Walton Casuals Ladies 4 Dorking Wanderers Ladies 2
Dorking fell to their first defeat of the season at the hands of a determined Walton Casuals team.
Walton started the game well, and opened the scoring early in the first half, turning in the rebound from corner that had originally hit the post.
Dorking looked to respond and had most of the possession in the first half. They got themselves back into the game when Bianca Underhill was brought down inside the area after a weaving run from the right hand side and was awarded a penalty. Captain Bex stepped up and made no mistake in scoring the equaliser from the spot.
Dorking continued to push forwards and despite looking more likely to score, did seem slightly vulnerable on the counter attack, with Walton getting a couple of chances on the break but failing to capitalise.
Dorking defender Charlotte Crook then extended her fine scoring form when she headed in a Bex free kick late in the first half to make it 2-1.
The game was far from over though, and Walton immediately got on the front foot in the second half, having the better of play in midfield and finding a way to get more of the ball. Dorking were struggling to find their usual rhythm and work play into the final third, and Walton started to force the ball higher up the pitch and back into Dorking’s half.
The visitors were absorbing the pressure, but without being able to mount any meaningful attacks forward, and Walton found their equaliser when a cross shot from the left wing wasn’t collected cleanly by Dorking goalkeeper Jenna Morris and Walton reacted first to convert the loose ball and make it 2-2.
Dorking were frustrated and Walton grew in belief, and got their noses back in front 15 minutes from the end when they found a gap in Dorking’s defence to play a floated through ball their striker. She spun the control the pass and touched a high shot over the onrushing Dorking goalkeeper and make it 3-2.
Just 5 minutes later, Walton put the game to bed, when a midfielder cut in field from the right hand side and had time to look up and place the ball into the corner of the net to make it 4-2.
Dorking were uncharacteristically below the high standards they have set for themselves this season, and Walton played well, and were deserved winners. The result brought Wanderers unbeaten run to an end but they will learn from their performance and be looking to put in a much improved display against Portsmouth Ladies away in the first round of the FA Cup next Sunday.