City Strike Late to Earn Big Boxing Day Win

Dorking Wanderers 0

Oxford City 2

Smith 75’

Fleet 90+5'

Two late goals saw Oxford City to a hard earned win away at Dorking Wanderers on Boxing Day.

Two devastating counter-attacks were the difference for the Hoops, with Renny Smith netting for the first time for the Hoops with 15 minutes to play, before Reece Fleet’s goal in the fifth of seven added minutes sealed a much needed three points for the Hoops.

SELECTION

After starting their City careers on the bench, Jacob Roddy and Levi Lumeka both made their first starts for the Hoops at Meadowbank, with Renny Smith also returning to the lineup, with Zac McEachran missing out through injury, and Tafari Moore and Andre Burley also out of the side for City.

First-Half

The hosts started off the better, however without really testing the Hoops defence. A series of long throws and crosses into the box were confidently dealt with by the City back-line.

Their first real attempt came on 21 minutes when a ball over the top saw it fall to Matt Briggs, but the midfielder was wasteful as his effort was blasted over the bar.

Dorking were hit by two injuries in the first 25 minutes with Barry Fuller and Jason Prior both forced off the pitch, and it was after the second that the Hoops burst into life.

Straight from the restart, the Hoops burst forwards through Smith, and his cutback found Josh Parker, and with the striker destined to slam into the net, his effort cannoned off Olly Sanderson and away to safety.

A tightly fought match saw the sides go in goalless at the break, and it was certainly building up into the type of game that a single goal might separate the sides.

Half-Time: Dorking Wanderers 0-0 Oxford City

Second-Half

The second-half began much like the first, with a fierce midfield battle. Neither side were particularly able to create clear-cut chances, but Olly Sanderson forced Harrison Male into a first save of the game with a low shot towards the near post that the keeper could only scramble for a corner.

Wanderers’ chance of the game came after 74 minutes when City were unable to clear their lines, allowing Charlie Carter to drive fiercely at goal, with Jack Bycroft forced into a fine save.

This save would prove to be crucial, as the Hoops took the lead within 60 seconds. Olly Sanderson certainly made the goal, as he superbly turned his defender on the halfway line and was able to burst towards the box. On the edge of the box, he unselfishly squared to the arriving Smith who took a touch before slotting past Male for his first goal in Blue and White.

Unsurprisingly, the Hoops were exposed to pressure from the hosts following this, but crosses and set pieces were dealt with by the Hoops back-line, but looked dangerous on the break still.

A free-kick just outside the Dorking box saw Josh Parker curl an effort over the bar, just before the seven added minutes.

There was a moment for the Hoops to hand a debut to Under-18s Phil Croker who made his senior debut for the club for the final 10 minutes.

Tense moments for the visitors were relieved five minutes into added time, with the hosts committing men forwards, a long ball saw Alfie Potter in acres of space to burst forwards and, with Fleet bursting forwards, he again opted for the unselfish option of squaring for the skipper to slot home for a second.

This sealed the very important win to see the Hoops move just a point from moving out the relegation zone. Their next game sees the reverse fixture of today, with Dorking Wanderers visiting the RAW Charging Stadium on Monday 1^st January, 3pm kick-off.

Match Details

Attendance: 2,416

Dorking Wanderers XI: 

Male, Fuller (Bowerman 14'), Hollis, Craig, Briggs (Blair 58'), Francomb, Taylor, Carter, McManus, Prior (Ottaway 27'), McShane.

Subs not used: Gallagher, Moore.

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Bycroft, Kirby, Roddy, Coyle, Fleet, Sanderson (Croker 83'), Roberts (Williams-Bushell 56'), Parker, Smith Carroll, Lumeka (Potter 66').

Subs not used: Fonkeu, Humphrey-Ewers