MATCH PREVIEW | THE SURREY ADVERTISER TROPHY
The Return Of 'El Clasimole'
Dorking play their penultimate game of pre-season this Saturday as they face local rivals Leatherhead in the annual Surrey Advertiser Trophy.
For Wanderers it's a return to action a week after their visit to Wales where they took on Barry Town United in Cardiff. Despite the sweltering conditions, Wanderers turned in a dominant display as Ryan Seager's first half penalty and a late goal from James McShane secured a 0-2 win in the Welsh capital, on an afternoon where Barry keeper Mike Lewis produced some excellent saves to keep the contest competitive. Taking advantage of the fantastic hybrid playing surface at the Leckwith Stadium, Marc White was pleased with the football played by his side and happy with the improvements in organisation at the back and subsequent clean sheet, just the second one kept in pre-season after the opening fixture with Roffey.
Niall McManus made his first appearance of pre-season last weekend after injury and will hopefully get further minutes against his former side this Saturday. Marc White deployed Isaac Philpot and Spike Stegall in the middle and left of the back three respectively in Wales and may explore that again at Fetcham Grove as he continues to weigh up his defensive options.
Jordan Cheadle, Ed Harris and Alfie Rutherford didn't travel last time out due to family commitments and Callum Kennedy missed out on game time after picking up a late knock.
REMINDER:
Wanderers first ever game in the National League Premier against Chesterfield is just over two weeks away! Secure your tickets now at:
https://dorkingwanderersfc.ktckts.com/event/dor2223h01/chesterfield-fc
The Tanners: Aiming To Bounce Back
Despite putting up a valiant fight right to the very end of the campaign, Leatherhead were unable to avoid relegation from the Isthmian Premier Division (Step 3) last season. Director of Football Mick O'Sullivan and Manager Luke Tuffs arrived at the club midway through the season and revitalised a side which took the battle to survive right to the final day, ultimately undone by the fine margins of goal difference in the bottom four of the division and point-per-game averages elsewhere across Step 3 level.
'The Tanners' will be competing in the Isthmian South Central Division next term, playing at Step 4 level for the first time since 2013/14. No doubt looking to bounce back at the first time of asking, the club have been able to retain a few of the key players brought in during the second half of last season. Former Slough Town midfielder Max Worsfold and skipper Aaron Lamont will remain at Fetcham Grove, as will experienced former Cheltenham Town, Gillingham and Southend United midfielder Jermaine McGlashan, who continues as both player and coach.
Experienced keeper Luke Williams and midfielder Josh Webb have both joined the club from Hartley Wintney, and striker Dave Tarpey, previously of Barnet, Farnborough and Woking, has also made the switch to Surrey after being part of the Bracknell Town squad who won the Isthmian South Central Division last season.
Following defeat away at Spelthorne Sports 4-2 to start July, 'The Tanner's continued pre-season preparations with a couple of games behind closed doors. They then faced Wanderers final pre-season opponents, Horsham, this past Tuesday evening at The Camping World Community Stadium. Despite taking the lead in the 16th minute, goals from Jack Mazzone and Eddie Dsane saw the hosts take a 2-1 win.
Previously In The Surrey Advertiser Trophy...
The Surrey Advertiser Trophy was re-introduced as an annual contest between Dorking and Leatherhead back in the summer of 2019. The first game was held at Meadowbank just over three years ago to the day, with Wanderers winning 2-1. James McShane opened the scoring in the third minute and Wanderers had a 1-0 lead at the interval, but 'The Tanners' came back strongly in the second half and levelled through Travis Gregory. With effectively the last kick of the game though, Wanderers nicked it, McShane playing George Membrillera through on goal, and the young striker kept his composure to guide the ball home.
With pre-season delayed due to the impact of Covid-19, the contest in 2020 was played at Fetcham Grove on the August Bank Holiday Monday. Wanderers made a lightning fast start to the game, Alfie Rutherford scoring twice inside the opening five minutes, and despite an improvement from the home side in the second half, the score remained 0-2 come full time.
Last year the sides met in July back at Meadowbank on what was at the time, rather appropriately after what's happened earlier this week, the hottest day of year. Wanderers were in clinical form in front of goal on the day, cruising to a 4-0 victory as Jason Prior and Wes Fogden scored a brace each.
KEY INFO
Location: Guildford Rd, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9AS
Entry: Adults £8 / Concession £6 / U16s £4 / U12s Free
Buy Online (Inc 10% Booking Fee)
https://leatherheadfc.ktckts.com/event/lfc2223h05/the-advertiser-trophy-v-dorking-wanderers
Dan Stobbart