Meadowbank Stadium hosts the Fleet this weekend for the first time since National League promotion was snatched away in the final stages of the 2022 South promotion final. Now both sides compete for three points to relieve the pressure on returning there. Fleet did their chances no harm with a six-point week that sees the bottom half of the division all engaged in the battle for survival.
Form guide
This will be the second game in a row that the Fleet face a team below them in the table, although Dorking have played fewer games. Mixed form recently for the Wanderers saw them fall into the drop zone on Tuesday night after the Fleet picked up a second win in three days. Dorking’s last outing saw them share the points against Kidderminster away from home, while their last home win was against Gateshead on January 20th.
Last time out
A Tuesday night under the lights in September at the Kuflink Stadium was the scene for the reverse fixture and it was the visitors who came out on top. Substitute Harry Ottaway found the back of the net just before the hour mark to separate the sides and give Dorking the three points.
Changes at Meadowbank
Haydn Hollis is the only recent arrival at Meadowbank but Alfie Rutherford has returned from a loan spell at Weymouth. The forward scored the winning goal in our 2022 promotion final but required heart surgery last year and he has now returned to football. There are still as many as 13 players from our last visit to Meadowbank in the Dorking squad.
The manager
Founder, owner and manager of Dorking Wanderers, Marc White has achieved 12 promotions in 23 seasons as Dorking continue to climb the non-league pyramid and they achieved National League status for the first time in the club’s history in 2022 via that unforgettable final against the Fleet.
Club connections
Former Fleet defender Haydn Hollis arrived at Meadowbank in November following 18 months at the Kuflink Stadium where he won a league-title medal. Hollis made a total of 47 appearances at the club with two goals to his name and was a part of the Fleet side who lost to Dorking at home earlier this season. Former Fleet signing Bobby-Joe Taylor is still a regular at Dorking after switching clubs in 2021 and Luke Moore is into his fifth season with Marc White’s side, having come through Fleet’s youth academy (below) to win the FA Trophy with us in 2008. The 35-year-old from Gravesend has made 16 appearances for Wanderers this season.
Ticket info
Tickets can be purchased online here – please select the away tickets. Disabled tickets fall under the concessions bracket; if a carer is required they will enter the ground free of charge but you must contact info@dorkingwanderers.com to arrange your ticket.
Please note that Meadowbank is a cashless venue, including the turnstiles meaning only card payments will be accepted.
Bucket collection
If you do have some spare change, however, there will be a bucket collection at the venue tomorrow to raise money for the Kent & Surrey Air Ambulance. Any donation will be much appreciated.
