Dorkinians first team navigated safe passage to the next round of the Southern Amateur League Senior Cup with a comfortable victory over Old Lyonians.

Despite a long journey, disrupted warm-up and adverse weather conditions, it was Dorkinians who enjoyed control of the game throughout the 90 minutes. Retreating into a low-block, Lyonians looked to frustrate the Dorkinians side, hoping to pounce on the break when chances presented themselves. Whilst the first half produced limited chances, more space opened up in the second as Dorkinians ascendancy shone through.

The deadlock was broken in the forty-eight minute, with high-pressure from the Dorkinians side forcing a turnover of possession high up the pitch. Tan King slid fellow central midfielder Dan Rawson a through ball, who sent the recovering defender the wrong way with a drop of the shoulder before calmly placing his low shot into the opposite corner past the Lyonians goalkeeper. Relentless in their pursuit of more, Dorkinians continued to isolate the Lyonians attackers, winning the ball back to ensure sustained pressure in Lyonians third. This eventually told in the sixty-eighth minute when the aforementioned and eventual man of the match Rawson forced an error and unselfishly passed into the path of Sam Rowley who’s driven left footed effort found the back of the net.

Substitute Joe Pemberton and the returning Stan Cunningham at the heart of the defence made sure Dorkinians negated threats, intercepting well and helping to build attacks from the back with incisive forward passing. A third and final goal was added late on, as a looping Charlie Woodman corner found its way into the Lyonians net to round off a comprehensive and ultimately fairly comfortable Dorkinians victory.

Dorkinians await confirmation of their opposition for the next round of this competition. In the meantime they will entertain old rivals, Old Hamptonians, in the Amateur Football Alliance Senior Cup Second Round, the most prestigious competition in the Amateur League Network in London.