Off the back of a brilliant 3-2 comeback win over Altrincham last weekend at Meadowbank, Wanderers secured National League status for next season in midweek away at Gateshead. Heading up to the North East with a limited squad due to injuries and travel logistics, Marc White opted for a similar approach to that taken at Yeovil Town in the FA Trophy tie back in December, setting his side up to be resolute and looking to be effective on the counter-attack. And like the visit down to Somerset midway through the season, Wanderers again came away with a 0-0 draw, preserving a third away clean sheet in a row and the point on this occasion enough in tandem with results elsewhere to guarantee a place in non-league’s top tier for a second season.

In his weekly update broadcast on Thursday, Marc White spoke of looking to keep the momentum going into these final two games, aiming to finish as high up the table as possible and setting a target of finishing ahead of the other sides promoted to the division this term. Following Saturday’s game against Wealdstone, Wanderers will conclude their campaign next Saturday back at Meadowbank as Scunthorpe United are the visitors in a 17:30pm kick off.

Team News

Saturday’s game will likely come around too soon for George Francomb and Joe Cook, the duo both missing out on the midweek trip up North due to picking up knocks last weekend. Niall McManus (achillies) and Matt Briggs (knee) will continue to be sidelined, but Seb Bowerman, James McShane and Jason Prior will all be looking to get back in contention having not featured at Gateshead on Tuesday night.

Opposition Focus: The Stones

After winning three straight games to begin the month of March, Wealdstone have hit a difficult run of form lately, going 7 games without a win, including 6 defeats. Micah Obiero’s stoppage time goal made sure of The Stones last three points in a 1-2 away win at Torquary United on March 11th, but since then Stuart Maynard’s side have been defeated by promotion chasing Chesterfield (0-4) and Notts County (3-0), as well as surprise result at Scunthorpe United, going down 4-1 at Glanford Park. The one draw came at home to Oldham Athletic 2-2, and the last couple of games have seen defeats by finer margins with Boreham Wood winning 1-0 and Aldershot Town picking up victory by the same scoreline at Grosvenor Vale this past Tuesday night.

Currently 14th in the league table, The Stones are out of both promotion and relegation contention respectively, but as one of of the few sides with three rather than two games left remaining this term will no doubt be eager to arrest the recent disappointing run and ensure a top half finish. Since winning the National League South in 2019/20, the club have finished 19th and 16th respectively in the National League, so additional motivation will be there for The Stones to achieve a highest finish since returning to non-league’s top tier.

The club’s top scorers in the league this term have been forwards Michah Obiero and Olufela Olomola, the pair on 7 goals each having joined from Boston United and Hartlepool United last summer. Stuart Maynard has bolstered his squad in recent months through the loan market; young Derby County midfielder Sonny Blu Lo-Everton joining the club for a second loan spell in February having previously been at the club in 2021, Charlton Athletic defender Charlie Barker returning on loan in January having also featured back in 2021 as well. Midfielder Lewis Simper is another loan addition, arriving on loan from Cambridge United having been at the likes of Yeovil Town, Concord Rangers and Woking previously.

A familiar face to Wanderers fans on Saturday afternoon will be Stones goalkeeper Sam Howes, the stopper having played for Wanderers between 2020 and 2021 after joining from Surrey rivals Woking. Following a season at Isthmian Premier side Horsham FC, Sam joined Wealdstone last summer and was been rewarded for consistent displays between the sticks with a call up to the England C squad back in March to face Wales C, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Earlier This Season…

Wanderers took maximum points in the reverse fixture at Meadowbank back in October, winning 3-1.

Ryan Seager reacted fastest to a rebounded effort midway through the half to open the scoring, Tarryn Allarakhia levelling the scores just before the hour mark after cutting in from the left and angling home a low strike. Harry Ottaway had come on at half-time, and like he has done so often this term, got Wanderers back in the game, finishing off Bowerman’s through-ball with twenty minutes to go before turning provider for Seager to make sure of the three points in stoppage time.

Key Matchday Info

Tickets Available Online:

https://wealdstonefc.ktckts.com/event/wld2223h23/wealdstone-v-dorking-wanderers

PRICES: Adults £17 / Concessions £12 / U19-23 £10 / U18s £7 (U16s Free w/Adults)

LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR THE WANDERERS SUPPORTERS COACH!

Leaving Dorking High Street at 11am, return tickets for £20 available here:

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

Not attending Saturday’s match?

Gary Pascoe will be providing matchday commentary via Mixly, stay tuned to our social media channels for more information!

We will be providing action and score updates throughout the afternoon via Twitter (@DorkingWDRS)

Info On Getting To Grovenor Vale:

https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/contacts-directions