Match report by George Taylor

After returning to winning ways in their most recent outing at Meadowbank, the Wanderers have struggled to maintain momentum, falling to a 3-1 defeat away to Aveley last time out in the latter of two fixtures played over a 48-hour period.

Marc White made two changes from Monday evening’s encounter in Essex, swapping Barry Fuller and Matt Briggs for George Francomb and Seb Bowerman.

Weymouth came into the encounter as the only side yet to pick up a point in the league, having failed to score since the opening game of the season. In a cagey start to the affair, the visitors were forced to sit back as the Wanderers enjoyed the majority of possession.

Jason Prior was provided with Dorking’s best chance of the opening half hour after catching Terras ‘keeper Gerrard Benfield in no man’s land, eventually seeing his effort loop over the bar.

Mark Molesey’s side made headway just minutes later as they looked to hit the hosts on the break. Evan Pollock’s attempt inside the area had the beating of Harrison Foulkes, but instead crashed against the crossbar.

Foulkes was called into action once again to keep the Terras at bay, tipping away Charlie Rowan’s sizzling strike at his bottom corner.

Dorking were provided with a small number of opportunities in the closing stages of the half, none of which able to beat Benfield. Captain Charlie Carter aimed at goal but instead struck a crowd of Weymouth defenders, before man of the match Niall McManus’ shot soared inches wide of the post.

HT 0-0

Marc White opted to make no alterations at the break, having been forced to take off Josh Taylor in the first half due to injury.

The Wanderers looked the livelier of the two sides in the early stages of the second period as they continued to press Benfield’s goal. Francomb’s ferocious effort from distance rose agonisingly over the Weymouth goal, soon followed by a series of handball claims waved away by the referee.

Despite the mounting pressure, it would be the visitors that opened the scoring just over ten minutes into the half. A clever passage of play opened up space for Brooks to sneak in the box, brushing the ball past a diving Foulkes.

Dorking, now chasing the game, fought to find an equaliser in order to maintain their unbeaten run at Meadowbank. A delightful delivery found Tony Craig in space who rose highest, ultimately heading wide of goal.

Minutes later, Josh Brooking was denied a dream start to his Wanderers debut as his ball across goal couldn’t quite be capitalised on by Alfie Rutherford.

Weymouth had overcome Dorking with late goals in both of their last two meetings, doing so once more to ensure defeat for Marc White’s Wanderers. A mix- up at the back allowed substitute Scrimshaw to steal the ball and slot home for the second goal of the game, in turn doubling the Terras tally for the season.

The Wanderers entered stoppage time in search of a late consolation, eventually grabbing a goal in the dying seconds via Briggs. A well- weighted cross allowed Briggs to nod past Benfield from close range, securing a second goal of the season for the oncoming substitute.

This afternoon’s result means a third consecutive defeat against the Terras for Dorking, who now drop to 13^th in the table. Marc White’s side will look to bounce back after a disappointing week ahead of our FA Cup meeting with a familiar foe in Horsham.

Dorking Wanderers: Foulkes (GK), Pybus, Craig, Muitt, Prior, Rutherford (Myles ’82), Carter ©, Taylor (McManus ’28), Gallagher (Brooking ’68), Bowerman (Briggs ’55) Francomb

Unused Substitutes: Wooster

Bookings: None

Weymouth: Benfield (GK), Hamblin, Rowan, Thompson, McQuoid (Jones ’74), Bearwish (Amartey ’82), Robinson, Maguire- Drew (Scrimshaw ’70), Pollock (Genesini 90+8), Brooks, Jordon

Unused Substitutes: Touray

Bookings: Hamblin, McQuoid, Jones

Referee: Blair Harrison

Assistants: Thomas Copping, Shawn Barclay, Daniel Austin

Stonegate Homes man of the match: Niall McManus