Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
I'll let Tom provide his musings on the possible line up - but suffice to say it's a challenge to know what it'll look like given Marc's comments about the injury situation and that we can expect 'many changes' - so let's have your best guesses....
Dorking (2) 3 Eastbourne (1) 2 Muitt, Lewis, Camp
1,302 (101 from Sussex)
I'm going to this one as Crawley don't have a game due to their terrible performance in the FA Cup.
Last time I saw Eastbourne in September they were very poor, although understand have improved slightly. Their keeper, Ryan Sandford, is Crawley's third keeper, and this is about his level.
Still think Dorking will win this one, 2-1 (Lewis and Carter). 1,276 with 115 Eastbourne.
Line-up will be very tricky after Marc's update as he said there will be more changes than any other game this season. Rutherford, McManus and Norville-Williams are long term absentees and he said that Prior, McShane and Marquez are all doubts.
After comments last weekend, I can imagine that Moore will be one of those rotated and it also wouldn't surprise me if Vincent is as well after featuring in every game so far. Tony Craig could even come in for Storey as well.
Dorking 1-1 Eastbourne (Camp)
1,419 att.
Foulkes
Camp Storey Annesley
Muitt Taylor Pybus Young Lewis
Prior Carter
Subs: Craig, Francomb, Gallagher, Moore, Vincent, Hebert, McShane
Impossible to predict as the team will literally be whatever we can cobble together, and also Eastbourne are blowing hot and cold,
They lost 7-0 to Torquay, then won 6-0 against Hampton
I just hope whatever happens we outfox Tommy Widdrington because he will know us very well having managed against us in both cup competitions already this season.
Did I see mention of festive matchday scran in one of the recent emails??
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
It’s good to see Young back - I thought he gave energy and quality to midfield- and a Pybus start would be a bonus too. I think given recent home form we will have enough to get the job done. 2-1
Glad Brennan is back and looking forward to seeing Carter back starting at home. Hopefully we have a striker tomorrow, I’m sure Prior will plough on. Bit disappointed Jose injured yet again .
Got a feeling for goals, 3-2
Muitt, Carter, Storey
Great game, fine reward for those who braved the weather
Finally a goal from a free kick (how long is it since the last one Tom!!)
Hat trick from Carter
Brennan sticking his head in dangerous places as per usual
What's not to love! (the diagonal support inside the goal making the ball bounce out I suppose but at least the goal was rightly given)
Tommy Widdrington must be sick of coming here now!
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Not a great performance at all but some moments of magic and three great points.
Not a great performance at all but some moments of magic and three great points.
I thought it was a good game, and we deserved to win, although Eastbourne played well second half, which was much better than first, and also good goals. My MOM was Carter, even before he completed his hattrick. Hopefully Taylor and Prior will be okay (assume Prior came off half time due to injury or tiredness/illness)?
After going to Horsham a couple of weeks ago one thing I was impressed there was their Club Shop. They have a new walk-in one which is twice the size of the burger bar by the Family Stand. It was also packed with merchandise.
If Dorking want to raise some money, they really need to market their merchandise a lot better at the ground, rather than have a few items behind the bar, or burger bar or in the market stall next door (closed today due to the rain). They certainly have a very extensive range on line.
Also could do with something else on draft (Guinness/Pale Ale?) at the Bank Bar rather than just two different lagers.
The ticket booking on-line seems to have changed as today I had to also input my address, date of birth, and whether I had been before.
Marc said Prior has done his hamstring so all four strikers injured. Would like to bring one in ASAP and mentioned a young striker at Charlton. Also said Josh Taylor got bruised knee and will need to check on it.
There was no merch stand at all today (not sure if due to weather or just not enough people to do it?) and no chips available either. Club could be making more money on matchdays if they get these sort of things right. The sound on the pre-match interview was shocking too (for balance the interviews themselves are always excellent, and the content and scale of media and comms is something the club excels at so a bit unusual)
Not good about Prior but that's just DWFC, always having to overcome a challenge or setback.
Hope Marc's cough/cold gets better quickly by the way.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
@crawleysth Good points regarding the merchandising. There’s some great bits online and they should have more of it down the stadium in a proper set up somewhere- can’t be that tricky.
Also yes the new online booking thing is annoying, have to put in DOB and wether I’ve been before every time I get my tickets .
As for the game, first half was a bit of a non event. Thought Eastbourne played pretty well but wasted many final balls. Hats off to Harrison for that save from the header.
So good to have Charlie back hitting the ground running- please stay fit! Hopefully we have a striker for Bath and Weston
Agree @Gary Munnery first half was very average and we got lucky with the goal. Looking forward to seeing that save from Foulkes again cos live it looked incredible.
I thought Eastbourne were one of the best teams to come to Meadowbank. Don’t quite know how they are at that end of the table. They played more football than we did first half but without creating too much.
With all injuries Marc hinted at change in tactics to come - depends on whether he lands a striker I guess. Do we know how long Marquez is out for?
Must mention the Mooro shithousery booking - a classic of the genre!
Strange game, probably the weakest we've played at home since the National League but at the same time never really looked or felt like we were going to lose. I think both of their goals are deflected and their penalty shout didn't look like any contact from Vincent. The only real big moment they had apart from that was the brilliant Foulkes save.
Injuries obviously a massive factor now and we really need to get 1 or 2 of these strikers back. Very interesting to see Marc name the striker he is looking to sign on loan (Patrick Casey) in the post match and petition the fans to get Charlton to let us have him. Also goes without saying that we need that Josh Taylor injury to just be a knock and nothing serious...
Looking at the stats, it looks like a really poor performance across all areas but it didn't necessarily feel like that at the time:
Possession: Dorking 42% - 58% Eastbourne - Our lowest possession since the National League
Shots (OT): Dorking 9 (6) - 18 (4) Eastbourne
xG: Dorking 1.02 - 1.16 Eastbourne
Passes: Dorking 310 - 344 Eastbourne - 3rd lowest attempted this season
Long Balls: Dorking 82 - 91 Eastbourne - Our highest amount this season
Duels: Dorking 49% - 51% Eastbourne - Lost the duels 3 games in a row now
Top Performer: Charlie Carter [10.0!]
Side note - first direct free kick we've scored in 1,404 days! That is 3 years, 10 months and 5 days. 1st Feb 2022: Oldaker v Oxford City (H)