RUTHLESS RAVENS ADD TO MISERY OF WANDS

DORKING Wanderers’ survival hopes were dealt a another major blow after play-off contenders Bromley came away with maximum points from Meadowbank.

Michael Cheek’s 20th goal of the season put the Ravens in front before a well-taken header from Callum Reynolds 15 minutes from time ultimately made sure of the win for Andy Woodman’s side.

“Dorking threw a lot at us, we had to defend well at times,” Woodman said with his side in third, two points off Barnet.

“Both sides had good chances, we definitely could have put the game to bed earlier on in the second half, but credit to the team for grinding out a win and clean sheet on the road at tough place to play.

“It’s an important three points for us at this stage of the season.”

After a cagey start, Bromley took the lead in the 14th minute with the first real effort of the game. Tidy link-up play just outside the Dorking penalty area resulted in Olufela Olomola slipping the ball into the path of Cheek, who calmly slotted past Harrison Male.

Seeking a quick leveller, Bobby-Joe Taylor was unlucky no-one in red and white could steer home his low cross drilled across the face of goal, and Niall McManus managed to sting the palms of goalkeeper Lewis Thomas with a strike soon after.

But it was Bromley who went closest to scoring next as Male produced excellent back-to-back saves to deny the industrious Corey Whiteley and then Cheek from point-blank range.

Wands boss Marc White responding by making attacking changes at the break, introducing both Jimmy Muitt and Alfie Rutherford after the restart, but the contest continued to remain fairly even.

Around the hour mark, the Wanderers woodwork was rattled twice in quick succession as Bromley built momentum – Olamola just about getting the ball out from under his feet to strike the outside of the post before Cheek nodded against the crossbar following a scramble inside the box.

Male tipped Ashley Charles’ swerving strike over the bar as the pressure continued, and the Ravens doubled their advantage on 74 minutes – Reynolds heading Idris Odutayo’s corner back across goal to find the far corner of the net.

Dorking upped the ante and spurned good chances as Rutherford dragged a shot wide of target, before Thomas produced the save of the game tipping Rutherford’s drive from just outside the six box around the post.

Defeat ultimately left the Wands second bottom, five points from safety and White groaned: “I felt we were really poor in the last third.

“After a tight first half we went too direct in the second which played into Bromley’s hands, and if it had not been for Harrison in goal it could have been a more convincing win for them.”