DORKING SNEAK THROUGH AGAINST RUN OF PLAY

The sun was shining, the pitch was flatter than the last time we were here, the beautiful rolling hills of the Dorkinian countryside were rising majestically around the ground; the day looked set for the beginnings of a cup run.

The Mighty 3s started strong, taking the initiative from the off and controlling the game, creating chances and looking comfortable on the ball. A freak cross-cum-shot from Dorkinians set the score at 1-0 against the run of play, but this did not bother the 3s in the slightest - they retained control of the game and kept pushing for their first. It eventually came after Smith cut a ball back from the byline into the feet of Cozens-Smith, who netted past the Dorkinians keeper to level things up.

More chances came and went, and Borough went into half-time at 1-1 and confident more goals would ensue. And so it proved: Hearty, who had been looking dangerous on the left, drove towards the box and was cut down by a cynical foul. He stepped up confidently and tucked a 25 yard free-kick over the wall and under the crossbar, putting the Borough finally and deservedly in the lead.

Unfortunately, this was not to be Wandsworth's day; first, a break by Dorkinians saw Borough not reset defensively with sufficient pace, leading to level scores again and the looming threat of extra time. And then the worst happened: a softly conceded free kick, leading to a corner, leading somehow to Dorking poking the ball between defender and keeper at the post to go ahead.

Wandsworth threw all they could at the hosts but it was not to be, and the final whistle came all too soon for a Borough side who were keenly pressing for a third.

An upsetting defeat, and certainly against the run of play after a mostly solid performance by the Mighty 3s; more match fitness will hopefully sharpen things up in the weeks to come and iron out some of the avoidable errors.

Man of the Match went to Luke Nihil, just pipping scorer Hearty by one vote - a commanding central midfield performance from the new signing.