Match preview: Dorking Wanderers (H)

Tomorrow, Luke Garrard’s men host Dorking Wanderers in a Vanarama National League South Play-Off Eliminator, kicking off at 19:45.

Last season for the Wanderers

It was a season to forget for Dorking Wanderers, as they suffered the first relegation in their history. A disappointing record of 12 wins, nine draws and 25 defeats saw them finish 23rd in the Vanarama National League, resulting in a return to the sixth tier for the 2024/25 season.

Form Guide

Marc White’s side currently find themselves on a strong run of form heading into the play-offs. Wanderers ended the regular season fifth in the form guide, after three wins and three draws in their previous six outings. As well as the impressive results, this six-game run has also included an average of over two goals per game, bettered only by Worthing and Wood, and they were the only team not to suffer defeat in their previous six games.

In Wanderers’ previous fixture, they ran out 2–0 winners over 13th-placed Chesham United at Meadowbank. Although the hosts dominated the majority of the game, it took until the 70th minute to find an opener, with James McShane scoring his first goal since returning from his ACL injury. Ex-Crawley Town striker Rhys Murphy’s 80th-minute finish rounded off a strong end to the season heading into the play-offs.

Last Time We Met

Dorking Wanderers secured a 1–0 victory over Wood, with Jason Prior’s decisive strike just after half-time proving the game’s turning point and sealing all three points. Both sides started brightly, creating early chances through Tom Whelan, Charlie Carter and Junior Dixon, while Kwesi Appiah twice forced excellent saves from Wanderers keeper Harrison Foulkes.

However, it was Prior’s deflected effort, which wrong-footed Nathan Ashmore, that ultimately settled the contest. After taking the lead, Dorking controlled possession as Wood struggled to find a response. Substitutes Matt Rush and Abdul Abdulmalik offered some late threat, but Foulkes stood firm before Tom Whelan’s stoppage-time red card compounded Wood’s misery.

One to Watch

Non-league veteran Jason Prior will be a key player to watch tomorrow afternoon. The Dorking Wanderers legend has been a leading figure across two spells at the club, making over 200 appearances, scoring more than 100 goals, and contributing to two promotions over six years. This season, the Wanderers’ talisman has scored 13 goals in the Vanarama National League South, with three of those coming against Wood earlier in the campaign.

The Wood

Luke Garrard’s side enter the play-offs top of the form guide, after a superb end to the regular season with five wins from their previous five matches. As well as good form, Wood have also been on an incredible goalscoring run, netting 17 goals in their past five outings, including four away at Slough Town and four at home to Enfield. This run will put Wood among the favourites heading into the play-offs, although to progress to the next round, they must defeat a strong Dorking side, who we have not beaten since February 2023.

In our previous outing, Wood earned their final three points of the season against 17th-placed Tonbridge Angels at Longmead Stadium. A professional performance saw Wood two goals ahead at the break, after first-half goals from Matt Rush and Charles Clayden. Femi Ilesanmi’s 49th-minute finish put the result beyond doubt, despite Jack Wood’s 70th-minute consolation for the hosts.

Pre-match interview

Ticket information

Ticket information for tomorrow afternoon’s fixture can be found here.

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