MATCH PREVIEW | THE SPORTS
Wanderers Seek Back To Back Wins
After a truly memorable afternoon on Saturday, Dorking make a swift return to National League South action as they travel to Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday evening.
Looking to bounce back from the defeat at Dartford, Hemel Hempstead were the visitors to Meadowbank this past weekend. Optimism faded very early in the contest as Dan Lincoln was dismissed for bringing down Pierre Fonkeu just outside the area in the third minute, adjudged by the referee to have been the last man. With no substitute keeper named on the bench, Alfie Rutherford boldly took the keeper's jersey and gloves and stepped between the sticks. In the face of adversity, perhaps spurred on by the unique scenario, Wanderers responded with a spirited, hard-grafting display that ultimately saw them take victory. Nicky Wheeler continued his recent good spell in front of goal by netting the opener, and Ed Harris nodded home a second just after the restart, Callum Kennedy assisting both finishes on an afternoon here he himself missed a penalty as well. Joash Nembhard curled in a superb individual strike late on for 'The Tudors', but ultimately it was a consolation. Rutherford made it through virtually the whole game taking everything in his stride, including a couple of particularly strong reaction saves, the bumper Meadowbank crowd cheering on his every action. The central midfield duo of Josh Taylor and Niall McManus personified the industry and graft put in across the whole team, the win re-opening a three point lead at the top over second placed Maidstone.
Dan Lincoln's ban will start from this coming Saturday, so he will be available to return to goal for Tuesday evening's fixture. Literally at time of writing, it has been confirmed that Slav Huk has signed a dual registration deal with Bognor Regis Town to cover for the injured Amadou Tangara, and will feature in their Monday night league game with Carlshalton Athletic. Good luck to Slav, and we look forward to seeing him back in action with Wanderers shortly.
Tuesday's game may come around too soon for Barry Fuller, Wes Fogden and James McShane who all missed out on Saturday's match through sickness. Otherwise no further injury news has emerged following Saturday's game.
The Sports
Danny Bloor's side come into Tuesday night's fixture with a bit of momentum having got themselves back into the play-off places over the weekend. A 0-1 win on the road against Chelmsford City completed back to back wins and clean sheets for 'The Sports' following their defeat of St. Albans by the same score line at home the previous Saturday. Back up to 6th place, manager Bloor will hope his side can remain consistent entering the final stretch of the season.
Charley Kendall scored both goals across the two recent wins, and is the club's top scorer in the league this term with 18 goals so far. After a spell on loan with Eastbourne towards the end of the early curtailed 2020/21 campaign, the forward made a permanent switch to the south coast from QPR U23s back in September. His consistency and quality in front of goal has been since recognised by League One's Lincoln City, who completed the signing of the 21-year old in January, immediately loaning him back to Borough for the remainder of the season.
The club also completed other business in the loan market in January, extending two initial one-month loans through to the end of the campaign. Defender Trent Mahorn (QPR U23s) and midfielder Luke Nippard (Bournemouth U23s) having both been regulars in the side since joining back in November and December respectively. Dominic Hutchinson has been on loan from Watford U23s since August and will boast a threat from midfield, he is the team's second highest league scorer, currently sitting on 8 goals.
Their could be some on-field reunions between the sides on Tuesday evening; goalkeeper Lee Worgan left Wanderers at the start of season to join 'The Sports' and has been the regular starter despite missing the reverse fixture at Meadowbank back in October. Kane Wills and Nicky Wheeler of course both joined Wanderers from Eastbourne back in 2020.
#Throwback Wanderers secured a 0-3 victory in the 2020/21 season opener the last time the side's faced each other at Priory Lane. A Jason Prior brace and James Ferry own goal wrapped up the points inside the first half as the campaign got under way belatedly due to Covid 19, with the opening round of fixtures played in a midweek matchday. The reverse fixture at Meadowbank back in late October was also contested under the lights in midweek, Wanderers winning it in a seven goal thriller. Chris Whelpdale and Charley Kendall has the visitors two nil up inside the opening half an hour, Niall McManus pulling a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Greg Luer restored the two goal cushion very quickly after the interval, but Wanderers rallied brilliantly to overturn the deficit as Alfie Rutherford, James McShane and Dan Gallagher grabbed the goals to secure a 4-3 victory.