A solitary goal from Charlie Plant was enough for Dial to notch their fourth straight win and fourth consecutive clean sheet today (19 Sept) against Dorking Wanderers B at Redding Way.

It was the winger's second goal for The Dial after signing from Knaphill last month, as the hosts managed to avenge their Peter Bentley (League) Cup defeat at the hands of Wanderers just four weeks ago.

Despite the absence of George Frith, Danny Taylor (knee), Daniel Wanyonyi (pulled hamstring), Dial started on the front foot with Ewen Ross curling his shot just wide after good hold-up play from Matt Hinks in the second-minute.

At the other end, Dial goalkeeper George Douglas needed to be on guard to push Blaise Weller’s header around the post seven minutes later to maintain his unblemished record.

Although, there was air of good fortune for Douglas when his clearance from Joseph Apeni’s back pass ricocheted off Weller. Thankfully, it dropped wide of the goal with quarter-of-an-hour played.

As the young Wanderers’ side grew in confidence, Dial managed to get their noses in front through Charlie Plant in the 27th-minute. It was a neat goal from the winger who, with his back to goal, managed to spin off his marker and toe-poke the ball past George Oates - and two goal-line defenders - from three yards to give the hosts the lead.

Adam Aziz could, and arguably should have made it 2-0 shortly before half-time when he dispossessed his marker on the edge of the box, only to cut his shot low and wide of the far post with Oates at full-stretch.

Captain Jimmy Norman also came close to extending Dial’s advantage seven minutes after the break when his signature freekick curled around the wall, but, on this occasion, just wide of the post.

Dan Cenzano almost marked his 100th appearance for The Dial when he muscled his way past two defenders inside the box, before firing just wide of the near post midway through the second half.

The visitors’ best chance of the half fell to Wanderers’ National League South prospect Finley McIntyre, whose shot was blocked late on, as Surrey Hills’ side failed to capitalise on their late possession.

Dial substitute Aidan Doran also nearly marked his belated return to action with a goal, when his volley dropped just over the bar in stoppage time.

In reflection, 1-0 was probably a fair result in a fixture where neither keeper really had shot to save throughout the 90 minutes.

Speaking after the match, Dial boss Steve Brown said: “It was a scrappy game, but that’s what we intended it to be. It was always about the points over the spectacle.

“I’m surprised to see Dorking [Wanderers B] at the foot of the league table. They have a lot of young, quality players among their ranks and work hard, so I expected them to be much higher up.

“Even with a few key players out, I feel that we are in a good place at the moment where we are expected to win.

“The best sides find a way to win even if they don’t play particularly well. Moreover, the vibe in the camp is really good, and long may that continue,” added Brown.

DIAL SQUARE: Douglas, Apeni, Abraham-Barlow, Adeosun, Hayes, Norman, Plant (Cooper), Ewen (Doran), Cenzano (Adjei), Hinks, Aziz (Bankole). Unused sub: Brown

MOTM: Charlie Plant