The aforementioned last home game was ten days ago, Wanderers getting their first points on the board for 2023 with a 3-2 victory over Torquay United, but two tough away assignments have followed since at Wrexham and Boreham Wood, and despite Wanderers showing great continuity from their last win and competing really well in both games, no further points have been added to the board. Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat against Boreham was particularly tough to take given Wanderers domination of play through most of the game and particularly the second half, but Femi Ilesanmi’s early goal ultimately proved enough for Luke Garrard’s side to take all 3 points as Marc White’s side just couldn’t quite get the final ball right in the final third.
The results from the midweek matchday sent Wanderers into the bottom four for the first time all season, although due to Gateshead being deducted a point on Wednesday for fielding an ineligible player, Wanderers were lifted back to a place above the drop zone as the overall points difference between the bottom eight sides remains very tight.
This weekend’s game against FC Halifax Town is followed by Barnet coming down to Meadowbank on Tuesday night, Marc White will no doubt be hoping his side can pick up points ahead of a trip to promotion chasers Notts County live on BT Sport next Saturday at 17:20pm.
Team News
The Wanderers manager has confirmed that defensive trio Barry Fuller, Joe Cook and Ed Harris have overcome recent knocks and will be available for selection for Saturday’s match.
George Francomb, Matt Briggs and Seb Bowerman all came off with hamstring injuries during each of the last three games respectively, and whist Briggs is looking at returning in potentially a fortnight’s time, expectation is that Francomb and Bowerman will hopefully be able to play a part across the fixtures taking place next week.
Niall McManus (post-leg injection) and Nicky Wheeler (knee injury) will remain sidelined as they have been for the last few matches, continuing recovery and hopefully back in matchday contention within the next couple of weeks.
Opposition Focus: The Shayman
Since defeating Wanderers at The Shay Stadium back in December, FC Halifax Town went on a win-less streak in the league through the remainder of the year and throughout January. A draw and trio of 1-0 defeats in the first month of 2023 proceeded Chris Millington’s side getting back to winning ways as February got under way, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe’s goal midway through the second half enough to defeat Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park 0-1. A run of two draws and three defeats, including losses at play-off chasing Barnet and Southend United then followed before The Shaymen picked up three points in emphatic fashion this past Tuesday night, a Jamie Stott brace plus goals from Jamie Cooke, Millenic Alli and Tylor Golden securing a 5-0 home win over Wealdstone, taking Halifax up to 16th place and onto 40 points in the league standings.
Tuesday’s win was refreshing for the club and supporters not only because it was the first maximum since the beginning of the month, but goals in general have not always arrived easily for The Shaymen this term, they are the division’s second lowest scorers behind Yeovil Town with 34 goals netted this term. Emmanuel Dieseruvwe has 9 of them – the striker arriving in West Yorkshire from Tranmere Rovers in the summer having enjoyed a few seasons of success with Salford City, including winning the National League play-offs in 2019. Dieseruvwe is supported in attack by fellow close season arrival Angelo Cappello, a former youth player at Sheffield United and the club have recently signed young forward Fidel O’Rourke on loan from Liverpool. At the back, Bolton Wanderers defender Adam Senior has just extended his loan spell by another month, becoming part of a defence which includes consistent centre half Jesse Debrah and the much experienced skipper Tom Clarke.
The Shaymen have enjoyed a good run in the FA Trophy this season, contesting all their games in the competition away from home thus far. After defeating Northern Premier outfit Guiseley 0-1 at the 3rd round stage, they overcame Harrow Borough on penalties after the match ended 2-2 at ninety minutes. Chris Millington’s side would get past fellow National League side Maidenhead United the same way in the 5th round, the game ending goalless before another win in the resulting shoot-out. Wanderers FA Trophy conquerors Aldershot Town await next in the quarter finals.
Earlier This Season
After three previous postponements, the reverse fixture at The Shay Stadium went ahead midweek in early December, the home side taking maximum points in a 3-1 win. Jamie Cooke had given The Shaymen the lead midway through the first half, and further strikes from Kian Spence and Tylor Golden through the course of the second half wrapped up a comfortable victory for Chris Millington’s team. One of Wanderers more disappointing performances on the road this term, Ryan Seager did pull a consolation goal back from close range with just over ten minutes remaining and Jimmy Muitt was unlucky not to pull another one back in the dying minutes, hitting the woodwork.
Key Matchday Info
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE: https://dorkingwanderersfc.ktckts.com/event/dor2223h19/fc-halifax-town
TICKET PRICES: Adults £16 / Concessions £13 / U18s £8 / U8s £4
FAMILY OFFER: A family of 4 (2 adults, 2 U12s) can watch the Wanderers against The Shaymen for only £35!
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME: £3 (physical copies only, available at ground)
Why not join us for a drink in the FanZone? Located behind the Stonegate Home Stand, we’re open to home & away supporters from 1pm, plus, it’s HAPPY HOUR until 1:30!
Not attending Saturday’s match? Stay in the loop…
LIVE COMMENTARY
Gary Pascoe will be back behind the mic and providing live matchday commentary via Mixlr, keep an eye on our social media channels for more information!
UPDATES
We will be providing action and score updates throughout the afternoon via Twitter (@DorkingWDRS)
VISITING FANS INFORMATION
Getting to Meadowbank, where to grab a pre-match drink beforehand and more… https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/visiting-supporters
Around The Club
The Wanderers B team are not in action this Saturday due to a break in the fixtures but the DWFC Ladies will be looking to follow up last weekend’s 7-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet with another league victory this Sunday as they travel to Buckinghamshire to face Denham United in a 2pm kick off at The Den.
After last weekend’s game was postponed, the DWFC Vets are in an early season top of the table clash as they travel to West Chiltington Vets this Sunday, a 2pm kick off at The Recreation Ground.
The latest episode of Talking Wanderers was released last Friday, 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
