No Wembley return for Widdrington: Eastbourne Borough downed by Dorking in FA Trophy

The Sports scored the first and the last of the game’s five goals, and came teasingly close with several other chances. But in between, the hosts pounced on some feeble Boroough defending and found the net three times.

Just five months ago, Tommy Widdrington led his former club Aldershot Town to an FA Trophy triumph, in the brilliant sunshine of a tumultuous Wembley Stadium.

The humbler setting of Dorking’s Meadowbank Stadium, on a murky November Saturday witnessed the end of the Trophy road for his new club.

Highs and lows? Well, yes, but better regarded as triumphs past, and successes yet to come. First priority is National South survival, and Borough’s 2025-26 season will be defined by trips to Hemel and Hampton, to Weston and Worthing.

On Saturday’s evidence, Borough fans should be encouraged. The team still needs surgery and new signings – which we understand are imminent – but there has been an upturn of mood and energy since the change of management. Certainly they showed front-foot pace and positivity, taking and early lead and then staging a vigorous late surge.

The opener, after only six minutes, was a beauty.

Widdrington’s side got off to the perfect start in Surrey. Skipper Laiith Fairnie did well to win a header in midfield and the ball found Corbett, who turned away from one challenge and find space 25 yards out, and he powered a low strike beyond Harrison Foulkes and into the bottom corner.

It was Corbett’s third goal in as many games – and he almost doubled the lead after ten minutes. Mo Sagaf found the playmaker who broke into the area, but his shot was deflected just wide of the near post by Louis Storey.

However, the hosts grew into the half, with Brennan Camp heading a cross just over before they drew level after 16 minutes. James McShane ran onto a ball through down the left and he shifted the ball across to Jimmy Muitt who applied the first-time finish past Jamie Searle for 1-1.

Borough, however, almost produced an instant response. Josh Anifowose saw his shot turned away by Foulkes and the rebound dropped to Pemi Aderoju, but his header from close range was blocked by Storey for a corner.

Just when it seemed the tie would be level going into the break, the hosts went in front. Dennon Lewis and Camp linked up on the right and the former whipped in a low cross which evaded everyone to find the far corner.

And Dorking wasted no time in extending their advantage. Barely 20 seconds after the restart, McShane lifted the ball over the Borough back line and find the run of Josh Taylor who lifted it beyond the advancing Searle and into the net.

Corbett almost halved the deficit shortly afterwards in sublime style – but his free-kick from 30 yards out clipped the top of the bar on its way over.

The Sports pressed in search of a way back into the tie – Corbett had a shot blocked, before Arthur Grout found Aderoju on the edge of the area, but his strike was turned away by the diving Foulkes. Tayt Trusty and Grout then linked up well to find Corbett, and his low ball through played in Anifowose, but Foulkes was off his line well to save at his feet.

Widdrington then made a triple change as Kingsley Anokye, Joey Phuthi and Akinwale came on – and the latter had an instant impact. Phuthi found Grout on the right-hand side, and he stood the ball up to the far post and Akinwale rose to send his downward header into the net.

Borough then piled on the pressure, with Corbett shooting narrowly wide of the bottom corner from outside the area, before Isaac Pitblado found Akinwale in the middle – but he sent his effort the wrong side of the post.

Despite bowing out, there were plenty of positives to take for The Sports – but Dorking ultimately showed their clinical edge.

Widdrington said: “There were a lot of encouraging signs going forward, but the goals conceded – and the manner in which we conceded – were distressing. It’s been really difficult for me, in three and a half weeks, because of the programme of games – and another game this midweek – but we’re going to get there.

“There will be one or two more new faces coming in – and they will be players who I know can get very quickly to the level that I need and expect. But, look, we had a really good first half today – but then to concede within 25 seconds of the restart, we’ve shot ourselves in the foot.

“Dorking are one of the better teams in our division, but we gave it a really good go in that second half and we could have scored three or four more goals. Decision making, or a lack of composure when we get those openings on the pitch – and it’s not the first time I’ve seen that. It’s a recurring issue.”