Mullets continue impressive start

In a gruelling battle played in intense heat, the Mullets ground out yet another dogged result which has seen them rise to fourth place in County League Division 1, with their fourth win from five league matches.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 19th minute.

After Ash Hunter had whipped a dangerous ball into the box, Rob Grove was impeded, which left referee Timothy Hatt no choice but to point to the penalty spot, and Josh Biggs converted the resulting spot-kick to edge his team ahead.

That goal seemed to invigorate Brett Torode’s men and they began to take the game to their opponents, but they could not find a second until just after half-time.

David Walker came on to replace the injured Biggs and with virtually his first touch, he doubled the trouble for Dorking on 53 minutes as he latched on to a ball over the top and hit a powerful left-foot shot beyond the Wanderers keeper.

At 2-0, Mullets were cruising to a third consecutive league win but they were pegged back late on following a second penalty decision of the afternoon with 10 minutes to go.

Arundel keeper James Fernandes was adjudged to have fouled a Dorking player in the area when he punched clear a corner.

He managed to save the first penalty, only for the referee to order a retake for encroachment. This outraged the Arundel players but despite David Boosey managing to find the net second time around, they survived the remaining minutes to hold on for all three points.

Torode was full of praise for his players and said: “I’m very pleased with that.

“We had to work hard for it and at times it was a backs to the wall job, especially when they scored so late but I’m happy that we saw it out as Dorking is a difficult place to come.

“If we keep nicking games here and there by the odd goal like we are doing, we could do a lot better than we expected before the season started.”

Mullets entertain Kent League Premier Division side Deal Town in the FA Vase second-qualifying round on Saturday, before travelling to Selsey in the league on Tuesday.

ARUNDEL: Fernandes; Da Costa, Hall, Windsor, Hunter; Peake, Grove, Campbell, R.Biggs; J.Biggs, Warr. Subs: D.Walker (J.Biggs 50), A.Biggs (R.Biggs 80), Herbert, Jenkins, Joseph.