Dorking Wanderers retained the Advertiser Trophy with an entertaining display in
this pre-season curtain raiser at Fetcham Grove.
Ian Selly’s new-look Leatherhead side contained only one player from last season’s
line-up while Marc White’s Wanderers had several players from last season’s
relegated National League squad.
The dominant visitors opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Jimmy Muitt jinked his
way past a Tanners defender on the right before finding Alfie Rutherford in the box to
head the ball home unchallenged from six yards out.
Leatherhead keeper, Sonny Wheeler, was kept busy throughout the opening half, as
the confident Wanderers moved the ball around the width of the pitch with
comparative ease. Wheeler did well to block Charlie Carter’s low effort on 18 minutes
and made another fine save to deny Jordan Norville-Williams eight minutes later.
Wanderers doubled their advantage on 28 minutes. Carter’s pace took him round his
marker before squaring to Rutherford in the box for another close range finish.
Wanderers missed out on a chance to add a third goal on 36 minutes. Jason Prior met
George Francomb’s perfectly flighted free kick in front of goal, but his powerful
header struck the top of the cross bar and went out for a goal kick.
Wheeler made two good saves in quick succession on the hour mark as Wanderers
continued to press forward. The former Westfield custodian made a fine block to deny
Muitt and then performed equally well to keep out Rhys Murphy’s follow up effort.
Several substitutions were made by both sides in the second half before Wanderers
added a third goal on 74 minutes. Murphy was fouled just outside the Tanners’
penalty area before calmly slotting the ensuing free kick into the bottom right hand
corner of the net.
The visitors missed a chance to add a fourth goal on 78 minutes. Matt Briggs broke
clear down the right and picked out Seb Bowerman with a cross to the far post. But
the Wanderers striker fired wide from a tight angle.
Tanners pulled a goal back on 84 minutes. Wanderers’ substitute goalkeeper was
unable to cleanly gather a firm shot from Leatherhead’s Kelvin Massango. The loose
ball ran on to an advancing Alfie Huckle who firmly struck the rebound into an
unguarded net.
But any hopes of a late Tanners comeback were firmly dashed on 88 minutes. Briggs
latched onto a long clearance from his keeper, taking two touches before firmly
burying his long range effort into the back of the net.
Leatherhead return to action at Fetcham Grove on Tuesday when they welcome AFC
Croydon Athletic for another pre-season friendly. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
