Match report by Tom Booth
The net kept rippling at Meadowbank, with hat-trick hero Charlie Carter the star of the show, alongside goalscorers Brennan Camp, Alfie Rutherford, Josh Taylor, and Dennon Lewis. The visitors did manage to pull two back amid our exuberance, but it wasn’t enough to claim anything from the match.
Ahead of this game, manager Marc White made three changes to the starting eleven that had come out victorious against AFC Totton last Saturday, with Dan Pybus, James McShane, and newcomer Noah Phillips all stepping into the team.
We started the game in fine fashion, as Frank Vincent’s short corner teed up James McShane’s delicate, curled cross into the box, which then found captain Charlie Carter, whose glancing header trickled into the bottom left corner after seven minutes. 1-0
The early opener only spurred our momentum further, as we doubled our advantage just three minutes later. Brennan Camp reached the end of Dan Pybus’ cross from the opposite corner, nodding the ball in at Johnson’s near post. 2-0
The thrilling start to the game only continued from there, after the visitors pulled one back 14 minutes in. Josh Taylor’s lacklustre pass was intercepted, resulting in the ball finding McGettigan in the box, who then poked it past Phillips with aplomb. 2-1
We had a great chance to extend our lead 10 minutes later, as Rutherford was slipped in one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his driven shot dragged wide of the post to his dismay.
After continuous pressure towards the Wingate & Finchley 18-yard box, we finally managed to grab a third goal just shy of the half-time mark. Jason Prior’s inviting through-ball was chased down by Brennan Camp, whose pinpoint delivery across the box met Alfie Rutherford to tap home. 3-1
Half-Time: Dorking Wanderers 3-1 Wingate & Finchley
The second half started just as lively, with Jimmy Muitt coming inches away from netting a fourth. However, we did earn a corner from his effort, and history shortly repeated itself. Frank Vincent whipped in the cross, which reached Charlie Carter at the back post to head in his second of the match. 4-1
Despite Wingate & Finchley’s attempts to creep back into the game, our defence thwarted them. Subsequently, we made it five on the hour mark, as a well-worked attack found James McShane on the left of the six-yard box. His effort in front of goal was redirected in by Josh Taylor. 5-1
The goals just kept flying in at Meadowbank; Dennon Lewis added another just four minutes later. Josh Taylor’s unselfishness was rewarded with an assist as Lewis thumped the ball into the roof of the net, under the heavy downpour of rain. 6-1
We refused to ease our attacking pressure on the visitors, burying another goal in the 70th minute. Charlie Carter drilled the ball into the bottom left corner of Johnson’s net to secure his hat-trick, after picking up a pass from Josh Taylor on the edge of the box. 7-1
Despite the deficit, the visitors still tested our defensive third and were soon rewarded. Lowe threaded the ball down the line to Casey Shann, who tucked a left-footed curler into the bottom left corner. 7-2
Following another lively quarter of an hour, we saw out our emphatic lead and secured a spot in the next round.
Full-Time: Dorking Wanderers 7-2 Wingate & Finchley
We now look ahead to our next fixture at home to Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League South next Saturday, as well as the draw for the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round on Monday.
