Dorking Wanderers had luck on their side to edge a tight encounter against Hungerford Town. Akinwale Odimayo's own goal was the difference in a game of few clear cut chances. After a two week break Ian Herring made four changes to the side that lost to Welling. James Constable was a surprise omission from the starting eleven with Kofi Halliday taking his place. James Rusby replaced the injured Louis McGrory in the holding midfield role whilst Marcus Johnson-Schuster started at right back ahead of Matt Berry-Hargreaves. Dan Bailey came into midfield with Matt Jones making way.
It was a frantic start to the match with the ball rarely glued to the floor on the hosts artificial surface. Striker Jason Prior was the first to test visiting keeper Adam Siviter with a long range attempt. Quickly after Jack Barham and James McShane came within a foot of the opening goal as the hosts started to gain a firm foothold on proceedings. Despite the possession the Crusaders were defensively organised with captain Taofiq Olomowewe particularly impressive in central defence. Olomowewe also had the visitors first big chance. Joe Tomlinson's corner flicked on by Yan Klukowski found the defender in space but he couldn't convert the effort on target. With the half seemingly drifting out to a goalless conclusion Dorking took the lead. Matthew Briggs surged down the outside and found McShane unmarked, his shot tricked in off the shins of Odimayo.
The one-nil lead didn't open the floodgates as the visitors still defended resolutely giving the hosts few to no chances on goal in the second period. McShane and Jake Gallagher both had shot's blocked inside the penalty area though Siviter went untroubled. At the other end Joe Tomlinson also had an attempt blocked as Hungerford started to dictate play. Dorking turned to a counter attacking approach with Tom Richards flying an effort past a post. Their was still time for one last opportunity for Hungerford with Odimayo on the end of a Tomlinson free kick. For the first time Slavomir Huk was called into action although it was a comfortable save. However the Crusaders could've had a penalty when Liam Ferdinand went down in the box. With just six minutes to play that proved a crucial moment as Dorking hung on for the three points.
Another good performance, for not the first time this season, went unmerited. Attention now turns to Saturday when Hungerford travel to Concord Rangers.