Dorking Wanderers 5-0 Canterbury City
Westhumble Playing Fields
Att: About 130
18/08/13
Each year the FA Cup begins before anyone cares to take interest, on Friday night I'd sampled its delights in Flackwell Heath, meanwhile come Sunday I'd be watching debutants to the competition romp home in emphatic style in amongst some of the finest views that Surrey has to offer. Normally I'd make at least some effort to research into the teams or to do a mini match report, but from the off I knew that I'd needn't do, as I imagine there'll be at least 5 other places you can get that information, should you so wish, given the number of groundhoppers and neutrals that were obviously present at this fixture. Instead I'm just going to comment on what a fantastic day this was.
I left Wokingham a little before 13:30, benefitting from the randomness of First Great Western network, as trains are direct. This meant maximum ease of travel, which was a perfect siding to the stroll to the ground from Dorking Deepdene station. I'd never been to Dorking before, and wrongly assumed that the place wasn't that great, but from what I saw it's wonderful. Rolling countryside accompanied me as I merrily walked along the A24, or whatever it is, to the ground a little over a mile away. Those traveling by car can be forgiven for not noticing the venue, tucked away behind shrubbery. I wouldn't have noticed it had it not been for a small sign perched behind a bush. From here I made the gentle stroll up to the shed-cum-turnstile.
The ground may not be the most exciting facility wise, but it ranks highly in the scenery chart. Situated across the road from Box-hill, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, no less, you get wonderful views of the hills and woodland. The ground helps in the picturesque setting with an innocence to it. Perched in the corner of the cricket field it's fenced off by green meshed fencing on two sides, creating an isolated feel. The side nearest the entrance houses only the dugouts, while the end opposite is little other than hard standing. The end upon which you enter, is also hard standing, but there are the changing room facilities nestled behind. This was unique in the regard that the two separate wooden huts (You sense a theme to do with nature!) had two separate walkways to the pitch. The final side was the most developed and ,judging by photos I've seen, where the majority of change has happened in recent years. There are two covered seating areas, one wooden (of course) with the other concrete. Beside this is the modest wooden (told you) shed type structure which serves the role of Bar/refreshment hut/directors lounge.
With the scenery and the ground all that would be needed was a decent game and decent game I saw. As mentioned in the opening paragraph this was to be Dorking's first ever game in the competition, and they certainly left their mark, barely leaving first gear as they demolished their underwhelming opponents 5-0. The pick of the bunch was the fourth goal, and audacious shot from 20 yards nestling in the opposite corner to where the shot had come.
As I sat at the station after the match, after posting an obscene number of Instagram photos, I realized that this had been my perfect FA Cup match, despite the small showers. A closer game may have improved things, but I couldn't falter anything, it was the magic of the cup in every essence of the phrase.
I left Wokingham a little before 13:30, benefitting from the randomness of First Great Western network, as trains are direct. This meant maximum ease of travel, which was a perfect siding to the stroll to the ground from Dorking Deepdene station. I'd never been to Dorking before, and wrongly assumed that the place wasn't that great, but from what I saw it's wonderful. Rolling countryside accompanied me as I merrily walked along the A24, or whatever it is, to the ground a little over a mile away. Those traveling by car can be forgiven for not noticing the venue, tucked away behind shrubbery. I wouldn't have noticed it had it not been for a small sign perched behind a bush. From here I made the gentle stroll up to the shed-cum-turnstile.
The ground may not be the most exciting facility wise, but it ranks highly in the scenery chart. Situated across the road from Box-hill, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, no less, you get wonderful views of the hills and woodland. The ground helps in the picturesque setting with an innocence to it. Perched in the corner of the cricket field it's fenced off by green meshed fencing on two sides, creating an isolated feel. The side nearest the entrance houses only the dugouts, while the end opposite is little other than hard standing. The end upon which you enter, is also hard standing, but there are the changing room facilities nestled behind. This was unique in the regard that the two separate wooden huts (You sense a theme to do with nature!) had two separate walkways to the pitch. The final side was the most developed and ,judging by photos I've seen, where the majority of change has happened in recent years. There are two covered seating areas, one wooden (of course) with the other concrete. Beside this is the modest wooden (told you) shed type structure which serves the role of Bar/refreshment hut/directors lounge.
With the scenery and the ground all that would be needed was a decent game and decent game I saw. As mentioned in the opening paragraph this was to be Dorking's first ever game in the competition, and they certainly left their mark, barely leaving first gear as they demolished their underwhelming opponents 5-0. The pick of the bunch was the fourth goal, and audacious shot from 20 yards nestling in the opposite corner to where the shot had come.
As I sat at the station after the match, after posting an obscene number of Instagram photos, I realized that this had been my perfect FA Cup match, despite the small showers. A closer game may have improved things, but I couldn't falter anything, it was the magic of the cup in every essence of the phrase.