Probably one of the biggest games of the season in the National League South where 1st place Dorking face 2nd place Maidstone in game that could decide the season for both sides. Dorking really needed to win to cement place in 1st place and it would almost kill off Maidstone's title charge. For Maidstone this was a must win game if they wanted to win the league.
The game was very cagey from start to finish. Maidstone had a few early chances to score, they hit a free kick over the bar. Barham and McShane came close but then Dorking had a fantastic chance which they failed to convert somehow where Maidstone cleared off the line. It was end to end but no goals came in the first half. There were lots of chances and opportunities for both sides and Dorking coming very close a few times. The second half began and it was very much the same type game. It felt like a goal was never going to come for either side and it just wasn't going in. A draw would have been a better result for Maidstone than Dorking but it wasn't to be. Then a goal finally came in the 64th minute. This goal was for Dorking and Josh Taylor scored what might be the mist important goal of all of Dorking's season. He cut in and fired a strong shot in but a deflection guided it past the goalkeeper to give Dorking the lead with his first goal for the club. Dorking decided they needed to play the defence game for the rest of the game relying on counter attacks. They held on and Maidstone got very close but unfortunately their 14 game league unbeaten run was ended. The game finished 1-0 to Dorking.
This left Dorking Wanderers still top of the table but now with a 6 point cushion over Maidstone. This is a huge result for Dorking as they now look destined for promotion to the National League. Maidstone stay second and now 6 points adrift of Dorking in 1st but have played a game less.
Photo courtesy of Steve O'Sullivan photography
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