Chessington & Hook United 1 vs 1 Dorking

With two enforced changes from Tuesdays win at Banstead, but with confidence restored ever so slightly, it was evident early on that at the very least we were again able to compete despite as usual starting a little slowly. Dorking certainly enjoying the better of the opening exchanges.

Ironically having settled and created a couple of openings ourselves in the first ten minutes, it was us that fell behind and from our own corner.

Believing our aerial advantage was a factor to consider at set plays we sent the big lads forward but having seen Ellis`s corner comfortably caught by the visiting keeper we were undone far too easily by his long punt downfield when the Dorking front man hit home an unstoppable shot passed Ashley Smith in the home goal. Question marks over the defensive set up that allowed this to happen far too easily.

Thankfully we stuck at it and benefited just ten minutes later when debutant Katejan Ryrowski`s flick on was pounced on by Barry Gooden who swept home from outside the penalty area in some style.

This lifted us and we became more composed and looked more threatening in the latter stages of the half, although Dorking themselves understandably will feel that there own openings could have resulted in further goals.

The second half in truth was there for both sides to take the initiative, and it seemed ever more likely that just one more goal would seal it.

Smith rescuing Chessington with a fine double save when the oh so familiar marking problems and defensive frailties were yet again evident, and ourselves enjoying some good possession but without creating enough to justify a winner coming our way.

Whilst neither side accepted a point as good enough, the uncharacteristically hot weather took its toll and the game slowed in the last twenty minutes.

Dorking had the ball in the net in that period illegally following a blatant hand ball that saw the lively Martin Smith sent off for a second yellow, and our best chance fell to Ryrowski who may have benefited if he had seen the possibility a little earlier.

At the end a point was about right although the visitors may feel they shaded it.

Whatever the case the simple fact is that given our current predicament we had another point and could claim another game without defeat as we rebuild our season.