Match Report | Ince inspired turnaround seals 3 points for Cards at Meadowbank

Dorking Wanderers 1-2 Woking
Vanarama National League
Meadowbank Stadium
7th April 2023



After a ten day break from the Barnet game, Darren Sarll made several changes to the side from that night, with the very welcome return of James Daly among them. Billy Sass-Davies retained his place in the starting eleven, alongside Polish U21 international Kacper Lopata, who was making his debut.

Dorking got the game underway in front of a record Meadowbank crowd, with 1300 Cards fans contributing to a buoyant atmosphere.

The first notable chance came after 13 minutes, when a long throw found its way to Dan Gallagher, and he forced Will Jaaskelainen into a good save. After the following corner, Daly was taken out by Luke Moore as he looked to advance into the Wanderers half, earning Moore a booking. Jaaskelainen then had to make another good stop after Jimmy Muitt broke down the Woking left.

Rhys Browne carried the ball down the right-hand side, eventually laying it off to Padraig Amond, but the Irishman’s goal bound effort was well blocked on the line, as the Cards looked to establish a foothold in the game.

An excellent Josh Casey corner was met by Lopata, but he couldn’t direct his header into the back of the net at the far post.

Half time followed, with the score even, a fair reflection of the game. The Cards put together some nice passages but were yet to test Dan Lincoln in the Wanderers goal.

Half-time: Dorking Wanderers 0-0 Woking

It took until the 52nd minute for a chance to come in the second half, as Kyran Lofthouse’s shot was narrowly wide, with Woking looking to put pressure on the Dorking goal, however Dorking had a penalty on 61 minutes, when a long ball caused confusion, and James McShane was taken out by Jaaskelainen. Jason Prior calmly dinked the ball down the middle to give the home side the lead.

Out of absolutely nowhere, from about 30 yards, Rohan Ince took a touch before launching an unbelievable volley over the despairing Lincoln, to the shock of almost everyone inside Meadowbank.

Just three minutes later, a corner from Casey was met by Sass-Davies at the back post and bundled over the line by Ince to complete an unbelievable turnaround, with the Wanderers defence completely shell shocked, sending the 1300 Woking fans jubilant behind the goal.

Substitute Marcus Dackers had a chance to give the Cards a two goal cushion, but a great save from Lincoln kept the Wanderers in it, with Woking looking to exploit open spaces left in the Dorking back line following the second goal from Ince.

However, Woking held on to take a huge step towards the playoffs. No rest for the wicked though, the Cards are back in action on Monday when they host Southend United at the Laithwaite.

Woking: 22 Will Jaaskelainen, 2 Kyran Lofthouse (20 Dackers 62’), 3 Josh Casey, 8 James Daly (15 O’Connell 76’), 10 Padraig Amond, 12 Dan Moss, 14 Rhys Browne, 17 Jim Kellermann, 18 Kacper Lopata (4 Cuthbert 62’), 24 Rohan Ince, 29 Billy Sass-Davies

Unused subs: Craig Ross, Solomon Nwabuokei

Goals: Ince 73’, 76

Bookings: Browne 25’, Jaaskelainen 63’, Ince 64’


Dorking Wanderers: Dan Lincoln, George Francomb, Joe Cook, Tony Craig, Dan Gallagher (B Taylor 83’), Josh Taylor, Luke Moore (Ottaway 74’), Seb Bowerman, Jimmy Muitt (Kuhl 83’) James McShane, Jason Prior.

Unused subs: Ryan Seager, Barry Fuller

Goals: Prior 62’

Bookings: Moore 14’, Craig 30’, Muitt 43’, Cook 94’, McShane 96’

Referee: Gary Parsons
Attendance: 3732 (1350 Woking)
Man of the Match: Rohan Ince turned the game completely on its head, with two goals and an impactful performance from midfield.