After back-to-back home wins in the last seven days, Dorking will return to the road this weekend looking to continue their good form against Dagenham & Redbridge, a 3pm kick off on Saturday afternoon at The Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Defeating Maidenhead United 3-1 at Meadowbank last weekend, Wanderers picked up another win under the Meadowbank lights this season on Tuesday night, defeating Southend United 1-0 in front a bumper crowd boosted by The Bank and brand new Away End being packed out. Seb Bowerman’s second goal of the season, hammered into the roof of the net on the half hour was ultimately enough for Marc White’s men to take maximum points, recording just a 4th clean sheet of the campaign in the process as recent defensive improvements continued to show through another resolute team display. Bowerman, Jason Prior and Jimmy Muitt all went close to adding further emphasis to the scoreline but were denied with top saves from Shrimpers keeper Colin Andeng-Ndi.

Five points clear of the relegation zone and now level on 43 points with York City and Aldershot Town, plus just 3 away from Halifax Town, Wanderers successive wins have tightened up the picture at the bottom end of the National League as 7 games remain to be played. Wanderers will be eager to keep the momentum going in the Capital this Saturday ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday double lined up next weekend, a Surrey derby on Good Friday at home to Woking swiftly followed by an away visit to Yeovil Town on Monday.

 

Team News

Niall McManus will remain absent from the matchday squad as he continues recovery from an achilles injury, the midfielder probably another week away from returning whilst Matt Briggs is likely to be back in contention in a fortnight’s time as he remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Tony Craig may be a doubt for Saturday’s game after picking up a knock in training, Ed Harris and Nicky Wheeler are both available to return to the matchday squad having missed out on recent games.

 

Opposition Focus: The Daggers

Dagenham & Redbridge are currently sat in 12th spot in the National League table, 7 points away from the final play-off spot with 7 games remaining. A mixed run of form in the month of March included 2-1 wins at home to York City and away at Torquay United, a 1-1 draw at home to Oldham Athletic also recorded between defeats away at Wrexham (4-0) and then Gateshead (3-0) this past Tuesday night. The Daggers will no doubt be looking to kickstart the month of April by getting back to winning ways after the disappointing midweek defeat, the home fixture to Wanderers will be followed up by a trip to Boreham Wood in the late kick off live on BT Sport next Saturday afternoon. The last time The Daggers were on the channel back in February they handed Notts County their only home defeat of the campaign so far, coming from behind to win 1-2 at Meadow Lane as Innih Effiong scored an 86th minute winner.

Striker Effiong had joined the club earlier in February after signing from Aldershot Town for an undisclosed fee, the former Ross County, Stevenage and Woking man netting 20 league goals this term, 1 of which was the opener against Wanderers in The Shots 0-3 win at Meadowbank back in October, and since making the switch to East London he has found the net 6 time so far. The Daggers had to dip into the market following the departure of top scorer Josh Walker (12 goals) to League One Burton Albion in January, and options up top have decreased further over the past few weeks with Junior Morias, also into double figures this season, joining Notts County and Paul McCallum moving to Chesterfield on loan.

Harry Phipps will be a player worth keeping an eye out for on Saturday, the midfielder rewarded for consistent performances this term by being selected for England C in the recent 1-0 win over Wales C, the former Maidstone player has plenty of experience around him in that part of the field in the likes of skipper Matt Robinson and former EFL campaigners Myles Weston and Angelo Balanta.

Former Dagenham & Redbridge striker Ben Strevens was appointed as manager of the club just last month, succeeding Daryl McMahon after the Irishman spent three years in East London. With over a century of appearances at Dagenham, Barnet and Eastleigh and also having featured at Brentford, Wycombe Wanderers and Gillingham, Strevens enjoyed a near 20 year senior playing career before becoming assistant manager at Eastleigh in 2016, taking up the full managerial post in 2018. Leaving The Spitfires in January 2022, Strevens now returns to the dugout at another former club and will no doubt want to finish the season as high up the table as possible.

 

Earlier This Season…

Wanderers recorded their highest win of the campaign so far in the reverse fixture at Meadowbank back in October, getting the month off to a great start with a 5-1 win. James McShane’s brace midway through the first half set Wanderers well on their way, the away side put even further on the back-foot just before half-time with the dismissal of striker Josh Walker for a second yellow card. Shortly after the restart, Seb Bowerman scored a memorable goal on his debut for the club cutting inside and curling an effort into the bottom far corner, before then assisting fellow winger Adam Mekki to head home from close range moments later. Ryan Seager made it five after finishing off an excellent team move, Dan Lincoln’s unfortunate own goal providing a consolation for The Daggers in the very late stages.

 

Key Matchday Info

KICK-OFF: 3pm

TICKETS, £5 TO ALL SUPPORTERS WHEN PURCHASED IN ADVANCE!
https://daggers.ktckts.com/event/dag2223h21/daggers-v-dorking-wanderers

TURNSTILE PRICES:
Adults £16 / Cons £11/ 17-21 £10 / 10-16 £8 / Under 10’s Go Free

THE WANDERERS SUPPORTERS COACH DEPARTS FROM DORKING HIGH STREET AT 10:30AM!

Tickets Still Available Here, Priced At Just £20!

https://dwfc-online-shop.myshopify.com/collections/away-travel/products/dagenham

LIVE COMMENTRY:

Tom Rogers will be providing live commentary via Mixlr, stay tuned to our Twitter page for more info!

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

VISITING THE CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM: https://www.daggers.co.uk/page/VisitUs

FURTHER STADIUM INFORMATION:

https://www.daggers.co.uk/page/Stadium

 

Elsewhere Around The Club This Weekend…

The Dorking Wanderers Women will be looking to bounce back from the disappointing results suffered against Hackney last weekend this coming Sunday as they make the short trip down the road to face Leatherhead. It’s a 1pm kick off for ‘El Clasimole’ at Fetcham Grove and free entry for all as Lou Cooper’s side look to get back to wining ways and close the gap to leaders Clapton Community at the top of the table.

Wanderers B contested a 0-0 draw last time out against Wick FC, extending their recent unbeaten run in all competitions to 5 games and consolidating 2nd place in the Southern Combination Division One. Back at Meadowbank this weekend, the B team host Hailsham Town in the penultimate home game of the league season, a 3pm kick off on Saturday afternoon.

The DWFC Vets return to action on Sunday afternoon in a top of the table clash away at West Chiltington FC at The Recreation Ground.

And for the second weekend running, our U16 Elite side are in semi-final action at Meadowbank! After coming through the Surrey Cup semi final last Sunday on penalties, it’s time for the League Cup semi this weekend, a 9:30am kick off at Meadowbank on Sunday morning against Chipstead FC.