Match report by George Taylor

Goals from Luke O’ Neill and oncoming substitute Dominic Samuel, either side of a Rakish Bingham brace, allowed Ebbsfleet to end their barren run against the Wanderers, in turn ending our run of clean sheets.

The Wanderers had picked up four points out of a possible six on the road since their last league fixture at Meadowbank, the latter of which being a goalless draw against Kidderminster Harriers. Marc White made just one change from that outing at the Aggborough Stadium, with Fleet nemesis Alfie Rutherford in for McManus.

The opening 20 minutes saw little action in front of goal in what had been a cagey affair, only for Charlie Carter to open the scoring against the run of play. A beautiful ball into the box by Bobby-Joe made its way into the direction of the returning Rutherford, who forced Cousins to come out clambering for the ball and in turn opened up space for Carter to slot home.

Marc White’s side led for a short period before finding themselves on level terms once again. A blistering run by Bingham left Haydn Hollis trailing, allowing the forward eventually unleashing a shot into the bottom corner of Male’s goal from distance.

As half time was beckoning, the visitors completed their turnaround via a freekick. Luke O’Neill’s effort had the beating of both the wall and the ‘keeper, as his sizzling strike from just outside the box blazed past Male.

HT 1-2

Marc White opted to make two changes from the first half, with his side now in search of an equaliser. Joe Cook, introduced in the second half last time out, was an oncoming substitute once more in place of Haydn Hollis, whilst Alfie Rutherford was swapped for Luke Moore.

The Wanderers started the second half in brighter fashion and were unfortunate to not grab an equaliser. Oncoming substitute Moore’s flicked ball towards Prior resulted in a goal only to be chalked off for offside, before Carter struck into the side netting having rounded ‘Fleet keeper Mark Cousins.

The afternoon would go from bad to worse for the Wanderers on the hour mark as captain Tony Craig received his marching orders for a high foot. The Dorking skipper’s challenge on an Ebbsfleet man earnt him a second yellow from referee Sam Mulhall, providing Marc White’s side with a mountain to climb.

The visitors killed the game ten minutes later through Bingham’s brace. A ball across goal from Chapman met Bingham in the box, who could only oblige in tapping home for Ebbsfleet’s third.

Danny Searle’s side would ensure all three points late on courtesy of Dominic Samuel. The oncoming substitute found himself through on goal and advanced ahead of the Dorking back line, tapping past Male for the final goal of the afternoon.

Despite today’s defeat, Dorking remain in 21^st, albeit now one point adrift of safety. Next up for Marc White’s side is another fixture at Meadowbank, with league leaders Chesterfield coming to town in a televised kick off at 12:30pm.

Dorking Wanderers: Male, Joe-Taylor, Pybus, Craig ©, Prior, Rutherford, Carter, Taylor, Hollis, Blair, Francomb
Unused Subs: McManus, Muitt
Bookings: Taylor, Blair, Craig
Red Cards: Craig

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins, O’ Neill, Wright ©, Bingham, Poleon, Edser, Clifford, Chapman, Skura, Bilongo, Kenlock
Unused Subs: McQueen, Fogarty
Bookings: Kenlock, O’ Neill