Wanderers brought a halt to their winless league streak in 2023 this past Tuesday night by clinching all three points against Torquay United under the lights at Meadowbank. Unlucky not to take maximum points in the reverse fixture at Plaimoor back in November when the sides contested a 3-3 draw, Tuesday’s game was a similarly entertaining affair, Wanderers this time coming from behind through the course of the second half to win 3-2. James McShane’s 17th goal of the season opened the scoring in the 6th minute, ‘Macca’ once again in the right place at the right time to finish off a flowing attacking move, but despite Wanderers going on to take command of the contest for much of the remainder of the half, the visitors managed to get in front with two goals either side of the interval. A wonder strike from Aaron Jarvis, finding the top left corner from range, restored parity just before half-time, and within 30 seconds of the restart, Tom Lapslie intercepted play in midfield and strode forward, linking with Tope Fadahunsi at the edge of the Wanderers box before tucking the ball into the bottom corner from several yards out, right in front of the away end where many of the 400+ travelling supporters up from Devon were gathered behind the goal. Within just a few minutes though, The Gulls were reduced to 10 men; midfielder Kieron Evans receiving a second yellow card for a dangerous challenge on George Francomb just in front of The Stongate Homes Stand. Marc White then freshened his side up with a double substitution approaching the hour, introducing Jimmy Muitt and Harry Ottaway, and inside just 7 minutes of entering play, the duo combined twice to get Wanderers back in front. It was almost ‘copy and paste’ as Muitt found Ottaway with crosses from the right flank, the striker planting back-to-back downward headers beyond Gulls keeper Mark Halstead to ultimately seal the victory for Wanderers in front of a buoyant Meadowbank crowd.

This Saturday’s game in Wales is the first of two away fixtures in the space of four days for Wanderers against play-off chasing opposition, the game against Wrexham followed up this coming Tuesday night with a trip to Hertfordshire to take on Boreham Wood. Ahead of returning back to Meadowbank next Saturday to host Halifax Town as March’s busy schedule gets under way, Marc White will no doubt be hoping his side can maintain the confidence and continue the momentum provided by their first win in six league matches, the points differences at the lower end of the table subsequently tightened up as a result of Wanderers victory and other results on Tuesday’s matchday, including Gateshead defeating Oldham Athletic and Maidenhead United beating Yeovil Town.

Before kick-off on Tuesday night, recently announced US-based Wanderers board members Kyle and Rob Shestack were introduced to supporters, please click below to read more about Rob and Kyle, who will both be attending Saturday’s game against Wrexham!

Team News

One low point from Tuesday night’s win was George Francomb picking up a hamstring injury during the second half, the former Crawley Town man expected to be out for a couple of weeks. Barry Fuller (knock), Niall McManus (post-leg injection) and Nicky Wheeler (knee) will all remain absent from Saturday’s trip, whilst Jason Prior is a doubt after picking up a minor knock during the week. Marc White has confirmed that Joe Cook will likely be back in the matchday squad after recovering from his recent injury.

Opposition Focus: The Red Dragons

Wrexham and Notts County are contesting a title-race for the ages at top of the National League this season , the very impressive consistency of form from both sides at the top creating a minimum 17 point gap back to 3rd placed Woking. Notts lead the way with 83 points accrued from 34 games played, Wrexham just behind on 78 points but from 32 games. Neither side have lost a league game on home turf so far this campaign and both share the least number of goals conceded in the division – 30 – along with Southend United and Boreham Wood. In terms of goals scored, County lead the way on 88, five ahead of Wrexham on 83.

Phil Parkinson’s side have only dropped points once since the start of December, sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw against Woking at The Racecourse Ground earlier this month, although Aldershot Town nearly held The Red Dragons to a draw last Saturday afternoon in Hampshire, striker Sam Dalby breaking Shots hearts deep in stoppage time to secure a 3-4 last gasp win. A Paul Mullin brace this past Tuesday evening secured a more comfortable win back on home soil as Wrexham saw off Scunthorpe United 2-0.

The strong run of form through this winter period has included Wrexham carving out a memorable journey in the FA Cup. Defeats of Blyth Spartans, Oldham Athletic and Farnborough proceeded a highly entertaining 3-4 defeat over Coventry City away in the 3rd round stage, before The Red Dragons nearly took down another Championship side in Round 4, drawing 3-3 at home to Sheffield United, the Yorkshire side winning the replay 3-1 at Bramall Lane 10 days later.

Paul Mullin was the highest scorer in the National League last season, netting 28 times including the play-off semi-final against Grimsby Town, and the striker is already on 26 so far this term, second in the overall standings behind Notts County’s Macauley Langstaff on 32. Strike partner Ollie Palmer is on 14 and and defender Aaron Hayden, a major threat from set pieces, has bagged 11 this season. The goals are well spread throughout the side and in the past 24 hours Phil Parkinson has added further quality to his attacking options with the signing of winger Ryan Barnett from Solihull Moors on Friday afternoon.

Earlier This Season

Wrexham inflicted Wanderers heaviest defeat of the campaign so far in the reverse fixture at Meadowbank back in early September, running out 0-5 winners. Phil Parkinson’s side were in clinical form as close range finishes from Ollie Palmer either side of Jacob Mendy’s superb curling finish and a Luke Moore own goal had The Red Dragons four goals to the good with less than an hour played, substitute Elliott Lee adding the fifth just over ten minutes from time.

Key Matchday Info

KICK-OFF: 3pm

TICKET PRICES: Adults £21 / Over 65/U21s £16 / U18s £9 / Under 11’s £5
AVAILABLE HERE: https://tinyurl.com/wrexhamvdorkingawayfans

THE WANDERERS SUPPORTERS COACH DEPARTS FROM DORKING HIGH STREET AT 8AM!
Tickets Still Available Here, Priced At Just £20!
https://dwfc-online-shop.myshopify.com/collections/away-travel/products/wrexham

MATCH UPDATES:
Matchday updates will be running on our Twitter page throughout the afternoon (@DorkingWDRS)

GETTING TO THE RACECOURSE GROUND:
https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/club/the-racecourse-ground/

Elsewhere Around The Wanderers This Weekend

The Wanderers Ladies booked their place in the semi-finals of the Capital Cup last Sunday afternoon with a 0-2 win over Richmond & Kew at Ham Playing Fields, Cherrelle Khassal opening the scoring near the end of the first half before an own goal doubled Wanderers advantage not long after the break. London Seaward Reserves now await in the penultimate stage of the competition the Ladies won last season, but this coming Sunday attention will switch back to the league campaign as Dulwich Hamlet Reserves visit Meadowbank in a 15:30 kick off at Meadowbank.

With wins against Roffey, South Park and Broadbridge Heath under their belt so far this season, the DWFC Vets face an early season top of the table clash this Sunday at home against West Chiltington FC Vets, a 2pm kick off at Carrington School.

The latest episode of Talking Wanderers was released on Friday, and is the perfect accompaniment for this weekend’s trip to Wrexham! Host James Lampard speaks to Wanderers new US board members, Rob and Kyle Shestack, as well as chatting to long serving Wrexham commentator, Disney’s Mark Griffiths.

Episode 6 of Talking Wanderers is available to download now via Apple, Google, Spotify and the DWFC App, plus available for viewing over on the club’s official YouTube channel