KING LOUIE THE WANDS’
DORKING Wanderers lost ground on leaders Maidstone after an inspired display by Ebbsfleet’s Louie Moulden denied them victory.
The 20-year-old on-loan Wolves goalkeeper was named man-of-the-match after a string of saves ensured his side picked up a point in a clash between two teams in the top four.
An open start to the game saw both sides flood forward, although it needed a smart stop by Dorking keeper Dan Lincoln to prevent Isaac Philpott heading into his own net from a Craig Tanner corner.
The visitors took the lead on 16 minutes, Callum Kennedy’s cross from the left was never cleared and the ball fell perfectly for James McShane to fire home from 12 yards.
Ebbsfleet were behind for just two minutes, though. Shaquile Coulthirst played the ball of the game with the outside of his right-foot to send Rakish Bingham through on goal and the Fleet striker kept his cool to fire home his 11th of the season.
Coulthirst nearly went from provider to scorer but, having collected Christian N’Guessan’s pass, he was unable to keep his shot down and then the ex-Barnet forward nodded wide from Sido Jombati’s cross.
Ebbsfleet have earned plaudits for their passing game this season but it was Dorking who took control, moving the ball and keeping possession for long
spells as they looked to fashion an opportunity.
One such move nearly restored their lead on 32 minutes but Moulden was down smartly to deny the dangerous Niall McManus, who exchanged passes with Alfie Rutherford to getclear inside the penalty area.
Rutherford’s header from a Darren Oldaker free-kick produced a flying save from Moulden, who then had to save smartly from McShane after two passes created space in the middle of the home defence.
Dorking replaced Oldaker with Luke Moore at half-time but the game followed a similar pattern with the visitors on top.
Kennedy hooked an effort just wide after being left unmarked before McManus’ brilliant turn beat Adam Mekki, only for Moulden to tip over.
Another lovely flowing Dorking move presented McShane
was an opening but Moulden made a one-handed save before denying Bobby-Joe Taylor from the rebound before he saved from McShane and Rutherford.
And Ebbsfleet nearly made them pay. Two substitutes combined as Lee Martin pulled the ball back for leading scorer Dominic Poleon, who saw his effort well saved by Lincoln, before Poleon then shot inches wide from 20 yards.
Dorking welcomed back substitute Jason Prior from injury but he was unable to direct a final chance on target with his head. EBBSFLEET (3-5-2): Moulden 9; Jombati 7, Solly 7, J Martin 6; Paxman 7, Chapman 6, N’Guessan 7, Tanner 6 (Romain 6, 74), Mekki 6 (L Martin 79, 7); Coulthirst 7 (Poleon 60, 7), Bingham 7. Subs not used: Haigh, Wood DORKING (3-5-2): Lincoln 7; Philpott 7, Gallagher 7, Kennedy 8; McManus 8, Fogden 8, Oldaker 6 (L Moore 46, 7), J Taylor 7, B Taylor 7 (Muitt 71, 6); McShane 8, Rutherford 7 (Prior 71, 6). Subs not used: Harris, Rodari
STAR MAN: Louie Moulden (Ebbsfleet) ENTERTAINMENT: