In an incredibly competitive and tightly contested Senior 1 South division, Dorkinian 2s were determined to bounce back after a disappointing 3-2 defeat the previous week. And that’s exactly what they did—with a superb away performance against de facto table-toppers Fulham Compton, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory on a challenging, boggy pitch.

This was a game defined by resolute defending, relentless effort, and patience. With the poor pitch conditions stifling any chance of free-flowing football, a physical battle ensued—one in which Dorkinian came out on top. Leading the charge was Man of the Match Harcombe, who dominated in central midfield, alongside a rock-solid defensive unit of Turner, Warne, Higgins, Mansfield, and, in the second half, the outstanding Smith.

Dorkinian had the better of the first half, pressing high and making unselfish runs in behind. However, Fulham’s disciplined defence limited them to long-range efforts. The best of which came from Teague, who struck the bar, with Goddard narrowly unable to adjust his feet for the rebound. At halftime, the message was clear: stay positive—keep up the pressure, and the goal will come.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Dorkinian controlling the midfield and benefiting from the added guile and composure of Hearn. The chances kept coming—a close-range header from Goddard went just over after a pinpoint cross from Woodman, slightly above his head, but a chance he should have buried. But he wasn’t to be denied twice. Harcombe’s intelligent play set him up beautifully, and this time, Goddard made no mistake, coolly slotting past the keeper.

From then on, it was a defensive masterclass. Despite Fulham’s best efforts to find an equalizer, goalkeeper Shipp wasn’t forced into a single save. The final whistle blew—1-0 to Dorkinian.

A fantastic performance against a top-tier Fulham side—one that had already beaten Premier Division teams in cup competitions. Dorkinian 2s once again proved they are the best reserve team in the AFC.

By Oli Goddard