MATCH REPORT | Wealdstone 2-2 Dorking Wanderers
Wealdstone fought back to secure an entertaining 2-2 draw with Dorking Wanderers at Grosvenor Vale.
Goals from Dom Hutchinson and Charles Claydon were enough to seal a point and end the Stones three game losing streak.
Stepping in for the absent Stuart Maynard, assistant coach Matty Saunders made four changes from Tuesday’s loss to Aldershot Town, bringing Mason Barrett, Tarryn Allarakhia, Nathan Ferguson and Hutchinson into the XI.
The Stones started brightly and went 1-0 within two minutes after Hutchinson skipped past Tony Craig with ease and coolly slotted home into the bottom right corner.
Dorking fought back almost instantly as Daniel Gallagher volleyed strongly into the back of the net through Sam Howes legs after a long throw-in fell kindly to the midfielder 12 yards out.
Wealdstone were more fluid in attack than they were against Aldershot and they had two good chances to restore their lead before half time.
A quickly taken freekick send Sonny Blu Lo-Everton through on goal and a poor throw in gifted Allarakhiaa golden chance, but Daniel Lincoln did well to foil both attempts.
After a 0-0 draw at Gateshead, Dorking’s survival was already secured but that didn’t stop them from pushing for more as the Stones soon found out when Sebastien Bowerman gave the away side the lead just before half time with a fierce right footed effort into the top right corner.
Lightning struck twice for the Stones as they made another rapid start to the second half after Clayden latched onto a defence splitting ball from Charlie Barker and lobbed Lincoln to make it 2-2 just three minutes after the restart.
Saunders men searched for a third and came close on several occasions through Hutchinson, but the youngster just couldn’t find the golden touch to claim his second of the game.
Dorking also had their chances to find a winner with Prior forcing Howes into a smart save from close range and McShane spurning a golden opportunity after blasting over the crossbar from a great position.
Wealdstone’s best chance to nick the three points came in the 83rd minute when Ferguson attempted to replicate Clayden’s chipped effort by lobbing Lincoln, but the keeper wasn’t going to be caught out twice and did well to deny the 27-year-old the winner.
A much improved performance the point sees the Stones’ losing run come to an end ahead of the final home game of the season against Solihull Moors this Tuesday. Kick off is 7:45pm at Grosvenor Vale, we hope to see you there!
Wealdstone: Howes, Charles, Barrett (Cook 70), Allarakhia (Dyer 75), Ferguson, Obiero, Lo-Everton, Hutchinson (Olomola 82), Clayden, Barker, Habergham.
Subs not used: Simper, Andrews.
Attendance: 1,575 (including 185 Dorking supporters)
Report by Jack Hobbs