City stun title chasing Dorking to end away campaign on a high note

In their first league outing since relegation was confirmed City stunned title chasing Dorking Wanderers with a 3-1 win at Meadowbank Stadium to end their away campaign on a high note. The hosts dominated possession – twice striking the frame of the goal – but found keeper Charlie Binns in inspired form and it was the Romans who were clinical in front of goal to secure the three points.

Dorking started the game on the front foot – Prior twice failing to hit the target from good positions and Carter’s well-struck shot forcing Binns into a smart stop – but City had the best early opening when Scott Wilson raced clear but saw Foulkes block his 13th minute shot. The failed to heed this warning as seven minutes later a great one-two between Josh Laqeretabua and Matt Bowman saw the latter lift the ball over Foulkes to give City the lead. Just before the half-hour mark Pinchard crashed a shot against the crossbar as Dorking pressed for an equaliser. This was as close as they would come before the interval.

The second half began with Dorking winning a series of corners. From one of these Binns produced his best stop of the game, getting down brilliantly to keep out Carter’s close-range header. Enslin then shot into the side-netting before Knight was denied by another smart Binns save. The pressure finally told on 65 minutes when Pinchard’s corner was headed home by Camp. The Surrey side must have expected to go on and win the game now but the large home support was silenced once again on 76 minutes when City retook the lead. Scott Wilson found space down the left flank and he squared the ball to Alex Fisher who made no mistake from 12 yards. Binns kept out further efforts from Enslin and Camp before City made it 3-1 with four minutes left. Good work by Jordan Alves set up Donovan Wilson, who saw his first effort blocked but the follow-up shot found the net via a post. Into stoppage time Camp headed against the post but City stood firm to record a first away league win since late November.