Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
Back at Meadowbank again this Saturday to 14th placed Slough Town as we look to pick up back-to-back home wins for only the second time this season. The visitors are in a poor run of form with their last league win coming back in late November although they have picked up some respectable points against the likes of Hampton, Torquay and Eastbourne in that period.
Similar to Aveley, we lost the reverse away fixture earlier in the season, 3-2 at Arbour Park. Slough lost one of their better players this week as they sold Chambers-Parillon (who scored the 3rd Slough goal back in November) to Southend United.
Marc mentioned in his post-match on Tuesday that none of the injured players are likely to return for this one so we will likely be missing Camp, Brooking and Francomb once again.
Predictions:
Dorking 4-2 Slough (Carter, Craig, Rutherford x 2)
1,598 att. (240 away)
Foulkes
Gallagher Craig Milsom
Briggs J.Taylor McManus Muitt
Carter
Prior Rutherford
Subs: B.Taylor, Norville-Williams, Williams, Young, Murphy
Don't think there will be too much change in the line-up. Possibility that JNW starts after a couple of good cameos in the last week and it wouldn't surprise me if McManus starts to freshen up the midfield a bit after Williams played 90 midweek. I would possibly rest Prior and give Murphy a start (with a view to starting Prior away at Hampton a few days later) but Marc never rests Prior...
Could have been 5 in that first half - Not sure how Alfie didn't score (although it was down the other end, so hard to really see), but just wasn't his day. Looks like some excellent saves denied him.
Really pleased to see Milsom's left foot settling in. His delivery for Prior is becoming a nice weapon to have in the team.
I was right behind the goal for the first half expecting most of the action to be there, and Alfie should have had 2 goals.
1. Clean through, waits ages to shoot. Just basically runs into the keepers arms.
2. Balls comes back to him from 8 yards out, a very easy chance. Scuffs it wide under no pressure.
Clearly is going through a goal drought but thankfully JP9 has stepped in with goals.
Milsom massively stood out in that game with his left foot and his forward passing and thinking. He was definitely our best player after JP9 in the game.
Was also behind that goal first half and really not sure how Alfie didn't come away from that game with 4 goals. 2 really poor finishes that @jacksonfairweather mentioned and 2 really good saves from the keeper. With that being said, I thought Alfie had a really good game and led the line well and was rewarded with 2 assists.
Home performances getting better and better which bodes well for the run-in, we just need to get some of those injured players back fit for that RCB position as we are one injury away from a defensive crisis at the moment.
Some stats:
Possession: Dorking 59% - 41% Slough
xG: Dorking 3.11 - 0.29 Slough
Shots (Accurate): Dorking 20 (10) - 6 (1) Slough
Long Balls: Dorking 84 - 75 Slough (The most long balls we've attempted so far this season)
Top Performer: Jason Prior [8.6]
Interesting on the long balls, coinciding with JP MoM and also lots of chances, which has been a struggle at home this season at times. I think good to mix it up, especially with players like Milsom able to hit accurate long passes and great crosses.
A quick look shows that DW are still (again?) top scorers in the top 7 divisions, which is pretty impressive given struggles at home, which hopefully are behind us now. Great that Alfie is getting chances. No doubt he will put them away soon.
