Wotton made just the one change to the starting eleven, with Cody Cooke replaced up front by Brad Ash.
It was the visitors that enjoyed the bulk of possession during the opening stages, although Dorking were initially unable to turn that advantage into anything in the way of clear-cut chances.
In fact, it was United who created the first opening of the game in the 14th minutes, as a marauding run deep into Wanderers territory saw Ed Palmer lay the ball off to Dan Hayfield on the right-hand side of the box, only for The Gulls’ midfielder to fire over the crossbar from 18 yards.
Dorking captain Charlie Carter had the chance to break the deadlock at the other end three minutes later following some hesitancy inside the Torquay penalty area, however when presented with the chance to score from 15 yards, the midfielder sent a lashed effort straight into James Hamon’s midriff.
A break down the left-wing was the source of their next threat, and with United failing to properly clear their lines, the Yellow Army were greatly relieved to see Jason Prior fire wide from six yards out, just short of the half-hour.
United’s best move of the game nearly paid dividends on 39 minutes.
Having joined the attack, Jay Foulston’s cross from just inside the left flank saw him deliver a fine cross onto the head of Hasani twelve yards from goal, and although some of the Yellow Army on the far-side began to celebrate, the effort went just wide of the upright.
Three minutes before the break, and Hasani turned provider twice from corners, as Wotton’s side began to turn the screw.
First, Sam Dreyer headed into the path of Ben Seymour, who saw the ball robbed off him just short of the goal line, before the second instance saw Palmer’s powerful back-post header force Dorking defender Luke Moore to head off the line, with glovesman Harrison Foulkes beaten.
Palmer nearly brought the house down with his next effort – a thunderbolt from 25 yards, which just dipped a little too late moments before the change of ends.
Scoreless, and upon reflection, pretty even at the break.
When the second half got underway, it was United who took charge following the restart.
A brave smothering save from Foulkes prevented Seymour from profiting on some loose Dorking defending, before The Gulls took the lead in the 55th minute.
Having forced their opponents back, Hasani picked up the ball 22 yards from goal, and after taking a moment to look up, United’s No.7 fired a superb left-footer into the top corner of the net to give his side the lead.
Rather than sit on it, Wotton’s men took advantage of their foothold and went in search of a second.
A 22-yard left-footed free-kick, just in from the right touchline, saw Matt Carson nearly catch Foulkes out just past the hour-mark, with the goalkeeper just readjusting in time to gather at his near-post.
Dorking slowly began to remind those watching why they have been installed by many as NLS promotion favourites though, as they regrouped and applied pressure of their own.
Substitute Omar Mussa did see a deflected shot from outside the box carry into Foulkes’ palms in the 73rd minute, whilst at the other end, it took a marvellous interception from Palmer to keep the visiting side out.
A diving header from Carter header beat Hamon, but thankfully bounced across the face of goal with six minutes remaining, as Wanderers’ search for an equaliser intensified.
With the match heading towards injury-time, Dorking began to enjoy more and more of the ball, and it took a superb, brave, block from Finley Craske to stop replacement Matt Briggs from volleying home in the 88th minute.
Legs were evidently beginning to tire, and the announcement that there would be an additional six minutes of time added on was hardly met with enthusiasm by the Yellow Army.
It was really backs-to-the-wall stuff now, with every defensive header and block drawing huge cheers of approval from United supporters.
With their last throw of the dice, a long throw found Barry Fuller in space at the back post, and with plenty of yellow hearts in mouths, there was with a collective breath of relief as the ball went wide of the far post, with the full-time whistle following immediately after.
A first clean sheet, and a sizeable early-season scalp.
Onto Chesham on Monday…
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 2. Finley Craske, 3 Jay Foulston, 5. Sam Dreyer, 7. Lirak Hasani (8. Roddy Collins, 77′), 9. Ben Seymour (19. Cody Cooke, 66′), 11. Brad Ash (10. Omar Musssa, 66′), 14. Matt Carson (17. Finn Tonks, 68′), 16. Ed Palmer, 18. Oscar Threlkeld (c), 20. Dan Hayfield.
SUBS NOT USED: 15. Jadyn Crosbie.
DORKING: 1. Harrison Foulkes, 5. Tony Craig, 6. Niall McManus, 7. James Muitt, 9. Jaosn Prior, 16. Charlie Carter (c), 17. Joshua Taylor, 18. Luke Moore (8. Matt Briggs, HT), 22. Barry Fuller, 30. Seb Barrowman (3. Bobby Joe-Taylor, 61′), 37. George Francomb.
SUBS NOT USED: 2. Brennan Camp, 10. Alfie Rutherford, 20. Dan Gallagher.
Attendance: 3,566 (125 away)