MATCH PREVIEW | THE CLARETS
Wanderers Look To Round Off Good Week
Dorking return to National League South action on Saturday as Chelmsford City are the visitors to Meadowbank.
Following the disappointment of defeat at home to Tonbridge Angels a fortnight ago, Wanderers have responded positively this past week and got back to winning ways. The trip to Bath City last weekend was a successful one; a well-dispatched Darren Oldaker penalty in the first half and goal of the season contender from Nicky Wheeler in the second ensured Wanderers came away from Somerset with all three points and a clean sheet. The win maintained the three point lead ahead of Maidstone heading into this weekend's fixtures, with the Kent side having played one game less.
Action continued as the Surrey Senior Cup returned to Meadowbank on Tuesday night, Southern Combination Premier League outfit Lingfield FC were the visitors at the quarter final stage. A ruthless night in front of goal, Wanderers showed no remorse in racking up one of the biggest wins in the club's history to progress to the semi's. A memorable night not only for the scoreline but also for academy gradute Dominic Plank, who marked his first team debut in the second half with two goals, and at the age of just 16 showed supreme confidence and quality on the ball. Fellow youth prospect and reserve team regular Max Leitch also impressed, starting the game and scoring his first competitive goal for the senior team with a well taken finish in the first half. Wanderers await their semi-final opponents as outstanding second round and quarter final ties are decided in the coming weeks.
Marc White confirmed in his weekly update earlier today that with the exception of longer term injury concern's Jason Prior and Giuseppe Sole, the full squad had otherwise all trained okay on Thursday night. Captain Barry Fuller will remain ruled out of the weekend fixture as he serves the second of his three match ban.
The Clarets
Manager Robbie Simpson marked his 50th game in charge last weekend at a time where his side are very much looking up the league table. A run of 1 defeat in 12 league games, including an unbeaten run of 4 heading into this weekend's fixture, have propelled Chelmsford up to 12th in the table. The recent spell included a 1-3 win on the road at Dulwich Hamlet a fortnight ago, and last time out a Cameron James header secured a 1-0 win at home to Hampton & Richmond Borough, defender James going on to feature in the National League South team of the week.
Striker Simeon Jackson has been abscent in recent games with injury, but is 'The Clarets' top scorer in the league with 10 goals. The very experienced former Norwich City and Gillingham man has just put pen to paper on an 18 month deal to continue as not just a player but also head of coaching and a community ambassador at the club.
Forward Hady Ghandour and midfielder John Freeman have just recently concluded spells on loan from Charlton Athletic and MK Dons respectively, but Robbie Simpson has sourced loan replacement's with young defender/midfielder Zak Bradshaw joining from Ipswich Town and striker Matt Rush signing from Southend United. Christian Frimpong, previously at Hampton & Richmond Borough and Braintree Town, was signed in December to further bolster central defence.
#Throwback With the corresponding fixture not played last season due to the early curtailment, the side's last met at Meadowbank two years ago, almost to the day. Very early goal's in each half from Jake Gallagher and Elliott Buchanan respectively were enough for Wanderers to take a 2-0 win, Isaac Philpot dismissed midway through the second half after collecting two yellow cards. The sides drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture at Melbourne Stadium back in September. 'The Clarets' took an early lead courtesy of Simeon Jackson, before Wanderers turned it round either side of half-time with a Bobby-Joe Taylor penalty and Jason Prior header. With virtually the last kick of the game, Charlie Sheringham's close range finish ensured a share of the spoils.