Hemel Hempstead Town 2 Dorking Wanderers 2
Vanarama National League South: November 6th 2021
Match report by Allan Mitchell
It was honours even in a very entertaining game at Vauxhall Road as a much improved Hemel pushed high-flying and big-spending Dorking right to the wire.
Wanderers looked very dangerous at the start of the game and took the lead on 8 minutes when Niall McManus superbly drove home from the edge of the area with Nick Hayes helpless as the ball flew into the top corner.
The game became end to end after this, with both sides creating chances; the best effort came from Alfie Rutherford, who crashed an effort onto the Hemel crossbar on 20 minutes.
Dorking had a narrow escape on the half-hour mark when a Scott-Morriss cross caught in the wind, Wanderer’s keeper Stuart Nelson dropped the ball under pressure from Craig Fasanmade, and it bounced over the line, the linesman waved his flag to confirm this, but referee McNamara saw a foul, and the goal was not given.
It looked very harsh on Hemel, and the Tudors fans certainly let Nelson and the referee know their feelings on the decision.
With Hemel gaining in confidence, they equalised on 41 minutes when the lively Alfie Cerulli broke clear before tucking the ball under Nelson. The lead was very short-lived; however, as straight from the restart, Dorking went back in front. Briggs took advantage of a sleepy Tudors backline, racing down the right before crossing to Alfie Rutherford, who drove home from close range.
The second half was just as end to end, and the home side equalised for a second time on 56 minutes when a Sam Mantom free-kick was deflected to debutant Craig Fasanmade who took a touch before slotting the ball home.
With both sides having chances, Hemel had a great chance to win the game when Fasanmade was brought down in the box after a great run.
There were few complaints from the visitors, and sub Freddie Hinds stepped up to take it, but Nelson guessed correctly and stopped the shot, it spilled out towards Hinds, but Nelson was able to grab it before the striker could poke it home, so the score remained level.
In the end, a point apiece was probably a fair reflection on the game, and Tudors fans are feeling a lot happier with the recent improvement shown in their sides recent performances.
Hemel: Hayes 7, Scott-Morriss 8, Wishart 7, Westbrook 7, Kpekawa 7, Morgan-Griffiths 7, Hyde 7 (Maghoma 72 – 7), Mantom 7, Nembhard 7, Cerulli 8, (Hinds 76 – 7), Fasanmade 8: Subs not used, Castiglione, Simpson.
Attendance 429
Stats: Hemel shots on 11, shots off 6: Dorking shots on 6, shots off 3: Hemel Corners 10, Dorking 8
Tudors joint Man of the Match: Craig Fasanmade/Gus Scott-Morriss
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