Following a bye in the first round, Dorkinians found themselves facing a tricky final fixture of the 2025 calendar year, with a midweek trip to high-flying Godalming Town in the Surrey Premier Cup. The competition pits Amateur teams like ourselves against semi-pro sides, with Godalming essentially occupying the ‘highest-rank’ or favourites title sitting top of the Southern Combination Division I, having lost only once this season. Given the disparity in coaches, training, budgets and availability, that always proves problematic in these games for a side who only play weekends, this fixture looked like it might prove a stretch too far for Dorkinians.

Despite the challenges, a rotated Dorkinians side competed in the early exchanges with devastating intensity for the opposition. Call-ups for Steve Harcombe from the reserves, and Ally Wise, returning from University, would prove to be masterstrokes from the selection panel. It was Wise who ended up opening the scoring, with his left-footed strike finding the roof of the net, following excellent work from Phil Robinson and an uncleared whipped in ball from fullback Jack Wisbey.

Dorkinians continued to set the tone of the game, winning the battle in the middle of the pitch before allowing their quality to shine through further forward. The aforementioned Harcombe, alongside Jonny Walton, Charlie Woodman and Toby Pegge were imperious in their one to one battles, breaking down any reasonable chances Godalming would try to fashion. This resilience eventually paid off, as following yet more incredible dribbling from Phil Robinson it was Tan King’s turn to add a second. His rocket of a weak foot effort left the Godalming keeper no chance as it sailed into the far top corner from 25 yards out.

Half-time came and went, with the game further breaking down. Godalming came out with a renewed vigour, and wrestled more control of the ball in the second period. Dorkinians were forced to soak up pressure, buoyed by their loyal travelling support from the stands, where the poor pitch conditions and strong wind precluded opportunities to break lines. Substitute Liam Hawkins joined the fray, to help try and link up better counter attacks and release the pressure the Dorkinians defensive unit was feeling. On the seventy-eight minute, via a speculative lofted ball forward from Walton, the game was secured when Wise cleverly got the right side of his man before unleashing a clean strike into the far corner of the net past the ensuing opposition goalkeeper.

Late on in added time Godalming were awarded a penalty, that was despatched by their striker, but it proved too late to mount a real comeback. This victory marks yet another remarkable win in this competition, following emphatic results against first Whyteleafe FC in 2023, and Frimley Green in 2024. Each instance, alongside the wins by fellow amateur sides across the competition, demonstrate the quality and respect that should be paid to sides who despite their perceived status, are more than a match for budgeted, semi-pro outfits.

With that win, Dorkinans secure safe passage to the quarter-finals of the competition, where they set-up a cracker of a fixture with holders Nottsborough. It’s been an incredible first four months of the season for the team, with fourteen wins, two draws and only two losses since the beginning of fixtures back in August. Sitting second in the league with a game in hand on the league leaders, and in the final sixteen, eight and four of each cup respectively, there is a lot to be excited about for 2026 for those tricky Chicks.