MATCH PREVIEW | THE MINSTERMEN
Dorking Wanderers v York City Vanarama National League Saturday 26th August 3pm KO Dorking return to league action at Meadowbank this Saturday afternoon as they host York City, the first of two fixtures across the August Bank Holiday weekend with the Surrey derby away at Woking following on Monday.
Wanderers will be looking to improve measurably on their most recent display where they were comfortably second best against a strong Solihull Moors side last weekend. Goals from Kade Craig, Josh Kelly and Mark Beck meant the game would finish 3-0, but Wanderers misery was compiled following the goals as Aaron Kuhl received a red card in the latter stages of the affair after picking up a second yellow. Assistant manager Dean Milton in his post-match interview described the Wanderers performance as “slow” and “frustrating at times”, manager Marc White is due to return to the dugout at Meadowbank for this Saturday's fixture and will no doubt be looking for his side to get back to winning ways. The Moors registered their first clean sheet of the campaign in a match largely dominated by the home side. Richard Stearman nearly opened the scoring just three minutes in as he saw his effort cannon back off the crossbar, before Craig made Solihull’s early pressure count as he was found at the back post to open the scoring on the quarter hour mark. Following their goal, The Moors would retreat slightly, inviting Wanderers to attempt to break down their rigid back five. Jason Prior had the clearest sight of goal but was unable to convert Seb Bowerman’s cross. As the first half neared to a close, Kelly won a penalty after being taken down by Harrison Male, Kelly would take and convert said penalty to double his sides advantage just before the interval. Beck would finish off the goalscoring for the afternoon, as he started and finished a move which saw Solihull win the ball off Wanderers just on the halfway line, the Moors number nine stretched a leg at the far post to convert Kelly’s cross in off the post. Kuhl, already on a yellow card, left the referee with little option but to send him off towards the end of the match, as he made a late challenge on Connor Hall who was breaking away just inside the Wanderers half.
Team News Luke Moore returned to action for the first time this campaign at The Armco Arena, so is now well on his way to returning to full match fitness after picking up injury in pre-season. Matt Briggs (hamstring), Isaac Philpot (hamstring) and Jimmy Muitt (stomach) still face a further 3-4 weeks on the side-lines, whilst Callum Kennedy has been training for over a week, though it is yet to be seen if he is deemed to be fit to be included in the matchday squad. As confirmed in his weekly update broadcast on Friday afternoon, George Francomb is likely to return to action this weekend having being ruled out since the opening day against Chesterfield. In non-fitness related news, Dorking this week announced two new signings. The most apt for this preview being the arrival of midfielder Dan Pybus, from tomorrow’s opponents, York City. The 25-year-old arrives on a three-year deal, Marc White stating that the midfielder will bring a “real freshness” to his Wanderers squad, adding that “he is very much part of the new era we are embarking on here at Dorking Wanderers”. Pybus will wear the No4 shirt and is set to be part of the matchday squad this weekend. Pybus is joined by 20-year-old striker, Matt Everitt, who has this week arrived following his departure from Brighton & Hove Albion. His illustrious youth career includes captaining the Brighton U18s side, appearances for the Republic of Ireland’s U17 and U19 sides, before more recently featuring for Albion’s U23 side in the Premier League 2. Everitt, growing up around the area, stated on his arrival “I have seen the journey Marc and his team have been on and it’s been incredible, so I cannot wait to become a part of it”. White himself detailed that Everitt is a “young pro who can play in numerous positions”. The manager also went onto add “and best of all he is a local lad who knows what the club is about”.
Opposition Focus: The Minstermen This season marks York’s second back in the National League, following their promotion from National League North in 2021/22 via the playoffs, beating Boston United 2-0 in the final. They finished their first campaign back in the National League in 19th place. Michael Morton’s side have had a busy summer transfer window, with some notably experienced arrivals making the switch to the York Community Stadium. Callum Harriot, who has amassed 192 football league appearances, arrived from League Two side Gillingham. The winger is joined by veteran goalkeeper David Stockdale, returning to his boyhood club, where he started his footballing career back in 2003. 37-year-old Stockdale boasts a wealth of experience up and down the football pyramid, including a six-year spell in the Premier League with Fulham between 2008 – 2014, before shining for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship, keeping 20 clean sheets to help them earn promotion back to the Premier League in 2016/17. The ‘keeper arrives from League one side Sheffield Wednesday, where he made 24 appearances last season. Stockdale’s return to York City combines a playing role with a Head of Recruitment title. York currently sit a place below Dorking in the table, with two points on the board from their opening four games. Morton’s side have improved over their last couple of matches, picking up two draws on the spin at home to Altrincham, and most recently on the road to Aldershot Town, Lenell John-Lewis scoring in the 93rd minute to snatch a point for his side.
Last Time We Met A James McShane header midway through the first half earned Wanderers all three points the last time the two sides met at Meadowbank back in November of 2022. It was Macca’s thirteenth(!) goal of the campaign at that point.
Words: Dom Bleackley
Key Info
Tickets Available online or at the turnstiles, tickets are priced at Adults £18, Cons £16, U18s £9 & U8s £5. Our family ticket returns for 23/24 with two adults and two children able to watch the Wanderers for just £45! Save time at the turnstiles by purchasing your tickets online:
https://dorkingwanderersfc.ktckts.com/event/g3/york-city Matchday Programme The printed programme remains in play for 23/24, and our first edition of the season will be available at the merchandise and food outlets on Saturday priced at £3! Join Us In The FanZone!
The FanZone will be open from 1pm on Saturday afternoon, join us for a drink and soak up the atmosphere before kick off! Match Updates Not able to to get to Meadowbank this weekend?
LIVE COMMENTARY: Tom Rogers has got you covered with live commentary of the game via Mixlr! Stayed tuned to our social media channels for more information. LIVE UPDATES: We will be providing action and score updates throughout the afternoon via Twitter, give us a follow us @DorkingWDRS
Visiting Fans Information All the info on getting to Meadowbank, where to grab a pre-match drink beforehand and much more... https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/visiting-supporters