A young Dorkinians XI made the trip to North London to play against Stonewall FC, Britain’s top ranking gay football team. Dorkinians started with four debutants, one being 16 year old Bradley Williams at centre back, who repaid his selection with an assured performance beyond his years under the guidance of 1st XI centre back, Seth Clenaghan.

The home side had the better of the early exchanges, with the Stonewall left winger outpacing central midfielder George Warne and forcing keeper Lee Shipp to come out sharply to smother the danger. Dorkinians grew into the game and their first opportunity came from another debutant Dane Riecker when after some good work on the left, he cut inside and smashed the crossbar from all of 25 yards. There were few further chances in the first half with the industrious midfield three of Warne, James Ellenger and Marcus Legg backing up Riecker and Tom Gray up front who helped win the ball back for Dorkinians on numerous occasions. Dorkinians ended the half strongly with Legg forcing a good save from the Stonewall keeper as the break approached.

With the scores level at half time, Dorkinians made a couple of changes, calling upon first team regular Oli Wayne alongside Callum Brown, another 16 year old youth product of the Dorkinian set up. Wayne wasted little time making an impact after he latched onto a pass from captain Charlie Woodman, poking the ball round a defender and slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper to give the visitors the lead.

Stonewall reacted well to going a goal down, and if it weren’t for the resolute defending of Jack Wisbey, Clenaghan, Williams and Woodman things could have been different and they nearly were when ex-Dorkinian James Baker had a penalty appeal turned down after rounding Shipp.

Dorkianins second came from a counter attack when some quick footwork and exquisite pass from Liam Hawkins found Brown unmarked in the middle and the first time lob finish had the quality to match the build up.

The only blip of the day came with minutes to go, when Dorkinians could have had a free kick and switched off after a ricochet, momentarily allowing Stonewall to get in behind the back four leaving Shipp stranded.

An excellent game played in good spirits confirmed Dorkinians as an ally of the LGBTQ community.

Dorkinians:
Shipp (gk), Wisbey, Clenaghan, Williams, Woodman (c), Warne, Ellenger, Legg, Hawkins, Riecker (Brown), Gray (Wayne).

(match report from Charlie, photo from Dave Williams)