EGHAM TOWN 3 DORKING 1

COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION – SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2012
EGHAM TOWN 3 (1) DORKING 1 (1)
Egham Town scorers: Shane Graham (37), Arran Taylor-Ives (68), Joshua Andrew (87)
Overcoming a ropy start that saw them go behind after nine minutes, Egham eventually overpowered Dorking, but the margin of victory perhaps could have been larger. Dorking made the better start, looking livelier than their hosts and getting their reward when Arron Gayle beat Paul Borg with a low shot that crept in at the keeper’s left post. It did not take Egham long to get on to the front foot but they were faced by a sterling custodial performance by Daniel Coles, who denied James McShane and Anthony Joseph, and then made a top drawer save from Jake Galbraith’s 30 yarder. Egham were beginning to over-pass, and it looked as if they were doing it again when, after 37 minutes, Charlie McCarthy was given the ball by Shane Graham, but elected to pass the ball back instead of shooting. Graham lashed the ball in from the edge of the area. Matthew Male forced Borg into a sprawling save from the kick off. In injury time Luke Muldowney tried his luck from distance, Coles saving well.
McCarthy had his ankles clipped after 57 minutes, but no penalty was given, and seconds later the Egham striker gave way to Matt Smith. Tom Hedges hit the left post with a shot on the turn, and Anthony Joseph squared the ball to Hedges as the home side continued to try to walk the ball into the net. It’s an old complaint, and it has been an Egham constant, long predating the Noad/Hamsher tenure, but sometimes just hitting the bloody thing works wonders. Smith overran a solo break but was able to pass into the area, a Dorking foot belting the ball clear for a corner kick, from which, after 68 minutes, skipper Arran Taylor-Ives stuck out his left leg and got just enough purchase for the ball to cross the line. Referee Chris Felton differed in view from those Egham players, management and fans who saw a full blooded push on Hedges in the area as a punishable offence. Graham was replaced by Jamie Read, back from holiday, and Egham continued to push on seeking a clinching third goal. After Joseph had a shot saved that goal came. Hedges set off on another mazy run, and when the ball was played on Joshua Andrew’s own solo run was finished with a calm finish. Brendan Matthew made a brief appearance, for Joseph, but did enough for the game to end on a worse note for the Chicks with Luke Hackett hauling him down and, as the last man, facing the inevitable red card.
Egham travel on Monday to a new-look Windsor, whose Chairman has been wielding the financial axe at Stag Meadow. The upshot for Egham is that midfielder Jamie Houghton returns to the club at which he had played before a summer move, and is apparently joined by defender Chris Ellis, whose former Egham life lasted about half a season and included a wonder goal at Camberley. Windsor lost 0-1 at home to Didcot in the FA Cup today. Next Saturday Egham are at home again, facing South Park, who drew 1-1 at home to Walton & Hersham, also in the Cup.
EGHAM TOWN: Paul Borg, Joshua Andrew, Jake Galbraith, Arran Taylor-Ives (capt.), Alex Rodrigues, Luke Muldowney, James McShane, Shane Graham, Charlie McCarthy, Anthony Joseph, Tom Hedges. Subs: Brendan Matthew (Joseph, 87), Matt Smith (McCarthy, 58), James Brown, Junior Wright, Jamie Read (Graham, 78).