Wanderers were hit with last minute heartbreak in TW12 as a Mauro Vilhete equaliser in the last minute of added time cancelled out goals from Jimmy Muitt & Charlie Carter held us to a 2-2 draw away at Hampton & Richmond. 

Thankfully there were no late pitch inspections in south-west London and as the action got underway both teams settled into a cagey opening ten minutes. With the hosts set up into their compact defensive shape, a battle in the midfield ensued as both sides sought control of the ball, however neither side were yet to create a chance. 

With just over a third of the half gone, the first clear cut openings followed as Chelsea loanee Max Merrick was called into action as he denied Charlie Carter from point black range with a fantastic save with his feet. Moments later, Alfie Rutherford saw his low drive sail narrowly wide as he found himself time and space outside the box. 

Chances were coming thick and fast for Wanderers and we eventually broke the deadlock as our persistence paid off with 18 minutes played. Jimmy Muitt pounced on several deflections inside the 18-yard area to take a touch away from danger and sweep home into the bottom right corner for his second goal in the span of four days. 0-1

However after a small spell of dominance we were pegged back as the Beavers got going again to get themselves level just before the half hour mark. After a gap opened up on the left, Kristan Campbell drove at the Wanderers defence and after beating Dan Gallagher pulled it back for Mauro Vilhete to side foot the ball past a helpless Harrison Foulkes. 1-1

A common cliche in football states that goals change games and in this case the Hampton equaliser had brought them right into contention again. They could’ve found themselves ahead after Vilhete found himself one-on-one but Foulkes stood tall and managed to get in front of his fierce effort which cannonned right off his chest. 

HALF-TIME: HAMPTON & RICHMOND 1-1 DORKING WANDERERS 

Second half proceedings saw Wanderers come out of the blocks the stronger of the two sides, and with an unchanged side from the first half, a huge push was needed to secure top spot in the National League South. 

That energy was already in motion after eight minutes on the second half stopwatch as a rare set piece goal got us back in front. After a cynical challenge from defender Lachie Byrd a long way out from goal, Jordan Norville-Williams delivered a fantastic cross from the resulting free-kick to Charlie Carter who ran to the near post to flick on into the far corner and root Max Merrick to the spot. 1-2

After retaking control of the game, the ball was firmly in our grasp and after a hit and hope cross from deep, Dan Gallagher had an opportunity to strike  from the edge of the box but his dipping volley was thwarted brilliantly by Merrick who got down low to palm away from danger. 

With not much action with the half proceeding, Wanderers still remained in control for the rest of the second half as goalscorer Jimmy Muitt was replaced by Niall McManus in the closing stages. However, the job wasn’t done yet Vilhete forced a big save from Foulkes in net as he flew to his near post to deny the forward a Hampton equaliser.

But that late surge was dangerous and after successive chances, Vilhete dragged the Beavers level with a minute left of normal time. With good wingplay from Babajide down the left, the former  wriggled away from the Dorking defence to fire into the roof of the net from six yards out to grab his second of the evening. 2-2 

With six minutes added on time despite a late roll of the dice with George Francomb & Jack Young replacing Rutherford & Matt Briggs, unfortunately it wasn’t enough to grab all three points on the night. 

However Wanderers have a chance to turn rights to wrong as we visit Salisbury on Saturday, and despite the late heartbreak we still lead the league temporarily by a single point.

FULL TIME: HAMPTON & RICHMOND 2-2 DORKING WANDERERS

Match report by Henry Bennett