The hosts kicked off on a cold, overcast day at Park View Road – setting the scene for a hard fought win on the road. It only took six minutes for us to take the lead. A fantastic cross-field ball from Jack Young landed at the feet of Jimmy Muitt, who controlled well and drove towards the byline. His cut-back found Josh Taylor, who took a touch, turned, and smashed the ball home from close range – his first goal since returning from injury. 0-1

Welling were next to threaten, with striker Alabi playing in Harvey Walker, who drove into the box and saw his shot well saved by Harrison Foulkes, who gathered the ball to prevent a rebound.

United continued to press intensely. A shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Gallagher, prompting loud appeals for handball from the home supporters, but referee Jack Boxham waved them away. Moments later, a powerful long-range effort cannoned off the crossbar, before our defence cleared the danger, concluding a nervy period.

After a dominant spell from us, Welling launched a quick counter-attack. Their winger forced a diving save from Foulkes, with the rebound falling to TJ Bramble, who found himself unmarked on the penalty spot with an open goal in front of him. Fortunately, he blazed his strike over the bar, allowing us to maintain our advantage.

The half finished with a handful of speculative efforts from the hosts, and we headed into the dressing room 1-0 up.

Half-Time: Welling United 0-1 Dorking Wanderers

We started the second half on the front foot, with our first chance falling to Brennan Camp. A deep free-kick was headed on by Tony Craig into Camp’s path, but with his face now bandaged from an earlier knock, his shot was blocked by a defender before Lovett gathered the ball in goal. Shortly after, another free-kick found Camp again, but he couldn’t quite direct his effort inside the post.

The Wings then had a chance of their own when a cross-turned-shot bounced through the box unchallenged, forcing Foulkes to react quickly, parrying the ball against Craig before gathering to clear the danger.

Marc responded with his first two changes, bringing on Morgan Williams and Niall McManus for Jordan Norville-Williams and Jack Young.

As the heavens opened, the game became scrappy, with neither side creating a clear-cut opportunity. Jimmy Muitt, having picked up a booking minutes earlier, was replaced by Josh Brooking.

We saw out five minutes of added time without the hosts threatening and secured a hard-fought three points.

Next up, we face Farnborough at Meadowbank on Saturday, 22nd February. Make sure to get down and support the boys as we look to pack the ground for our final six home games!

Full-Time: Welling United 0-1 Dorking Wanderers