Ganja FC welcomed Dorking Wanderers to the London Stadium on 5th August 2023 for a league home match that kicked off at 3:00pm. The home side delivered a commanding performance, securing a resounding 4-1 victory over their opponents in front of 7,587 fans.
Ganja FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Jerk Chicken took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Viren Mistry and Jamie Blanchard as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Tyrone Mings and Bob Marley forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Christopher Cousins and Levi Roots operated as the two central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo and linking play. Ahead of them, Reyhan Malik and Aarav Chopra occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles, while Frank Brown played centrally behind the lone striker, Michail Antonio, who was expected to lead the line with his pace and finishing ability.
The substitutes for Ganja FC included Kagoro Pasipamire, Jehu Agyenim-Boateng, and Leon Bailey, who would be called upon later in the match to provide fresh legs and tactical adjustments.
The match began with an explosive start as Michail Antonio opened the scoring for Ganja FC in just the fifth minute, capitalising on a defensive mistake from Dorking Wanderers. Antonio's right-footed strike set the tone for what would be a dominant display from the home side.
As the first half progressed, Ganja FC continued to apply pressure, and their efforts paid off again in the 34th minute. Antonio struck once more, this time lobbing the ball over the Dorking goalkeeper after receiving a perfectly timed long pass from Frank Brown. With a two-goal cushion, Ganja FC went into the half-time break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The second half commenced with Ganja FC looking to extend their advantage. In the 55th minute, Reyhan Malik made it 3-0, showcasing his individual brilliance with a solo goal, assisted by a short pass from Antonio. However, just a minute later, Dorking Wanderers responded with a goal of their own, finding the net from inside the box to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
The match took a more heated turn in the 65th minute when a yellow card was issued, indicating rising tensions on the pitch. Ganja FC made their first substitutions shortly after, with Kagoro Pasipamire replacing Levi Roots in the 56th minute, followed by Jehu Agyenim-Boateng coming on for Jamie Blanchard and Leon Bailey replacing Reyhan Malik in the 66th minute.
The home side continued to assert their dominance, and in the 67th minute, Frank Brown added a fourth goal for Ganja FC, finishing confidently with his left foot from inside the box. This goal effectively sealed the match, leaving Dorking Wanderers with little chance of a comeback.
As the final whistle blew, Ganja FC celebrated a well-deserved 4-1 victory, with Michail Antonio earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, contributing to three of the four goals. The result not only boosts Ganja FC's confidence but also sets a strong precedent for the rest of the season.
