Report by George Taylor
With Dorking’s fate sealed as of last Saturday, Marc White’s side looked to end the campaign on a high by securing a first ever league double over Hartlepool United. The final Wanderers side of the season included three changes from last weekend’s trip to Rochdale, in which Male, Kennedy and Moore started in place of Huk, Philpot and Bobby Joe Taylor.
The Wanderers made head way on Hartlepool’s goal in the opening minutes of the half, striking first through Charlie Carter. The tricky midfielder picked up the ball and slotted low past Hartlepool skipper Jameson, securing both a third goal in as many games and an eighth of the campaign since signing in October.
The visitors, in search of a victory which would secure a top- half finish, responded moments later through top scorer Dieseruvwe. The Pools forward glided forward before curling a pin- point effort past Male and into the top corner.
Within an instant, Kevin Phillip’s side completed their turnaround via an unfortunate own goal. Grey’s low ball into the box met Wanderer’s skipper Fuller in front of goal, who inadvertently turned home to provide Hartlepool with their second.
Despite Dorking’s attempts to grow back into the game, Dieseruvwe was on hand to undo the efforts of Marc White’s side once more. Having picked up a loose ball on the counter, Dieseruvwe drove forward before replicating his first goal by sending a sizzling strike beyond a diving Male.
HT 1-3
After making no substitutions at the break, Marc White’s side pushed forward in their bid to secure a final point of the campaign. Following an intense start to the half, much like the first, the Wanderers clawed their way back into the game through Jimmy Muitt’s solo masterclass. Muitt’s trickery in gliding past the Hartlepool midfield opened up space for a shot, to which he obliged by striking hard and low just inside the box.
The visitors were forced to remain resolute in order to deny Dorking an equaliser, eventually regaining their two-goal cushion on the hour mark. Joe Grey’s sublime volley thundered against the underside of the bar and bounced into the back of the net, damaging Dorking’s efforts to equalise after a bright start to the second period.
The Wanderers continued to pile pressure on Jameson’s goal in the closing stages of the game, eventually grabbing a third just over ten minutes from time courtesy of man of the match Jimmy Muitt. Having already converted in superb fashion, Muitt found himself on the end of Josh Taylor’s through ball following some clever link up play, tapping low for his third of the season and Wanderer’s third of the afternoon.
Marc White’s side could’ve secured a dream ending to their tenure in the fifth tier, only to be denied by the Hartlepool ‘keeper Jameson. The Harrogate loanee tipped away both a close-range header from Carter and an effort from Alfie Rutherford, providing a frustrating end to Dorking’s afternoon in an encounter which saw significant goalmouth action at both ends.
The conclusion of our league campaign sees us finish 23rd in the Vanarama National League, ensuring a spot in the National League South next season. The club would like to place on record its appreciation for the support provided both home and away, as Marc White’s Wanderers now turn their attention to bouncing back in 2024/25.
Dorking Wanderers: Male, Fuller ©, Craig, Kennedy, Kuhl, Muitt, Moore (Pybus ’72), Taylor, Bowerman (Taylor ’26, Blair ‘60), Carter, Rutherford
Unused Subs: Hollis, Philpot
Bookings: Blair
Hartlepool United: Jameson ©, Ferguson, Cooke (Steele ’86), Grey, Dieseruvwe, Crawford, Agyemang, Parkes, Stephenson, Featherstone, Waterfall
Unused Subs: Dixon, Oduroh, Storey
Bookings: None
Referee: Michael Crusham
Officials: Peter Lowe, Thomas Holden, George Enever
Attendance: 2,517 (726 Away)
Stonegate Homes man of the match: Jimmy Muitt
