Two changes were made to the starting eleven which defeated Truro City 1-2 on the opening day last weekend; Aaron Kuhl and Alfie Rutherford coming in for their first starts of the campaign as the injured Dan Pybus and Rhys Murphy made way.
Despite an early scare from Chippenham midfielder Joe Andrews, who dragged an effort wide of target from the left side of the penalty area after being found in space, Wanderers would go on to dominate possession throughout the first half and for much of the game overall, their passing and movement through the midfield areas just too much for the spirited away side to contend with.
Prior headed an inch-perfect cross from Jimmy Muitt straight at keeper Will Henry for the best chance of the opening forty-five, Carter then skilfully dribbling past two Chips defenders to find Rutherford in space, but the striker was unable to get a shot away at goal approaching the midway point of the half.
Carter and Kuhl would drive efforts wide of target as Wanderers continued to search for the breakthrough, the latter with a rebound volley whistling wide of the upright after an initial shot had been closed down. Muitt and particularly Bowerman continued to work opportunities and dispatch crosses from wide, but just couldn’t consistently find a red and white shirt inside the box.
Not long after Carter had stung the palms of Henry with an overhead kick from close range, Wanderers did finally make the breakthrough their level of possession deserved in first half stoppage time; Rutherford meeting a Muitt cross from the right with an instinctive volley from several yards out, sending the ball flying past Henry to find the back of the net.
Shortly after the restart Rutherford was denied his second of the afternoon by the foot of the post and latterly the linesmans flag as well for offside after a well-timed flick from Camp’s cross into the six yard box.
Laine Bradbury nearly got Chippenham back on terms after seeing his strike cleared off the goal line by Craig after Foulkes had committed himself out from goal, the moment of concern quickly shaken off but Wanderers still not unable to put the game completely to bed through the latter stages as Bowerrman bent an effort wide of the upright and Prior went close again with a header.
Through five minutes of stoppage time at the end, Wanderers did ultimately see the game out to take maximum points from their maiden home fixture, and after difficult form at Meadowbank throughout last term Marc White will no doubt be pleased his side have got off the mark with a victory and a clean sheet, making it back-to-back wins to start the 24/25 campaign.
Next up, it’s a quick turnaround as Wanderers return to Meadowbank this Tuesday night to take on Boreham Wood, also two-for-two so far this season, in a 7:45pm kick off.
Dorking Wanderers: (3-5-2): 1 Harrison Foulkes; 2 Brennan Camp, 5 Tony Craig, 37 George Francomb; 7Jimmy Muitt (8 Matt Briggs 58′), 25 Aaron Kuhl (18 Luke Moore 68′), 17 Josh Taylor, 16 Charlie Carter (c), 30 Seb Bowerman; 10 Alfie Rutherford (6 Niall McManus 68′), 9 Jason Prior (22 Barry Fuller 88′)
Unused Subs: 3 Bobby-Joe Taylor
Goals: Rutherford 45+1
Yellow Cards: Muitt, Moore, McManus, Briggs
Chippenham Town (4-2-3-1): 1 Will Henry; 2 Lewis Colwell (4 Tom Mehew 82′), 6 Luke Haines, 18 Nat Williams, 3 Freddie Grant; 12 Joe Andrews (8 Jake Evans 82′), 20 Will King (14 Luke Spokes 72′); 15 Rex Mannings (10 Tom Owen-Evans 59′), 19 Harry Parsons, 16 Laine Bradbury; 9 Matt McClure (7 Tyreke Johnson 69′)
No Unused Subs & No Yellow Cards
Referee: Nathan Oakes
Att: 1381
Stonegate Home Man Of The Match: George Francomb
