Josh Doe put in an inspired performance yesterday, as Dial Square went to the top of the table with a 2-1 home victory over a Virginia Water ‘Reserves’.

After last week’s frustrating draw with Laleham, the team were quick to put things right and did so against probably the best team they’ve faced since last season.

From the outset, it was clear that the opposition were well organised and played with a plan, finding plenty space down Dial’s left-hand side. This outlet allowed chances and a fair few of them for the Virginia Water outfit.

A couple of crosses saw Zach called into action and one save in particular from Harry Brooks’ header, was superb.
Brooks squandered another chance minutes later when unmarked in the box and having the whole goal to aim at, sent his header off target.

Joe Mcrobb battled well at left-back and was winning many tackles as the visitors pressed forward for an opener, but he and the Dial defence had no answer to Harry Brooks’ best effort of the half, when he cut inside and unleashed a 25 yard strike which cannoned off the crossbar, with Zach well beaten.

Dial Square started to fight back and by holding great shape, started to look threatening themselves. Josh Doe & Aidan Phillips were inspirational in their tackles and with George on the wing, were managing to put some good passing moves together.

With 5 minutes of the first-half remaining, in what was a very tough and intriguing contest, it was Dial Square who took the lead! Josh Doe collected the ball from distance, carried it forward beating two men and hit a spectacular strike from outside the box, to send the record crowd for Dial Square wild.

Against all odds, the home side somehow found themselves 2-0 up at the break, when George Lawrence finished neatly from inside the area, after the referee had signalled 4 minutes of injury time!

The second-half was more of the same. Great shape and discipline from both sides saw chances either way. It has to be said Dial Square did look comfortable overall and Brad Pegg and Ed Mckinlay looked good as a centre-back pairing throughout the afternoon.

A clean-sheet would’ve been well deserved but as luck would have it, it wasn’t to be. Reece Probert added a consolation deep, deep into injury time when his shot was deflected over Zach, into the top corner. Fortuitous to say the least, but on balance, a goal deserved for their efforts during the afternoon.

So, Dial Square sit top of the league after Farncombe slipped to defeat to Laleham, 1-0. There’s now a massive chance for the side to stamp their authority in the title race next week, as they travel to Farncombe, in what will be a huge game for the club.

#DialSquareReborn