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It seems much longer ago, so much has happened in terms of wins and losses, excitement and anticipation, but for the first time in a month, National League South action returns to the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium on Tuesday evening with Dorking Wanderers providing the opposition, kick off 7.45pm and, for good measure, as the fixture list stands, it will be another month before league action returns, but, of course, there is a rather important event in between!

In what looks like an open National League South this season Dorking ended the weekend in ninth place, two points and two places above us, with five wins, four draws and three defeats. They have discovered some form of late; scored three times in each of their last three games and are unbeaten in their last four league matches. Dorking came very close to making it three wins in a row on Saturday in an extraordinary game against Salisbury, a game where they actually came even closer to losing before drawing 3-3. In the 83rd minute, Dorking went two goals up but by the seventh minute of added time they found themselves 3-2 down before Bobby-Joe Taylor scored a 100th minute equaliser. Jack Young's debut, on loan from Wycombe, couldn't have gone much better, scoring twice.  

Dorking, owned and managed by Marc White, whose YouTube interviews are, shall we say colourful, are back in National League South after a two year spell in the National League. They have retained many of the players they had when last in this division. Some have stayed, some have gone and come back. Still there are Matt Briggs, Jimmy Muitt, Luke Moore and James McShane and an evergreen former Gillingham captain Barry Fuller, who's now 40.

Jason Prior is one of the most successful strikers in National League South history, and he has scored four times this season. He was in two Dorking promotion squads before leaving to join Havant and Waterlooville, returning in February last year and if Prior doesn't score for Dorking in a game, there's a good chance Alfie Rutherford does. Now in his fifth season, he joined from Havant, where he has previously won the National League South golden boot.

Dorking’s last visit to Longmead in September 2021 brought a 3-1 win for the Angels with goals from Doug Loft, Tommy Parkinson and Ibrahim Olutade and, in February at Meadowbank, goals from Joe Turner and a brace from Tommy Wood completed the double over the eventual runners-up who went on to win promotion via the play-offs with an extra time win over Ebbsfleet United.

Jay Saunders said of Dorking’s visit following Saturday’s defeat at Worthing: “I think everyone’s come through OK [at Worthing], we will assess where we are. On Tuesday night at Longmead, hopefully we can turn it around, get a good atmosphere and try and get back on a winning run. But it won’t be easy, Dorking are a very good side, loads of experience. We’ve got to improve from today but, at home, we fancy ourselves.”

Admission prices to the game are: Adults £17; Concessions £14; Youths £7 and Under-12’s free with accompanying adult with tickets available HERE.

Gates open at 6pm with the Sports Bar and Marquee Bar open from the outset. The Tea Hut serving burgers, hot dogs, butties, hot and cold drinks and Fries Like An Angel, serving all your favourite loaded chips are also open from 6 o’clock. The Pie Shack opens from 6.30 pm. After the game, the Sports Bar stays open until 11pm.

Our award-winning programme is available from the Programme Hut, priced at £3 and will feature reflections from Jay Saunders, club captain Scott Wagstaff and board member Mark Cornish. Reports from our men’s and women’s first team games plus youth teams.

Those requiring paper tickets for the upcoming FA Cup First Round tie with Harborough Town can purchase from the club shop on Tuesday evening. Tickets also remain online to purchase from HERE.

Enjoy the game!






Published Monday 21st October 2024