Report by George Taylor

The Wanderers, who came into today’s encounter on the back of late drama in Lancashire a fortnight ago, would be forced to make three changes on their long-awaited return to Meadowbank. Jimmy Muitt and Alfie Rutherford were rendered unavailable as a result of being cup- tied, whilst Dan Pybus also missed out having picked up a shoulder injury away to AFC Fylde. In their place entered Luke Moore, Dan Gallagher, and Bobby- Joe Taylor, the latter of which was a substitute last time out.

B team and Academy players Tyrese Ayeni, Joel Brown, Hayden Gale and Ollie Rawlins were all called up and named on the subs bench.

Dorking left it late to find a leveller in their most recent league encounter, but today found themselves ahead inside just seven minutes. A mazy run towards goal from the returning Bobby- Joe Taylor, initially intended to find Josh Taylor, instead found the feet of a Maidenhead defender, who inadvertently steered the ball into his own net for the opening goal.

Maidenhead attempted to trouble Male in goal, notably through Zico Asare, only to have their work cut out by a blinding strike for Dorking’s second. Another darting run from the ever- present Bobby Joe Taylor opened up space ahead of goal, with the wing-back sending a sweet strike into the top corner of Craig Ross’s net to open his account for the season.

With five minutes left to play, Magpies top scorer Reece Smith sent a sizzling strike towards Male from distance, ultimately doing little to trouble the Wanderer’s keeper as he calmly collected the oncoming effort.

Almost instantly, Dorking were up the other end in search of a third, eventually being gifted a goal through a neat passage of play. Moore’s efforts in latching onto a through ball found Francomb in space, who brushed into the Maidenhead box and gifted McShane with a goal from close range.

HT 3-0

Wanderers begun the second half in similar fashion to the first as they looked to solidify what had been a strong performance. Efforts from Francomb, Bowerman and Moore provided the potential of further embarrassment for the visitors, only for Craig Ross to spare his side’s blushes on each occasion.

Alan Devonshire’s side also had opportunities to convert a consolation, notably through a number of set pieces, requiring the defensive defiance of Tony Craig and Haydn Hollis to keep a clean sheet.

Academy central midfielder Joel Brown came on in the final ten minutes to make his first team competitive debut, replacing James McShane.

Dorking were eventually able to hold onto the clean sheet, recording back-to-back home wins for the first time this season.

The Wanderers now turn their attention to next weekend’s Surrey derby, where Woking are the visitors in an all-ticketed encounter.

Dorking Wanderers (3-5-2): 1 Harrison Male, 22 Barry Fuller (c) (2 Isaac Philpot 72′), 5 Tony Craig, 19 Haydn Hollis; 37 George Francomb, 20 Dan Gallagher, 6 Niall McManus, 17 Josh Taylor, 3 Bobby-Joe Taylor (30 Seb Bowerman 66′); 11 James McShane (46 Joel Brown 83′), 18 Luke Moore

Unused Subs: 12 Callum Kennedy, 28 Ollie Rawlins, 45 Hayden Gale, 47 Tyrese Ayeni

Goals: OG 7′, BJ Taylor 23′, McShane 41′

Maidenhead United (4-2-3-1): 13 Craig Ross, 2 Zico Asare, 4 Will De Havilland, 20 Remy Clerima (26 Lewis Kinsella 66′), 3 Sam Beckwith; 12 Bradley Keetch (24 Alan Massey 46′), 16 Casey Petit; 19 David Omilabu, 10 Kane Ferdinand, 17 Reece Smith; 14 Tobi Sho Silva

Unused Subs: 1 Daniel Jinadu, 8 Ashley Nathaniel-George, 27 Charlee Adams

Yellow Cards: Ferdinand 45′, Asare 47′

Referee: Wayne Cartmel

Sponsors Man Of The Match: Niall McManus