National League Paper – Hampton & Richmond Borough 1–1 Dorking Wanderers 2.1.21

Referee – Jason Richardson

Entertainment factor 3/5

By Ciaran ONeill

Photo by Tom Lang

Hampton & Richmond: (442) Julian 8, Ruddick 7 (Carvalho 75’), Donaldson 6, Inman 7, Cox 8, Gray 7, Muir 6, Gondoh 7, Fisher 6 (Coleman 86’), Miller-Rodney 6, Farrell 6

Dorking: Howes 8, Philpot 6 (Gallagher 63’), Harris 7, Muitt 6 (MacShane 45’), Briggs 8, Rutherford 6, Kennedy 6, Wills 7 (McManus 45’), Wheeler 7, Moore 6, Fogden 6,

Star Man: Cox / Howes

Gary McCann was proud of his Hampton & Richmond side after they shared the spoils in a keenly contested game against Dorking wanderers.

Ryan Gondoh put the beavers in front from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time before Wes Fogden equalised for Dorking midway through the second half.

McCann was delighted with his teams spirit as they nearly found a winner late on.

He said: “I’m proud of that performance. For them to level it up and for us to come again, the three or four opportunities we had in the last ten minutes speaks volumes for our togetherness and resilience. We know we need to make this place a fortress, but this game and a few others here have been really close and today was a proper game of football.”

The first chance of the game was created by Dorking. Matthew Briggs found himself on the edge of Hampton & Richmond’s box and managed to fashion some space after a smart turn away from Dean Inman, but his shot struggled to challenge Alan Julian.

Dorking nearly made the break-through on the half-hour mark when a corner was cleared only as far as Kane Wills, whose 20-yard strike struck a post.

The deadlock was broken moments before halftime when the home side were awarded a penalty after a foul by Edward Harris on David Fisher at the end of a counter-attack.

Gondoh stepped up to the spot and fired the ball past former Hampton & Richmond keeper Sam Howes.

The visitors were awarded a penalty mid-way through the second half when Luke Ruddick brought Fogden down in-side of the box.

With a great chance to draw level, Luke Moore will be disappointed with his effort – a tame shot down the middle was saved by Julian.

The Beavers’ enjoyment was short lived, however. Nicky Wheeler’s curling effort from outside the box was saved onto the post by Julian, but Fogden slotted home from the rebound.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, the game really started to open up, Ryan Gondoh’s shot from close range was only parried by Howes, but the ball was cleared away.

The home side nearly snatched a late winner. Tyrell Miller-Rodney’s strike hit the back of Nico Muir’s head, causing a huge deflection, but Howes made a brilliant save.

Dorking boss Marc White said: “We played as well as we could have done.”