WEEKEND ROUND UP: AUG 13TH / 14TH
A round up of how the Wanderers teams got on over the weekend...
First Team Defeated At Oldham...
Wanderers much anticipated first away trip in the National League Premier saw Marc White's men travel to Oldham Athletic in the late kick-off on Saturday afternoon. Broadcast live on BT Sport and played in front of a crowd of nearly eight and a half thousand at Boundary Park, the first game since local businessman Frank Rothwell's takeover at Oldham was quite the occasion. Led by a brass band, a procession of fans walked to the ground, ahead of a live rendition of the National Anthem by Maddison Peacock and a rousing speech from the chairman himself before kick off. What was always going to be an historic day for both side's was elevated to something even more special.
In sweltering heat, the game itself got underway. Wanderers went behind on twelve minutes as Luke Moore's misplaced pass was received by Ben Tollitt, the Latics midfielder taking advantage of the space available in front of him to surge forward, before shifting the ball across to striker Hallam Hope, who calmly guided his strike into the bottom right corner. Wanderers reacted well, taking command of possession for much of the rest of the half, and were unfortunate not to get back into the game before the interval; Bobby-Joe Taylor forcing keeper Magnus Norman into a couple of excellent saves and brushing the side netting from a free kick. After the restart though, Oldham quickly double their advantage. Luke Burgess collected a loose header in midfield, and similarly to the first goal, got forward ahead of laying the ball off for Chris Porter, who swept home from the left side of the area. A deflected Ben Tollitt strike made it three midway through the half, but Wanderers restored possession of the ball and fought back, Josh Taylor and Alfie Rutherford both scoring good headers in the final ten minutes, both via Bobby-Joe Taylor deliveries. Unlike last weekend, Wanderers couldn't quite rescue a point, but have the chance to quickly bounce back on Tuesday night as they travel to The Gallagher Stadium and face last season's promotion rivals Maidstone United.
Take a read of our match report here:
https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/latics-hold-off-wanderers-fightback
Check out highlights of the game on the DWTV YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PMyME0RS2M
Rhys Barker's B Team Defeated On Home Debut...
The Wanderers B team played their first home game of the new season on Saturday afternoon, hosting Selsey FC. Akil Alleyne's powerful header put the visitors into the lead after ten minutes, and a brace from Evan Harris had 'The Blues' 3-0 up just past the hour mark. For the second week running, Sekou Toure made an impact after coming off the bench, scoring a consolation for Wanderers in the final five minutes. Like the first team, the Wanderers B team will have a swift opportunity to bounce back on Tuesday evening, welcoming Billingshurst FC to Meadowbank in a 19:45 kick off.
Check out all the goals via the DWFC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT7EWMDLq6w
Ladies Conclude Pre-Season Preperations...
AFC Wimbledon U23s visited Meadowbank on Sunday in the Wanderers Ladies final pre-season game ahead of the season starting next weekend. The ladies kick off their league campaign at Meadowbank on Sunday August 21st against Denham United in a 15:30 kick off.
Full ladies fixtures available here:
https://fulltime.thefa.com/displayTeam.html?divisionseason=169617006&teamID=717167992
Wanderers Academy Meet Familiar Face...
The past ten days has seen the Wanderers Academy teams get their pre-season schedules under way, with the A, B and Tactics sides all in action. This past week has included hosting Aldershot Town at Meadowbank, an evening fixture at Godalming Town plus a couple of games with Dartford at Princes Park.
The final match of the week saw a mixed Wanderers Academy side take on David Ray's Storrington FC at The Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon. A good contest for both sides in the red hot conditions, we wish Wanderers legend 'Razor' all the best for the upcoming season in his first managerial role. His side will begin their Southern Combination Division Two campaign next Saturday at home to Rustington FC.