Dorking FC's Under 18s travelled down to Ryman league Worthing FC on Monday night for their prestigious FA Youth Cup fixture.
Playing a strong side, consisting largely of players in the upper age grouping compared to the majority of the Dorking team who are in the 16 to 17 year old age bracket, Dorking U18 manager Simon Coffey was pleased overall with the performance of his squad. In fact, Worthing only really pulling away from Dorking in the last 10 minutes of the match as Dorking searched for the goal that would bring them back into the game, leaving things more open in defence.
Dorking had started their Southern Youth League campaign well, winning and drawing their two games to date, but this game at Worthing was always going to be a tough fixture for the developing side, much like the forthcoming game in the Surrey Youth Cup with Woking will be.
Worthing had taken an early lead, but Dorking left midfielder Will Davis equalised on 10 minutes to put Dorking right back in the game at 1-1. Dorking, watched by a large crowd including Dorking FC first team manager Pete Buckland, competed well for the next 60 minutes of the match, Worthing perhaps able to dominate physically as the younger Dorking team just lost out on the crucial midfield battle.
With the last quarter to play, Dorking were 3-1 down and very much in the game and Simon Coffey decided to go all out for the goal that would bring his side back into the game. Bringing off defenders in favour of midfielders and strikers Dorking gambled on reducing the arrears, but luck was not on Dorking's side and an impressive Worthing outfit killed the game on the break with their fourth goal of the game with 10 minutes to go.
Naturally, a tired Dorking side now found the going tough, and Worthing pressed home their clear advantage to finish the game at 6-1.
A good experience for the U18s then, and with the vast bulk of the squad eligible for the team next season, Dorking will go into next season's FA Youth Cup that much older, stronger and more experienced
Next up - home to Lingfield in the Southern Youth League on Wednesday 29 September, kick off 7-45 pm at Dorking FC's Meadowbank stadium, entrance free and bar will be open.
Squad: Gavin Morrison (gk), Lewis Arnstrong, Ashley Smith, Chris Thurgood (c), Zak Smith, Will Davis, Jack Murrell, Stephen Batchelor, Harry Maneh, Ryan Stewart, Nathan Crosbie subs Daniel Russell, Chris Caley, Darryl Jeeves, Thomas Coffey, Henry Warne
Report by Bryan Bletso
