Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
A trip to a Hemel side in freefall tonight as they currently sit in 17th place after not having won a game since early September. They have 11 defeats and 2 draws since then...
Jason Prior limped off in the first half against Enfield with a hamstring injury so you would expect him to miss the game. Marc mentioned in the post match that Rob Milsom should return tonight. Josh Brooking remains suspended for one more game.
Predictions:
Hemel Hempstead 1-2 Dorking (Carter, Rutherford)
601 att. (82 away)
Foulkes
Camp Craig Milsom
Briggs Gallagher Williams Norville-Williams
Young Carter
Rutherford
Subs: Francomb, Myles, Muitt, Randall, Alexandrou
Think we might have to play a 3-4-3 / 3-6-1 tonight without Prior. I assume Gallagher and Williams will both start considering that they only played 45 mins each on Saturday. Might be a good one to rest Jimmy and give Briggs a start after his cameo against Enfield.
Hmmmm, trouble is we always seem to help out a side that is going through an bad patch. But I'll go with the same score & result.
Under the lights, away from home and on a plastic pitch... 😬
But I'll remain positive;
Hemel H (1) 2 Dorking W (1) 2 (Briggs, Carter)
799 (102 Wands)
I see they average 750 at home, hopefully some BoA followers and the Wanderers faithful boost that tonight
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
We are nothing if not inconsistent, even within the same game. So I am going for a comfortable 2-0 away win, to follow a dire second half vs Enfield. Rutherford 2, provided someone gives him some chances to latch on to.
Dorking were magnificent
Hemel were pants
Great to see for once a scoreline that reflected what both teams deserved
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Not related to anything, but saw this in tonights digital programme for Boreham Wood
(average attendances for the division - click on link)
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
@dorking-eagle That is an interesting bit of information on average attendances. Ours was around 1,800 last season. Do you think it is down mainly due to the low away fans attending games? I figured we'd lost a few home fans when we dropped from the NL, but not a lot.
Anyway, brilliant game! Everyone must have been buzzing on that ride home. Can we just keep this going for a longer spell?
Much as Hemel were clearly lacking in confidence, we were utterly ruthless, and some of the interplay was, quite literally 'just like watching Brazil'
Players looked more than a class above, which of course is our aim, and what's so positive is that, as Marc said, this should be just the start - we still have players coming back.
Also thought McShane is looking really sharp already - and Briggs continues to make a mischief of himself like he used to. Think he just needs a goal or two to get the confidence right back up there, but he's looking fit and powerful for sure.
Do you think it is down mainly due to the low away fans attending games? I figured we'd lost a few home fans when we dropped from the NL, but not a lot.
Mostly due to having no big away numbers. In the NL there were numerous clubs who would bring 600 and on occasions well above. Probably lost a few floating fans too but not many imo.
Still a very, very healthy average for a small market town in Surrey!
The average away support at Meadowbank this season must be about 75, the odd one has brought a good number (Salisbury 170ish)
In the NL, whilst Gateshead and Boreham Wood were pathetic numbers, the average must have been 300+ when you consider Hartlepool fancy dress, Oldham 600, Notts and Wrexham 500, Chesterfield always tons, and the likes of Bromley still a solid 250ish
I think we have lost home fans though. It's madness the club don't do multi-game ticket deals to save a couple of quid (eg buy the next 2 homes and save £3 or £4 even
A friend at work went to the Enfield home game, he usually watches Epsom & Ewell - ignoring the soaking, he said he saw loads of neutrals/hoppers and other clubs fans he sees at other games, so considering it was not much over 1000, that's a lot of home fan no-shows
Most away games we have been to have been less for tickets, only Torquay have charged more than our £18
Ultimately, if you aren't loyal to Dorking in particular, then there's lots of other non league football fairly locally at much more sensible prices
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Crawley is also the same price for adults and much cheaper for concessions/children and that is League 1 football. Crowds are certainly increasing there.
There is also a special deal this Saturday for the FA Cup with much reduced tickets, so this could attract any floating fans.
League 1 football generally costs £21-27 for adults apart from Crawley, so not that much difference considering 3 leagues higher.
Dorking have still got one of the top 5 average attendances In the League so that is something to be proud of.
