A LATE goal from Dan Cenzano gave Dial a 2-1 win away to Cranleigh on the opening day of the Surrey Premier County Football League on Saturday (24 August).

The former Real Sociedad youth came off the bench to secure the points for Steve Brown's side after George Lawrence had given Dial a 71st-minute lead.

Dial were without several key players for the trip to Snoxhall, most notably captain Will Neville, Andy Rider and new signing Dylan Averiss, with Louie Rogers and Matt Hayes both sidelined through injury. However, Brown was pleased to welcome back influential winger Jordan Carter and experienced shot-stopper Richard Ossai.

Ben Vassell came close to giving Dial an early lead when he linked up well with Charlie Marshall, only to see his shot go wide of the far post.

Shortly after, James Vass’ half-volley was charged down for a corner, before Marshall’s shot-on-the-turn was blocked from six yards out.

At the other end, Ossai dived low to push Joe Barnes’ shot around the post, before Marshall was denied again; this time by Joe Hurel, who raced out of his goal to thwart the striker on the half-hour mark.

However, Dial thought they had taken a 36-minute lead when Carter’s 20-yard shot deflected off Marshall past Hurel, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Cranes’ midfielder Harry Nicholas then passed up a great opportunity when he fired wide of the target on the cusp of half-time.

It was déjà vu after the break when Carter dragged his shot wide of the far post. Ossai then pulled off a stunning Gordon Banks-esque save to thwart Sam Nicholson’s header from close range.

A change of personnel midway through the second half added some much-needed potency to Dial's attacking play, which culminated in Lawrence finally breaking the deadlock on 71 minutes.

Although, the jubilations were short-lived when Kieran Hargreaves equalised from close range 90 seconds after the restart.

And Ted Reeves’ mazy run from inside his own-half almost made it two four minutes later, but The Cranes’ midfielder's shot failed to hit the target.

The miss proved costly when Cenzano popped up with a signature 25-yard piledriver six minutes from time to give Dial all-three points.

Speaking after the match, Brown said: “We were a long way from our best against Cranleigh. I thought our game management at times was off and we didn’t move the ball around with the fluidity I expected. However, if you told me that we would win 2-1 before the game, I would have taken it.

“Credit to Cranleigh, they were good value for their performance and may feel slightly aggrieved that they didn’t get something from the game. Thankfully, George [Lawrence] and Dan [Cenzano] pulled two great goals out of the bag. I also thought Ozzy (Richard Ossai) was superb in goal to stop several clear goalscoring opportunities,” he added.

DIAL SQUARE: Ossai, Bicknell (Rose-Davies, 53’), Vassell, Phillips, Vass, Bunyan ©, Carter, Fortune (Linturn, 61’), Rice, Lawrence (Woolgar, 74’), Marshall (Cenzano, 61’). Unused Sub. Jennings

Man of the Match: Richard Ossai