Dorking Wanderers (red and white): 1. Palmer 2. Hamlin 3. Sheridan 4. Ray 5. Beckles 6. Pearse (O’Neil) 7. Pinnock (Summerfield) 8. Briggs 9. Sole 10. Tolfrey (Chendlik) 11. McShane
Manager: Marc White
Dulwich Hamlet (pink and blue) 1. Edwards 2. Weatherstone 3. Shaw 4. Kargbo 5. Hayles (Dumaka) 6. Chambers 7. Clunis. 8. Beaney 9. Boakye-Yiadom (Carew) 10. Ferguson (Onovwigum) 11. Ming
Manager: Gavin Rose
Formations
Dulwich Hamlet set up in their familiar 3-4-2-1 formation. Kargbo and captain, Beaney sat in front of the back three which gave wing-backs Shaw and Ming several opportunities to get forward. Hat-trick hero against Hastings United, Boakye-Yiadom was rewarded with a start and just behind him were Ferguson and Clunis.
Interestingly, Dorking Wanderers also played with a back 3 in a 3-5-2 formation but Sole played deep so the system became a 3-5-1-1. Dorking’s player of the month, Briggs started at wing back which was a new role for the sought after winger. Beckles played in front of the back three and alongside him in a 3-man midfield were Pearse and McShane. Dorking Wanderers usually line up with a back four but against a side tipped for promotion, they matched up formation wise. They also planned to exploit Dulwich with an extra man in midfield.
Dulwich’s pressing
Marc White has talked about Dorking’s passing game and how they have struggled against teams pressing them this season. This game was another clear example. Dulwich were excellent at not providing Dorking players any time on the ball and reducing their threat. Consequently, Dorking lost possession on many occasions and what Dulwich did excellently was block off passing angles. This meant that Dorking had a lack of options to distribute the ball when in possession. Despite Dorking having a spare man in midfield they didn’t get the opportunities mainly due to Ferguson dropping deep to deal with Beckles (see below).
Dulwich’s Ferguson sticking tight to Beckles
Wing-backs
Dulwich were extremely well organised and were a huge aerial threat especially Hayles who scored an early goal from a Ferguson corner. As the game wore on it was clear that both sides liked their wing-backs to get forward. This left spaces on the wings especially for Shaw and Ming to get forward. With Briggs and Pinnock high up, Dulwich managed to get joy down the flanks and Ming created a couple of chances which weren’t converted.
Ming receiving the ball with space ahead
Briggs and Sole between the lines
Due to Dulwich’s pressing, Dorking’s defence and midfield struggled to find Briggs. This avenue had already brought Dorking numerous goals this season especially against Met Police and Worthing at Westhumble. Dulwich had done their homework though and efficiently carried out their game plan by blocking off this passing option.
Dorking’s opportunities occurred when they beat the press and found either McShane or Sole between the lines. Sole had a great chance in the 2nd half when he found space between the defence and midfield but blasted wide.
Many of Dulwich’s chances came from their pressing and they forced many turnovers which then caught Dorking out of shape. Beckles especially suffered from this pressing as mentioned above. A way of beating the press is long balls to the forwards but with Dorking’s lack of height this wasn’t an option that they had. Despite a couple of chances for Dorking, Dulwich were comfortable and saw the game out 1-0.
Conclusion
Dorking tactically had the right plan but just came up against a very efficient Dulwich side. They matched Dulwich’s system and tried to benefit from an extra man in midfield. Due to Dulwich’s pressing though, Dorking struggled to get Briggs in the game or reach players such as McShane or Sole between the lines. Dorking are still blending in new players and will need to find ways of beating this press in future games against quality opposition. Dulwich were very impressive, well organised, strong, and excellent at pressing and with fast quality wing backs. They have had a tough start to the season but are quietly moving up the table.
Between the Lines 