MATCH PREVIEW | THE SHRIMPERS
Southend United vs Dorking Wanderers
Vanarama National League
November 12th 2022
Second Away Day In A Week
Dorking make a swift return to the road following Wednesday's trip to Torquay with a visit to Essex on Saturday afternoon as they face Southend United at Roots Hall. Wanderers came away from Devon in midweek with a share of the spoils after being involved in another high scoring encounter this term which saw the home side come back from two goals down to rescue a point through the course of the second half. Dillon De Silva had put Gary Johnson's team in front early on in the first half, but Nicky Wheeler's spectacular effort from 30 yards out restored parity before the interval, and just after the restart close range finishes from James McShane and Jimmy Muitt quickly put Wanderers two goals to the good. Torquay man of the match De Silva netted his second of the night not long after and a header from Mark Ellis ten minutes from time ensured the game finished 3-3. Wanderers were left frustrated as again this season they let a lead slip on the road following the 3-2 defeat at Scunthorpe back in September and the 3-3 draw at Woking in the Surrey derby just over a couple of weeks ago.
Recent new signings Joe Cook and Archie Procter both made their debuts in Wednesday's game, with Cook playing the full ninety minutes and impressing alongside Sami El-Abd in central defence as Marc White opted for a back four with Dan Gallagher deputising at right back and Bobby-Joe Taylor on the left side. Procter would replace Bobby-Joe in the very late stages to get his first minutes in a Wanderers shirt. Nicky Wheeler's brilliant strike from range opened his goal scoring account for the season in style, whilst James McShane's effort after great build up play involving Josh Taylor and Ryan Seager was his 12th of the campaign, 'Macca' currently sitting in 3rd spot in the goal scoring charts behind Notts County's Macaulay Langstaff (18) and Wrexham's Paul Mullin (13).
Team News Manager Marc White has confirmed ahead of this weekend's game that both Barry Fuller and Isaac Philpot are likely to return to the matchday squad, potentially providing a real boost to the defensive department. Further up field, Josh Taylor, Jimmy Muitt and Nicky Wheeler are all doubts after picking up knock's during Wednesday night's game, and it's unlikely that Seb Bowerman and Harry Ottaway will feature after missing out completely on the midweek travels through injury.
Opposition Focus: The Shrimpers
Southend United come into Saturday's fixture in excellent form, unbeaten in their last 10 league games having not suffered defeat since a 3-2 loss away to Chesterfield back in mid-September. The recent run of results has been particularly impressive, with 4 straight wins and clean sheets preceding a 2-2 draw at home to league leader's Notts County this past Tuesday evening. 3 of the 4 games in the winning run came via successive victories on the road against Maidstone (0-3), York City (0-2) and Barnet (0-3). The Shrimper's are currently sat in 6th place and boast the best defensive record in the league at this stage with 13 goals conceded.
Having taken up the managerial post just over a year ago, former Shrimpers midfielder Kevin Maher led the club to a 13th placed finish last term after a difficult first half of the season, Southend's first back in the National League after 101 years in the Football League. Whilst improvement and progress has been made on the field, the club is still unfortunately enduring financial difficulties behind the scenes.
Young forward Callum Powell is top scorer for the club in the league with 7 goals this season, the former Northampton Town youth player plying his trade at the likes of Stourbridge, Buxton and Kettering Town before making the move to Essex in January of this year. The club strengthened in midfield during the summer with a double signing from Barnet as consistent performers Wesley Fonguck and Harry Taylor signed, whilst down the flanks full backs Kacper Lopata (signed from Sheffield United U23s) and Gus Scott-Morris, who has impressed for Hemel Hempstead against Wanderers in recent seasons, will both carry a real threat. Wanderers fans may also remember midfielder Noor Husin who has featured in the battles with Dartford in recent campaigns and from last season's FA Trophy fixture goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi, who is now a regular between the sticks after coming in for his Southend debut in last season's contest and going on to put in a memorable performance.
Have We Met Before?
The two sides met in the FA Trophy 3rd round last October at Roots Hall, and despite Alfie Rutherford sending Wanderers into a very early lead, goals from Sam Dalby late in the first half and a superb solo strike from Matt Dennis with a quarter hour remaining secured a narrow 2-1 victory for the home side. It was an afternoon where penalties were missed by both sides - Rhys Murphy skying his first half kick for The Shrimpers ahead of Bobby-Joe Taylor seeing his saved by Colin Andeng Ndi down the same end of the ground in the second half.
KEY INFO
KICK-OFF: 3pm
THE WANDERERS SUPPORTERS COACH IS SOLD OUT FOR THIS FIXTURE!
ONLINE TICKETS: Adults £18 / Concessions £13 / Juniors £8 (Age 9-16) / Child (Age 8 & Under) £3
Available Here: https://ticketing.southend-united.co.uk/PagesPublic/ProductBrowse/VisualSeatSelectionBoost.aspx?stadium=RH&product=HDOR22&campaign=&type=H&productsubtype=&productIsHomeAsAway=
Extra £2 per ticket if paid on the gate
Physical matchday programmes will be onsale at the game!
Gary Pascoe will be providing live match commentary, check out the Dorking Wanderers official Twitter account for information on how to tune in.
Matchday updates will be running on our Twitter page throughout the afternoon over at @DorkingWDRS
VISITING ROOTS HALL:
Full guide on the matchday experience at Roots Hall, including ticket, travel and food & drink information....
https://www.southendunited.co.uk/club/visiting-roots-hall/