Dorkinians 1st XI returned to home action with a victory over old league rivals Old Hamptonians. Hamps who now reside in the league below were the visitors to Pixham Lane, with a spot in the next round of the AFA Senior Cup the prize.

Heavy rain throughout the week created a heavy and slow pitch, frustrating both sides intent to move the ball at speed. Dorkinians however managed to navigate the early exchanges the better of the two sides, taking the lead on the twelfth minute when a speculative cross from left-back Toby Pegge found its way into the net after lobbing the retreating Hamps goalkeeper. Hamps however responded almost immediately, as a well won first header was smartly turned home in the second phase by their centre forward.

Unperturbed by conceding against the run of the play, Dorkinians renewed their control of the ball, and were rewarded shortly after the equaliser with their own goal to regain the lead on the eighteenth minute. A deft pass from Dan Rawson took two Hamps players out of the game, releasing the ever-dangerous Phil Robinson into the box, whose low driven cross eventually found the left foot of Pegge to add his second of the day.

Half-time came and went without much more to report. The second period saw the introduction of debutant Cai La Trobe-Roberts, who began to really thread passages of Dorkinians attacks together through his smart runs and interplay from centre-forward. For all their possession and positive intent, Hamps did well to reduce the number of clear chances. However, almost inevitably, it was La Trobe-Roberts who eventually delivered the killer blow, receiving a smart ball from Rawson on the half-turn to beat his man and calmly curl his finish into the far corner, much to the delight of the buoyant home supporters.

Hamps were awarded an incredibly soft penalty late on, which they dutifully converted, but Dorkinians deservedly saw out the game to set up a Round of 16 fixture with Wandsworth Borough in the New Year.

Dorkinians run-in to Christmas sees them first host Old Thorntonians next weekend in the league, before the Saturday after where they will be facing NUFC Oilers in the Quarter Final of the SAL Senior Cup. They conclude the calendar year with a trip to high-flying Step 6 Godalming Town in the 2nd Round of the Surrey FA Premier Cup.