Goals: McShane 26′, 49′; Sole 53′; Chendlik 74′, 75′ – Andrews 13′; Loaring 45’.

Guernsey have officially gone all of 2016 without winning an away game after a Boxing Day defeat to league leaders Dorking Wanderers.

It was a less than ideal start for the Green Lions when Alex Le Prevost gave away a penalty in the first few minutes of the game but there was a reprieve when Guiseppe Sole stepped up and dragged it wide of Jordan Kelly’s goal.

The league leaders started confidently and dictated the early stages of the contest but it was Guernsey who took the lead after 13 minutes.

Andrews did well to win the ball back on the edge of the box and then looked to turn defence in to attack. He ran the length of the pitch, cut inside and picked out Loaring who quickly got a shot away. The goalkeeper parried, but only as far as Andrews who had showed great anticipation to continue his run, scoring his fourth Guernsey goal.

James McShane levelled for Dorking, the lively Matt Briggs burst forward and played a reverse pass to pick out McShane who finished first time, just after the midway point of the first half. A confident finish from McShane, his 13th league goal of the season. 

Guernsey responded well and continued to work hard to restrict Dorking’s clearcut chances. Andrews tried an audacious shot from distance and nearly picked out the top corner but Huk was alert to the dangerous and gathered the ball to spare his blushes. Andrews turned provider on the stroke of half-time. He showed great desire to chase down a long ball and drew in the foul near the corner flag. Andrews stepped up to take the free kick and delivered a terrific ball finding the head of Loaring, who lost his marker and found the back of the net.

Guernsey, who have been guilty of shooting themselves in the foot on the road this season, nearly did it again and had Kelly to thank for their lead at half-time. Guernsey gave away a second penalty moments after taking the lead, Rihoy with the trip. Sole stepped up to take his second penalty of the afternoon but was this time superbly denied by Kelly who got down quickly to save with a strong hand.

Dorking came out the blocks strong in the second half and got the equaliser within two minutes of the restart when Kelly did his best to tip McShane’s close range attempt over the bar but was unable to prevent the ball from dropping in to the back of his net.

Guernsey almost found the perfect reply when Rihoy’s stunning shot cannoned off the crossbar and looked to have crossed the line, Dorking cleared only as far as De La Mare who saw his first-time shot cleared for a corner. From the corner Guernsey felt they should have had a penalty for what looked liked a clear handball. This proved to be the turning point of the game, within a minute of Guernsey nearly retaking the lead Dorking punished them with a brilliant counterattack, the pacy Briggs released Sole who produced a good finish at the near post. This time making no mistake after failing to convert two penalties. 

The dangerous Andrews has forced for with twenty minutes to go after picking up a knock, he was replaced by sixteen-year-old Gauvain. Vance took the opportunity to make a double substitution with Steel replacing De La Mare who had put in a good shift for his team. However, It was a Dorking substitute that made an immediate impact to put the game beyond Guernsey. Chedlik scored moments after coming on, Geall put under pressure and lost the ball, an inviting cross was delivered and Chedilk tapped in at the near post with his first touch. Less than a minute later he was on the score sheet again – this time with a slice of fortune, his mishit shot looped over Kelly making it Dorking 5-2 Guernsey with fifteen minutes still on the clock.

In the last few minutes of the game Kelly saved well with his legs to deny Dorking further extending their lead.

The winless run away from home continues but Vance will draw strength from the excellent work rate and lots of positive performances against the league leaders. Guernsey slip to 21st. Up next is back-to-back home games against Corinthian-Causals on Friday night and South Park on Monday.

Dorking Wanderers: Slavomir Huk, Rob Sheridan, Dean Gunner (c) Dean Hamlin (Thomas Hamilton 82′), Ben Dyett, Jake Beecroft, Jerome Beckles, Matt Briggs, Guiseppe Sole (Gareth Chendlik 73′), Sam Beard (William Hearn 80′), James McShane. 

Booked: Hamlin.