On the road again…. Dorking Wanderers v Chelmsford City

Hello!

This weeks groundhopping instalment isn’t quite the San Siro but nevertheless, we don’t discriminate.

This week it was time for our long awaited trip to Surrey for Dorking Wanderers v Chelmsford City.

This was to be the first Chelmsford game I have seen without Rod Stringer in charge and it felt a bit weird.

As some of you may know Chelmsford lost in the FA Trophy last week to a team two divisions below them (Aveley). Only for the Essex side to get drawn away at Notts County, that would’ve been great for this blog!

So anyway, the mood around the club is not a positive one at the moment, coupled with the fact that storm Dennis was ready to rear it’s ugly head, the travelling support was not going to match its usual standards.

We managed to make it to Dorking just in time after I took a couple of wrong turns that were completely my fault, but we got into the ground just as the players came out.

My first impression of Meadowbank was very positive, it is a modern looking ground with a large car park backing onto it, which obviously made it easy for us.

Their food stall was actually very impressive too, I had a lovely portion of chips, but the best thing was that they accept cards! This is so rare for Non League clubs so it’s a nice surprise when they do.

The only negative was that one end looked as if it was being refurbished so we could not stand behind the goal Chelmsford were attacking in the first half, instead we had to stand on the side which was fine.

By fine, obviously I mean that we were in an excellent position to watch Dorking take the lead after 4 minutes…

The goal came after a good cutback saw Jake Gallagher hit home into an open net.

The sarcastic chants came out pretty soon from Chelmsford fans, including:

“How S**T must you be, it’s only 1-0”

After the early the goal, I thought the game was pretty even, both teams clearly struggled in the conditions but this was still a good game to watch but with no clear cut chances to report.

Now I don’t want to make excuses for Laurie Walker in the Chelmsford goal but I am sure that storm Dennis might claim the assist for Dorkings second goal…

Elliot Buchanan’s corner sailed over everyone and into the back of the net, the second goal I have ever seen direct from a corner (Chelmsford fans will know the other).

Dorking couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to the second half, but it was the Clarets’ worst nightmare.

Chelmsford managed to impose themselves more on the game as they began to chase it, helped out by a red card for their opposition midway through the half.

Despite a couple of good balls into the box from Danny Imray and Frazer Shaw, Chelmsford failed to carve out chances with regularity as Dorking defended well.

Jack Barham had a good chance well saved at the other end which really would’ve put the game to bed, but there were to be no more goals.

The whistle blew which signalled 230 minutes since I have last seen Chelmsford score a goal, bring on Wealdstone!

After the game we got absolutely soaked trying to find the KFC in Dorking, and the chicken wasn’t even that good after we eventually got it.

I’m not sure whether this blog sounds negative but there was actually something comforting about being back in England watching ‘proper football’.

Thanks for reading!

• GROUND: Meadowbank
• GAME: Dorking Wanderers 2-0 Chelmsford City
• COMPETITION: National League South
• GROUND NUMBER: 73
• WOULD I GO BACK: Yes
• TICKET PRICE: £9