Ryman Div One South Play Off FINAL: Dorking Wanderers v Corinthian Casuals

After both teams came out on top in Tuesdays play-off semi-finals, Westhumble opened its doors one final time, to see Dorking Wanderers host Corinthian-Casuals for a place in the Ryman Premier Division. Dorking Wanderers finished the 2016/17 Ryman South campaign with 105 points, level with crowned champions, Tooting & Mitcham United. However, their disadvantageous goal difference was what let automatic promotion slip from their grasp. As for the Casuals, they finished the campaign in 4th position, with 93 points; two points short of 3rd place Greenwich Borough, and 11 points clear of 5th placed Hastings United. 10-man Corinthian’s resiliently fought for their place in the final at Badgers Sports Ground, and despite being 1-nil down in the fourth minute, and one man down in the twentieth minute (Coskun Ekim), were 4-3 winners by FT (v Greenwich Borough). Dorking Wanderers achieved the same score line, however their encounter with Hastings went to penalties, after neither side could find a goal in extra time (AET: 1-1). In the season encounters, it was a win-a-piece, as Dorking won 1-0 at Westhumble (12th November) and Corinthian won 2-0 at King George’s Field (4th March).