MATCH PREVIEW | THE SWANS
Dorking Wanderers vs Walton & Hersham
Pre-Season Friendly
July 8th 2023
3pm KO Dorking will begin their pre-season run of games this Saturday afternoon with Walton & Hersham the visitors to Meadowbank in a 3pm kick off.
Benefiting from an extra month off in the close season this time around after an extended campaign last year due to their play-off exploits, Wanderers start their pre-season match schedule following two weeks of training under the new arrangement of morning rather than evening sessions. A decision taken ahead of the upcoming campaign to further improve matchday preparations and close the gap to becoming a full-time outfit in the not too distant future, sessions have taken place at Redhill FC, where Wanderers will continue training for the foreseeable future as part of the recently announced partnership between the two clubs.
Speaking in the first of his weekly updates for the new season earlier today, manager Marc White said:
"I can certainly see when the season starts how it will benefit us - just the extra time you get and the fact that people are fresher in the mornings. Into pre-season though it won't hold as much advantage because ultimately we're still only training twice a week, and I worry a little bit about the start of the season in that respect compared to how full time sides will have prepared, but that comes with the territory of being part-time. We'll really see those gains from the morning sessions once we are into the new campaign."
Looking ahead to the new season, this past Wednesday the National League fixtures for 23/24 were announced, and in a reversal of last season's opener, Wanderers will travel to Chesterfield on the opening day of the season on August 5th.
Please click the link below to view the full schedule of fixtures for next season: https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/23-24-fixtures
Team News
Saturday's fixture may be the first opportunity Wanderers fans get to see summer signings Harrison Male and Jaevon Dyer in action, whilst new first team squad additions Jack Saunders and Callum Backhurst may also get game time after moving up from the academy and B team.
Marc White has confirmed that Niall McManus (achillies) and Josh Taylor (hip) are both still working their way back to fitness after recovering from injuries sustained at the back end of last season, whilst James McShane (calf) and Jimmy Muitt (stomach) have picked up early injuries after returning to training. Current expectation is that most of the players sidelined at this time will be able to feature towards the back end of the pre-season run of games.
Opposition Focus: The Swans
Words: Zac Welshman
Walton & Hersham continued their impressive rise up the footballing pyramid last year after securing promotion via a 3-1 victory over Hanworth Villa in the Isthmian League South Central playoff final, returning to Step 3 level for the first time since 2007. Maintaining consistent success with three straight promotions since their eye-catching takeover by “the youngest owners in football” was completed in 2019, Scott Harris’ side will provide a stern test for Wanderers as they prepare for their upcoming campaign in the Southern Premier League Division South.
A successful 22/23 was capped off in style when an unprecedented five Walton & Hersham players represented the club in the Isthmian League South Central Division team of the season. Right-back Harry Mills was joined by the central-defensive duo of Joe Hicks & Mitchell Gough across the nominated team’s back four. Whilst dynamic number eight Alex Kelly sat behind record-breaking striker Eddie Simon, who finished as the division’s top goal scorer with 40 league goals and a mind-boggling four consecutive hat-tricks throughout March made up the last of Walton’s inclusions. Forward Jordan Adeyemi, who finished the season with an impressive goal tally of 16 from the right flank will be a tough loss to contend with after his departure was announced earlier this summer, but new signings Stefan Ilic, former QPR youth player Jake Frailings and winger Shkyler Burrowes, who was just announced on Friday after leaving Met Police, will be looking to plug any creative gaps Anayemi leaves behind. Saturday's game could mark a swift return to Meadowbank for young midfielder Ollie Allen, who joined Walton & Hersham on loan from Wanderers at the end of May.
Last Time We Met...
The two sides faced each other in the 21/22 season for the 2nd Round of the Surrey Senior Cup. Under the midweek lights at Meadowbank on a cold night in late January, neither side could be separated at half-time after a competitive but goalless first half. After the restart though Wanderers managed to find an extra gear, and produced a clinical display in front of goal through the course of the second half to go on and secure their place in the next round of the competition they would go on to win for the first time that season. A poachers brace from Luke Moore scored either side of a free kick effort from Darren Oldaker and late tap in from Josh Taylor rounded out a 4-0 win in the end.
Matchday Info
Tickets
Available online or at the turnstiles from 1pm, tickets for Saturday's game are priced at Adults £6, Cons £4 & U18s £2.
Save time on the gate by purchasing online!
https://dorkingwanderersfc.ktckts.com/event/dwpre/pre-season-walton-hersham
Pre-Season Programme
Our digital matchday programme for all pre-season home games is available to read now, please click the link below to view:
https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/_files/ugd/7b0b40_6b4639795f004665928f9ffcb377a667.pdf
The FanZone Is Back!
The FanZone will be open from 1pm on Saturday afternoon, with both home and away supporters welcome to soak up the atmosphere and join us for drinks and food before kick off.
Match Updates Can't get to Meadowbank on Saturday? We will be providing action and score updates throughout the afternoon via Twitter (@DorkingWDRS)
Visiting Fans Information
Getting to Meadowbank, where to grab a pre-match drink beforehand and more...
https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/visiting-supporters