For the first time in the league since late November, Wanderers kept a clean sheet on Saturday afternoon after drawing 0-0 with FC Halifax Town, a first goalless draw for Wanderers outside the cup competitions since way back in February 2020 when Bath City were the visitors to Meadowbank in the National League South. Acknowledged by both manager’s post-match as ‘a game of two halves’, man of the match Dan Lincoln produced some top class saves throughout but particularly in the first half to keep Wanderers in the contest come half-time, the introduction of Luke Moore and Harry Ottaway just after the restart and a more direct approach bringing Wanderers right back into the game but neither side could ultimately find a breakthrough in front of goal.

The point shifted Wanderers up a place in the league standings to 19th spot, two points and two places above the relegation zone, although the sides directly beneath them, Yeovil Town and Gateshead, do have a game in hand each.

Tickets for Tuesday’s game are onsale now at the below link, priced at Adults £16, Concessions £13, U18s £8 and U8s £4. Don’t forget our family offer where two adults and two children can watch the Wanderers for £35!

https://dorkingwanderersfc.ktckts.com/event/dor2223h20/barnet-fc

Team News

Marc White has acknowledged his side face a crisis in the winger department ahead of Tuesday’s game, with Jimmy Muitt joining the list of players in that area of the pitch currently recovering from injuries after rolling his ankle over the weekend. Seb Bowerman (hamstring) is a doubt for the match, whilst Nicky Wheeler (knee) and Matt Briggs (hamstring) are not likely to return for at least another week.

George Francomb is not too far away from returning as he looks to overcome the hamstring injury suffered against Torquay United, and Ed Harris will be pushing to be involved on Tuesday night after not being included in the matchday squad on Saturday.

Following the loan moves of Jordan Cheadle to Dulwich Hamlet and Adam Mekki to Bath City last month, midfielder Jack Jebb has also headed out on loan to the National League South, joining up with Havant & Waterlooville until the end of the season. Making his debut on Saturday as ‘The Hawks’ drew 1-1 at home to Cheshunt, we wish Jack all the best for the rest of this season.

Dan Gallagher Called Up To England C Squad

It was announced this past Sunday that Dan Gallagher will be part of the provisional 25-man England C squad to face Wales in a friendly at Altrincham FC’s Moss Lane on Tuesday March 21st. Dan is the first ever Dorking Wanderers player to be selected for England C, and on behalf of everyone at Wanderers we wish Dan the very best with his call up to the national side.

Opposition Focus: The Bees

Barnet will arrive at Meadowbank on Tuesday night very much in the play-off picture following a great run of form through the back end of 2022 and into the new year. From the start of November Dean Brennan’s side went 11 league games unbeaten, including a stretch of 5 wins in a row through December into January, the impressive run brought to an end by then league leaders Notts County with a 4-1 win at Meadow Lane in the middle of last month. Since then The Bees have suffered a bit of a downturn in form, an emphatic 4-1 defeat of Aldershot falling in the midst of losses to Altrincham and Oldham Athletic on home soil, as well as away to Torquay United. This past Friday evening though Barnet got back to winning ways with a 0-1 defeat of Southend United under the lights at Roots Hall, an Idris Kanu goal midway through the second half enough to take maximum points, the striker’s third goal in as many games consolidating 4th place for The Bees in the tight play-off picture at the top end of the National League table.

Outside of the top two in the division, Barnet have scored the most goals in the league with 65 netted so far, although at the back they have conceded the 7th highest amount. Games involving the Bees have therefore often generated plenty of goals and usually prove to be decisive affairs as well, the North London team having registered the fewest number of draws in the league so far this term with 5. Nicke Kabamba is the club’s top scorer in the league with 17 goals so far, the summer signing from Northampton Town the joint 4th highest in the division, whilst midfielder Harry Pritchard, a close season addition from Eastleigh, is also into double figures this campaign on 10 goals.

It’s the top end of the field where manager Dean Brennan has looked to bolster his options in recent months, Zimbabwean striker David Moyo arriving on loan from Barrow in late December on a deal which runs to the end of the season, and another loan addition until the end of the campaign from League Two is Harry Smith from Leyton Orient, already finding the net 4 times since arriving in early February. Young central midfielder Ryan De Havilland is a player worth keeping an eye on tonight, the former Fulham FC youth player rewarded for consistent performances this term with a call up to the England C squad over this past weekend, and of course Wanderers fans will look out for the return of Sam Beard, the defender leaving Wanderers to join The Bees at the end of a near five year spell in 2021 having been part of Wanderers recent success achieving promoted from the Isthmian Division One and Isthmian Premier.

After defeating Plymouth Parkway, Solihull Moors and Torquay United, Barnet take on Maidstone United in the quarter finals of the FA Trophy at The Gallagher Stadium next Saturday afternoon.

Earlier This Season

Back in mid-September, Wanderers won their second away game of the season in a midweek encounter under the lights at The Hive. Bobby-Joe Taylor was the match-winner with a long range effort around the half-hour mark, earning Wanderers the three points on a night where defensive resilience and determination came to the fore, particularly in the opening part of the contest as the home side started brightly early on.

Weekend Round Up

Ladies Draw At Denham

The Wanderers Ladies were held to a draw for just the second time this season, coming away from Denham United with a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon. The home side opened the scoring in the second half through Jenny Nagle getting on the end of a corner ball, but with a quarter of an hour to go striker Katie Butts got Wanderers back on terms.

Three points behind leaders Clapton Community in the league table but with four games in hand, the Wanderers Ladies return to London & South East Division North action this Sunday as Watford Development travel to Meadowbank for a 15:30pm kick off.

B Team Back On Tuesday Night

With a break in the league fixtures this past weekend, Ruben Gaspar’s Wanderers B team are back in league action on Tuesday night away to Forest Row, a 19:45pm kick off to be played at Oakwood FC.

The B team are the back at Meadowbank on Saturday hosting East Preston, why not come down and cheer the lads on ahead of the first team’s game against Notts County being broadcast live on BT Sport in The Lounge.

DWFC Vets Fixture Update

Following last weekend’s postponement, the DWFC Vets fixture against West Chiltington was reversed and due to be played on Sunday afternoon, but the game was again postponed and will now be played on Sunday April 2nd.

The Vets will next be in league action at home to Horley Town on Sunday March 26th in a 2pm kick off.