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The latest Meadowbank loss, inflicted by The Shaymen, left Dorking three points adrift of Tuesday night’s opponents, and, more concerningly, planted in the relegation zone. Relief and respite comes with the nature of the bottom half of the division, with just six points separating Wanderers and the top half of the table, and a lot football left to be played.
Halifax’s triumph in Surrey on Saturday continued what the Wanderers manager described as a “wretched run of home form”, it was the tenth defeat his side have endured at Meadowbank this campaign, and the fifth in their last six outings on home turf.
In what is a busy February ahead for Wanderers, and the rest of the league, White will be hoping his men can pick up their first win of the month sooner rather than later, starting with a trip to LNER Community Stadium tomorrow night.
“We’ve got to take it one game at a time, with the fans behind us”
To hear more of Marc White’s thoughts from the Halifax defat, click here.
Neal Ardley’s side go into the clash on the back of a vital 0-1 win away at fellow relegation candidates Southend United on Saturday, an 89th minute strike form Lenell John-Lewis snatching all three points and surely giving City a spring in their step ahead of our visit. The win continued what has been a solid run of form for the Minstermen, with just one loss in their last ten league games.
Speaking after his win at Southend, Ardley stated, “Dorking can beat anyone on their day, they’re an open and expansive team who can cause all sorts of problems. There’s no guarantee in this league.”
Continuing to touch on our visit, the City boss went on to state, “I’m not worried about how we have to approach the game, if we have to deal with Dorking before we play our football, then that’s what we’ll do.”
Unlike Wanderers, York will train on Monday, as we commence a fortnight of Saturday – Tuesday – Saturday fixtures. The boys are set to travel up tomorrow afternoon, for a second long-haul trip within a week following the unfortunate journey to Altrincham six days ago.
Team News
George Francomb picked up a knock against Halifax, so is unlikely to be risked for tomorrow, meaning captain Barry Fuller could be in line for a first appearance since the start of the year following his extended lay-off with a hamstring problem.
Dan Pybus, who made 41 appearances for York last season, was substituted mid-way through the first half against The Shaymen. However the midfielder is fully fit and was only withdrawn due to his early yellow card, with the management team not willing to risk a potential red card and suspension.
Tony Craig marked his return to the side at the weekend, completing a full 90 minutes. Luke Moore also returned to action following his suspension, coming on for Francomb for the last half an hour.
James McShane (ACL) and Seb Bowerman (hamstring) are both still unavailable.
Opposition Focus – The Minstermen
City aren’t strangers to a relegation battle, they finished 19th last campaign, avoiding the drop zone by a margin of just three points. Ardley’s wealth of knowledge across the football pyramid will no doubt bring some added security as York look to retain National League status for a second successive season, following their promotion in 2021/22.
York’s inability to win games stands out as a prominent factor as to why they are just three points clear of the relegation zone, only 24th placed Oxford City have won fewer games than City this season. They may however take some encouragement that of their eight wins, three have come in their last six.
Similarly to Wanderers, York struggled at the beginning of the campaign with an influx of injuries, their upturn in form of late can be contributed to an abundance of players returning from extended lay-offs. Their strength in depth is evidenced by forwards Billy Chadwick and John-Lewis starting from the the bench at the weekend – the latter netting the winner.
Ardley described John-Lewis as “the best character I’ve worked with in football” after the 34-year-old netted his sixth goal of the season. John-Lewis had an eventful outing last time he and the Wanderers met when the two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Meadowbank in August. An action packed stoppage time for the skipper saw his header cleared off the line, before receiving a straight red card for a late challenge on Bowerman.
Dipo Akinyemi, who scored one of the goals at Meadowbank in August, is City’s top scorer this campaign with 11 goals.
Danny Amos made his debut for The Minstermen against Southend, following his arrival from Grimsby Town on loan. Along with Amos, the aforementioned Chadwick was signed from Stockport County at the turn of the year. The 23-year-old is still awaiting his first goal in City colours.
Last Time Out
York came out victorious in our last visit to LNER Community Stadium, with goals from Manny Duku and Ryan Fallowfield at the beginning of either half proving too big of an advantage for Dorking to come back from, Dan Gallagher scored a header with four minutes to play, but the hosts held out for victory.
The win moved City eight points clear of the drop zone, leaving Dorking just a place above Gateshead in 21st, at the time.
