Cray suffered their first league defeat of the season as Dorking won the battle of the two Wanderers on a soggy afternoon played against the backdrop of some spectacular Surrey scenery.
A lively first half saw Cray mostly in control and led through Jonte Smith’s penalty before the home side levelled through an own goal. Dorking took the lead early in the second half and in fairness didn’t really look like relinquishing the lead maintaining their good start to the season and moving up to second in the table
From the side which grabbed a point at Ramsgate on Tuesday, there were two changes with goalkeeper Jordan Beeny making his first appearance in place of Sam Huxter and Danny Haynes came in for Sean Roberts.
Despite the rain that had fallen since the early afternoon, the game started at a quick pace with both sides looking to play good football.
Cray took the game to the home side but it was Dorking who had the first real opening in the seventh minute when from a corner, James McShane fired over.
A minute later Cray were unlucky when Smith’s played a delicate ball through to Danny Haynes who took a couple of touches to set himself a shooting chance but keeper Slavomir Huk saved well with his legs.
From a free kick out on the right, Solomon Taiwo’s ball into the box was met firmly by the head of Paul Lorraine but his ball across the box was cleared away by Dean Gunner. Karl Dent hit a shot from distance which was fielded by Huk.
Cray came closest yet when Smith found Brandon Scott down the left whose run into the box led to a cross shot pushed away by Huk. For Dorking, McShane was looking lively and he hit a decent shot from distance well fielded by Beeny.
However in the 20th minute, Cray went ahead following the award of a penalty when Smith made a strong run into the box and was brought down by Huk. Smith stepped up to calmly stroke the ball into the net to give Cray the lead.
Dorking came close to scoring from a free kick which found Gunner who fired wide and then another strike by McShane made Beeny get down to save.
Cray were still playing well and Ade Osifuwa put a lovely cross over from the right which no one could get on the end of.
Then Cray came close when Haynes worked his way down the right and his ball across was knocked against a post by Smith.
Dorking though got back into the game in the 38th minute when good build up play down the left by Kev Terry and Anthony Oaks saw the ball come to Dan Evans whose shot appeared to be deflected into the net off Jay Leader but the goal has been credited to Evans.
Before half time, Dent tested Huk with a shot he had to push away but the half ended all square.
Half Time: 1-1
The second half began with Dorking looking a better side and took the lead four minutes after the restart. Matt Briggs played in McShane who struck home a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to score.
Cray were not able after that to impost their game as in previous matches as Dorking cleverly slowed the game down and worked hard to restrict Cray to few opportunities.
For Dorking Oaks, hit a free kick which went straight through the wall and Beeny did well to get down to save. Then a corner from the reached Chris Boulter but his close range effort was blocked by Beeney.
For Cray, from a free kick the ball came to Lea Dawson whose effort was deflected for a corner. Then a chance fell to Scott whose run down the left led to shot which Huk saved comfortably.
From a corner, Taiwo’s cross was headed off target by Lorraine whilst for Dorking, Billy Medlock;s effort was claimed by Beeny.
Dorking were able to keep the ball well and win free kicks and corners whilst Cray whenever they did get possession were not able to play with the same fluency as the first half. The nearest Cray came when from a long throw the ball came to Sean Roberts who fired over.
The last opportunity came to Dorking with Medlock set up by Briggs but his shot was saved by Beeny who did well on his first appearance.
In the end Dorking won the game and look a side who could definitely be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. For Cray, they remain eight points behind the league leaders but very much amongst the chasing pack at this early stage of the season.
Cray: Jordan Beeny, Ade Osifuwa, Timi Osidobu, Jay Leader, Paul Lorraine, Lea Dawson (Capt.), Karl Dent (Sean Roberts.52), Solomon Taiwo (Lee Prescott, 72), Jonte Smith, Danny Haynes (Seedy Njie, 72), Brandon Scott:
Subs: Jai McKinlay, Taylor McDonagh
Dorking: Slavomir Huk, Rob Sheridan, Dean Gunner, Chris Boulter (Capt.), Ben Dyett, Anthony Oaks, Jerome Beckles, Matt Briggs, Kev Terry (Jake Hill, 75), Dan Evans (Billy Medlock, 56), James McShane (Gareth Chendlik, 82).
Subs: Milan Stosavlejevic, Daniel Mahony
Referee: Marc Meeten
Assistants: Lloyd Higgins, Lee Martin-Cramp
Attendance: 105