With chicks boss Pete Buckland not returning from holiday until the next day, the team was taken to Badshot for the second game in five days by Steve Hurd, and how well he did playing against the same starting eleven as Saturday bar one player
Chicks turned in a superb performance to qualify for a second round tie against local rivals Leatherhead. "We are all looking forward to that match very much, said Pete Buckland on return from his holiday, "whilst we are not expected to beat them, and I'm sure they have much bigger agendas to worry about, it will be a good night at Meadowbank in early December, and hopefully a good attendance. This fixture always stimulates a lot of interest", he said.
The evening got off to a bad start for Steve before the match with no Russell Hartt, Billy Ramsey or Tyrone Oliver, all out with injuries, and Joe Chandler and Martin Smith missing the kick off due to an accident on the M25. "With no less than five of the youth team in the squad, but superb performances from Henry Warne, Darryl Jeeves, and Isacc Philpott, proving what a superb job Simon Coffey is doing with the youngsters, said Buckland. Steve was forced to start with a less than fit Craig Duffell and Dave McCann in midfield, but what a start, Leroy Hyett netting twice on six and eight minutes with two typical goals, to put Chicks two up which they maintained until half time with some good, cotrolled football.
Badshot pulled one back on 66 mins, but still Dorking refused to stop taking the game to their hosts, and a superb goal from Duffell on 80 minutes, followed by substitute Martins Smiths cool finish on 86 mins wrapped up the game for a well deserved victory. "The most pleasing aspect was the maturity shown by the youth players said Chicks boss Buckland, "and proves what good talent we have emerging for years to come. In an ideal world we would have introduced them gradually as the season progressed, he said, "but our horendous injury situation forced our hand, 'funny old game' who said that ?"
Next up for Dorking on Saturday is South Park at home, and they find themselves once again without Duffell, McCann, Hartt and Ramsey. "But we have good strength in depth and I am confident those who start won't let the club down !" said Buckland.