Victoire Ladies 0 Dorking Wanderers Ladies 6
Dorking got their third league win in a row and extended their unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable away win at Victoire Ladies.
The game was fairly even in the open stages, with Dorking looking the more likely to force the first opening. However a rare venture into the penalty box by the hosts after 10 minutes, saw the referee award Victoire a penalty when Tanya Dady was penalised for a challenge that took the Victoire player down inside the area. Victoire’s captain stood up to take the spot kick, but Jenna Morris in the Dorking goal sprung to her right and turned the ball around the post to keep it 0-0. A solid save and a triumphant moment from Jenna Morris ignited more energy and passion into the Dorking side.
Buoyed by almost going behind, Dorking pushed on, finally making one of their chances count on 18 minutes. Bianca Underhill arrived at the back post to turn the ball into the roof of the net and make it 1-0, and get her first goal for Dorking. After 25 minutes, Charli Blunt found herself through on goal, and made it 2-0, calmly tucking the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner.
On a rare foray forward, Victoire then went close to halving the deficit as their striker beat two Dorking players, and lifted the ball onto the bar. It was a momentary lapse in concentration for Dorking, whose response came again through Bianca Underhill. Her shot from the right hand side of the box flicked off the head of a Victoire defender and found its way into the back of the net. Less than 2 minutes later, Hannah Thomas delivered an in-swinging corner from the right, which Victoire’s keeper couldn’t gather and the ball found it’s way into the net to make the score 4-0 at half time.
Sarah Chapman then got herself onto the score sheet midway through the second half, following in a long shot from Ayla Darcy that was spilled by Victoire’s keeper. Sarah Chapman showed great composure to take a touch and work a better angle for herself to steer the ball into the goal from the rebound. Seven minutes from time, Bernice Mitchener then completed the scoring for Dorking, getting her first goal of the season after timing her run well and stroking the ball home from a lovely cross from Liv Stuart.
Dorking will face tougher tests this season, but worked hard to ensure they picked up all 3 points in convincing fashion ahead of a tough fixture against Brentford FC Women next Sunday.