A late rally by the Fleet wasn’t enough to stop Dorking from claiming the three points in Surrey this afternoom.
It was almost a perfect start for the Fleet when Amy Russ won the ball straight from kick-off to slot a pass forward towards Amelia Woodgate who took an early shot from range, forcing a save from the Dorking keeper.
The Fleet continued with their lively start minutes later with both Teni Charles and Charley Clifford linking up at the edge of the box and unleashed a shot off but the effort was just over. Domination by the visitors proceeded, this time Russ having a shot towards goal – her effort was denied by the fingertips of the Dorking keeper and a corner was awarded. A ball was whipped into the area from captain Dan Carlton to see her delivery connect with Hannah Porter but her headed effort was marginally over.
With 15 minutes on the clock, Dorking took the lead through Olivia Watson. She received the ball inside the penalty area and slotted the ball home from close range.
The Fleet looked for an instant reply. Amelia Woodgate found herself through on goal after she latched onto a long ball over the top of the Dorking defence, but her forward effort was saved by the Dorking keeper.
The hosts came close to doubling their lead as an effort from close range clipped the crossbar, with the rebound effort then cleared. The final chance of the half fell to the Fleet, a free kick from Carlton was swept into the area but the Dorking keeper once again denied the Fleet.
The visitors continued their dominant display into the second half as Clifford fired a volley towards goal but her effort was off target. Dorking however doubled their advantage and it was Watson once again as she guided the ball home from close range.
The Fleet searched for a deserved goal for themselves as they piled the pressure on Dorking – Russ hitting the crossbar following a Carlton delivery. That goal did come with 15 minutes to go, Lydia Wills converting at close range from a free kick that was sent into the area from Russ.
Carlton nearly found the leveller in added time as she fired a shot from the edge of the area but her effort was narrowly wide.
The Fleet did find the back of the net when Russ tipped the ball past the keeper to link up with Charles who slotted the ball over the line, but she was deemed in an offside position.
Despite a late charge from the Fleet and another strong performance on the road, the three points would go to the hosts as a goal in either half from Watson clinched the win for the Wanderers.
EUFC: Roberts, Iron, Waud, Porter, O’Shea, Clifford, A Woodgate, Russ, Pearch, Charles, Carlton. SUBS: Grieve, Wills, Pace, Jestin, Reynolds
