Report by George Taylor

Marc White made just two alterations for this afternoon’s encounter on the back of a 3-1 defeat at home to AFC Fylde. Tony Craig regained the captain’s armband having missed out last weekend, whilst Niall McManus returned to the squad for the first time in two weeks in place of the injured Alfie Rutherford.

The visitors came into today’s encounter with just one league victory since mid-December, but secured a dream start through Oluwraobi’s early opener. A blistering run by Jamie Cook towards goal opened up space for Oluwarobi, who tapped home from close range against a helpless Harrison Male.

Dorking were unable to carve out a great number of chances in the opening 20 minutes, however their patience would pay off with an equaliser courtesy of Charlie Carter. A looping ball in the box following an effort from Josh Taylor made its way to Carter, converting past Johnson for his third goal in Dorking colours.

The Wanderers came close to completing the comeback just moments later via another contribution from Carter. The Wanderers goal-scorer got on the end of a through ball by top scorer Prior and found his way past Johnson, eventually squaring the ball to Blair who blasted his effort wide.

Despite mounting pressure on Johnson’s goal, it would be Halifax that entered half-time a goal to the good. A mazy run from Max Wright allowed the winger to drift through the Wanderers half, before unleashing a low driven shot into the bottom corner of Male’s goal.

HT 1-2

Having made no substitutions at the break, White’s side kicked on in search of an equaliser. The opening fifteen minutes saw a goal line clearance from Keane to keep out a Blair header, as well as a penalty shout following a darting run into the box from Josh Taylor.

Dorking’s efforts on goal came to no avail, with Halifax instead wrapping up the game through Max Wright. A counter attack from the Shaymen saw Jamie Cook collect the ball and play it towards Wright, who tapped past Male to ensure all three points for the visitors.

Wright almost ended the game with a hat-trick, only to be denied by the heroics of Harrison Male. A double save by the Wanderers keeper following another Halifax counter kept out Wright from close range, despite looking certain to grab his side a fourth.

Dorking were unable to grab a consolation, falling to a 3-1 defeat at home for the second week running. The result means we slip to 20th entering a massive week at the foot of the table. A Tuesday trip to 17th placed York City is next on the agenda, with an away day at an in-form Kidderminster landing on the following Saturday, as they look to clamber out of the drop zone.

Dorking Wanderers: Male, Pybus, Craig ©, McManus, Muitt, Prior, Carter, J.Taylor, Hollis, Blair, Francomb
Unused Subs: B.Taylor, Cook
Bookings: Pybus ’35, Prior ’58, Gallagher ‘77

FC Halifax Town: Johnson ©, Golden, Galvin, Stott, Cook, Thompson- Sommers, Keane, Wright, Oluwarobi, Adan, Jenkins
Unused Subs: Cosgrave, Wilson
Bookings: Golden ‘72