Following a rendition of The Last Post and a moment of remembrance, play began at The EMJ Community Stadium on yet another grey Saturday afternoon.

Chelmsford started on the front foot, quickly sending a cross from the left into our box. Their forward picked it up at the penalty spot, but his shot was blocked by a determined Wanderers defence.

Not long after, Chelmsford threatened again as their captain, Charlie Ruff, gathered the ball at the edge of the box and fired a shot just wide of Foulkes’ post.

On his return, our captain, Charlie Carter—who shares both a first name and squad number (16) with Chelmsford’s skipper Ruff—was next to have a pop. Carter was able to pick the ball up in the area and strike first time into the top left of ‘keeper Woody Williamson’s goal; a tidy finish. 1-0

Following the goal Chelmsford had some half-chances and wayward headers, but nothing to trouble Foulkes in goal. It wasn’t long, however, until Carter had his brace. Jordan Norville-Williams struck in a pinpoint corner, finding Tony Craig on the far side of the penalty box. Craig was able to head back across the goal, finding Charlie who guided the ball home with his forehead. 2-0

Our press didn’t stop following the goal; Theo Alexandrou skilfully beat his man on the  byline, cut into the penalty area and set up Alfie Rutherford for a shot at goal. Unfortunately, there was a muddle with Carter, and Alfie’s shot was blocked. 

Chelmsford came back at us with a flurry of corners. Their best of the half was struck from the edge of our box, but Foulkes was able to dive down and palm the ball around his right-hand post. This pressure continued for the rest of the half but was comfortably absorbed by the Wanderers.  

Half Time: Chelmsford City 0-2 Dorking Wanderers

Manager Marc White made his first change at halftime, bringing on Bobby Joe Taylor in place of Alfie Rutherford.

The first chance of the second half fell to us. Carter once again weaved past his marker on the left, drove to the byline, and slid the ball across to Theo Alexandrou. Unfortunately, Theo couldn’t keep his shot down, sending it just over the crossbar. Shortly after, Theo was replaced by debutant Morgan Williams; who joined us on Friday, on loan from Wimbledon. 

The first half was relatively uneventful until Charlie Carter marked his return to football in the best fashion; a hat-trick. Jack Young delivered a perfectly timed, driven pass that sliced through City’s defence, finding our skipper with ample time and space. Carter controlled the ball and calmly slotted it past the helpless Williamson.  3-0

Our third substitution of the afternoon came as man of the match Charlie Carter was replaced by Matt Briggs. In what must have been his first touch of the game, Briggs reacted quickly as Jimmy Muitt’s shot was saved by the ‘keeper, tapping home one of the easiest goals of his career. 4-0

Just before the final whistle, we made our final substitutions of the game, with Josh Brooking and Jimmy Muitt making way for debutant Will Randall and George Francomb.

The Wanderers saw out the game comfortably, without much trouble from Chelmsford, securing back-to-back wins on the road. 

Full Time: Chelmsford City 0-4 Dorking Wanderers