Cards through in County Cup

Dorking (0) ……………. 0 Woking (4) …………………. 5
Hussey 7’P, 23’P, 67’; McNerney 10’, 37’
26 January, 2010
Surrey Senior Cup – Second Round

With Bob Cumming

With temperatures plummeting to three degrees below zero, and Dorking struggling to scratch together a registered side, everyone did all they could to ensure this game started and finished. The prize: a third round home tie against Merstham. This was the Cards’ first visit to Meadowbank since 1993, and prior to that this had not been a happy hunting ground, with three losses and two draws. But times have been difficult for the Chicks more recently and their hard-working band of stalwarts deserve to see the good times again at this picturesque ground.

The playing surface was firm and crisp, but underneath, though hard, “took a stud�. Players were able to sprint and turn, but it did sound as though they were playing on the school playground.

After a minute’s silence for Phil Ledger, it was Dorking who opened the stronger. In the second minute Murphy’s free-kick was driven straight at Pegler, and in the next attack the rangy Butler unsettled the centre of the Cards’ defensive pack.

Jerome Maledon and Billy Hussey then took control of midfield and on 6 minutes a long ball forward was gathered by Charlie Moone, who shot firmly on the run. The keeper palmed the ball down into the path of Moone, attempted to smother it, and in the process only succeeded in bringing down the striker. The referee pointed to the spot and Billy Hussey despatched his kick low to the keeper’s right.

A minute later Delano Sam-Yorke broke loose and shot inches wide across the face of the goal, and then on 10 minutes he tricked his defender and delivered a deep cross for Joe McNerney to climb high and place a looping header into the far corner of the net.

Dorking rallied and never stopped working, with Trewer delivering some useful crosses, but only Butler looked likely to have any chance of making contact. On 20 minutes an innocuous run down the left wing ended with Ryan Augustine crashing to the ground. He was stretchered off, with those watching wondering whether this would persuade the referee to call the game off. Mr Breakspear had no doubts and Andy Miller came on as sub.

After a five minute delay the game re-started and immediately Woking forced Dorking back. On 22 minutes Delano Sam-Yorke weaved through the defence and was brought down from behind. Billy Hussey scored at the second attempt, again slotting to the keeper’s right.

Delano continued to trouble with his trickery on the left flank and he set up Charlie Moone on 25 minutes for a shot from 20 yards that flew inches high and wide. Jerome Maledon matched that with a speculative shot on 32 minutes.

On 37 minutes Joe McNerney added his second goal with a dipping header from a corner. With the game won and players wary of injury, the game lost some of its competitive edge, but to be fair to Dorking they never stopped running and never resorted to dirty play.

Half-time: Dorking 0 Woking 4

Woking made two half-time substitutions with Gavin Miller replacing Matt Ferdinando in the centre of defence, and Charlie Turnball for Luke Baker in midfield.

The second half opened quietly but Delano Sam-Yorke should have finished on 49 minutes after clever work in the box and a good through ball from Charlie Moone.

George Frith came on for Jerome Maledon in the 64th minute and caught the eye with good linking play and teasing through balls. Two minutes later Delano again should have finished with a header from Sloma’s deep cross, having been left unmarked three yards out. He made amends a minute later as he raced into the box and squared for Billy Hussey to drive firmly into the net with a final touch on the line by a Dorking defender.

On 70 minutes Delano again wove through the defence, but his pass was sliced wide by Charlie Moone. Two minutes later Ricky Anane broke clear and fired directly at the keeper, and minutes later Frith’s neat pass was met by Charlie Moone but the keeper came out quickly to smother.

With the game closing, Dorking had two players booked for minor offences, Mollatt on 81 minutes and Pendrill on 86 minutes.

Billy Hussey takes the ‘man of the match’ award, not only for his goals, but for his non-stop running , tackling and interceptions, but if Delano Sam-Yorke could have finished he would have been a close rival, as he was a constant thorn in the side of the Dorking defence.

Woking now progress to meet Merstham at home next Tuesday, with the winners away to Badshot Lea (at Farnborough FC ground). If the results go “to form� maybe the Cards will meet AFC Wimbledon in the final.

All credit to all at Dorking for getting this match on.



Dorking (green and white hoops): Dan Coote, Peter Trewer, Martin Waldren, Scott Murphy, Ishola Elusade, Taylor Mollatt, George Tedder, Steve Augustine, Jamie Pendrill, Adie Butler, Ryan Augustine (Andy Millar 22’)
Sub not used: Alistair Moore

Woking (red and white halves): Matt Pegler, Ricky Anane, Sam Sloma (capt), Jerome Maledon (George Frith 64’), Joe McNerney, Matt Ferdinando (Gavin Miller HT’), Billy Hussey, Luke Baker (Charlie Turnball HT’), Charlie Moone, Matt Powell, Delano Sam-Yorke.
Subs not used: Michael Boateng, James Blatchford

Referee: Charlie Breakspear

MOTM: Billy Hussey (pictured)

Attendance: 103 (estimated)