After a lengthy excursion through the surrey hills, Witan 1s found themselves taking on an in-form Dorkinians side on their home turf. Whilst kitting up, Dele passed the time by searching the kit bag for a Chili’s bottle left behind circa 6 months prior. To everyone’s amusement, his efforts were in vain as the bag being used today was the 2s kit. This will become important later.
Kick-off saw a fast start for Witan as a corner won in the first couple of minutes resulted in a free header 4 yards out from Danny P.
Unfortunately, his attempt was blocked on the line. Witan continued to create chances and tested the keeper on multiple occasions before going ahead in the first 20 minutes. Matheus driving towards the back line delivered a sumptuous through ball for Hery who dinked the ball over the keeper to make it 1-0.
However, the lead was short-lived as Dorkinians capitalised from a corner to make it 1-1. Divakar will attest that the ball was allowed to slip through his fingers too easily - evident by his self-inflicted haddock vote after the match.
The first half continued with a more even distribution of possession and a couple of snap shots from Jonny Page to test the keeper. However, a Dorkinian cross from the right side was met with a header that struck the crossbar that rebounded to another attacker who promptly finished to make it 2-1. Two chances, two goals for the opposition cause the momentum to slip from Witan. This was further compounded in the 35th minute when a penalty was awarded for Dorkinians. Divakar made a valiant effort to save the attempt but the ball was squeezed in - 3-1 Dorkinians.
Just before the half-time whistle was blown, Murillo cleverly won a penalty for the blues to provide a boost of hope. The spot kick was dispatched by Matheus on both attempts after he was forced to retake due to encroachment during the first.
After a customary passionate team talk from Fede at half time, Witan came out for the second half with intent to capitalise on chances created. Several corners delivered by Jez and Hery were well defended by Dorkinians and Bangers felt at home in the central midfield. Part way into the half, another driving run at the fullback from Davy led to a crossfield ball which found Murillo on the left who slotted the ball away for the equaliser.
The game was open at both ends, each side yearning to steal the win. Aggressive attacking play from Witan led to a string a passes down the left wing. The ball eventually found its way to Fede 30 yards out. He channeled his inner Michael Essien and fired a slicing strike which faded to the right of the keeper only to strike the crossbar flush. In the Witan captain’s words, “it would have been one of the greatest goals scored for Witan”. Not sure how high the bar is for that claim, but a wonderful attempt nonetheless.
Continued pressure at both ends continued to unfold as the 80th minute came and went. However, in a lapse of concentration, a few sloppy passes between the midfield and back line combined with the forward pressure by Dorkinians meant Witan presented an opportunity too good to pass up. A short powerful shot was well parried by Divakar, but another attacker was in the right place at the right time to tap into the back of the net - 4-3 Dorkinians. A hammer blow to Witan, who felt the hypothetical expected goals stat would have been in their favour across the course of the match.
The final 10 minutes of the match failed to produce any big chances. But of course, no Witan match is concluded without some passionate pleas from Matheus and Murillo towards the ref - pushing the boundaries of what it will take to be sent off for dissent in the amateur football leagues. Alas, the final whistle meant another frustrating defeat, but not without plenty of positives to take away from our performance. Overall, an enjoyable, exciting match for everyone involved with more than it’s fair share of fierce competition, satisfying football, and sprinkling of beautiful goals. Well done to Matheus who took the MotM vote, and commiserations to Dele who received the haddock vote for the earlier mentioned Chili’s bottle saga (I refuse to nibble and become Bangers 2.0).
Match report written by Dele
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