One of the trickiest away trips of the calendar was navigated successfully for a heavily rotated first team this weekend. A combination of injuries and unavailability added to what was already a difficult fixture as Dorkinians first team ventured to Fairlop to face a Bealonians side who despite sitting in the bottom three are always a side to make it tough for travelling teams.

The first half lived up to expectations with both sides wrestling to try and gain territory on one another on a heavy pitch. Dorkinians had to be resolute, with the returning Cunningham at centre half negating regular Beals incursions into the Dorkinians final third. Goalkeeper Henry Warne burst into the action midway through the half, with a last ditch goal-line clearance to stop an almost certain goal. Kenway and Woodman were plugging away on the wings, regularly getting the better of their opposing men, whilst Captain Sears-Black worked with very limited scraps up-front finding himself isolated. 0-0 at half time.

The second half saw the introduction of Scovell and Hawkins to the fray, with the intention of injecting some quality in a game largely devoid of it in the first period. This had an immediate positive impact, as Hawkins terrorised the Beals defensive unit, drawing foul after foul and creating chance after chance. Beals forward moves were largely snuffed out, contained to only long throws or speculative long balls, and the sustained pressure on their defence finally gave way as eventual MOTM Herouvin fired home from a tight angle. This followed fantastic work from Scovell to keep the move alive and Hawkins whose tricky feet fashioned the chance.

The final 10 minutes were characteristic of a 1-0 match, with Beals throwing everything at the Dorkinians defence in pursuit of an equaliser. Herouvin alongside his back defensive line stood strong alongside the aforementioned Warne as 4 consecutive long throws from the narrow pitch were repelled to deliver the clean sheet and three points.

That marks three important victories on the spin for the first team in as many competitions, ensuring they continuing to challenge on all fronts. Next week sees them entertain Old Minchendians at Fortress Pixham, again in AFC Premier action.

By George Warne.