MATCH PREVIEW | THE SHOTS
First Of Back-To-Back Visits To Aldershot...
Dorking return to league action on Saturday afternoon with the first of two successive trips over the county border to Hampshire to face Aldershot Town. This weekend's National League fixture will be followed up in 7 days time with the two teams meeting again at The EBB Stadium in the 5th round of the FA Trophy.
The first away game of five scheduled in all competitions throughout a busy February, Wanderers will be looking to make a positive start to a month predominately spent on the road and pick up a first league win of 2023 following a run of three straight league defeats so far this year at the hands of Eastleigh, Oldham Athletic and Solihull Moors last time out.
This past Tuesday evening Wanderers welcomed Isthmian Premier Division side Horsham for a friendly under the Meadowbank lights. The side from Sussex came away with the win on a night where Matt Briggs played his first 45 minutes of the season in the opening half of the game, with the likes of Luke Moore, Archie Proctor and Adam Mekki all getting valuable game time, and B team players Spike Steggall and Ben Aubrey also featuring during the second half.
Following the signing of midfielder Aaron Kuhl On Monday, the club announced the signing of ex-AFC Wimbledon and Crawley Town player George Francomb on Friday afternoon. Set to be included in the matchday squad this weekend, read the full press release here:
https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/gfrancomb
Team News
Marc White confirmed in his weekly update broadcast on Thursday afternoon that Josh Taylor would likely be a week away from returning to action as he continues recovery from a ligament injury. After his dismissal last weekend against Solihull Moors, Joe Cook will be suspended, and Marc White has also confirmed that following Thursday's training session Ed Harris will be a doubt for Saturday's game after suffering a groin injury.
Following his inclusion in the side in Tuesday's friendly, Matt Briggs may be included in the travelling matchday squad.
Opposition Focus: The Shots
Aldershot began 2023 with a hectic run of fixtures for the opening month of the year, playing a total of 9 games through the course of January. A run of three straight defeats including away to bitter rivals Woking and at home to league leaders Notts County saw in a tricky start to the new year, but the 4-1 defeat of Leiston in the 4th round of the FA Trophy seemed to be a turning point in form and momentum. The Shots would go on to beat Solihull Moors (1-2) and Maidstone United (0-3) on the road either side of draws away to Bromley (2-2) and at home last weekend to Oldham Athletic (1-1). This past Tuesday night the unbeaten run was brought to an end by Boreham Wood, a Tyrone Marsh goal inside the final ten minutes securing a narrow 0-1 win at The EBB Stadium. The recent good run of form has shifted Aldershot up the table to 14th place, 4 points ahead of Wanderers having played a couple of games more.
Striker Innih Effiong has been in very good form in recent weeks, moving his tally for the season to 14 goals with 6 netted in his last 5 games. The former Dover, Stevenage and Woking front-man scored a brace and a hat-trick in the wins over Solihull and Maidstone respectively. He is supported well in attack by forwards Justin Amaluzor and Tommy Willard, and defender Tyler Cordner also adds a goal threat from the back having netted 5 so far this term. In addition to January producing a hectic run of fixtures for Aldershot, it's been a busy month in the transfer department as well. Ross McNeilly, named permanent Shots boss in December, has used the loan market to bring in young players from the EFL to bolster his options all over the pitch, with versatile defender Haji Mnoga moving across Hampshire from Portsmouth, 18-year old central midfielder Karoy Anderson coming in from Charlton Athletic, where he has captained the U21s, plus striker Jake Hutchinson arriving from Colchester United. After a string of impressive performances nearby at Farnborough in the National League South, midfielder Oliver Pendlebury has also joined the club, moving on a permanent deal.
Fresh off the presses on Friday afternoon, two further signings have been made, with strike-power added in the form of loan signing Morgan Roberts from Swindon Town, and midfielder Tyler Frost signing on an 18 month deal following his recent release from Harrogate Town.
Last Time We Met... In late October The Shots came away from Meadowbank with a 0-3 victory in Ross McNeilly's first game in interim charge of the side following Terry Brown's move into the role of Head Of Football Operations at the club. Iniah Effiong gave the visiting side the lead not long before half-time with a clinical finish several yards out, and on the hour Tyler Cordner flicked home a corner ball to double the advantage. Tommy Willard added a third in stoppage time to cap a disappointing afternoon for Wanderers.
KEY INFO TICKETS: https://www.flowte.me/storefront/aldershot-town-fc-736 PRICES: Adults £20 / Concessions/Milatry/18-20s £16 / U17s £7 / U11s Free
Only available online, not at the turnstiles
CAR PARKING IN VICTORIA ROAD: https://www.flowte.me/storefront/aldershot-town-fc-736 (two minutes walk from the ground)
WANDERERS SUPPORTERS BUS:
https://dwfc-online-shop.myshopify.com/collections/away-travel/products/aldershot Matchday Programme: £3 (physical copies only, available at ground) AWAY MATCHDAY INFO:
https://www.theshots.co.uk/tickets/match-day-tickets/