Dorkinians first team were treated to another new away day this weekend as they travelled to Chiswick to face an in-form NUFC Oilers side. A beautiful playing surface was a welcome sight, matched with equally perfect conditions on a sunny and mild November afternoon.

The sides were a match in lots of ways, adopting the same formations and playing styles, looking to be direct when they needed to be to gain territory higher up the pitch. It was Oilers who took the lead with a smart move from a corner, before they were almost immediately pegged back by an empathic Louis Rosher left footed strike. His second in as many games, assisted beautifully by Sam Rowley, helped to restore parity going into half-time.

Soon after the break it was Oilers who regained the lead, this time through a smart finish from their winger. The lead was doubled not long after as a corner was failed to be cleared by Dorkinians allowing the Oilers captain to nod home easily. Rallying, Dorkinians managed to half the deficit after brilliant work from Andrew Sears-Black, who combined with the aforementioned Rowley. Sears-Black shrugged off a defender to buy himself some space that allowed him to thread a pinpoint through-ball to Rowley who danced pass the ensuing goalkeeper to give Dorks hope.

A barrage of Dorkinians attacks followed on the Oilers goal, with a number of last ditch blocks and near misses to follow, but despite all their efforts Dorkinians just could not pierce the Oilers defence to find an equaliser. Defeat on the road but another incredible example of the quality of the league and a great learning opportunity for the squad to move on with.

Next week the First Team travel across to a more familiar opponent (and venue) as they take on Wandsworth Borough at Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields. They will look to renew what has been a brilliant start to the league campaign in the newly formed SAL Senior Division I.