Whyteleafe Ladies 0 Dorking Wanderers Ladies 4

Dorking progressed to the next round of the 2021 Vitality Women’s FA Cup thanks to a dominant performance away at Whyteleafe. Being the higher league side, the home side started the game as you would expect, forcing errors from Dorking and trying to get on the front foot. Whyteleafe almost opened the scoring when an awkward cross from the right hand side, level with the 18 yard box, looped up and onto to the crossbar. From that point forwards though, Dorking got a handle of the game and settled into their usual style of play. Momentum built in the first 20 minutes as Dorking worked their way into dangerous areas, but they were unable to find the final pass. However, they eventually took a deserved lead when Xayla-Rae Alberts strode inside the box and made no mistake in dispatching the ball into the bottom corner on 22 minutes. Dorking then doubled their advantage 5 minutes before the break when Sarah Chapman made a good run on the left, and crossed for the onrushing Ish Zuurmond to power the ball into the roof of the net. 2-0 at half time and Dorking were excellent value for their lead, but knew the third goal was all important in the game and expected an iminent response from Whyteleafe. Dorking’s endeavour to apply pressure in midfield ensured this simply didn’t happen, and the visitors won every second ball and controlled central midfield. After 70 minutes, the decisive third goal went the way of Dorking, when Charli Blunt was quickest to react and turn in Hannah Thomas’s cross from the left hand side. Just 5 minutes later the same players combined again to bring the fourth goal, with Charli Blunt this time controlling Hannah Thomas’s cross and despatching the ball into the corner. This was a convincing, authoritative and dominant performance from Dorking, who showed courage and precision against a strong opponent, to make sure their FA Cup campaign continues.