As I previously stated we are at the business end of the season and more often than not besides looking to see if I can go anywhere that’s still on my list it’s also checking out games that have something riding on them at either end of the table.
With some unpredictable weather still lurking about close to the weekend I had already decided on my game before midweek, one of those relegation six pointers already in the National League.
Despite the fact I was about to see both sides for the third time this season, it’s the reason why you don’t call me a groundhopper, triple ticks all round! Dorking Wanderers Meadowbank Stadium was my destination, hosting a rejuvenated Ebbsfleet Utd but both sides needing a win.
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For the second year Wanderers face a struggle to preserve their top division status, a decent away record but ten home defeats tells the story. Fleet meanwhile after bringing in Danny Searle a few weeks ago have had a huge shot in the arm, four games unbeaten including a point taken off champions-elect Chesterfield.
A gloomy day before kick-off, but brightened up by the Fleet’s illuminous green shirts as the rain clouds hovered overhead but not yet dropping the wet stuff. Dorking shaded the early first half, Ebbsfleet a little tentative and not too much of a surprise when the home side opened the scoring on 22 minutes.
A whipped cross into the box saw Alfie Rutherford’s effort twice blocked by Mark Cousins and a defender, the ball dropping nicely for Charlie Carter to fire home and Dorking in front. The lead though lasted just six minutes, Rakish Bingham picking the ball up mid-way inside his own half and allowed to run, unleashing a fierce shot from all of 25 yards past Harrison Male via the inside of the post to level the scores.
Having settled into their stride, Ebbsfleet were knocking the ball around the pitch nicely, Wanderers chasing shadows. The visitors went in front on 42 mins, a clumsy free kick given away on the edge of their own box Dorking paid the price with Luke O’Neill curling the ball around the wall, quite a sweetly taken free kick.
Neither side were able to add any more to the first half proceedings, the sun making a welcome entrance as half time approached, but cold in the shadows, however.
Marc White made two changes at the beginning of the half, Alfie Rutherford and X making way for Luke Moore and X Cook in an attempt to wrestle back control.
Dorking made all the early running in the second half, the changes having their effect. Jason Prior thought he had brought the home side level early on but was rightly flagged offside.
Carter had a glorious opportunity to also level the scores, put clean through he rounded Cousins only to go a little too far wide and hit the side netting. At the other end Bingham rattled the crossbar as Ebbsfleet got themselves more on top once again.
Worse was to come for the home side as they went down to ten men, Tony Craig catching Ben Chapman high on the knee for a second yellow card, Dorking a goal behind and a man short to boot.
The full time fitness of the visitors then began to take over, Bingham adding his second and the Fleet’s third on 72 mins from a Chapman cross. Dominic Samuel should have added a fourth on 79 mins but managed to side foot wide from four yards out.
However, the substitute atoned for this miss with four minutes left, striding clear from the half way line and confidently stroking the ball past Male to complete an emphatic comeback from a goal behind for the Fleet.
An outstanding result for Danny Searle and his team against a relegation rival, Bingham was lively all game and easily man of the match, leaves you to wonder where the Fleet would have been had the front man been fit all season. A quiet game for his striker partner Dom Poleon, with Bingham dropping to collect the ball and link the play Dorking struggled to pick it up.
A tough afternoon for the home side and an 11th defeat of the season at Meadowbank, many questioning where they go from here but if memory serves me correctly Marc White’s side were just outside the bottom four this time last year and went on a run to haul themselves clear.
They certainly need something similar this time around too, by my reckoning sides could need as many as 52 pts to stay up given the nature of the sides at the bottom picking up points, another 14 more to find but with 12 games still to play.
Doesn’t get any easier for Wanderers this week as they prepare for the visit of 1st placed Chesterfield in front of the TNT Sport cameras this weekend, but more than likely the type of game where the unpredictable happens.
