Dorking Wanderers B 1 (1) v (1) 1 Godalming Town 2 – League

Godalming Town’s 100% start to the league season came to an end in an entertaining – and ultimately fair – share of the spoils against Dorking Wanderers B at Meadowbank.

Mo Sher made four changes to the side that exited the FA Vase in disappointing fashion on Saturday, with Malik Shittu, Elroy Wealthyland, Alex McLean and Nasim Regragui coming in for Nana Afful, Ali Haddadji, Jonny Miller and Deji Alabi. The Dorking side that put in a meek showing at Wey Court in the Division One Challenge Cup last week was much changed, too, with only five of the starting XI from that evening in tonight’s line-up – and indeed the Gs faced a far more competitive team here.

That said, the visitors started well, and after only two minutes a scuffed clearance from Jordan Norville-Williams – one of three Dorking Wanderers first-team players on the field tonight – led to Mark Soares drawing a save from Louie Sullivan.

The corner that followed resulted in a goalmouth scramble, with Rob Parrott on hand to stab home and give the Gs an early lead – an impressive fourth goal of the season already for the centre-back.

Periods of dominance for each side was the theme of this game and, after the goal, the hosts took more control, with Samuel Ncho bending a shot wide minutes before seeing another effort blocked by Parrott.

Highly rated 17-year-old Josh Hebert has broken into the Dorking Wanderers first-team squad this season, having made four appearances for the National League South side already, and he was a thorn in the Gs side all night. On 16 minutes, he levelled the game up after a fantastic run down the left, beating two Godalming players before slotting coolly inside Stephen Douglas’ near post.

The rest of the first half played out with both sides creating openings. Shortly after Dorking’s equaliser, Soares fired wide following a neat Godalming move, before Finley McIntyre and Ncho came close. Dorking ended the half strongest, though a Gs free-kick from wide right was nearly met at the far post by Elliot Creely, with any touch likely to have produced a goal.

An injury to Dorking ‘keeper Louie Sullivan meant the hosts’ centre-back Maddox Talboys had to deputise in the second-half. Despite this, Dorking continued to shade things, and in the 58th minute good work from Hebert resulted in Leo Bines forcing a save from Douglas.

Just after the hour mark, Sher switched things up, with the returning Shiloh Ndiulor coming on for McLean and going up front, and Afful replacing Wealthyland. Shittu then pushed up on the left, Soares came central and Regragui moved out right – and within minutes the change nearly produced a goal, as excellent work from Ndiulor allowed Regragui to cross to Shittu, who headed over when well placed.

Dorking still threatened, though, and a penetrating run from Hebert created the opportunity for McIntyre and Ncho to exchange a neat one-two in the box, with the latter denied by Douglas.

It was Godalming who ended the match strongest, as they pushed to maintain their 100% league record. Ndiulor scooped an effort over with 10 minutes left, before an excellent chance for Regragui came on 86 minutes after he was played in by Shittu, but the forward shot straight at Talboys.

Time remained for further chances, and perhaps the best opportunity of the half came with two minutes on the clock. A Soares corner was inadvertently flicked on by substitute Barney Dowling-Campbell into the path of Creely who, from six yards out, headed narrowly over the bar.

That felt like the chance to win it for the travelling Godalming fans, but there was one more opening, deep into stoppage time, when Regragui played in Sam Fernley. Not long on the pitch, the full-back arrowed his shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

Despite their mixed start to the season, Dorking typically represent a tricky challenge in this league and, given the even nature of this contest, Godalming can be pleased with a point on the road. A busy September comes to an end during the following week, with two more home games: Selsey in the league on Saturday and Copthorne in the Division One Challenge Cup second round on Tuesday.

COYGs