YORK CITY PREVIEW & LATEST FIRST TEAM NEWS
Dorking Wanderers vs York City Vanarama National League Premier November 26th 2022
Last Season's Play-Off Winners Go Head To Head...
Dorking return to league action this weekend as York City, winners of the National League North play-offs last season, make a first ever trip to Meadowbank on Saturday afternoon.
Following the disappointing defeat to Bromley last weekend, Wanderers were deprived of the opportunity to quickly bounce back from the loss as this past Tuesday's away fixture to Halifax Town was unfortunately postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Hopefully the fixture will go ahead at what will be the fourth attempt so far this season, stay tuned for confirmation of date and timing in the coming weeks.
A friendly against Colliers Wood United of the Combined Counties Premier division was instead arranged for Tuesday night at Meadowbank, an opportunity for Marc White to get match minutes to those returning from injury and those who have just joined the club in recent weeks. A brace from Harry Ottaway had Wanderers leading at the break, but goals from William Kendall, Ali Fofanah and Kieran Campbell turned the game completely around for Colliers in the second half as they ran out 2-3 winners. On a night where former Wanderers academy goalkeeper Josh Barnett played between the sticks for Colliers, current B team players Ben Aubrey, Spike Stegall and Jack Saunders all featured in the second half. Archie Procter and the Joe's Cook and Walsh played a half each, as did Barry Fuller, Adam Mekki and Callum Kennedy. The result certainly makes the upcoming Surrey Senior Cup 1st Round fixture between the two sides a bit more intriguing - the time and date of that fixture expected to be confirmed shortly.
One cup fixture which has been confirmed this past week is the FA Trophy, where Wanderers will enter at the 3rd Round stage. Following Tuesday's draw, Marc White's team will travel to face fellow National League side Yeovil Town at Huish Park on Saturday December 17th in a 3pm kick off.
Team News
In his weekly update broadcast on Thursday night, Marc White confirmed that Seb Bowerman will require a scan on his achilles after coming off during the Bromley game. A real blow to the player and club after the winger has made a superb start since joining from Bracknell Town at the end of September, his recent performances rewarded last weekend by being presented with the October Player of The Month.
Elsewhere, Jordan Cheadle is ruled out with a hamstring injury, Josh Taylor has been deemed '50/50' as he deals with an ankle knock and Jasper Pattenden is likely to miss out as he continues following recovery protocols after suffering a nasty head clash early in the game last weekend. Whilst there is a bit of sickness going round parts of the squad, Marc White has hinted that availability is otherwise good, albeit with some players still short on match minutes.
Loan Update
It was confirmed on Tuesday that goalkeeper Slav Huk would move across Mole Valley to join Leatherhead for the remainder of the campaign on loan. Slav made his debut for 'The Tanners' the following night in a 2-1 home win over Kingstonian in the Velocity Cup, and will be playing alongside fellow Wanderers loanee Ollie Allen for the rest of the season after he switched from Burgess Hill Town to Leatherhead in early October. Fellow midfielder James Dickson remains on loan at Haywards Heath, as he has done since the start of the campaign, whilst defender Cameron Black has recently joined Joe Rabetts on loan at Bognor Regis Town. Following his initial loan to Wanderers from Crystal Palace back in August, defender Dan Quick has now returned to South East London.
Keep an eye on the website in the coming weeks for a mid-season review of how our Wanderers loan players have got on so far this term at their various clubs.
Opposition Focus: The Minstermen
Like Wanderers, York City secured promotion last season via the play-off route, qualifying by finishing 5th in the league standings. After overcoming Chorley 2-1 at home in the eliminator tie, an away game at Brackley Town, who finished runners up in the table, awaited in the semi finals. A Lennell John-Lewis goal just before half-time was enough for The Minstermen to advance to the final, where they overcame Boston United 2-0 at the York Community Stadium, John-Lewis and winger Maziar Kouhyar grabbing the goals as promotion was secured back to non-league's top tier for the first time since relegation from the division back in 2016/17.
Marking their return to the league with a 2-0 win at home to Woking on the opening day, York had competed well through the first couple of month's of the campaign, but 1 win in the last 8 games and 3 defeats in the last 4 has seen the club drop down the table, and also part company with manager John Askey a couple of weeks ago. Youth team manager Tim Ryan has been appointed interim boss whilst the club search for a successor, and took charge for the first time last weekend at home to Wealdstone. Manny Duku had put York in front, but Miguel Freckleton's equaliser and a heartbreaking stoppage time winner from Jack Cook secured maximum points for the away side. Heading into today's contest The Minstermen are one place and two points ahead of Wanderers in the league in 15th spot, with both teams sharing an identical record for their last five league matches played (LLDLD)
Play-off hero and skipper Lennell John-Lewis is York's top scorer in the league so far on 8 goals, the striker signing a permanent deal for the club in the close season after a joining on loan spell from Grimsby Town in the second half of last campaign. He is supported up top by well travelled Dutch forward Manny Duku, who played at Havant & Waterlooville last term, as well as midfielder Mitch Hancox who like John-Lewis was on loan at the club last term before transferring over in the summer, arriving from Hereford. The one loan signing made this term is between the sticks, with goalkeeper Ethan Ross on a season-long loan from Stockport County, having come through the youth ranks at Arsenal and West Brom.
Key Matchday Info
TICKETS: BUY ONLINE TO SAVE TIME AT THE TURNSTILES! https://dorkingwanderersfc.ktckts.com/event/dor2223h11/york-city PRICES: Adults £16 / Concessions £13 / U18s £8 / U8s £4 FAMILY OFFER! A family of 4 (2 adults, 2 U12s) can watch the Wanderers against York City for only £35! BLACK FRIDAY 2023/24 SEASON TICKET OFFER - LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE!
https://dorkingwanderersfc.ktckts.com/brand/season Matchday Programme: £3 (physical copies only, available at ground) Why not join us for a drink in the FanZone? Open to supporters from 1pm! Not attending Saturday's match? Gary Pascoe will be providing matchday commentary, stay tuned to our social media channels for more information. 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