Someone's 100% record had to give as the two unbeaten teams in League B came head to head on the Big Field.
Despite playing into a strong breeze in the first half Brockham weren't blown away by Dorkinians fast, neat passing and firm but fair tackling. Dorkinians we soon building pressure on the Badger goal but their third successive corner was cleared by Killick to Tiley and a lightning break ended with the visiting keeper scrambling to collect in his own area. Dorking found success on their left flank and opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a good shot from the edge of the box. A minute later they doubled their advantage with a sharp finish from a left wing cross for 2-0. The Badger defence had to be at their best to stop Dorkinians running riot, keeper Potts saving on the line, ever reliable Lane recovering to thwart another attack and then covering to clear when Potts had been beaten. Vaughan cleared well from the resulting corner and Brockham ended on the attack with half chances for Turner and Teague.
With the wind behind them in the second half Brockham inflicted early pressure on the goal at the "Pavilion End". Turner set up Wickens whose shot was saved but Dorkinians countered and Potts made a fine save from a long shot. Thomas broke down the left with a strong run to win a corner but Dorking came back again to force Potts to make an even better save - standing up to the oncoming striker and getting a strong hand out to parry the shot clear. Finally Brockham's efforts were rewarded with a great goal on the counter attack - Turner cleared to Teague in the centre circle who touched it around his opponent, put a ball through the defence and set off in chase. Thomas came in from the right, beating Teague and the defender to the ball and poked it past the keeper and into the net. 1-2 game on...
Despite being reduced to 10 men by injury Dorking broke again to win a corner, which wasn't cleared properly. Badgers lost possession on the edge of the box and two sharp passes later the ball was in the back of their net again to give their opponents a decisive 3-1 lead.
Brockham fought back again and ended the match on the front foot, with the ref (Phil) emulating Clive Thomas by blowing for full time as the corner came across.
It was a typically brave and strong performance by Brockham and they were only beaten by a team who should probably already be in the A Division. Dorkinians march on unbeaten to certain promotion but Brockham should still be good for 2nd place - and there's always the rematch on 2 April to look forward to!
Man of the Match was goalkeeper Sam Potts who kept Brockham in the game with some great saves and covered his whole goal area like a young, uncorrupted Bruce Grobelaar (ask your parents kids!)
Squad: Toby Barnes, Kemal Dogansoy, Jamie Donegan, Daniel Killick, Dominic Lane, Sam Potts, Jacob Purcell, Joe Teague, Wilbur Tiley, Will Thomas, Ollie Turner, Jacob Vaughan, George Warne, Harry Wickens
Report by Ian Thomas
